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In this heartfelt and deeply educational episode, I sit down with fruit tree expert, author, educator, and podcaster Susan Poizner to explore the surprising realities behind growing fruit trees — and why planting an orchard is far more than simply putting a tree in the ground. From launching a community orchard in Toronto with almost no horticultural experience, to becoming a leading voice in urban orchard education, Susan shares the honest mistakes, hard-earned lessons, and beautiful community moments that shaped her journey.

Together, we dive into everything from grafting, pollination, disease-resistant cultivars, and organic growing practices, to the public perception of sprays, sustainability, and what it truly takes to grow healthy fruit in challenging climates. Susan also shares moving stories about community harvests, cultural connections to food, and how one small orchard ultimately educated thousands of people and transformed neighborhoods in unexpected ways. This conversation is both grounding and inspiring — especially for anyone dreaming of planting fruit trees, building community through agriculture, or reconnecting with where our food truly comes from

Orchard People
Books
Blog Post

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Every now and then, a conversation changes your life in ways you could never have predicted. That's exactly what happened when I first interviewed Pattie Baker about her WWOOFing journey across America.

We connected instantly. What started as a podcast interview grew into a genuine friendship built on a shared love of farming, travel, learning, and embracing new adventures. Since then, I've had the privilege of following Pattie's WWOOFing experiences in Ireland, sharing my own WWOOFing journey in Sicily, and collaborating together on our Farm Journal series documenting my new role as Retail Farm Manager at Nourse Farm.

As I watch Pattie continue to inspire others from across the ocean while on her new adventure back in Ireland, I keep coming back to the lesson she lives every day: Trust the Journey. Re-listening to this very first interview reminded me how one brave decision can open doors you never imagined.

I'm excited to share this conversation again because this is where it all began.

Trusting the Journey 'Round Ireland with Pattie Baker
I did it! I am a WWOOFer!
Bonus: The Farm Journal, episode 1
Bonus: The Farm Journal, episode 2
Bonus: The Farm Journal, episode 3

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There’s something deeply healing about stepping onto a farm — slowing down long enough to breathe fresh air, work with your hands, share a meal, connect with animals, and reconnect with nature in a way that modern life rarely allows. But what if those experiences are more than simply enjoyable? What if farms themselves are part of a much larger public health solution?

In this incredibly thought-provoking episode, I sit down with emergency medicine physician, public health advocate, farmer, and agritourism visionary Chris Barsotti to explore the intersection of agriculture, wellness, public health, and human connection. From his work in ecological economics and emergency medicine to building a regenerative farm in southern Vermont, Chris shares a powerful perspective on how farms can serve not only as places of food production — but as spaces that actively support mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Together, we dive into topics like regenerative agriculture, nature-based interventions, loneliness and isolation, lifestyle medicine, animal-assisted experiences, and why agri-tourism may be one of the most overlooked forms of preventative healthcare in modern society. We also reflect on our shared experiences in Sicily, the healing power of meaningful connection, and the growing movement to reimagine farms as community-centered wellness spaces.

This conversation completely reframed the way I think about agriculture — not just as farming, hospitality, or tourism, but as a form of care. If you’ve ever felt calmer after spending time on a farm, in a garden, in the woods, or around animals… this episode will deeply resonate with you.

Longview Farm Vermont

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In bonus episode 3, I'm joined once again by Pattie Baker for a personal reflection on my journey to Nourse Farm in Westborough, Massachusetts.

After years of building a life, career, and community on Long Island, I made the decision to step back into the world of agriculture—not by returning to something familiar, but by embracing an entirely new challenge. What began as an opportunity to help shape the retail, education, and community-facing side of a historic farm has become a lesson in reinvention, resilience, and personal growth.

In this conversation, we discuss the realities of starting over in a new environment, the intensity of taking over a farm store and CSA program, creating educational experiences, and building systems from the ground up. We also talk about balancing family responsibilities from afar, finding grounding in the daily rhythms of farm life, and navigating the uncertainty that comes with pursuing something meaningful.

This episode is an honest look at what happens when you say yes to a new adventure—even when the timing isn't perfect, the path isn't clear, and the outcome is still unfolding.

If you've ever felt called to begin again, follow a passion, or take a leap into the unknown, I think you'll find something in this conversation that resonates.

Nourse Farm
Let's Go WWOOFing with Jenna Pollard
Trust the Journey Round America & Ireland with Pattie Baker
A Sicilian Harvest in Marsala with Gianfranco and Nino
Bonus: The Farm Journal, episode 1
Bonus: The Farm Journal, episode 2

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Over the past few years on The Agri-Tourist Podcast, I’ve had the opportunity to explore so many different corners of agriculture—but this conversation brings us into a part of the food system that is both incredibly visible and often deeply misunderstood: beekeeping.

In episode #101, I sit down with Evan Reseska of Boston Honey Company, a family-run business that has grown from a single backyard hive into a multi-state operation. What I found especially compelling is how this story reflects something we see across agriculture—growth doesn’t happen in a straight line. It’s shaped by curiosity, by necessity, and by a willingness to adapt when conditions change. From shifting climates to changing forage and the realities of pollination, Evan shares what it really takes to build and sustain a business around bees.

As you listen, I invite you to think a little differently about something as simple as honey. Because behind it is a complex system—of bees, land, farmers, and decisions that all play a role in what ends up in the jar. And as always, it’s a reminder that the more we understand about where our food comes from, the more connected we become to the people and processes behind it.

Boston Honey Company

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In the 100th Episode of The Agri-Tourist Podcast, I take you back to Italy - specifically Tuscany -  for a conversation that really captures how something small can grow into something incredibly meaningful. I sit down with Arturo, who shares the story of his family’s rose farm—one that began not with a business plan, but with a moment. A scent that stopped his mother in her tracks, brought back a memory, and ultimately led to the creation of a farm rooted in tradition, curiosity, and care.

What I appreciate about this conversation is how it brings you into the rhythm of this kind of farming. This is not large-scale, fast-paced agriculture—this is intentional, seasonal, and deeply connected to time and place. From harvesting roses in the early morning to preserve their fragrance, to transforming those petals into syrup and jam, Arturo shares what it really takes to produce something so unique and so tied to both nature and tradition.

As you listen, I invite you to think about the moments that spark something bigger—and how often those moments are right in front of us. Because this story is a reminder that agriculture doesn’t always start with a grand plan. Sometimes it starts with paying attention… and being willing to follow where that leads. 

Rosa di Magliano
Pure Indian Foods 

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In Episode 99 of The Agri-Tourist Podcast, we’re continuing the conversation with Medway Community Farm—this time taking a deeper dive into one of the most unique and impactful parts of their operation: education. If you listened to Part 1 (episode 97), you heard how this farm is rooted in community, food access, and connection. In this second part, we build on that foundation and explore how they’ve created an education model that goes far beyond what you typically see on a farm.

What makes this conversation so compelling is how intentional and layered their approach is. I’m joined again by members of the Medway Community Farm team.  First with Board Director Tina Wright and second with Education Director Marlee Blasenheim. Both individually share how the Medway education programs have evolved—from having very little structured education just a few years ago to building something that is now deeply integrated into the local school system and community. From early childhood exposure to hands-on growing experiences and beyond, this is education that grows with the learner.

As you listen, I invite you to think about what’s possible when a farm fully embraces its role as an educational space. Because what Medway has created isn’t just programming—it’s a pathway for connection, understanding, and long-term impact. And for anyone thinking about agritourism or community-based farming, there’s a lot to learn from what they’ve built here.

Medway Community Farm

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In this episode of The Agri-Tourist Podcast, I sit down with Peter Carlson of Wright Old School Chocolate to explore his journey from chocolate enthusiast to bean-to-bar maker. What began as a simple curiosity—sparked by family and a few eye-opening experiences—quickly evolved into something much deeper: a desire to truly understand chocolate at its source.

There’s a quiet honesty in this conversation that I really appreciate. Peter shares what it actually looks like to step beyond being a consumer and into the role of a creator—the trial and error, the surprises, and the realization that something that seems simple… isn’t. From sourcing cacao to refining his process, his story reflects that moment so many of us have in food and agriculture—when appreciation turns into respect.

As always, this episode is about connection. Connection to ingredients, to the people and places behind them, and to the process itself. It’s also a reminder that when you take the time to understand something more deeply—even something as familiar as chocolate—it can shift the way you see it entirely. And maybe, just maybe, it invites you to get a little more curious, too.

Wright Old School Chocolate

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Over the past few months on The Agri-Tourist Podcast, we’ve talked a lot about what it means to connect people to agriculture—but this conversation really brings that idea to life. In this episode, I sit down with Carol Collord and Haley Goulet of Medway Community Farm, a MA farm that is doing so much more than growing food. They’ve created something that sits right at the intersection of education, food access, and community—and it’s all rooted in a very intentional mission.

What stood out to me in this conversation is how integrated everything is. From their school programming—where students are planting, growing, and harvesting—to their CSA models, farm stand, and food access programs, nothing is happening in isolation. It’s all connected. And that’s not easy to do. It takes coordination, vision, and a deep understanding of the role a farm can play in a community.

As you listen, I invite you to think about what a “community farm” really means. Because this isn’t just about produce—it’s about creating access, building relationships, and giving people a tangible connection to their food. And when you start to look at it through that lens, you begin to see just how impactful a farm like this can be.

Medway Community Farm

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In Farm Journal Episode 2 of The Agri-Tourist Podcast, I’m continuing the conversation—but shifting into a more real-time, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually means to build and evolve agritourism experiences. Coming off my time in Italy, where everything felt immersive and inspiring, I came back with a lot of ideas—but also a much clearer understanding of just how much detail and intention it takes to bring those ideas to life.

This conversation is really about that space between inspiration and execution. From working through the logistics of building a farm tour and tasting experience, to stepping into the day-to-day reality of managing a farm store and identifying new revenue opportunities, it’s a reminder that none of this is as simple as it sounds. Every decision—from customer flow to product mix to how people experience your farm—matters more than we often think.

As you listen, I invite you to think about your own operation, your own ideas, and where you might be in that process. Because whether you’re just getting started or you’re refining something that already exists, this is the part where things get real—and where the most meaningful growth actually happens.

Nourse Farm
Orto Infesta
Fattoria Majnoni Guicciardini
Rosa di Magliano

Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.  

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