The Agri-Tourist, My Journey Back to Agriculture

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There are some conversations that leave you thinking differently long after the recording ends — and my talk with Megan Neubauer was exactly that kind of conversation. I first interviewed Megan in episode # 6, and her perspective stuck with me, so reconnecting with her felt like catching up with someone whose work — and impact — has continued to grow right alongside the movement she’s helping shape.

Megan has this incredible ability to zoom out to the big picture — the future of agriculture, the health of our soils, the role consumers play in shaping food systems — while still staying deeply grounded in the everyday realities of farming. Her journey, from growing up all over the world to building a pick-your-own farm in Texas, gives her a perspective that feels both global and deeply personal. What inspires me most is how she bridges worlds: farmer and educator, grower and storyteller, realist and optimist.

This episode isn’t just about farming methods or business models. It’s about connection — to land, to food, and to each other. Megan reminds us that small farms matter, that the way we grow food has real environmental impact, and that ordinary people have more power than they think through the choices they make. I walked away from this conversation feeling hopeful, energized, and reminded why these stories — and the people living them — are so important to share.

Please enjoy my follow-up chat with Megan Neubauer!! 

Pure Land Farm
Pick Your Own Farming
Acres

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Today’s guest is someone who truly redefines what it means to travel with purpose. I was so inspired learning about the work Kimberly Haley-Coleman is doing through Globe Aware, creating opportunities for everyday people to step beyond traditional tourism and step into meaningful global service. Her journey started with a simple desire to give back while traveling — and it grew into a worldwide nonprofit connecting volunteers with communities across the globe.

Through short-term, structured volunteer programs, Kimberly and her team make it possible for individuals, families, and even corporate groups to work alongside local communities on impactful projects — from improving housing conditions to supporting food security and accessibility initiatives. What I love most about her approach is that it’s not just about the work being done — it’s about cultural connection, mutual learning, and the kind of perspective that stays with you long after you come home.

I can’t wait for you to hear how this model of service travel is changing lives on both sides of the experience, and why so many people come back from these trips feeling more connected, more grateful, and more inspired to make a difference in their own communities, too.  

Globe Aware

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Today’s guest is someone very special to me — my longtime friend, Jeanine Davis. We met years ago through our businesses and a shared love of learning, creating, and doing things a little differently. Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to Jeanine’s journey from busy Long Island life to a more nature-centered life in Pennsylvania, and through it all, one thing has always stayed the same: her deep curiosity about plants, wellness, and making things from scratch.

Jeanine is one of those people who doesn’t just read about herbal remedies — she grows them, forages them, studies them, and then somehow turns them into teas, oils, salves, and even beautiful botanical art. Whether we’re wandering a farmers market, cooking in her kitchen, or walking through her garden identifying “weeds” that are actually powerful plants, I’m always learning something new from her. She has a gift for making herbal knowledge feel approachable, practical, and a little bit magical.

In this conversation, we talk about how her personal health experiences sparked her interest in natural living, how moving to the Poconos gave her space to deepen that path, and how she’s now sharing what she’s learned through community workshops and classes for the “herbal curious.” I’m so excited for you to meet my friend Jeanine and explore the world of everyday herbal wisdom together.

Jeanine's Herbal Adventures
JL Davis Design - graphic design company
Herbal Oils
Ditch the Drug Store Class
Rosalee de la Forêt - Cold Class
Herbal Conference - Botanicwise
Ranch Gordo Beans
Mountain Rose Herbs 

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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Eighteen months after our first conversation, we revisit Peacefield Farm Sanctuary with founders John and Emma Hoel to explore how this Florida sanctuary has grown not just in size, but in depth and purpose. In that time, Peacefield welcomed a new baby, new rescued animals, and even a multigenerational family dynamic as John’s parents relocated to the farm. What emerges is a picture of Peacefield as a living ecosystem—one where family, animals, and community are deeply intertwined, and where retirement, caregiving, and stewardship find renewed meaning.

Located just outside Gainesville and close to the University of Florida, Peacefield thrives at the intersection of rural calm and college energy. Students regularly engage through volunteer days, yoga on the farm, and hands-on learning experiences that challenge traditional, productivity-driven views of animals. For future veterinarians especially, Peacefield offers a rare opportunity to care for animals whose value is inherent, not transactional—an experience that often leaves a lasting imprint well beyond logged service hours.

Community-centered agri-tourism is at the heart of Peacefield’s sustainability. From vegan holiday gatherings that offer belonging during otherwise isolating seasons, to an on-site Airbnb that funds animal care while honoring the sanctuary’s values, everything is intentionally small-scale and mission-aligned. Their intimate plant-based cooking classes—hosted inside the Hoels’ home—have proven especially transformative, inspiring lifestyle shifts, deeper connection, and a sense of shared humanity in an increasingly disconnected world.

Through stories of rescue, loss, resilience, and adaptation—from elderly animals aging peacefully to donkeys learning trust, and from hurricane prep to daily problem-solving—Peacefield illustrates what compassionate agri-tourism can truly be. Rather than scaling up, the future of Peacefield lies in doing more of what already works: shared meals, meaningful education, and genuine connection. It’s a powerful reminder that a sanctuary isn’t just a refuge for animals—it’s often a sanctuary for people, too.

Peacefield Farm Sanctuary

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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I sat down with special education teacher Alanna O’Donnell to explore how urban farming, gardening, and raising chickens are transforming learning for students with significant disabilities at P177Q, the Robin Sue Ward School for Exceptional Children in Queens, New York. Alanna shares how her background in service and community work shaped a teaching philosophy rooted in empathy, real-world learning, and trust in student capability. When traditional classroom approaches fell short, she turned to hands-on, outdoor learning—starting with a school garden and eventually bringing chickens into the school community.

The conversation dives into how caring for animals became a powerful educational tool. Through daily farm routines, students developed emotional regulation, communication, life skills, and confidence—often without realizing they were “learning” in the traditional sense. Alanna describes how students counted eggs, built coops, voted to name chickens, and learned to navigate both success and failure, including thoughtful conversations around loss. These experiences provided structure, purpose, and dignity, especially for nonverbal students and those who struggled with abstract instruction.

The episode also highlights the broader impact of the program, from a student-run farm and micro-enterprise to statewide recognition at an agricultural competition—the first time special education students were invited to participate. While they didn’t win, the experience affirmed the power of inclusion, visibility, and high expectations. Alanna reflected on what this model reveals about education, food systems, and community, and why experiential, farm-based learning offers a compelling blueprint for preparing students with disabilities for life beyond the classroom.

Chicks in the City Instagram
New York Ag in the Classroom
Robin Sue Ward School for Exceptional Children
Full Blogpost about the Podcast Interview with Alanna O'Donnell

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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He is a nationally recognized biodynamic farmer, designer, entrepreneur, author, and educator. Daron Joffe—also known as Farmer D—was introduced to me by my friend Pattie Baker, who has long been inspired by his work and his mission.

Farmer D is the author of the acclaimed book Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities, and Give Back to the Earth, and for more than 25 years he has been designing and building community farms and gardens across the country.

The Citizen Farmers movement is about far more than growing healthy food. It’s about how food—and the act of growing it—can transform ourselves, our communities, and our planet. Farmer D believes that each of us has the ability to create opportunity: to grow something, to compost, and to reconnect with the land in ways that benefit us physically, mentally, and emotionally.

He also believes that thriving communities begin with a farm. In this episode, we explore the concept of agrihoods—neighborhoods intentionally designed to integrate farms into their foundation. It’s a powerful idea, and one I’m especially hopeful will continue to evolve with authenticity, inclusivity, and accessibility for people across all income levels.

Farmer D’s work is also deeply rooted in his Jewish heritage, which has meaningfully influenced many of his projects and the way he approaches land stewardship, community, and purpose.

Join me for an inspiring conversation with a true agri-entrepreneur—someone who has expanded his passion for farming in unique, far-reaching, and deeply impactful ways. Enjoy my conversation with Farmer D. 

Farmer D
Citizen Farmers
Serenbe
Coastal Roots Farm
Noah’s Ark Skirball Cultural Center

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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She’s a young, inspiring agri-entrepreneur—and the CEO and Founder of Change Food for Good. Her name is Samia, also known as Sam Lemfadli. Sam is a Brooklyn native and technologist with a deep-rooted passion for sustainable agriculture.

She founded Change Food for Good, a New York City–based nonprofit dedicated to making sustainable agricultural technology more accessible in communities affected by food insecurity. Let’s pause on that for a moment—a nonprofit dedicated to making sustainable agricultural technology more accessible to areas impacted by food insecurity.

Sam recognized that technology is a key ingredient in feeding people, and she was driven to put those tools into the hands of individuals who want to learn, create, and innovate. Through her work, Change Food for Good motivates, inspires, and trains people to understand technology, build it, and invent new agricultural solutions—especially for urban environments.

Sam saw an important need and stepped forward to fill it. To date, she has placed over 200 program graduates into jobs and continues to bridge technology and agriculture through several innovative, community-based programs.

When I speak with people like Samia, I’m truly humbled by the depth and breadth of their vision—their foresight, their drive, and their willingness to take a leap of faith in pursuit of what they believe in. It reminds me of other changemakers I’ve had the privilege to interview, like Giany, Executive Director of Carolina Human Reinvestment, or Emily Stone, founder of Uncommon Cacao, who disrupted the global cacao economy.

I think you’ll feel humbled and inspired as well. Enjoy my conversation with Samia from Change Food for Good.

Change Food for Good

The Knowledge House

Brooklyn Supported Agriculture

Chipotle Cultivate Foundation 

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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Her business is called Mandy’s Mushrooms - her name is Amanda Dye - and she is passionate about making the kingdom of Fungi more accessible to the general public through mushroom education.  

Mushrooms are mysterious to me.  The more I read about  mushrooms and the more the world learns about mushrooms, the more we learn about the significant impact they have on controlling - actually managing and overseeing is probably the better word - managing and overseeing nature.  

There is so much you can do in the kitchen with mushrooms, and there are so many mushroom varieties to experiment with.  Many people say that they don’t like mushrooms but I challenge you to try a recipe that contains some fresh, locally grown mushrooms- I think you might just change your mind. 

And then there are all the medicinal properties of mushrooms. That’s another whole world to explore.

I have not gone on a mushroom forage as of yet - but it is something I intend on doing in the near future - maybe with Amanda at her new property in NY which we discuss!  

Amanda is a young woman with a passion for mushroom agriculture - mycology - and I love people that are passionate about agriculture.  I get very excited for all the amazing things that Amanda is doing now and for all the amazing things that she will create in the future.  I hope you share in my excitement as we explore the world of mushrooms  - aka mycology!

Mandy's Mushrooms

Worcester Common Ground (WCG)

Mushroom Observer

Inaturalist

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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In the forward of his book, it states: “Growing Out Loud Captures the depth, breadth, height of a life that has loved and pursued knowledge, understanding, purpose, application, and service for the benefit of all and for the fulfillment of his god-given calling.  The Food Revolutionary has truly lived well.” 

Keith Rashid Nuri is the author of Growing Out Loud, Journey of a Food Revolutionary.  I reached out to my dear friend Pattie Baker, telling her about the types of connections I wanted to make for my next set of podcast interviews - I wanted to really focus in on businesses and visionaries who are shaping agriculture - who are educating our future generation - who are tackling big food issues - and Pattie referred me to a few companies and people in her network down in Georgia. 

She linked me to a website for a non profit called Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture. The work of this organization around education, growing in an urban setting, building community, agritourism and edutoursim was extraordinary.  But I didn’t want to speak to the people in charge now - I wanted to speak to the visionary behind all of this amazing work - Keith Rashid Nuri.  Before our interview I dove into reading his book - his inspiring journey literally around the world, from attending Harvard and Umass Amherst,  to working in ag in CA, Michigan, Georgia and Alabama, and then nationally and internationally with Cargill, a Big Ag for profit company, eventually working in a pretty big position during the Clinton Administration….and  - the culmination of all of his studies, experience and travels  - creating the Truly Living Well Center for natural urban agriculture in Atlanta GA.  . 

This interview with Rashid is powerful.  It is blunt. It is telling. And it is purposeful.  Above everything that Rashid and I discussed, his integrity and sheer willingness to do what was right resonated with me the most.  I am so excited for you to listen to my conversation with Rashid and take away the learnings that resonate the most with you and your life….

The Nuri Group

The Atlanta Local Food Initiative

Chinatown - History of California's Water

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Today’s guest is a filmmaker, community builder, and aspiring farmer who happens to be based right near me in Brooklyn — Maxine Simone Williams. Maxine uses storytelling, farming, and community engagement to illuminate how culture, food, and relationships shape our lives.

I first discovered Maxine on Instagram. I come across countless amazing farming-related posts, but Maxine — a brilliant, young, and inspiring woman — immediately caught my attention. I wanted to dig deeper into her story and her mission. She is a true wealth of resources, and what I love most is that she doesn’t just share information; she demonstrates the power of these (often free!) community resources by showing up, participating, joining in — and then sharing her experiences.

I learned so much from this interview — not only about local community offerings, but also about how a single plant, like cotton, can carry deep emotion, generational pain, and historical significance. At the same time, growing cotton today can also create space for healing, growth, and a sense of moving forward. Maxine opened my eyes to that.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and I encourage you to check out Maxine’s Instagram and YouTube. As I told her during our conversation, I can’t wait to join her one day in her community garden or on one of her NYC field trips. Enjoy my conversation with Maxine.

Maxine's Instagram
Maxine's Youtube Channel (How We Grow Series)
Leah Penniman, Farming While Black
NYC Community Compost Network - Master Compost Certificate
Maya Stansberry, Deep Routes
Dirt to Soil, Gabe Brown
Soul Fire Farm

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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