The Agri-Tourist, My Journey Back to Agriculture

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Steve and Sandy are the inspiring founders of East Tennessee Homestead Alliance.  Sandy reached out to me about the podcast a few months ago.  We ended up speaking on the phone about homesteading and what it really is all about. Many people, including myself who is close to farming and all about sustainability, have this impression of homesteading as a far reaching goal that we would not be capable of doing or achieving in our current environments… that you need to be living out in the boonies without electricity to be even considered a homesteader.  Well, Sandy’s description of homesteading is not that at all.  She basically broke homesteading down to a simple definition - homesteading is all about keeping a steady home. That anyone can homestead and integrate homesteading regardless of their living situation and environment.  I thought that her definition was brilliant and creates a sense of “I can do this.”

So Steve and Sandy are doing just that…they are teaching people how to homestead through their own life learnings and mastery and through the network they have formed in East Tennessee.  

And how does this tie into Agritourism?  Well it ties in in many ways, but most importantly through education… through programs, retreats, alliance events, and, most importantly, through how Steve and Sandy live their own lives.  Steve and Sandy each have inspiring and humbling stories about how they came together and have spent over 39 years making each day count.  

I hope you are left with a feeling of inspiration and exhilaration after listening to my chat with Steve and Sandy!

Steve and Sandy
Wildbody School of Wellness
East Tennessee Homestead Alliance

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Rachael Callahan is currently California’s Statewide Agritourism Coordinator focused on the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program through UC Davis.  Originally from Delaware, Rachael stumbled into sustainable agriculture from her graduate studies and has focused on local and regional food systems.  She spent time in Belize working on a demonstration agroforestry farm looking at and modeling indigenous land stewardship and farming. She then spent time in Nantucket working for a non profit focused on bolstering the local food economy. She eventually moved to Washington DC to work on an urban farm. Her experiences working in very different and unique communities aligned with her education allowed her to expand her scope of work and take on a challenging role as statewide agritourism opportunity in California. 

In her role, Rachael provides training to farmers and ranchers interested in diversifying their income via agritourism. She examines trends, impacts, challenges, and barriers and identifies solutions.  She also focuses on capacity and network building  by connecting farmers throughout the state.   Rachael is constantly inspired by the resilience, determination, creativity and innovation of California’s agricultural producers and is very grateful for being in a role that supports them. Enjoy my conversation with Rachael Callahan. 

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program
Agritourism in California
Maya Mountain Research Farm, Belize

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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Before she turned 10 years old, she already knew all about zucchini, white eggplant, garlic scapes, heirloom tomatoes, how to tell basil vs. mint vs. oregano, when to plant garlic, and what to pair lavender honey with.  My daughter Anna just turned 20-years old in September 2024 and is pursuing a college major in Economics and minor in Sustainability. She also just finished a summer of 70 hour workweeks and an amazing internship with Moka Origins.  

Our very first podcast episode was with one of the founders of Moka Origins, Jeff Abella.  Moka Origins is working to make cacao and coffee a sustainable source of income for farmers around the world. 165 million people depend on cacao or coffee for their livelihood, however many aren’t paid a living wage and are stuck in poverty. To end this poverty cycle, Moka Origins pays more to farmers for their beans which they use to craft healthier, better tasting chocolate and coffee.  

Moka offers Origin Adventures…incredible adventures to connect people with their global cacao and coffee sourcing partners. My daughter Anna had the opportunity to  spend a week at the Moka Origins headquarters in Honesdale, PA and to participate in their Origin Adventure in Mexico.  In our podcast episode with Jeff Abella, we took a deep dive into all his current origin adventures, but Anna took us a bit deeper and we explored details about her personal experiences on her trip to Mexico. 

Hearing about this trip through the eyes and inspiration of a 20-year old, is a unique perspective and one that I truly enjoyed.  I am really excited for everyone to virtually meet my daughter Anna and very humbled to have the opportunity to interview her so early in her career journey. Maybe one day when she has advanced in her career path, she will reflect fondly on this interview.  Enjoy my conversation with Anna Morrongiello.
 
Cocoa Economy - Crisis or Opportunity?
Moka Origin Mexico Adventure Trip
Riding the Donkey to the Organic Cacao Farm in DR
Women Chocolate Makers Breaking Boundaries in DR
Agri-Tourist Podcast Episode 1 - Jeff Abella, Moka Origins

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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Laurelee Blanchard, Founder and President of Leilani Farm Sanctuary, and author of “Finding Paradise”, left a lucrative career at a Commercial Real Estate Firm to devote her life to animal protection and humane education. In 1999, she cashed out her life savings and moved from Orange County, California, to Hawaii to the island of Maui. Laurelee acquired an eight-acre parcel of land, on which she created a farm sanctuary—a refuge where animals would be protected from neglect, abuse, and slaughter.

Leilani Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit organization, home to nearly three hundred rescued animals.  They include goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, a donkey, geese, deer, cats, pigs, sheep, turkeys, guinea pigs and tortoises. The Sanctuary provides educational programs for school groups and special-needs visitors and offers tours and humane education to the general public. They now host weddings at this majestic sanctuary in Maui.  What better way to start a life with someone special…by giving back and supporting animals from neglect, abuse and slaughter.

I want to add that I read Laurelee’s book Finding Paradise after I did this interview.  Laurelee overcame so many intense personal and financial struggles to maintain and keep her animals at the sanctuary.  She gave everything of herself to stay aligned with her mission and to help these animals thrive. During our conversation many of these struggles were not evident in the way that her book discusses them so I highly recommend you read her book.  I am humbled by Laurelee and all that she stands for…. She is humanely human.

Leilani Farm Sanctuary
Finding Paradise Book

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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Apple picking season probably generates fun memories for many people; it does for me.  Apple picking definitely embodies agritourism.  And Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont is an eco-certified heirloom apple oasis.  The farm is rich in history - it was settled in 1791 and the orchards were planted in 1911 and now bear over 130 varieties of apples, many of which are heirloom. Scott Farm is a for-profit working farm which is owned by The Landmark Trust USA, a nonprofit historic preservation organization which was gifted the 571 acre property in 1995. 

Today, Scott Farm is led by General Manager Simon Renault and Orchardist Erin Robinson. The orchard is a living, breathing ecosystem that is managed with biological and cultural methods which produce healthy, high quality fruits. The  community can visit the farm,  enjoy their  beautiful grounds,  pick apples, shop at the farmers market, eat at their outdoor cafe, drink cidars produced at their cider mill, tour the property, enjoy community events, and celebrate their own events. 

Although I definitely understand the hard work involved in farming, I never really understood much about apples - even after all the years of visiting orchards and apple picking.  I feel like there was a missed opportunity to educate me about apples during all of those apple picking adventures. This presents a significant opportunity for apple orchards to embrace agritourism in an even more immersive way. My inspiring conversation with Simon and Erin gave me a whole new appreciation for the intricacies involved in apple growing and a renewed interest in learning more about apples. The next time you go apple picking, talk to the farmers and orchardists or take a tour if available, and  learn more about what it takes to grow these gorgeous, healthy fruits.  

Enjoy my conversation with Simon and Erin!

Scott Farm Orchard
Red Tomato
UVM Extension Resources

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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This is our WWOOF Part 2 podcast with Pattie Baker. Pattie is the author of "Round America with a Duck" where she traveled across America right before her 60th birthday via bike, buses, trains and WWOOFing! If you want to learn more about WWOOFING catch Episode 19 from last week.

Pattie’s Book moved me. Her adventure was full of lots of learning, inspiring moments, such interesting people and places, and a few exciting and very SCARY experiences.  But, most of all, Pattie’s journey was full of powerful life lessons. Pattie is about to embark on a new WWOOFing journey Round Ireland.  Can't wait to hear about this new exciting journey.

Before we launch into my meaningful conversation with Pattie, I will start with an important quote from her book: “My journey Round America with a Duck was hard.  It took a certain kind of person and a certain kind of attitude, plus a willingness to change.  To pivot. To trust the journey. Believing I can do this was the bare minimum for achieving it, and anyone who says they can’t, really truly can’t. If you’re thinking well maybe I can then it's for you. It’s that maybe where the magic lives.”

Enjoy my conversation with Pattie Baker...

Round America with a Duck
Pattie Baker on Instagram
Round Ireland with a Duck - Instagram
Pattie Baker on Tik Tok
Pattie Baker's Blog
WWOOF USA
WWOOF Ireland
WWOOF - main global website

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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When I was visiting Crayfish Bay Organics, an organic cacao farm on the island of Grenada, there was an open air cabin filled with ‘WWOOFers.  I had no clue what that term WWOOFer meant at the time.  WWOOF stands for WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Basically a WWOOFer is a person who is working/volunteering on an organic farm and in return gets free room, board, and food.  What an amazing opportunity to learn, travel, experience the world, and support organic.  I filed that knowledge away at the time,  and, as I began my agritourism journey, WWOOF came across my Instagram. All I could think about was what an amazing agritourism opportunity that WWOOF provides.  Traditionally, the younger generation has embraced WWOOFing.  In Grenada the cabin was filled with much younger adults.  However, I think WWOOFing could be an amazing experience for someone at any age - especially someone trying to reinvent, learn, grow, connect, (or disconnect), and travel.  

Part 1 of this podcast is an interview with Jenna Pollard, the Membership Program Manager of WWOOF USA.  But Part 2 was something that came out of my interview with Jenna.  When I told Jenna I was interested in WWOOFIng after my daughter graduates, she mentioned Pattie Baker, at the time an almost 60- year old woman who WWOOFed across America. Pattie wrote a book about her experience called 'Round America with a Duck'.  Patti describes herself as a 1960s child that was about to turn 60 who traveled solo 10,000 miles via bike, buses, trains and WWOOFing in search of hope in a country at a crossroads and world in crisis during the hottest year on earth. 

So, I had to read Pattie's book and Part 2 of this podcast is with Pattie Baker who will tell us all about her WWOOFing adventure across America.  Join me for the next 2 episodes of The Agri-Tourist podcast and let’s go  WWOOFing!

WWOOF USA
WWOOF FOWO (Federation of WWOOF Organizations)
Round America with a Duck

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 have always had an interest in growing herbs and learning more about the medicinal qualities of different herbs and plants.  This topic fascinates me.  I know the power of mint and ginger in solving digestive issues and I know that there are so many other natural remedies.   So, I was really looking forward to my interview with Linda Shanahan, Herbalist and Registered Nurse, from Bluestem Botanicals.  

Linda did extensive education in herbalism on the west coast. She is a registered nurse, a farmer, and her company has transitioned from doing a CSA and farmers markets to herbal education, medicinal herb CSAs, and wholesale herbs, syrups and bitters.  COVID forced their farm to pivot into a slightly new and very profitable direction, offering cocktail and mocktail kits for consumers and, most recently, opening a local herb store in their hometown. 

Linda and her husband Eric have allowed their farm to evolve and adjust based on the changing times and needs of their target markets.  They are very astute and creative business people who remain dedicated to their mission around herbs and herbalism. Their journey has inspired me to continue learning and also to allow more room for growth, change, and the occasional hard pivot! 

Bluestem Botanicals
Herbal Education & Workshops
Mocktail Kits
Cocktail Kits
David Winston Herbal Therapeutics

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I had the pleasure of interviewing Suzie Spahr, the Executive Director of NAFDMA - The North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association.  NAFDMA was founded in 1986 and is a membership based non profit trade association solely focused on advancing the farm direct marketing and agritourism industries. 

NAFDMA is made up of entrepreneurial farm families who invite customers to visit their farms and experience the food and the fun they create, in order to sustain their livelihood. They work to advance agritourism including on-farm retail, pick your own, consumer-supported agriculture, direct delivery, and farmers' markets. They put together events, resources, communications, and peer-to-peer exchanges that bring together new relationships and opportunities for their members.

I have to admit, I had not heard of NAFDMA before I began to focus on agritourism and this podcast.  After I entered this arena, the acronym NAFDMA has been mentioned in many of my US conversations as an organization I should get to know and get involved in.

Suzi provides some insights into her vision for the organization, how they continue to help farmers and the importance that agritourism brings to farms, especially during tough economic times.  I hope you enjoy my chat with Suzie Spahr.

NAFDMA
NAFDMA Events

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We are headed to Tassie today….that’s Tasmania for those who are not familiar.  And we are chatting with Tim Parsons. Tim and his wife Jane are 6th generation Tasmanian Farmers who own Curringa Farm, Tassie's favorite farmstay with national award winning cottages, farm tours, and group bbq meals. 

Curringa Farm is a 750-acre farm focused on raising sheep, growing crops for seeds, and growing opium for pharmaceutical medicine.  I am sure I got your attention there! The farm is a favorite farmstay with several cottages on the property and is expanding as we speak. 

Tim tells us how he worked to revitalize and grow his farm.  In my opinion he is a master marketer who understands the real value of building relationships, sometimes in a very grassroots way, something I think he learned from his mom.  

Upon entering this conversation, I knew very little about Tasmania, but now I feel like I have a great connection in Tassie and look forward to one day visiting Curringa Farm. 

Curringa 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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