This episode was originally published on June 23, 2023

Meet Maria Rodale, an author and advocate for organic regenerative farming. An explorer in search of the mysteries of the universe, Maria is the author of "Love Nature Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden", "Organic Manifesto", "Scratch", and is the author of a children's book series called written by the under the pen name "Mrs. Peanuckle". Her book "Love Nature Magic" was featured as a part of the a recent selection for the Lady Farmer book club, so it was truly an honor to get to talk with her on The Good Dirt. Together, Mary, Emma, and Maria discuss her new book, her family legacy in the world of regenerative agriculture, as well as her evolution from a CEO to (in her own words) a “crazy gardener.” Maria is truly a voice for the power and magic of nature and a guide for all of us seeking to rekindle a meaningful connection to the earth.

Maria is the former CEO and Chairman of Rodale Inc, and has served on multiple nonprofit boards including the Rodale Institute, Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project, and the Pennsylvania Federal Reserve Advisory council. She has received awards for her lifetime of service and activism, including the National Audubon Rachel Carson Award and the United Nations Population Fund’s Award for the Health and Dignity of Woman Everywhere.

Topics Discussed

• Growing up on as 3rd Generation Farmer at the Rodale Institute

• The Farming Systems Trial

• Moving Out at 18 to Becoming CEO: Family Loss & Legacy

• The Implosion of the Publishing Industry

• Following Her Nose: How Maria Found Writing

• The Making of "Love Nature Magic"

• What is a Shamanic Journey? 

• Dealing with Mugwort in Gardens

• Decolonizing Our Relationship with Nature

• A Garden's Desire to be Wild

• Why the Biggest Changes Come from a Change in Behavior

• Being Open to Hearing Nature's Message

• Changing the Future by Modeling What Could Be Over What Is

• Recovering from a Stroke

•"Regenerative" over "Sustainability"

Episode Resources:

•The Rodale Institute: 75 Years of Organic Agriculture Leadership

•"Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden"

•"Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe"

•"Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious: A Cookbook"

•Mrs. Peanuckle's Books

•Mindful Bear

•The Good Dirt: "The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardens with Mary Reynolds"

•Fried Dandelion TikTok

Connect with Maria Rodale:

• Website: https://www.mariarodale.com/

• Mrs. Peanuckle Website: https://www.mrspeanuckle.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariarodale/ 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

•Our Website

•Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

•JSign up to join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

•Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

Read less

This bonus episode originally aired on June 19th, 2021

We have a special bonus episode for you this week in celebration of our newest national holiday-- Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time.

Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today. The trio grapples with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done. 

Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world. 

Let’s get into the episode:

1:30 - Emma introduces this week’s special episode

3:00 - Tony Cohen on the history of Juneteenth

15:00 - The transition into freedom

20:00 - The shift to “waged” labor and the evolution of slavery

28:00 - Fair trade

31:00 - Local emancipation

41:00 - Celebrating Juneteenth

42:30 - The happenings at Button Farm

48:00 - Creating Community

Things Mentioned: 

• Button Farm
• Oprah’s visit 
• The Menare Foundation
• HipCamp - Camp at Button Farm 
• Anthony Cohen
• The Good Dirt - Episode 31 
• The AG Reserve - Montgomery County 
• The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guide
• Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday 
• Lift Every Voice and Sing
• DC Emancipation Day 
• Montgomery County Historical Society 
• 13th Amendment 
• 14th Amendment
• 15th Amendment

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

· Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community

· Visit Our Website

The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living

· Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

· Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail!

Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

· Wendy Gray

Read less

This episode was originally published on June 25th, 2021

This week, Mary and Emma have a wonderful conversation with photographer, chef, cookbook author, educator and entrepreneur turned homesteader, Eva Kosmas Flores. Eva shares her journey to the slow living lifestyle, led by an ancestral pull and deep familial ties that have guided her back to a connection with home, the garden, food, family and community. Always leading with curiosity, Eva talks about her new adventures as a homesteader and what she’s learning from the land. 

Throughout the episode, Mary, Emma and Eva talk about the pursuit of the creative life and how to make it work, native species, permaculture gardening and the complexity of our forest ecosystems. They also discuss their sustainable home projects, creating beautiful and enduring interiors, and the complicated decisions involved in the process. Eva reminds us that real life is an intersection of all the things we love, and we have permission to pursue all the parts of ourselves.

1:25 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk berries! 

5:00 - Eva Kosmas Flores 

Let’s get into the episode:  

6:20 - Eva introduces herself 

15:50 - Finding and creating a homestead 

21:00 - Forestry and restoring the soil 

22:30 - The importance of native species 

29:00 - Breaking ground 

33:00 - A sustainable home  

39:30 - Timeless, natural interiors  

52:00 - Loving lots of things

57:30 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?  

Things Mentioned:

• Eva Kosmas Flores 
• Adventures In Cooking
• First We Eat 
• https://www.firstweeat.co
• Adventures in Chicken
• The Hidden Life of Trees 
• The National Scenic Area 
• Simplicity by Nancy Braithwaite 
• The Nature of Home by Jeffery Dungan 
• Braiding Sweetgrass

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, we delve into the profound connections between spirituality, ecology, and our natural world with Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross, co-authors of 'Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees.' The discussion explores how trees can teach us about relationships, gratitude, reciprocity, and resilience. The authors share personal experiences and practices for deepening our connection to nature and discuss the importance of understanding and preserving our natural ecosystems. They also touch on the environmental and emotional impacts of deforestation, the significance of native versus invasive species, and how small personal actions can contribute to ecological and spiritual wellbeing. The episode invites listeners to slow down, observe, and embrace a deeper harmony with the natural world.

00:00 Introduction to the Hidden World Beneath Our Feet

00:31 Welcoming June and Embracing Slow Living

02:49 Introducing Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross

04:17 Beth Norcross: From Politics to Spiritual Ecology

06:10 Leah Rampy: A Journey of Ecology and Spirituality

07:04 The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees Course and Book

11:58 The Importance of Connection and Kinship with Nature

19:20 Language and Reciprocity in Our Relationship with Nature

38:53 Introduction to Personal Reflections

39:52 Shifting Perspectives on Invasive Species

47:31 The Complexity of Tree Replacement

51:20 Understanding Tree Sentience

54:48 The Concept of Teacher Trees

58:50 Reflections on Slow Living

01:03:45 The Importance of Good Dirt

01:09:07 Final Thoughts and Hope for the Future

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. 

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

This episode was originally published on June 2, 2022

Despite her life being as busy as ever, Bex Partridge tells us about the ways it feels full of better, more fulfilling things since she made the shift from a corporate job to working as a full-time flower farmer and floral designer. Bex is the founder of Botanical Tales, a dried flower installation business based in Devon, England, where she provides beautiful, low-waste floral designs to her community from her own garden. Since moving to Devon, her family has enjoyed being part of a close-knit community which supports local makers and growers. She encourages listeners to trust the process as they seek to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, and to remember that we are not separate from nature - we all come from the good dirt.

Topics Covered:

• Planting by the Moon
• The Winding Road of the Lady Farmer Lifestyle
• Floral Artistry and Dried Flowers
• The Benefits of Local Flowers
• Floral Design and the Wedding Industry
• World Events as Catalysts for Paradigm Shifts
• Rethinking Slow Living as “Full Living”
• Our Interconnectedness with Nature

Resources Mentioned: 

• Bex’s First Book: Everlastings
• Bex’s Upcoming Book (Available for Pre-Order): Flowers Forever
• Wilding by Isabella Tree

Guest Info:

• Bex's Instagram: @botanical_tales
• Botanicaltales.com
• Patreon

Follow Us:

• Our Website
• @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Read less

This episode delves into the journey of Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. Paula discusses her transformation from a nature enthusiast to a dedicated ecological restorer. The conversation touches on the diverse challenges and rewarding experiences of managing invasive species, the necessity of well-considered ecological interventions, and the intricate balance required to support native plants and wildlife. Through her personal anecdotes and expert insights, Paula illustrates the importance of connecting with nature right where you are and the impact of slow, deliberate efforts in ecological restoration.

00:00 Discovering Nature Close to Home

01:30 Traveling with a Baby: Tips and Experiences

04:19 Gardening Adventures and Native Landscaping

05:29 The Irony of Mowing Less

07:54 Introducing Paula Wyman and Her Book

09:35 Paula Whyman's Journey to Becoming a 'Bad Naturalist'

10:34 Challenges and Rewards of Land Restoration

24:46 The Importance of Native Plants and Ecological Balance

33:55 Invasive Species Statistics

35:09 Tree of Heaven: A Persistent Problem

39:10 Spotted Lantern Fly Invasion

40:15 The Origin and Spread of Tree of Heaven

42:49 Autumn Olive: A Regrettable Introduction

45:45 Challenges with Multiflora Rose

48:20 The Importance of Native Plants

50:13 Creating Habitats for Declining Bird Species

52:07 The Concept of Slow Living

01:00:08 The Good Dirt: Restoring Soil Health

01:01:04 Ongoing Projects and Future Plans

01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources:

Paula Whyman's Website

Bad Naturalist

Wilding by Isabella Tree

Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. 

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

This episode was originally published on May 6, 2022

Learn about individual actions you can take to mitigate climate change and make sustainability attainable for everyone, with Stephanie Miller, author of Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way and founder of Zero Waste in DC. Stephanie left her job as a climate change specialist for the World Bank in order to simplify her own life, confront the disconnect she felt between her life and her work, and to take personal steps toward sustainability. She now empowers others in her community to examine their waste practices and connect with local resources for low-waste living.

Stephanie recognizes how paralyzing it can be to think about climate change, and encourages listeners to focus on what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, ditching plastic, and recycling right, growing more confident and conscious with each choice. The joy and connection that result from low-waste living are paradigm shifting in themselves.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• The 80/20 Way - Perfection is not the answer
• Sustainability in Food Choices
• The greenwashing of “plant-based.” 
• Sustainable meat production vs standard industrial CAFO operations
• The problem of food waste
• Purge Plastic / Easy Alternatives
• Recycle Right/ the problem of “Wish-Cycling”
• The community-building aspect of cultivating a more sustainable lifestyle
• Finding joy in sustainable living 

Resources Mentioned: 

• Stephanie’s Book: Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way
•  Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises

Connect with Stephanie Miller:

• Zero Waste in DC
• Instagram @zerowasteindc

Follow Lady Farmer:

• Our Website
• @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

Original music by John Kingsley, @jkingsley1026

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.

This episode delves into the evolving art of ecological gardening and landscaping with Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project. Edwina shares her journey from traditional landscape design to championing nature-based solutions, recounting her 'aha' moment with chemical-free gardening. The conversation broadens to discuss the cultural shifts in gardening aesthetics and the move towards living lands. Key topics include challenges and strategies for managing meadows and various invasive plants without chemicals, and the importance of community and professional education in ecological landscaping. Edwina also highlights upcoming events and resources offered by the Perfect Earth Project to support ecological land care.

00:00 Introduction to Gardening Philosophy

01:36 Exciting Symposium on Invasive Plants at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

02:36 Understanding Restorative Landscaping

06:14 Meet Edwina von Gal: Landscape Designer

09:07 The Evolution of Gardening Practices

13:05 Challenges and Realizations in Eco-Friendly Gardening

16:39 Rewilding and Partnering with Nature

29:25 Closing the Loop: Sustainable Gardening Practices

34:48 Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting

35:15 The Importance of Natural Leaf Decomposition

36:23 Understanding Land Succession

37:11 Maintaining Open Spaces

39:10 Managing Invasive Species

39:42 Effective Mugwort Control Techniques

42:39 Event Announcement: Managing Meadows Symposium

46:17 Perfect Earth Project Initiatives

50:58 The Therapeutic Value of Gardening

53:07 Embracing Slow Gardening

55:28 Cultural Expectations and Natural Gardens

59:01 The Future of Sustainable Landscaping

The Perfect Earth Project

Doug Tallamy

Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy

Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees by Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy

Wilding: Returning Nature to our Farm by Isabella Tree

We Are the Ark by Mary Reynolds

Bad Naturalist by Paula Whyman

Carbon: The Book of LIfe by Paul Hawken

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. 

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

This episode was originally aired on May 13th, 2022. Visit A Fiber Life for shop and updates!

Fiber farmer Lisa Mitchell encourages listeners to embrace a beginner’s mindset and connect to the earth through handwork and making as she tells us the story of her major life shift, from striving for success as an art therapist in the suburbs, to slow living on a guanaco farm in the Pacific Northwest. Guanacos, the undomesticated ancestors of the alpaca, produce a unique and high-quality wool, but are often challenging to work with, and are not commonly farmed in the United States. In the absence of mentors and educational resources, Lisa and her husband set about spending significant time learning how to care for these special animals through experience, trial, and error, resulting in a fiber farm producing the highest quality wool on the market. Lisa seeks to “live with her hands” as she creates, and to practice making as an act of love - for the animals she lives alongside, for other people, and for the earth.

Topics Covered:

• Seeking a different life
• Guanacos and Guanaco Wool
• Learning to Work with Natural Fibers
• Working with Natural Dye
• Embracing Beginner’s Mind
• Creating as an Act of Love
• Connecting with Reality Through Hand Work
• 
  

Guest Info:

Lisa Mitchell's Website and Online Store/ A Fiber Life

Instagram: @afiberlife

Podcast

Follow Us:

Our Website: ladyfarmer.com

@weareladyfarmer on Instagram

The Lady Farmer ALMANAC on Substack

Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Read less

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss Fashion Revolution Week and its significance, referencing the Rana Plaza disaster as a catalyst for the movement.

The episode features Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who discusses the impact of fast fashion on the environment, her advocacy for slow fashion, and the creation of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus. Chellie delves into her personal journey from local government to Congress, highlighting her efforts in sustainable and organic farming. The conversation explores bipartisan efforts to address environmental issues, the importance of soil health, and Pingree’s ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable practices in fashion and agriculture.

00:00 Introduction to Fashion Waste

01:30 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast

01:35 Fashion Revolution Week

02:33 Lady Farmer's Journey

03:49 Introducing Shelly Pingree

06:40 Shelly Pingree’s Background

15:08 The Slow Fashion Movement

22:03 The Role of Congressional Caucuses

28:30 Bipartisanship in Sustainable Policies

34:05 Shelly Pingree’s Farm and Regenerative Practices

37:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Foxfire

The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing

DC Climate Week-April 28th-May 2nd, 2025

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley.

Editing and podcast production by Mary & Emma Kingsley

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray