For this episode, I need to give a bit of a trigger warning!!!

I’m speaking with Jon Jackson of Comfort Farms and we’re taking on the difficult conversation of suicide and mental health. We also talk about the regenerative work of integrated farming on both mind, body, soul and soil.

As with most of my interviews, we just jump right into the topic, so be warned that we discuss suicide at the beginning of this conversation and if this topic is something that may cause you distress, please make sure that you are in a safe place, physically and mentally before you continue.

I hope you’ll listen to this episode and use it as a way to spark conversations about mental health within your own circle. I truly believe that we all need to become more comfortable having discussions like this and normalize discussing the struggles that we as humans face in our daily lives.

I want to thank Jon for being a part of this conversation and if this episode can help just one person who has suffered a loss or is struggling with depression then it is well worth the effort!

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has recently been changed to 988. If you are in emotional crisis and considering taking your own life, you are three numbers away from help any time day or night. Call 988.

Thank you to our awesome sponsors for this season! It is because of them that we are able to bring you content like this! Please check them out and give them your business! If you are enjoying our content and would like to directly support the work we do, we have a Tip Jar on our website where you can leave a token of appreciation! Every bit helps!

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

Hey, thanks for joining me today as I talk to Ancil Jacques of Swampy Appleseed. I always enjoy talking with Ancil about mushrooms… not because I’m all that into mushrooms myself, but because he most definitely is!

I know you’ll learn a lot from this podcast and be highly entertained while you do.

Now, it’s time for a quick disclaimer. We do not condone, encourage or participate in the selling, buying, or cultivation of any controlled substance ... including but not limited to magic mushrooms. 

I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors who make it possible to share conversations like this one! Please take a moment to visit their websites.

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

Thanks for joining me today as I continue my conversation with Grant Anderson of Better Fresh Farms.

Grant is one of a growing number of people that I always look forward to talking to about our food communities. I hope that like me, you’ll walk away from this converation feeling inspired and excited about supporting local food.

Grant is the founding farmer of Better Fresh Farms that operates out of Metter Georgia. He has a heart for growing clean foods and feeding his community. He uses a high-tech approach to make fresh food available 365 days a year.

When I first met Grant about 4 years ago, he was operating with two converted shipping containers fitted for hydroponically growing produce in a carefully controlled environment. His high tech farm has since grown. through an arduous process of trial and error, Grant is forging a path and pioneering a form of clean, sustainable farming that could prove to be an important part of any successful local food system.

I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors who make it possible to share conversations like this one! Please take a moment to visit their websites.

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

Thanks for joining me today as I talk with Grant Anderson the founder of Better Fresh Farms which is operating out of the Georgia Grown Innovation Center in Metter.

Grant has a heart for growing clean foods and feeding his community. He uses a high-tech approach to make fresh food available 365 days a year.

When I first met Grant about 4 years ago, he was operating with two converted shipping containers fitted for hydroponically growing produce in a carefully controlled environment. His high tech farm has since grown. through an arduous process of trial and error, Grant is forging a path and pioneering a form of clean, sustainable farming that could prove to be an important part of any successful local food system.

I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors who make it possible to share conversations like this one! Please take a moment to visit their websites.

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

Thanks for joining me today as I talk with Zack Gowen of St Simon Island. Zack is what I would call a food entrepreneur. He has spent the majority of his career in the restaurant business, owns Georgia Sea Grill, started Potlikker Farm and then Satilla Ponds as part of his broader goals of sourcing high quality local ingredients and since the recording of this interview has added Three LIttle Birds to his family of food-related businesses. Three little birds combines catering, take out eatery and minimart in one stop.

So, take a listen as Zack and I talk about how things all got started and his vision for great local food. You can learn more about his businesses at www.georgiaseagrill.com

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors who make it possible to share conversations like this one! Please take a moment to visit their websites.

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

Thanks for joining me for today’s episode with Hart Dairy founding farmer, Dr. Richard Watson. Hart Dairy is headquartered out of Waynesboro Georgia and they are, in many ways, setting an example as to how sustainable grass-based dairy farming can be done on a large scale here in the US. As you’ll pick up quickly from his accent, Richard ain’t from around here … but he has been living and working in Georgia and other parts of the Southern US for many years … bringing with him knowledge and training from his home country of New Zealand where all animal agriculture is primarily grass and pasture based.

I hope you’ll listen to this conversation because I think … regardless of your role in the food community … you’ll get something out of it.

Just a little explanation on what you’ll be hearing … the first part of this conversation takes place as Richard is driving me around the farm … initially I was intending to use this part of the interview for the article I’ll be writing for the upcoming issue of Southern Soil, but once we got rolling I felt like Richard did such a great job of clearly and concisely explaining the reasons that the dairy industry is largely a confined animal operation with corn as integral part of the diet … I asked if we include the interview in it’s entirety as the podcast.

So, through this conversation… you’ll ride along with in the truck and then we’ll move out into the pasture and hang out with the girls for the remainder… you will cows moving around and eating and there is a recurring mechanical sound from the central pivot which was nearby. It’s early enough in the morning there’s still a bit of a coolish tiny breeze… the grass is green, the sky is blue and the cows are happy.

Topics include:

Confined feeding for cattle - why it's the dominant model in the US for dairy farms 

Benefits of grazing cattle on pasture all year

Cows and climate change - are cows the problem or can they can be part of the solution?

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors who make it possible to share conversations like this one! Please take a moment to visit their websites.

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

In today’s episode I catch up with Jeb Bush on his last day as Director of Forsyth Farmer’s Market. Jeb started as Director of the market about the same time I was starting up Southern Soil and I’ve been able to see the market grow and flourish under his leadership. I know he will be missed by many but we wish him all the best as he moves on to a new position with Habitat for Humanity.

Jeb and I talk about some of the high points of his time with the Forsyth Market and some of the changes that have occurred in the local food scene over the past five years.

If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a rating and review. Also, be sure to check out our sponsors and give them a like as well!

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

The title of this episode, Gone Fishin’ kinda says it all … but let me give you a little more background info. A couple months ago, I went fishing for catfish with Chef Timothy Lensch of Georgia Sea Grill and Eric Miller who manages Satilla Ponds.

If you’ve been following Southern Soil for a while, you’re probably somewhat familiar with Georgia Sea Grill on St Simons Island, owned by Zack Gowen. Zack along with his team has a visionary approach to local food. It’s sort of a little bit like vertical integration but each part is also set up to be it’s own somewhat independent business - including a produce farm, Potlikker Farms and a catfish farm, Satilla Ponds. While both were established to feed into the restaurant, they also have the potential and the intention to provide quality local ingredients to the local food markets as well.

So, sit back and relax or grab a rod and reel and join me as I go fishing and talk about the business of raising, harvesting and cooking up some local, organically fed catfish.

If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a rating and review. Also, be sure to check out our sponsors and give them a like as well!

Morning Belle Farms

Chelsea Green Publishing

Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

Thanks for joining me for today’s conversation with David Zelski, Emmy Award-winning Producer & Host at Dizzy Productions, LLC based out of Atlanta, Georgia. 

Many of you will recognize David’s voice from shows like Georgia Traveler and his outdoor adventure show, The Excursion. But I was most excited to talk to him about one of his newest shows, A Fork in the Road which he produces and hosts in partnership with Georgia Grown and which is aired on GPB.

I had so much fun talking with David who is as passionate about sharing the stories of Georgia’s farmers and producers as I am. It was really interesting to me get his perspective on local food and how his own views have been influenced through the process of reporting on Georgia agriculture.

I think this audience will really appreciate his perspective and enthusiasm for our local farms and farmers. I hope you’ll enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed being able to do this interview.

Here are the links to some of David's shows including: A Fork in the Road, The Excursion and Pets Welcome Here. Be sure to check them out if you haven't already!

As always, THANK YOU, to the beautiful people and awesome businesses who support the work of Southern Soil through advertisements and sponsorships. Especially to our Season Two Podcast Sponsors:  Savannah Hydroponics and Organics, Chelsea Green Publishing and Morning Belle Farms! Also ... a big thank you to our Community Builders: Haylards Restaurant Group, Brighter Day and the Sentient Bean for their continued support over the years!

Season Two of the podcast is sponsored by Savannah Hydroponics and Organics, Chelsea Green Publishing and Morning Belle Farms! We're so grateful for our sponsors who make it possible to continue to shed light on the importance of local sustainable food systems! A big thank you also to our Community Builders: Haylards Restaurant Group, Brighter Day and the Sentient Bean for their support!