Our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org

In This Podcast: Greg and Bill McDorman explore why seed saving virtually disappeared. They reveal how, historically, seed saving was an integral practice for gardeners and farmers, promoting more resilient and adaptable crops. However, the industrialization of agriculture and commercialization of seeds in the 20th century led to a decline in this practice due to economic pressures and the introduction of laws favoring seed patents and protections. Bill recounts the historical developments, including the idea of patenting of plants in the 1930s and the eventual patenting of seeds in the 1980s. The conversation also highlights success stories like the revival of Sonoran White Wheat in Arizona, demonstrating how communities can reclaim and share seeds to build local resilience. They encourage listeners to engage in seed saving and participate in seed libraries to foster a sustainable and abundant agricultural system.

Visit UrbanFarm.org/894 for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Replay

In this episode of Rosie on the House, Romey Romero and Farmer Greg welcome Brad Lancaster, a renowned expert in water harvesting. They discuss Brad's journey in water harvesting starting from his childhood in Tucson, the practices he developed over the years, and the techniques mentioned in his book. Brad elaborates on practical methods to harvest rainwater efficiently in urban settings, including the creation of basins, curb cuts, and the use of rain gardens. He shares his experiences from global travel, particularly from Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia, which influenced his work and techniques. Brad also highlights the profound community and ecological benefits of rainwater harvesting, such as creating food forests, improving local climates, and revitalizing neighborhoods. The episode underscores the importance of making the most out of minimal rainfall, even in desert areas, and offers practical advice for homeowners and communities.

 Brad Lancaster is the author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Volumes one and two. The creator of harvestingrainwater.com and is co-founder of neighborhoodforesters.org. He and his brother's family amazingly harvest about 100 Thousand gallons of rainwater each year in Tucson on an eighth of an acre urban lot and adjoining right away where just 11 inches of rain falls each year. This harvested rainwater is then turned into living air, conditioners of food bearing shade trees and understory plants, not just at home, but throughout his neighborhood where he and his neighbors have expanded the harvest To millions of gallons of stormwater each year, helping recharge the hydrology for all by giving back more than we take.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/893-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Greg speaks with Hilde Festerling, a storyteller and small holder goat farmer, about her unique podcast, the Goat American Novel. The podcast is a Barnyard Gothic series inspired by Hilde's experiences with her goat herd and farming community. Hilde shares a compelling story about a challenging kidding event that led her to create the podcast. The conversation delves into the artistic and familial collaboration behind the podcast, the importance of storytelling, and the fascinating dynamics of goats. Hilde also discusses how her work aims to reconnect urban audiences with farming life and the potential for communal goat farming in urban settings.

Our Guest:  Hilde Festerling is a storyteller and a small holder goat farmer. Her goat herd, and her farming community, are the inspiration for her current project, The Goat American Novel, a barnyard gothic podcast for families. In contrast to the superficial ways goats are often treated in popular media, The Goat American Novel podcast invites us deep into the ways of goats; it invites families to see themselves in herd dynamics, and to maybe dream about what it might be like to live close to them.

Hilde's Books -  Goat Husbandry by David McKenzie & The Witches of Benevento by John Bemelmans Marciano

Visit UrbanFarm.org/GoatAmericanPodcast for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Hayden Caraway shares his initiative, Homegrown Collective, a platform aimed at transforming the food system by connecting consumers with responsibly grown and locally sourced food. Hayden, who faced health issues due to processed foods, was inspired by food practices in places like Costa Rica and Italy. Through this nonprofit platform, local food producers can gain free online exposure and sell directly to consumers, making it easier for them despite limited marketing budgets. The platform is both a website and a mobile app, designed for user convenience and community support. The conversation covers the platform's development, its reception, upcoming plans, and Hayden's personal journey and motivations. Listeners are encouraged to quiet their minds, focus on their goals, and support local food systems.

Our Guest:  Hayden Caraway is 31 years old and has been challenged with digestive and immune health issues. After much blood work and research, he realized it was due to the processing and food practices we use in the us. So he created homegrown collective to help consumers find responsibly grown and reasonably sourced food. He has dedicated his life to transforming our food system from processed to homegrown.

Hayden's Book Recommendation - Switch on your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Contact Hayden at HomegrownCollective.org

Visit UrbanFarm.org/HomeGrownCollective for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Greg interviews Mike Bollinger, the Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange, discussing his journey and work there. Mike shares his path from running a certified organic vegetable farm, to being involved with Seed Savers Exchange in various capacities since 2003. They delve into the history and mission of the organization on its 50th anniversary, which started in 1975 by Diane and Kent Whaley.

Seed Savers Exchange focuses on preserving heirloom and open-pollinated seeds by fostering a community of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing seeds. Mike explains the various initiatives, including their Exchange platform, seed bank, catalog, online store, and educational programs.

They also explore the significance of seed diversity for food security and adaptability. Mike highlights their efforts to engage urban gardeners and the broader community, and shares a touching story about the preservation of Glen Goodall's Italian Bean. They conclude with Mike's reflections on community, biodiversity, and his belief in the power of growing food with intention.

Our Guest: Mike is the Executive Director of Seed Savers Exchange and has a long-standing connection to the organization, previously serving as a member of the organizations garden crew and contracted as a seed producer. At Seed Savers Exchange, Mike is dedicated to the organization's mission of seed preservation, sharing, and education. He brings a wealth of experience in organic and sustainable growing practices to his role, along with a passion for addressing critical issues such as climate change and food security through agriculture.

Visit UrbanFarm.org/SeedSaversExchange for the show notes and links on this episode!

Mike's Book - What We Sow by Jennifer Jewel

Contact Mike - SeedSavers.org

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

This month Greg from Urban Farm and Don Titmus from Bee Oasis discuss the principle of working with nature rather than against it. They cover various permaculture techniques, such as building soil organically, harvesting rainwater, using polyculture, and incorporating animals for land management. The conversation highlights the importance of seed saving, biological pest control, and the benefits of a permaculture design course. They also share personal experiences and insights on creating sustainable and resilient ecosystems.

Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/889-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Replay

In this reply episode of 'Rosie on the House', Romey Romero and Farmer Greg host special guest Cactus Kelly, a master gardener and foraging educator. We explore foraging native edibles in Arizona, highlighting various plants like Palo Verde beans, mesquite, and Ironwood. Cactus Kelly shares valuable insights on how to harvest, prepare, and consume these native plants, often found in urban environments. We also delve into the uses of weeds, cacti such as prickly pear and barrel cactus, and other native flora. We dive into foraging techniques, the nutritional benefits of these plants, and how they support local ecosystems. The segment aims to educate and encourage sustainable harvesting practices while introducing traditional uses and modern applications of native desert plants.

 Cactus Kelly is a master gardener, a foraging educator at the Desert Botanical Garden, and the owner of Cactus Kelly Urban Foraging Institute. Her specialty is low desert plants around Phoenix, Arizona, where we only get about seven inches of rain annually. Bean trees, seasonal greens, weeds, and the cactus fruits are the primary, wild, edible foods that she has been exploring ways to harvest, store, make flour, bake, and cook with them for over 10 years.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/888-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Join our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org

In This Podcast: Greg and Bill navigate the evolution of seed ownership and its impact on biodiversity. They highlight how, historically, seeds were predominantly grown locally, fostering diversity. However, today, four major companies dominate the global seed market, resulting in a significant loss of agricultural diversity. This shift has made the food system vulnerable to diseases and climate change, which were traditionally mitigated by seed diversity. Efforts to preserve genetic diversity through seed banks are underfunded and face operational challenges, raising concerns about future accessibility.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of local seed saving and sharing initiatives as a means to reclaim control over seeds. Resources like Seed Up Saturday and organizations such as goingtoseed.org are promoted as vital tools for increasing seed diversity within communities. The session concludes with encouragement for individuals to actively participate in seed saving and sharing to enhance local food security and biodiversity.

For a full article on this topic visit - Who Really Owns The Seeds That Feed Us

Visit UrbanFarm.org/887-seed for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Tony Sarah shares his background in the nursery business and the accidental discovery that led him to develop his organic fertilizer, Tony's Magic Mix. He discusses the ingredients and scientific principles behind the fertilizer, focusing on soil health and balanced plant nutrients. Tony recounts success stories, such as record avocado harvests and thriving gardens in harsh climates like Phoenix and emphasizes the importance of promoting a healthy soil biome with organic fertilizers. Tony also talks about his personal journey, including past business failures, the success of his current business, and the support from his family. Tony concludes with a recommendation for spending time outdoors and enjoying the magic of nature.

Our Guest: Tony has been in the nursery industry starting in his father’s business at the age of three. He was destined to be a horticulturist.  He started working in a nursery as a teenager and studied marine biology and climatology in college.  Then returned to horticulture to study ace genetics, plant breeding, weed science and soil fertility.  With so many new organic fertilizers on the market he trialed as many as possible to give honest feedback to his customers. This led him to spend several years mixing different ingredients by hand in a five gallon buckets to give samples to his clients to test. Magically the local garden groups named it Tony’s Magic Mix.

Tony's Book - Old Man In the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway

Visit UrbanFarm.org/EarthOriginalOrganics for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Getting the Most Seed Diversity to the Most People

Replay of Seed Up Saturday 2025

Hosted by Bill McDorman and Greg Peterson, focusing on increasing seed diversity and local seed stewardship. Sponsored by GreatAmericanSeedUp.org and SeedUpInABox.com, the event encourages community-based seed saving efforts. Guest speakers include Julia Dakin of Going to Seed, Rebecca Newburn from Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, and Bevin Cohen of Small House Farm. Topics covered include the importance of seed diversity, the role of community seed saving, seed libraries, and sustainable agricultural practices. The session also introduces 'Seed Up in a Box', an initiative to distribute bulk, inexpensive, open-pollinated seeds. The event concluded with a discussion on maintaining engagement in seed saving, and various practices to promote local seed diversity.

Useful links from this event

• Bevin Cohen - https://www.SmallHouseFarm.com
• Julie Dakin - https://GoingToSeed.org
• Rebecca Newburn - https://www.SeedLibraryNetwork.org 
• And Greg & Bill - https://SeedUpInABox.com