This special episode of Turtle Talks is a Q&A with University of Minnesota hazelnut researcher Lois Braun. On the day of the recording, she and her tech assistant Connor planted fifty hazelnut plants in our south field. You can read more about her research at https://www.midwesthazelnuts.org/

Additionally, Lois's important work as part of the Forever Green initiative promotes improving natural resources and economic opportunities for farmers. Diversified income streams and perennials on the landscape are both things HDT can get behind! Find out more about Forever Green here: https://www.forevergreen.umn.edu/

Music used in the episode:

Intro - What to Expect by Jake Bradford

1) Staring by Muted on the album Muted

2) Here Tonight by City Acres on the album Eastern Autumn

3) Kerosene by John Lingard on the album Taxi Home and Takeaway

The Garden Crew talks on the importance of seed saving, pepper varieties, our new campus chef (Chris), and our attempt at getting fresh local foods into local markets. Lots to cover!

Music in this episode:

Intro Music: What to Expect - Jake Bradford

1)Gotta Sing Your Song - Brick Fields

2) Morning Chill - Adi Levi

3) Nobody but You - Befun (The Town Shop)

In our latest Summer Appetizer, we talk about some of the upcoming festivals taking place in the next couple of weeks, specifically the

1) Harvest Dinner - https://www.sfa-mn.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SummerTour2018FinalSmpdf.pdf

2) Farm 2 Table Dinner - https://www.facebook.com/events/2173123272957145/

3) Salsa Fest - https://www.visitstcloud.com/event/minnesota-salsa-fest-2018/

We also have a beautiful "Iron Range Porketta" recipe for you to try. https://cceatslocal.com/recipes/iron-range-porketta/

Music in Episode:

Intro - What to Expect - Jake Bradford

1) The Slowdown - Michael Shynes

2)Dawn Chorus - Racoon Racoon

3)Peace of Mind - Compas & Cavern

In our third Summer Appetizer edition of the Turtle Talks Podcast, we discuss the food going into the CSAs, Colin gives parsley a try, we talk about winter cover crops, and what we do with rabbits in our "rabbit-proof" garden.

In this episode, we talk about Allison's recent attendance to the Agroforestry Institute, how HDT utilizes agroforestry on campus, and what in the world are par-cel and garlic scapes.

Allison's Blog on Agroforestry: https://happydancingblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/25/hdt-and-agroforestry/

With the summer in full swing, we transition to our new format to give you more ideas of what we do (and to give us more time to do it!)

Introducing "Garden Appetizer", a 20 minute episode focusing on the weekly to-do's in our garden.

This week we talk on our CSA, Lois Braun and her Hazelnut research, the Shady Chicken Project, and snapping turtles.

Lots to listen to!

Shady Chicken Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6K6DQ8W

Lois Braun: https://projects.sare.org/sare_project/lnc10-328/

Asparagus Recipes:

In our 7th episode, we discuss how we like to test our gardens and what we like to do if we don't like what we find. We go into the making and upkeep of proper compost.

Notes:

Gary Zimmer - http://www.midwesternbioag.com/leadership/gary-zimmer/

Elaine Ingham - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Ingham

Soil Diversity Primer - http://www.envirothonpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7-Soil-Biology-Primer.pdf

In our sixth episode, we talk about the importance of keeping your soil covered, whether with a mulch or a cover crop. We share different ways to make this happen.

We also talk a bit about the cold weather snap, mice troubles, and mushroom logs in our Garden Update.

Notes: Ruth Stout Books - The Ruth Stout No-Work Garden Book, Gardening Without Work, I've Always Done it My Way

In our fifth episode, we tackle another pillar of Soil Health: Minimizing Soil Disturbances or tilling. We cover why it's important to keep roots in your soil and some best practices.

Also, you'll get an update about what we're doing on campus as we deal with this bizarre spring.

Happy Dancing Turtle is an NPO situated in central MN. Our mission is to inspire, encourage, & educate those looking to live more resilient. We go into depth on why diversity in your plants is best for your garden. Also, we introduce our first "Garden Update"