121 – Agrarian Land Trusts

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-z5bb3-1579fbf

The average age of an American farmer is 65. More and more farmland is transitioned to other purposes, such as condos, suburban homes, or commercial properties. Each year we loose about 400,000 acres to development. So how can we reverse this trend.

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station as they speak with Ian McSweeney, organizational director of the Agrarian Trust, and organization that seeks to transform the ownership of land using the Agrarian Commons model – transitioning vast tracks of privately held land to a non-profit community status and encouraging new farmers into the field – bringing a sense of equity and purpose to those involved in agriculture.

185 – The ”No Solar on Prime Farmlands” Campaign

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-v67cj-14cfec0

You may have noticed a large number of strikingly similar signs popping up on farms throughout the Midwest protesting “No Solar on Prime Farmland.” So what and who is behind this campaign? And why are farmers protesting against this new potential revenue source?

Join Jay and Annie Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion on this Washington DC political maneuvering posing as a grassroots campaign.

184 – Running a Produce Auction

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-mdyj7-14a23fc

In 2004 Rural Action started a produce auction in the heart of Appalachia. In the early days, a number of volunteers and a group of Amish farmers formed the core of this enterprise. Over the years it has grown to be an economic engine within the community of Chester Hill, Ohio – as well as an unlikely tourist destination.

Join Jay and Annie Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion with Emily Elam of Rural Action on some of the history, projects, challenges and successes of the Chester Hill Produce Auction.

153 – Save the Soil

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9e2k6-1400f33

According to a United Nation’s study, the planet has only about 60 years of soil left. The nutrients in our soil have been so depleted that today you must eat 8 oranges to get the same vitamins that your grandparents got by eating just one. So what are the issues and what can we do about them?

 

Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station are joined by Heather Kabler and Chitra Iyer of the Isha Foundation to discuss the Save Soil Movement and what is being done to raise awareness of this critical issue.

145 – High Tunnels

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-qge9k-13e461d

In case you hadn’t noticed, the climate is changing and plants are dying. How can homesteaders cope with extreme weather events and a changing ecology. Well, one way is to create an environment for their garden that they can control to a certain extent. This is where high tunnels come in.

A high tunnel, or hoop house is a greenhouse like structure where plants can be cultivated and raised under more controlled conditions.

Join Annie and Jay Warmke from Blue Rock Station for a discussion on their experience with high tunnels, building it, the grant process with the government, and plans for how they intend to use it in the future.

170 -The Future Farms are in our Forests

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bmp8g-137ef32

Agriculture is rediscovering the ancient practice of managing forests as a source of food and other revenue crops (other than just harvesting trees for lumber). But there are a dizzying number of terms thrown about that each mean something to someone – each a bit different in process and intent. Terms such as food forests, forest farming, agroforestry, alley cropping, and more.

Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station are joined by Katherine Favor, a sustainable agriculture specialist, based in the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s Western Regional Office to try to make sense of it all.

168 – Urban Food Forests

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-i4wrb-13434be

The concept of a food forests, integrating marketable crops into a woodland environment, managing not just the turf for planting – but every vertical layer of space – is catching on in the world of agriculture innovations.

But can this concept be successful in an urban environment as we seek to provide local and sustainable food sources where we live? Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion about the promise and perils of urban food forests.

165 – Food Forests

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-i62aa-1339714

Even big agriculture is beginning to look at this ancient process of using our forests as a food production model and venue for crop planting and harvesting. 

So what is this concept, how does it work, and what does it mean for the health and vitality of our planet? 

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of food forests, not only regarding their economic benefits to marginalized populations, but as a restorative practice for our planet.

159 – Women and Non-Binary People in Agriculture

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-3qivz-12c6c78

It’s hard enough to make a living in agriculture. But for women and those who identify as non-binary, it can be an incredible challenge. What are the unique challenges they face and how can they overcome them?

 

Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station are joined by Stephanie Enloe, Director of Programming at WFAN (Women Food & Agriculture Network) for a discussion on programs available specifically for women and non-binary people in agriculture.

050 – Eating Seasonally

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xpajw-12906bc

Globalization and genetically modified food has led to a world where nearly every plant can be harvested and shipped nearly every week of the year.  While this is convenient – it is not natural.  And can lead to some serious problems. 

Join Annie and Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station for a discussion of the realities of sustainable living.