The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

This episode was originally published on April 23, 2021 For updates on Elizabeth Cline's advocacy and policy work since this episode was recorded, go to her website at www.elizabethclinebooks.com Our guest this week is Elizabeth Cline, a New York-based author, journalist, and expert on consumer culture, fast fashion, sustainability and labor rights in the apparel industry. She is the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, which was published in 2012, and which laid the foundation for the modern global ethical and sustainable fashion movement. Her most recent book, The Conscious Closet, published in 2019, describes how consumers can transform the apparel industry and change the world for the better by making more informed decisions about what they wear every day. In this episode, Elizabeth inspires slow fashion enthusiasts to move beyond the response of merely modifying their purchasing decisions, to come together with other individuals in the wider community to impact policy change through social activism. Elizabeth discusses campaigns such as Pay Up Fashion for direct relief for garment workers that have not been paid by American companies during the pandemic, and the Garment Workers Protection Act that will provide minimum wage for garment workers in California. Elizabeth encourages consumers to embrace their civic right in bringing the malpractices and inequities of the fashion industry to light, holding brands accountable for their unethical practices and therefore affecting real change in this broken system. 1:30 - It’s Fashion Revolution week! 10:00 - Elizabeth introduces herself 11:00 - Has there been much change in the last two decades in the fashion industry? 20:00 - Why are corporations not paying their factories? 28:00 - The problems in your own closet 38:00 - The PayUp Campaign  42:00 - What does The Good Dirt mean to you? 50:00 - How Farmers in West Texas inspired Elizabeth Things Mentioned: Fashion Revolution  Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline Lady Farmer Essential Collection Line and Tow Line at Lady Farmer Grace Brian The Twilight of the Ethical Consumer article PayUp Fashion SB 62 - The Garment Worker Protection Act Elizabeth Cline Instagram PayUp Fashion Instagram Greenwashing article for Patagonia Another Tomorrow The ALMANAC 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

This episode delves into the concept of slow living as a continuous practice that requires constant effort and intentionality. Mary & Emma discuss with Shannon Hayes, author of 'Radical Homemakers' and 'Redefining Rich,' about her journey in slow living, holistic farming, and creating a life-serving economy. Hayes shares her experiences of managing a family farm and restaurant, the backlash from her first book, and the importance of a quality of life statement. The conversation also explores how redefining wealth beyond monetary income can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life. 00:00 Introduction to Slow Living 01:37 A Rich Life in the Garden 02:34 Interview with Shannon Hayes 03:49 Defining True Wealth 04:48 Quality of Life Statements 10:32 Non-Monetary Income 15:23 Shannon Hayes' Background 17:36 The Creative Journey 22:51 Legacy Work and Overcoming Resentment 26:58 Reflecting on Radical Homemakers 28:13 Exploring Power Dynamics in Families 29:14 The Impact of Misinterpretation 30:22 Facing Public Perception and Personal Growth 38:06 Navigating Employment and Self-Employment 45:19 Understanding Life-Serving vs. Extractive Economies 49:03 The Concept of Slow Living 50:30 The Good Dirt: Metaphor and Reality 52:47 Where to Find More from Shannon ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

This episode was originally aired March 25, 2022 Join this "fruitful" and enlightening conversation with tree crops specialist, horticultural historian and agroforestry practitioner Eliza Greenman as she explains the evolution of the apple, horticultural tree crop history and shares her love for fruit exploring. A creator of niche products, Eliza is passionate owner of charcuterie company, HogTree, and is working towards the goal of creating orchard systems that function symbiotically with livestock to replace costly livestock feed. After a time pruning apple trees on an island off the coast of Maine, paired with her time abroad in Germany in apprenticeship with an apple grower and a formative research trip to Asia, the homeland of fruits and nuts, Eliza found her calling and became single- mindedly obsessed with apples. Now she is an advocate for natural wildlife practices and indigenous systems, stressing the importance of eating in season and shying away from global commodities. The conversation includes various types of fruit and nut trees such as pawpaws, mulberry trees, hickory walnuts, acorns, autumn olive and the infamous Bradford Pear, exploring all the ways these beautiful gifts can be nurtured and enjoyed.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Agroforestry  Agroecology Permaculture  Food Forests  Perennials  Fruit and Nut Trees  Bradford Pear  Red Delicious  Fire Blight  Heart Rot  Pollarding Autumn Olive Silvopasture agroforestry  Resources Mentioned:  US Apple - Lobbying  Back River Market  “Of New York” Series - Catalog of Fruit Varieties  The National Soil Fertility League  North American Fruit Explorers - NAFEX  John Bunker, Fedco Trees Francis Fenton  Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. These systems are intensively managed for both forest products and forage, providing both short- and long-term income sources.  Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/practices/silvopasture.php  Guest Info Connect with Eliza at elizaapples.com  HogTree charcuterie company  Fruit and Fodder  Instagram @elizaapples  🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss the common struggles of clutter and its impact on daily life with special guest Dana K. White, author of 'Decluttering at the Speed of Life.' Dana shares her unique five-step decluttering method tailored for creative minds who often find themselves overwhelmed by clutter. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's personal clutter threshold, the distinction between organizing and decluttering, and the mental freedom gained from consistent decluttering habits. Dana also discusses the emotional challenges tied to sentimentality and inherited items, offering practical, guilt-free strategies for managing household clutter. Tune in to learn actionable steps for creating a more functional and joyful living space. 00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Clutter 01:29 Excitement for Today's Episode 02:06 The Impact of Clutter on Life 05:04 Introducing Dana White 06:12 Dana's Journey to Decluttering 12:26 The No Mess Decluttering Process 17:59 Emotional Challenges of Decluttering 26:48 Finding Your Clutter Threshold 30:53 Sustainable Decluttering Practices 35:08 Maintaining a Functional Home 35:27 The Five-Minute Pickup Strategy 36:06 Understanding Clutter Thresholds 37:12 Effective Decluttering Techniques 38:14 Dealing with Sentimental Items 41:25 The Container Concept 51:16 Sustainability and Slow Living 58:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

This episode was originally aired April 26, 2024 In this conversation with best selling author and activist Paul Hawken, we discuss the reframing of our relationship with nature by moving away from the concept of "othering" ourselves, and more towards the integration of our interconnectedness. Paul speaks of the cultural disconnect, the role of language in shaping our perception of the environment, and how crucial it is to engage directly with the natural world. Hawken's vast experience, including starting the first natural food company (Erewhon) in the U.S. and working with Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his involvement in founding Regeneration and NEXUS, are all a result of a lifetime of pursuing solutions to our climate crisis. He shares how he views carbon and climate change through a lens of interconnectedness and flow rather than as isolated problems. He also talks about his upcoming book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' the significance of soil regeneration, societal shifts and the connection between joy and sustainability as well as the power of individual and community action in the face of environmental challenges. 🌿 This episode is sponsored by Neptune’s Harvest Organic Fertilizer. Use code GOODDIRT at checkout for 5% off your order for products from the ocean to set your plants in motion 🌊 Topics Discussed · Opening Reflections: Embracing Nature and Conversations on Disconnection · Insights from Paul Hawken: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and Nature · Organic Food Pioneer · Finding Your Environmental Voice · Exploring the Language of Nature and Indigenous Wisdom · The Power of Language in Healing Our Relationship with the Planet · Redefining Success and the Essence of Soil · The Transformation of Soil and Agriculture · Ultra Processed Food · Soil's Organism and Its Impact on Plant Health · The Haber-Bosch Process · Exploring Soil Acoustics and Its Significance · The Power of Community and Individual Action · Reconnecting with Nature Outside of the Internet · Sensationalism in Media · Indigenous Voices & Decolonizing Our Perspectives · Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Future · Joy and Sustainability · Carbon & The Myth of Carbon Neutral · Empowering Actions Through Nexus and Regeneration.org Episode Resources: · Listen to The Good Dirt Podcast “Reimagining Our Place in the Landscape: Eco-Spirituality and Rewilding with Mary DeJong” · Listen to The Good Dirt Podcast “The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds” · Read “Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation” by Paul Hawken · Read “Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming” by Paul Hawken · Read The Guardian’s Article “Vegetables are losing their nutrients. Can the decline be reversed?” · Read “Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn't Food” by Chris Van Tulleken · InventWood Connect with Paul Hawken: · Website: https://paulhawken.com/ · Climate One Website: https://www.climateone.org/people/paul-hawken · Project Regeneration Website: https://regeneration.org/about/paul-hawken · Instagram @paulhawken: https://www.instagram.com/paulhawken/ · Paul’s Newsletter: https://regeneration.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ebb591cd0ef4ad186dcf2cd3f&id=8f12b90f3e · Nexus: https://regeneration.org/nexus ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

In this episode of the Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Emma and Mary return from winter break with a special interview featuring repeat guest Paul Hawken, the acclaimed environmentalist, author, and activist. They discuss Hawken's new book, 'Carbon, the Book of Life,' which explores the multifaceted role of carbon in our universe, challenging the prevailing view of carbon as merely a climatic culprit. Hawken shares his profound insights on the interconnectedness of all life and how shifting our perception of carbon can foster a deeper understanding of our relationship with where we live. Key themes include the limitations of current climate messaging, the emotional and intellectual journey of understanding carbon, and the need for a holistic approach to resolving environmental crises. 📖 Preorder Carbon:The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025) 00:00 Introduction to Carbon and Climate Messaging 01:50 Welcome Back to Good Dirt Podcast 03:56 Introducing Paul Hawken and His New Book 06:29 Paul Hawken on the Inspiration Behind His Work 07:37 The Role of Carbon in Climate Change 12:48 Challenges in Climate Messaging 17:21 The Interconnectedness of Life and Carbon 24:06 Stories of Connection in the Natural World 29:29 Elephant Mourning Rituals 29:45 The Intelligence of Animals 30:20 Understanding Our Place in the World 31:41 The Interconnectedness of Trees 33:33 Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Awareness 35:59 The Role of Science in Rediscovering Nature 46:35 AI and Environmental Impact 54:01 The Importance of Grief and Heartbreak 01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections Books/Articles Bill McKibben/ Global Warming's Terrifying New Math Lawrence Anthony/ The Elephant Whisperer Frans De Waal/ Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? Karen Bakker/ The Sounds of Life Zoe Schlanger/ The LIght Eaters Suzanne Simard/ Finding the Mother Tree Dara McAnulty/ Diary of a Young Naturalist Ed Conway/ Material World 📖 Preorder Carbon: The Book of Life → Click here (Available in the U.S. on March 18, 2025) 🌎 Connect with Paul: 🔗 Website: paulhawken.com 📘 Facebook | 📷 Instagram | 💼 LinkedIn | 🐦 Twitter ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on March 3rd, 2023 This week we are talking to writer, creator and self proclaimed life-long learner, Hillarie Maddox, founder of Black Girl, Country Living. Hillarie preaches the idea that slow living in a lifestyle anyone can live, and focuses her encouragement specifically on the BIPOC community. She climbed the big tech corporate ladder, then ditched the city for slow living and finding her love of nature, and she found herself in the process. Topics discussed How Hillarie and her family went from city to rural living What was the new way of being that Hillarie discovered? When you live in an urban environment, many things are made "invisible" A feeling of disconnection might lead to excess consumerism Seeking a slower and more sustainable lifestyle is like peeling an onion How a vision board helped Hillarie and her husband make the shift The shift to slow living does not always mean a move to the country Hillarie speaks to her intention and mission on the land, beginning with gardening Hillarie's gardening experience and desire to share the knowledge Rewilding workshops launching next year, helping particularly bipoc people develop a relationship with nature Hillarie talks about the slow living movement and what that means for people of color  The value of mentors and community in this lifestyle Hillarie's family connection to the original Homesteading Act The changes of agriculture in America in the last century Wendall Berry, The Unsettling of America Hillarie explains what "rewilding" means to her The indigenous people of the region where Hillarie now lives The biggest challenges and rewards of this lifestyle shift for Hillarie's family Connect with Hillarie Maddox Website: Black Girl Country Living Instagram About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network. 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 07/22/22. What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about fundamental shifts in many of our most basic assumptions about our relationship with each other and the environment, and the role each of us plays in the way forward towards a worldwide, life-supporting community.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: How Andrew came to his interest in ecology through religion How The Institute for Ecological Civilization came into being Explanation of The Institute for Ecological Civilization and its mission The Centrality of the Human Experience Genesis as a directive for the human role in the web of creation Deep Ecology Are we fighting for human survival or earth's survival? EcoCiv partners and programs Where are the solutions? Does change happen from within the system, outside the system or from the top down? Who is getting it right? Who do we support? Resources Mentioned:  Rose of Sharon Sacred Harp Hymn 254 Don Shiva David Corton Jeremy Lent Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Aspen Institute Philip Clayton John Cobb What is Ecological Civilization by Andrew Schwartz and Philip Clayton Claremont School of Theology Willamette University Water for South Sudan Wellbeing Economy Alliance Connect with Andrew and the Institute for Ecological Civilization: EcoCiv website: https://ecociv.org/ On Instagram @ecociv_ Listen to the EcoCiv Podcast About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired in June, 2023 Emma and Mary are back from Emma's wedding, and they are spreading the joy with The Good Dirt. This episode features Maureen "Mo" Moutoux of Moutoux Orchards in Purcellville, VA. Mo has a Masters Degree in Anthropology, and farms with her husband Rob Moutoux, a 3rd generation farmer at Moutoux Orchards. They currently live on the family farmland with their two children, continuing the over 50 year legacy of the Moutoux family. In 2011, they opened their first CSA program, growing vegetables for dozens of family members (including Mary's household), and it has continued to grow each year. Their mission is to feed wholesome and nutrient-dense farm food to their community, because good food comes from good dirt. Mo shares her journey to becoming a farmer and reclaiming food from field to kitchen. She also discusses what a CSA is, how it has evolved over the years to reduce waste while providing a living wage for her family and team members, and the benefits of eating locally for both nutritional value and the environment as a whole. Topics Discussed • Slow Living Consult • Journey to Becoming a Farmer • Anthropology & Farming • Creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program • Investing in Your Local Farmers • Sustainable & Regenerative Growing Methods • How Systems Favor Multinational Corporations over Local Growers • Romanticization of Farm Life vs. Reality of Running an Farm • Commodity Farming vs. Sustainable Farming • Reclaiming Food from Field to Kitchen • The Food Offered in a CSA • The Exploitation Behind the Cost of Affordability at Supermarkets • Removing Guilt Around “Perfect” Sustainable Practices • Food and Livestock Throughout the Seasons • Reducing Waste in a CSA Program • Transparency of Cost  • Pesticides, Choosing Not to Be USDA Organic Certified, and Outsourcing For Specific Products  • Preservation of Soil Throughout Every Harvest • The Economics of Running a Farm • Knowing Your Food Comes From • A Farmer's Good Dirt • Social Justice & Farming • Maintaining Optimism as a Farmer  Episode Resources: • Mo's Interview with "Grounded Women: Stories of Women who Farm" • Moutoux Farm's Whole Diet CSA Membership • Rob and Mo's Story & the History of Moutoux Farm • Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan • Food, Inc. (2008) • Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture • The Rodale Institute • Essex Farm • CSA Directory Connect with Maureen "Mo" Moutoux: • Website: https://www.moutouxorchard.com/ • Instagram: @moutouxorchard ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 7/21/23. Did you know that in this country, we have an area totaling the size of Washington State that is mowed lawns? Our guest is Owen Wormser, author of Lawns Into Meadows, who helps to weave people and the natural world back together through his work building regenerative landscapes. In this conversation, we discuss how meadows offer a compelling solution in a world where lawns have an enormous detrimental impact on our ecology and have wreaked havoc on our natural ecosystems. Owen was born and raised off the grid in rural Maine, surrounded by the natural world, with nature being his greatest teacher. Influenced by his study of horticulture, permaculture, organic agriculture, and ecology, Lawns Into Meadows is a how-to guide on growing your own wildflowers and native grasses. Owen offers approachable, simple steps for anyone and everyone to create sustainable and regenerative landscapes, starting with even a few square feet of land.  Topics Discussed • Connection to the Natural World • Building Low-Maintenance Ecologically Focused Landscapes • How Lawns Are Damaging the Planet • Growing Up in Rural Maine & Off the Grid • Living a Simple Life in a World We've Made Difficult • Convenience & Its Impact on Lifestyle • What Counts Toward a Life Full of Satisfaction, Abundance, and Fulfillment? • Applying Academic Knowledge to Real World Practice • Why We Want to Turn Laws into Meadows • What Makes a Meadow a Meadow • Dealing with Home Owner Associations • Humans are Traditionalist • Lawns & Status • Steps to Start & Maintain a Meadow • What to Plant in a Meadow • The Lifelong Learning Process of Healing the Earth • How Stillness Sustains Us • Plants as Our Birthright Episode Resources: •If You Stop Mowing This May, Will Your Lawn Become a Meadow? •Owen Wormser Massachusetts Department of Higher Education •Lawns Into Meadows: Growing a Regenerative Landscape by Owen Wormser •Lawns Into Meadows, 2nd Edition: Growing a Regenerative Landscape by Owen Wormser •The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Grid by Baron Wormser •The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Bobbie's Meadow Museum •Listen to The Good Dirt "The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds" •Listen to The Good Dirt "Seeking the Wisdom of the Earth with Maria Rodale, author of Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden" Connect with Owen Wormser: • Website: Abound Design https://abounddesign.com/ • Instagram: @lawns_into_meadows ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: •Our Website •Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram •Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC •Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return in the spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 2/24/23. Our guest today is someone who began her plastic-free journey in her kitchen, and has now become the renowned Zero Waste Chef, Anne-Marie Bonneau! Starting as a Zero Plastic Chef, she took the next step in her sustainability journey and became the Zero Waste Chef working towards producing zero waste in her own kitchen and inspiring others to do the same. She talks about how to shop differently, buy differently, and cook differently to reduce waste in the kitchen! Topics Discussed: Hugelkultur Anne Marie’s transition to plastic free Beginning tips for zero waste Zero Waste as a goal Anne Marie’s rhythm with food prep Fighting Food waste The idea of convenience contributing to waste Zero waste can be simple The attention economy informs our perception of what we can do Thneeds (from The Lorax by Dr. Suess) The Good Ancestor Is there hope for conscious consumerism?  Greta Thunberg The slow food movement began in Italy Alton Brown baked beans Connect with Anne-Marie Bonneau Instagram: @zerowastechef Website Anne-Marie's Book, The Zero Waste Chef About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network. 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return in the spring. Please enjoy this episode that was last aired on 1/31/2023 Today's episode is about Brigid, saint and legend, known for her skills at the hearth, the loom, midwifery, healing, poetry and animal husbandry. Kathy Spaar, spiritual director, pilgrimage leader and nature educator shares many of the folklore and stories of this legendary figure from Celtic tradition. As a figure of feminine wisdom and power who presides over the land and the homestead, we consider Brigid the quintessential Lady Farmer, our guide, protector and inspiration for slow living through the seasons. Intro: Follow Kesslyn @gemwellnessofficial for more about her journey as a midwife and her exploration of St. Brigid. Episode Reprise: Imbolc is here! Mary and Emma introduce Kathy and Brigid Kathy introduces herself Brigid's Feast Day Kathy's favorite stories of Brigid Brigid - the quintessential Lady Farmer How does Brigid relate to the times we are in now The most important thing Brigid has taught Kathy Mentions: The Almanac Brigidine Sisters Children's Book “Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story” by Bruce Milligan. "Symbols of Plenty" by Ruth Bidgood "Rekindling the Flame " by Rita Minehan About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network. 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 10/20/23. How can we reconnect ourselves to nature, to the plants and animals around us, and the very Earth we walk upon? This is the topic of discussion with our guest Asia Suler, writer, teacher, mother, earth intuitive, ecological philosopher and author of Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections on Self-Healing from the Living World. Asia has taught her principles to over 20,000 students in 70+ countries, and constantly sees how going on a journey of self-healing and acceptance is the key to being able to heal both ourselves and our place in the ecosystem. In this interview, Asia brings us into the ecological history of the Appalachian mountains, the magic and healing potential of the natural world, and the interconnectedness of our personal healing with the healing of the whole world. She believes that when we embody the belief that we are enough as we are, we then we ourselves embody the healing of the Earth. Topics Discussed • What comes to mind with when we think of mirrors in the earth? • Asia's Background and Experience Leading to the Writing of her Book. • Joyful Engagement with the Living World • Vulvodynia, Lyme Disease, and Chronic Pain • Western Herbalism • Finding Your Place in Nature • Creating One Willow Apothecary • Flower Essences & The Power of the Violet • Psycho-emotional States and Inner Blockages • Intellectual Rationalism • Growing up In-between Philadelphia and New York • Watering Plants throughout New York • Re-connecting with Magic • Cultivating a Love of Earth in Urban Spaces • The 10 Year Process Behind "Mirrors in the Earth" • Self-Realization & Self-Compasson • The Influence of Indigenous Beliefs • Earth as a Sentient Being • Empaths & Sensitives • Humanity's Place on Earth & The Proclivity towards Narcissism • Gardens, Boundaries, and Social Media • The Magic within the Appalachian Mountains Episode Resources: • Join Us in The ALMANAC  • Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections on Self-Healing from the Living World by Asia Suler Connect with Asia Suler: • One Willow Apothecaries Website: https://onewillowapothecaries.com/ • YouTube @AsiaSuler : https://www.youtube.com/c/AsiaSuler • Instagram @asiasuler : https://www.instagram.com/asiasuler/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asiasuler/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 11/10/2023. Our guest for today is Jill Winger, creator of The Prairie Homestead who over the last 10 years has influenced thousands of people in rediscovering some of the simpler ways of life–helping people grow their own food, cook healthy meals, raise chickens, bake bread—and SO many other things. And yes, she confesses that an old fashioned life can include modern technology, especially in teaching others through online content creation. But Jill’s mission is more than about teaching skills, it’s about guiding others into slowing down and creating a healthier, more centered, balanced lifestyle that includes our modern realities. Jill started out on a neglected farmstead 40 miles away from the nearest grocery store, and has grown with her passion for practicing this way of life and teaching others how to find it for themselves. She is the author of The Prairie Homestead Cookbook and her latest release: "Old-Fashioned on Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life". Jill lets Mary and Emma in on her process of content creation for homesteading, running an online business, finding writing once again, and what challenges she's faced in trying to do it all. This episode is for anyone who wants to strike a healthier balance between old-fashioned living and life in the modern world. Topics Discussed • Being a Homesteader • Getting Started without a Background in Farming or Ranching • Finding an Alternative to the Suburban-White-Picket-Fence Dream • Sparks of Inspiration & Knowing • Balancing Old-Fashioned Living with Modern Demands • How Jill's Support System Helps Her "Do It All" • Jill's Team & Task Delegation • How to Get People to Consume Your Content • The Consumer-Creator Relationship • Dealing with Technology Addiction as an Online Business • Creator Sustainability • Boundaries & Intentionality • The Pros and Cons of Homesteading's Growing Popularity • Writing Old-Fashioned on Purpose • Community • Raising Kids in a Homestead Lifestyle • Owning a Restaurant • Outsourcing Where You Can • Herbicide Long-Term Damage and Aminopyralid Poisoning Episode Resources: • Join Us in The ALMANAC  • The Prairie Homestead "how to use eggshells" Blog • The Prairie Homestead "I Think I Poisoned My Garden" Blog • "Old-Fashioned on Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life" by Jill Winger • "The Prairie Homestead Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Heritage Cooking in Any Kitchen" by Jill Winger • Listen to The Good Dirt "Reclaiming Our Food from Field to Kitchen with CSA Farmer Mo Moutoux of Moutoux Orchard" Connect with Jill Winger: • Website: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/ • Follow Jill on IG @jill.winger https://www.instagram.com/jill.winger/ • YouTube: https://youtube.com/theprairiehomestead • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprairiehomestead • Links: https://meet.theprairiehomestead.com/IGlinks ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 11/17/23. Our guest today is Baron Wormser, award winning poet, professor and author of "The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Grid". In this episode, Baron shares stories from his experience living and raising a family off the grid in rural Maine for 23 years, as well as his insight into connecting poetry with how we live, the value of simple living, and how we connect more deeply with the earth. We hear about his journey from the beginning in the mid 1970s, the day-to-day logistics of an off-grid life, raising children in that setting, and the eventual reentry into the contemporary world. Baron has been an example of slow and sustainable living throughout his life and career, and brings his gift of storytelling and poetry to this inspiring conversation. Topics Discussed • "Convenience" by W.S. Merwin • Membership Pledge Drive • Why Choose to Live Off the Grid • The Logistics of the Day-to-Day • Historical Precedence of Living without Electric Power • Living Through the Mid 70s • Needs vs. Wants • Defining Hardship • Living Off the Grid Then vs. Living On the Grid Now • Human Adaptability • Do We Truly Need the Internet? • Raising Children in an Off the Grid Lifestyle • Neighbor Stories • The Recognition of Hard Work • Money & Rural Towns • Deconstruction the Romanticization of an Off the Grid Lifestyle • Finding Your Ordinary • Reentry to the Grid • Baron's View on Hope • Falling in Love with the World Episode Resources: • Join Us in The ALMANAC  • "Convenience" by W.S. Merwin • Listen to The Good Dirt "151. 'Lawns into Meadows' with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Agriculture" • "The Road Washes Out in Spring: A Poet's Memoir of Living Off the Grid" by Baron Wormser Connect with Baron Wormser: • Website: https://baronwormser.com/ • Books: https://baronwormser.com/books.html ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired on 12/8/2023. We’re talking to Christina Schindler, who after spending 20 years in public education as a teacher and administrator, has embarked on a business venture with her family as the CEO of the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, a restaurant in Chestertown, MD that optimizes nutrition in modern foods through ancestral techniques–creating healthy food for the community.  Christina also serves as President of the Eastern Shore Food Lab, a non-profit that is focused on creating a nourishing, ethical and sustainable food system through education, outreach and research. Most importantly, Christina is a mother of three busy teenagers and is married to Dr. Bill Schindler, author of Eat Like a Human. In this conversation, we’ll be talking about the extraordinary adventures of this enterprising family, from living and traveling abroad to serving their community through this very unique restaurant, and their work with the non-profit. We’ll hear about their food journey as a family, practical tips for healthy eating in a busy modern world with kids, their years long quest for gaining knowledge about ancestral foods–and how you can live in a suburban neighborhood and still accomplish things that most people would think you need to live on 20 acres to do.  This is a wonderful conversation for anyone interested in embracing ultimate health through ancestral food ways –and a great story of how this family has brought it into the context of modern family life and business. Prepare to be inspired by the end of the episode to start eating like a human. Topics Discussed · Living & Traveling Abroad · Having a Family-Owned Community-Oriented Restaurant · Being a Former Educator · Cottage Food Operation  · Commercial Food Production · The Sourdough Process · What It Means to Eat like a Human · Employing a Team of 25 · Food Processing Then & Now · Traveling Abroad with Family · The Origin of Maize (aka Corn) · Being a Former Vegetarian · Hunting as a Food Source · Food Education · Old Bay Seasoning & Pumpkin Spice · Raising 3 Teenagers: Fast Food, Snacks, and House Rules · The Nutritional Pressure of Feeding a Family · Living in Ireland · Kefir · Ancestral Nutrition Knowledge Episode Resources: • Join Us in The ALMANAC  • Listen to the Discover Ag Podcast! • Read the Eat Like A Human Book • Learn More About Homemade Sourdough • Seed Oil Scout: Healthy Dining App • 12 Spoons - The Weston A. Price Foundation Connect with Christina: • Website: www.modernstoneagekitchen.com • IG @modernstoneagekitchen: https://www.instagram.com/modernstoneagekitchen/ • Eat Like a Human Website: https://eatlikeahuman.com/start-here/ • Eastern Shore Food Lab @esfoodlab: https://www.instagram.com/esfoodlab/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernstoneagekitchen ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

In this episode, Mary & Emma conclude their 'Intro to Slow Living' series by reflecting on the evolution of the slow living concept in their experience over the past eight years. They discuss the importance of intentionality, how slow living has transformed from a term to a mindset, and personal experiences with slow living in areas like fashion and daily choices. They announce a hiatus over the winter to rest and reassess their future direction, emphasizing the need for balance and space to let new ideas emerge organically. Mary and Emma encourage listeners to reflect on their own slow living journeys, and to share any feedback or suggestions while enjoying replays of past interviews. 00:00 Introduction and Series Recap 02:14 Reflections on Slow Living 03:43 Evolving Concepts of Slow Living 06:21 Sowing Seeds of Intention 10:49 Taking a Break and Future Plans 14:01 Personal Goals and Slow Living 24:07 Technology and Slow Living 28:40 Listener Engagement and Hiatus Details 33:15 Conclusion and New Year Wishes ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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 Producers: • Wendy Gray

In this special episode, we're bringing back two cherished holiday-themed recordings from our archives. Whether it’s the miracle of light, the birth of a Holy Child, or the warmth of family traditions, December celebrations connect us to a shared human experience rooted in vulnerability to nature’s rhythms. First, in this excerpt from the December episode of Mary's Slow Living Through the Seasons series from 2023, Mary reflects on the winter solstice and its significance across cultures, exploring what we share with our ancestors during the darkest days of the year. Discover the deeper meaning behind festive traditions and how modern celebrations can sometimes pull us away from the natural cycle of the seasons. Then, we revisit a delightful musical performance from the Lady Farmer Archives. Recorded in Seneca, Maryland, in November 2020, this casual fireside set by the Missing Sister Band warms the soul with soulful harmonies. Topics Covered: The winter solstice as a universal human experience, excerpted from Slow Living Through the Seasons Yuletide reflections and our connection to ancient traditions The story behind holiday symbols like the wreath A soulful musical set featuring holiday-inspired covers Music Setlist: "White Flag" by Joseph "Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash "Strangers" by The Kinks "Baby Where You Are" by Ted Lucas "Dogs Laying Around Playing" by My Bubba "Long Time Traveller" by Sacred Harp Performed by the Missing Sister Band: Vocals: Anna Glenn, Charlotte Henderson, Shannon Beston (guitar), Caitlin Robinson, Emma Kingsley Guitar: Cameron Palmer Audio/Visuals: David Smith, Emma Kingsley, Mary Kingsley Editing: Emma Kingsley Tune in for an episode that celebrates the beauty of gathering, the wonder of the solstice, and the joy of shared music. Happy Holidays! 🎶✨ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: • Our Website • Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram • Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC • Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Melissa and Jaci from Pinetree Garden Seeds, a family owned and operated business since 1979. Pinetree Garden Seeds was founded with the simple mission of offering low prices on quality seeds to the home gardener. Over the years offerings have expanded to include over 1300 varieties of seeds, including many heirlooms & organics, a huge assortment of tools and gardening gear, books, and live plants. Located in rural Maine, they operate out of a 300 year old farmhouse and strive to offer the best service and products with a personal touch. In 2011, the company was passed down from its founder, Dick Meiners, to his stepdaughter Melissa. She and her family are excited to continue the mission of supporting the home gardener by offering affordable, high quality seeds and goods. In this conversation we delve into the story of Pinetree Garden Seeds, the complexities of GMO's, heirloom seeds and the practices of the company. Melissa and Jaci share their passion for helping others succeed in gardening, emphasizing the simplicity and joy of growing food that promotes the health of humans and the planet. 🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com ! Topics Introduction to Pinetree Garden Seeds History of the company Seed Selection and Catalog Creation Work environment at Pinetree Seed Packing technology Seed Sourcing Gardening Practices and Trials Understanding the Safe Seed Pledge Understanding the types of seeds: heirloom, hybrid and GMO The value of heirloom seeds Seed longevity and germination The seasonal flow and Pinetree Garden Seeds The value of gardening in community and connection 03:20 Meet the Pine Tree Team 04:11 The History and Evolution of Pine Tree Seeds 05:53 Learning the Business of Seeds 08:47 The Art of Seed Catalogs 11:06 Gardening Experiments and Trials 17:49 Understanding Seed Types and Safety 20:31 Understanding GMO vs. Hybrid 22:15 Heirloom Seeds: Stories and Significance 25:00 Seed Longevity and Germination 28:38 A Day at Pine Tree Seeds 31:31 The Concept of Slow Living 34:29 The Good Dirt: Meaning and Metaphor 36:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com ! ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Mary Kingsley and her daughter Emma talk with Florence Reed, founder of Sustainable Harvest International, a nonprofit that has worked with smallholder farmers in Central America for over 27 years in adopting regenerative farming practices. Florence tells the story of how Sustainable Harvest International got its start, and highlights the importance of healthy soil, biodiversity, and the role of local technical assistance in fostering long-term agricultural transformation. She points out how these practices alone applied to small farms the world over could significantly contribute to the United Nations' goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Florence tells us that there are many inspiring success stories, including one that she shares about a farmer who restored his land and sent both of his daughters to college as a result of his farming success following the SHI program. The conversation offers a hopeful message about the potential for individual and collective action in combating climate change. ,00:00 Introduction 00:31 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast 00:57 Guest Introduction: Florence Reed 03:25 Florence Reed's Background and Motivation 06:04 Early Challenges and Realizations 08:05 Founding Sustainable Harvest International 11:52 Initial Steps and Early Support 14:22 Challenges of Slash and Burn Farming 20:40 Sustainable and Regenerative Practices 27:42 Community Engagement and Program Implementation 30:48 Deciding Where to Work 31:32 Challenges and Demand 32:17 Global Impact of Small-Scale Farmers 33:40 Resistance to Change in Farming Practices 39:59 Success Stories and Long-Term Impact 46:02 Personal Reflections and Slow Living 49:16 Future Plans and Getting Involved LINKS Sustainable Harvest International Roots of Renewal: A Film on Farming for a Hopeful Future Eliot Coleman: The New Organic Grower Barbara Damrosch: The Garden Primer The Good Life: Helen and Scot Nearing's Sixty Years of Self Sufficient Living ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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