Archive for the ‘Farmers’ Category

Episode #98: Pasture Cropping

Monday, July 19th, 2010

In this episode we are joined by Colin Seis, an Australian farmer who has invented a new way to grow annual cereal crops. Pasture cropping, as it is called, involves the direct seeding of annual crops into perennial pastures that are grazed at high densities prior to sowing. Colin relates to us what he has learned over the course of a decade of experiential learning with pasture cropping, including how it is done, the economic benefits, and the improvements in soil health and biodiversity that result.

Pasture Cropping

Holistic Management International (HMI)

HMI Data and Documentation Blog

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Podcast: Download (42.1MB)

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Posted in English, Farmers, Holistic Management | 1 Comment »

Episode #95: The Apple Grower

Monday, June 28th, 2010

In this episode we are joined by Michael Phillips. Michael is an apple farmer, consultant, and writer. He has written several books, and is most well known for his book âThe Apple Grower: A guide for the Organic Orchardist.”

In this interview we discuss the apple as the final frontier of organics, the use of neem oil and kaolin clay to control insect pests and diseases in the orchard, the role of observation in orcharding, and the community orchard as a new model for locally produced fruit.

Herbs and Apples (Michael’s website)

The Apple Grower (via Amazon)

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 36:14 — 33.3MB)

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Posted in English, Farmers | 4 Comments »

Episode #71: The Story of a Bolivian Farmer

Monday, November 30th, 2009

This video interview/photo montage is a talk between myself and Moises Jimenez. Topics of discussion include an introduction to Bolivian agriculture, the life of a Bolivian farmer, the importance of crop rotation and agricultural biodiversity. Part I of II.

This video views best in full screen mode.

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Posted in English, Español, Farmers | 5 Comments »

Episode #53: The Walden Effect with Mark Hamilton

Monday, May 25th, 2009

For episode #53 I am I am joined by Mark Hamilton of waldeneffect.org.  Mark is a full-time farmer in Appalachia. Topics of discussion include his invention the Avian Aqua Miser, appropriate technology, micro-hydro power, and the local farmer’s market.  I conclude with some listener mail regarding discussions of energy use in agriculture.  Links below.

Global Swadeshi: Agroinnovations Podcast #53.  Another link to the forum at Global Swadeshi.  Here you can discuss issues and concepts related to this episode of the podcast.

Waldeneffect.org: Mark Hamilton’s blog, also you can find the Avian Aqua Miser on through this page.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 35:34 — 32.7MB)

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Posted in Appropriate Technology, English, Farmers | 1 Comment »

Episode #52: LEISA Network with Frank van Schoubroeck (Part II)

Monday, May 18th, 2009

I conclude my interview with Frank van Schoubroeck of LEISA Network. We discuss the feasibility, policy frameworks, and demographics of innovation in Third World agriculture and conclude by discussing concrete actions towards food security that anybody, anywhere can begin to take.   Also, have a look at LEISA’s blog, full of interesting information.

In the second half of the podcast I discuss Michael Pollan’s book the “Omnivore’s Dillema” and the energy and fossil fuel implications of industrial agriculture. I conclude with some advice on how to reduce the energy footprint on your kitchen table.  Links for this episode below:

Global Swadeshi: Agroinnovations Podcast Episode #52.  As promised at the outset.  Please participate in the discussion by visiting the Global Swadeshi network and contributing to this and other threads.

LEISA Network: A great source of information, and where to go to sign up for the magazine

LEISA’s Blog: More great information, regularly updated.

Eating Fossil Fuels, by Dale Allen Pfeiffer: Article referenced in the food-energy talk in the second half of the podcast.

Food, Land, Population and the U.S. Economy, by David Pimentel and Mario Giampietro: Another referenced article discussing the relationship between food and energy.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 36:57 — 34.0MB)

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Posted in English, Farmers, Food | No Comments »

Episode #51: LEISA Network with Frank van Schoubroeck (Part I)

Monday, May 11th, 2009

In this episode I am joined by Frank van Schoubroeck of the Center for Information on Low External Inputs and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). Frank and I discuss the Center and it’s important magazine work, innovative farmers and their struggles, and the role of global development institutions in fostering innovation in agriculture.

This is part one of a two part interview.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 33:08 — 30.5MB)

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Episode #44: Son of a Farmer

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

In this interview I speak with Eric Herm, who blogs at Sonofafarmer.com. Eric is a fourth generation farmer in West Texas who shares his personal story and his perspectives on soil health, Peak Oil, sustainability, and economic collapse. If you want to hear the perspective of farmers who are in the trenches and on the frontlines of the fight for sustainable food production, then listen to this episode.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 30:39 — 14.0MB)

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Posted in English, Farmers | 1 Comment »

Episode #42: Permaculture in the Savanna

Monday, January 26th, 2009

In this first of (hopefully) many collaborative episodes of the podcast, fellow Agrocaster Mike Moon interviews permaculturalist Mark Shepard about his strategies for developing a permaculture on the natural model of transitional upper mid-West savanna ecosystems. Fruits, nuts, and birds abound.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 32:31 — 14.9MB)

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Posted in English, Farmers, Permaculture | 4 Comments »

Episode #10: Sharing the Harvest with Elizabeth Henderson

Monday, February 5th, 2007

In our last CSA focused interview, I spoke with Elizabeth Henderson, organic farmer, CSA pioneer, and author of the book Sharing the Harvest. In researching her book, Elizabeth has visited scores of CSAs across the country. She shares some their stories with us, showing us how CSA has become a catalyst for community development and revival in both rural and urban settings.

Thank you Elizabeth Henderson, Monte Skarsgard, John Peterson, and Elizabeth Keen for introducing us to CSA. Next we’ll be focusing on Fair Trade.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 29:39 — 27.2MB)

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Episode #8: Monte Skarsgard, Los Poblanos, and Democracy

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) makes our societies freer and more democratic, or so says Farmer Monte Skarsgard of Los Poblanos organic farm. Today the podcast takes a local twist, focusing on a CSA farmer here in our hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Monte talks about the challenges of farming in the desert Southwest, and gives us some tips on why CSA enhances our democracy.

Thanks for joining us, and enjoy the interview.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:05 — 28.5MB)

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Episode #7: The Real Dirt on Farmer John

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007

Today we have are lucky to speak with John Peterson, who is the focus of the new documentary film The Real Dirt on Farmer John. Farmer John tells us about the death and rebirth of his farm, which was made possible by a lot of hardwork and a complete rethinking of his production model. By going organic and implementing a CSA approach, Farmer John has shown us the way to reverse the collapse of the family-owned farm.

As soon as the movie is showing in theatres, we’ll post some information on the website. Enjoy the show!

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 34:04 — 31.2MB)

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Episode #6: The Birth of CSA, Elizabeth Keen and Indian Line Farm

Tuesday, December 19th, 2006

As we shift our attention from agricultural biodiversity to community supported agriculture (CSA), we speak with Elizabeth Keen of Indian Line Farm, one of the first CSAs in the country and former farm of the late CSA visionary Robyn Van En.

Elizabeth tells us about Robyn’s life and her vision, and she explains the history and current status of Indian Line Farm. CSA is one of the most promising innovations in agriculture in the past 50 years, so please have a listen to learn more.

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Podcast: Download (Duration: 31:54 — 29.2MB)

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Posted in CSA, English, Farmers | 3 Comments »

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