Grounded by the Farm
Janice L Person
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Grounded by the Farm brings food lovers conversations with farmers every other Wednesday. We learn about how the foods are grown, tips on storing & preparing and how their family prepares it, and more.
Available episodes
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13 hours ago
How One Family's Home Place Showcases a Heritage of Hospitality
In the midst of most family farms, is a house called the home place. When you layer that with the appreciation of food, family and hospitality that runs so deep in western Kentucky, you get the Peery House at Springhill Farms! And in this episode, we talk to three generations of the family about changes unfolding over the years at their home place.
Growing up it was home for Jerry Peery. While growing 65 years of corn, soybeans, wheat and more, he also grew the farm's footprint adding acres as others moved away or stopped farming. Now he's working with his grandson Jonathan to take over the operation for future generations.
Kristia Peery Reynolds learned to bake in the house as her grandmom showed her the secrets of perfect mixtures and beautiful decorations.
As the house sat vacant, the family considered options for it. Ultimately, it got a renovation that would make it easy for the family and others to stay in touch with the heritage. The Peery House is now a bed and breakfast, with a commercial kitchen for Kristia's baking business.
We talk about the farm's history, the decision to make changes and what guests can expect when visiting a working farm in Western Kentucky!
See photos, video and more at https://groundedbythefarm.com/home-place/
The Peery House on Air BnB https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20144994
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May 4, 2022
Capturing Food Waste at the Farm & Providing Access to More Nutrition
With a passion to build community and a love of agriculture, Will Kornegay has built a business that connects people, reduces food waste and provides access to fresh-from-the-farm produce. Based in rural North Carolina, Will saw a lot of produce was wasted on farms because there wasn't a market for it. Perhaps it was misshapen or got scratched up a bit during harvest. But it was still perfectly good. So Will started making a market for it while building means of access for those in rural food deserts and major cities too. Ripe Revival now does subscription boxes and is in the process of modifying buses to be part farmer's market & part cooking class.
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Apr 20, 2022
Getting to the Root of Enjoying & Growing Horseradish!
Horseradish isn't a food that is in the forefront of a lot of food conversations, but you can't deny the burst of flavor can really add to other foods. Whether prime rib, oysters or bloody marys, horseradish makes othr foods better. This week we talk to Matt McMillan who takes us to a horseradish farm and talks to us about some of the reasons this root is something that some people want with so many of their favorite foods. https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-horseradish/
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Mar 23, 2022
Celebrating National Ag Week & Taking Note of What's Happening Across the Country
This week is the time set aside to focus on agriculture. And while we do that routinely with our episodes, we thought a great way to mark the observance is by hearing about weather conditions, field work and general state of mind for farmers across the US (9 different states!) & a few from outside the country too! You'll hear from farmers who have previously been on the show as well as some we may need to have on in the future.
Get detailed show notes at https://groundedbythefarm.com/national-ag-week-2022/
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Mar 9, 2022
How a Need to Relieve Stress Started Tony Tomato's Farm
Tony White was doing marketing work with the Yellow Pages and found himself starting a business that was stressful so a friend suggested he start gardening. Over the years the garden and connections to chefs have grown to the point that if you want great tomatoes in the Midwest, you should know Tony Tomato! We talk with Tony about some of his favorite ways to enjoy tomatoes, the way he keeps great tasting tomatoes in the kitchens of St. Louis's leading restaurants and more!
Detailed shownotes & links at https://groundedbythefarm.com/tomato-farm/
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Feb 23, 2022
Updates on Three Popular Episodes: Popcorn, Community Gardens & Beer Oh My!
After doing the podcast for a few years, we thought listeners would enjoy hearing updates on three popular episodes of Grounded by the Farm. So in this week's episode, we touch base with three people we talked to some time ago about the latest happenings in their part of the world.
Here's who we talked to and the background on each of them from previous episodes.
* Popcorn farmer Matt Helms about Ella & Ollie Popcorn the local, premium quality product the family is selling in online and in the St. Louis area as well. You may remember Matt from our first season, episode 102 Popcorn… family legacy and local future and we showed how they got high quality at Family-Owned Popcorn Farm Has Quality Focus.
* Community builder & urban farmer Natasha Nicholes tells us about how things are growing in Chicago with We Sow We Grow. Natasha talked with us about Building a Community Garden in Chicago and Online in episode 114.
* Tennessee Brew Works' Christian Spears tells us about the craft beer with a farmer connection that took a medal in the Great American Beer Festival and how they are trying to expand. We talked in episode 107 Crafting a Beer that Has a Depth of Local Flavor & Connecting to Farmers to accompany episode 106 when we interviewed Brandon Whitt in Ever met a beer farmer? That malted barley has to start somewhere!. We followed up with him in episode 121, What 2020 is Like for Local Microbreweries & Restaurants (Bonus Episode).
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Feb 9, 2022
Growing Tofu Soybeans, Grapes, Grain & More: The Planning It Takes to Be a Truly Diversified Farm
As someone who loves an abundance of Asian cuisines, tofu may be on my plate or in my soup more than some Americans. But I haven't had many chances to sit down and talk to someone about growing tofu soybeans. We can check that off the list as the conversation with Jennifer "Jennie" Schmidt about her family's Maryland farm allowed us a chance to talk about diversification, how they determine what to plant, and more.
In 2021, they grew corn, soybeans, tofu soybeans, wine grapes and green beans for the fresh market. And a nephew is once again raising pigs on the farm. In the past they have grow several other crops including processing tomatoes (tomatoes that will be cooked down for sauces, etc). Understanding how farmers choose what to plant and how it has to be organized, is the central topic in this latest episode.
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Jan 26, 2022
Family Farm Transitions Can Be Tough to Discuss, But Critical for Sustainability
Family farm transitions are tough to discuss. A lot gets wrapped into it.... not only are you talking about things like retirement or potential death of an older generation, but it means changes in how things are done, recognizing the contributions of younger generations. And many times all of this is wrapped up with generations of family legacy and how best to honor that.
It's a conversation that farmers acknowledge is tough and some farmers want to farm until they die. While Debbie Lyons-Blythe and her husband Duane are planning to be around for decades, they have also chosen to have this conversation openly with their five children, all of whom are now adults. Debbie was nice enough to discuss all of this with us. I think it provides those of us who's families don't farm a lot of insight into some of the generational family dynamics that it takes when planning for the future of a family farm.
And for Debbie, having a good farm transition, where expertise and relationships are built among their children, is the only way she thinks they can secure the ranch's future.
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Jan 12, 2022
Visiting a Chicken Farm & a Chance to "Meet My Meats"
The Arbogast family farms outside of Harrisonburg, VA. From the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, their chicken houses dot the farm as do cattle out on the pastures.
Lauren talks with us about the chicken farm, explaining the way the chicken houses are managed and how chickens go from freshly hatched chicks to ready for the market.
Having a blend of generations, the Arbogasts have the benefit of both innovation and tradition. For instance, the family spent some of the time they were isolating due to the pandemic installing solar panels on their barns. The next generation, though teenagers are beginning to participate more and opened a meat market to sell beef direct.
She says they eat a lot of chicken too from my favorite -- chicken biscuits for breakfast to the cast iron skillet full of chicken, veggies, carbs and yumminess that Lauren served for dinner.
Videos & photos are available at https://groundedbythefarm.com/chicken-farm-arbogast/
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Dec 29, 2021
Cattle Care & Feeding: What You Should Know When You Like Beef
Growing up with cattle, Ryan Goodman got a good look first-hand at cattle care and feeding. But working cattle in half a dozen states and visiting ranches in the vast majority of the U.S., Ryan has had the chance to compare and contrast various environments and some of the things farmers and ranchers have to take into consideration.
We talk with Ryan about the full spectrum of experiences he's had in working with cattle. It also isn't missed that Ryan is an endurance runner and anyone who is fit enough to run a 100 mile race, must be doing something right with his nutrition.
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Dec 15, 2021
Cows, Cast Iron and a Camera: A Visit with This Farm Wife Meredith Bernard
Sitting down to talk with This Farm Wife Meredith Bernard was pretty much like sitting down with someone I had known forever. And my guess is thousands of people feel similarly since more than 100k have subscribed to her YouTube Channel.
Meredith & her husband Lawrence farm along the North Carolina - Virginia line. Although towns are close by, with fences, woods & hills, all their neighbors have four legs -- mostly cattle, a few farm dogs and a couple of sheep the kids wanted. They plant a range of crops that are mostly used for the livestock -- hay, barley, corn, corn for silage (harvest the whole plant, not just the grain), etc.
Lots of folks spend hours watching YouTube, and some of those folks like the escape from their house to check in on a farm.
That's where Meredith and her vlog come in. She gives subscribers a little slice of the "ordinarily extraordinary life" life lived in their family farm. A few links we mention:
* ThisFarmWife.com is her website and can help you find ALL THE THINGS!
* A transcript generated with AI technology can be accessed here Meredith Bernard Talks About Farming & Her “This Farm Wife” YouTube Channel
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Dec 1, 2021
After Lots of Challenges, Agritainment is Growing at The Leonard Family Farm
The Leonard family found themselves dealing with the challenges of urban sprawl and rising land prices. As they started diversifying to include agritainment, new challenges rose. But there are lots of smiles now, photos with Santa, haunted mazes at Halloween and more!
Patty Leonard and her family have a long history of dairy farming. In fact, her grandparents were dairy farming in the area now consumed by Washington DC's Dulles Airport until plans to build Dulles came together. That led the family to relocate to Warrenton, a small farm town on Virginia's piedmont. But with the continued growth of the metro area, the Leonards faced rising land prices and looked for ways to diversify years ago.
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Nov 17, 2021
Hosting Farm Stays: A Love of Travel & Curiosity about Food
Farm stays on Maryland's Easter Shore may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of Maryland or a vacation, but maybe they should. There is a lot of curiosity to be tapped there and I certainly enjoyed my visit!
Those farm stays at Sugar Water Manor give people a chance to go deeper in their interest to learn more about how food is produced according to Dana Zucker. She says this type of agritourism has a place on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
For decades, Dana Zucker says she was absolutely out of touch with how our food is grown, but curiosity and a passion for food kept getting her to ask questions. Now she and her husband David have entered the world of agritourism by purchasing Sugar Water Manor on the Minokin River on the Eastern Shore.
The farm of 70 acres struck Dana at first sight and she felt drawn to it and the idea of sharing what she's learned over the years.
Dana has immersed herself in food and has found a range of experiences as she traveled to far away l…
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Nov 3, 2021
Food & Farm Lesson Plans Bring Fun & Discovery to Classrooms
The joy of discovery paired with the growing interest in where our food comes from makes food and farming a perfect way to enjoy learning. That’s the mindset we are trying to create with the new farm and food curriculum. These educational materials accompany some of our podcast episodes to share farmers stories. And thanks to working with an amazing teacher / educator (Whitney Choate), we think we have achieved something truly unique.
This Grounded by the Farm curriculum has a great fit for teachers, parents, troop leaders and others who spend time trying to unlock the magic of science, the utility of math, the comprehension of our language…. even ideas for entrepreneurship! It’s really limitless how many things the world of farming and food open up.
For more info:
* A detailed blog post is available at https://groundedbythefarm.com/food-farm-lesson-plans/
* The materials are available on Teachers Pay Teachers https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Dashboard#:~:text=Share-,F…
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Aug 18, 2021
Closing Out Season 2 & Taking a Break To Do What?
We didn't realize when I interviewed Paula Hynes that we were about to get so busy on a project it means all hands on deck! We have been working on a curriculum to bring these farm-to-table discussions to teachers, parents and students. There's a lot to get done and we hope subscribers understand the temporary shift on our end.
Maybe you can use this time to catch up on episodes you may have missed! What's a favorite food? Start here. https://groundedbythefarm.com/favorite-foods/
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Aug 4, 2021
Getting a Whole New Perspective on Farming and on Life
There may not be many places in the world with more differences than the beautiful green rolling hills of Ireland and the drought-ridden savannas of Kenya. Paula Hynes had the chance to leave Ireland for time with the Maasai people. It offered a whole new perspective on farming, but also on life more broadly.
In 2017 that Paula was fortunate enough to spend time with members of the Maasai people thanks to a TV production company who were planning to film a three-part documentary series called "The Hardest Harvest." And the crew definitely wanted women to participate.
Paula remains in regular contact with the Maasai people she met and shares some of the lessons she learned with us in this episode.
See videos, etc https://groundedbythefarm.com/new-perspective-on-farming-life/
transcript (AI generated) https://groundedbythefarm.com/irish-dairy-farmer-kenya-transcript/
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Jul 21, 2021
Irish Butter.... Have you tried it? Wondered who has the dairy cows?
If you have ever open the gold wrapped on Kerrygold Irish Butter, you may have noticed that it looks different from some of the other butters you buy. What is it that makes it different? And who are the farmers connected to it? That's part of our conversation in this episode as we talk to dairy farmer Peter Hynes of Ireland's County Cork.
Peter & his wife Paula have 150 cows they graze and milk year-round. And they are part of the coop that produces Kerrygold. We talk with him about the distinctive look and color of the product, his family's approach to farming and the cows they work with -- primarily pedigreed holsteins and pedigreed jersey cows. They also welcomed the two most-recent additions: two Fleckvieh heifers (they're amazing and you fan find out why).
When it comes down to it, Peter is looking to focus on fertility, longevity and helping to raise the most-efficient cow possible during their lifespan and production years.
Be sure to check out the many links to the family's…
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Jul 7, 2021
Growing Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya) & other Filipino Foods with Albert Santos
Although rice is probably the biggest constant in Filipino food, there are a variety of foods that many Americans may not be familiar with. And Albert Santos has worked in several areas of The Phillipines studying agriculture and working with plants and people across the way. And he has made sure that I got lots of opportunities to enjoy Filipino food & farms.
Albert is originally from the Philippines but has lived in the US for a long time, though he stays in touch with friends in agriculture there. And he's brought a lot of Filipino cuisine with him -- he even grows a vegetable called bitter gourd (or ampalaya) in his backyard!
Photos & more at https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-bitter-gourd-filipino-foods
Detailed transcript at https://groundedbythefarm.com/talking-about-bittergourd-other-filipino-foods-with-albert-santos-episode-210-podcast-transcript-grounded-by-the-farm/
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Jun 23, 2021
Canola and Canada Are Inextricably Connected, Farmer Lesley Rae Kelly Tells Us Why & More
For most people, canola oil is something you buy as an oil or a spray to cook with, but it is a striking vision with beautiful blooms that are numerous and totally light up the prairies mid-season. And it is incredibly Canadian because plant breeders in the country worked to improve the health profile and taste!
Canola farmer Lesley Rae Kelly joins us to talk about how this plant, that is part of the same family of vegetables as broccoli, kale, and all those others! We also talk about farming with family, choosing a different path and knowing when stress and other factors are taking a toll on your mental health.
Read more and see photos at https://groundedbythefarm.com/canola-canada-lesley-rae-kelly/
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Jun 9, 2021
Growing A Plant-Based Protein that is Humble Yet Powerful -- Convo with Dr. Priyanka Gupta
In today's world, people talk about plant-based proteins as a dietary preference, or a way to deliver innovation. But when you think about that, how often does your mind turn to growing a plant-based protein in a desert? How often do you think about subsistence farmers, people who struggle to feed their family the most basic foods because weather strikes hard? That's both the challenge and the promise we turn to in our latest episode of Grounded by the Farm.
Recently, we talked about plant breeding and I mentioned we would be talking with another plant breeder -- Dr. Priyanka Gupta -- this summer. Although Priyanka is from India, plant breeding work has led her to work in several countries. She's currently focused on improving a plant called grasspea in Morocco. Ever heard of a grasspea? I hadn't either so no need to feel bad. It's part of the pulse family (like the lentils and purple hull peas we discussed with farmers in season 1). And it has the highest percentage of protein conten…
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May 26, 2021
Plant Breeding: One of the Cool Sciences Behind Our Food
Have you got a favorite plant breeder or maybe not even sure what plant breeding is about? This episode is for you either way! We talk with Dr. Lee Hickey who has a plant breeding lab at Australia's University of Queensland about some of the cool science that helps advance the seeds farmers plant and the foods on out plates.
I met Lee in the friendly confines of the vast wheat fields just outside Obregón where Norman Borlaug started his Noble Peace Prize winning work to enable developing countries to produce more food for themselves. We were at the CIMMYT (an international plant breeding effort for corn and wheat) with plant breeders from around the world to trade the latest in research tips and to celebrate what would have been Bourlaug's 100th birthday.
Lee's story starts strangely - in the city - in Australia called, Brisbane - a city on the East Coast of Australia just a short ways away from the Great Barrier Reef. Every state in Australia has an interest in agriculture, but in…
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May 12, 2021
Ugandan Fish Farmer Produces Fresh Tilapia & Encourages Small Farms
Fish is a growing part of many diets as a good protein source, and people like Ugandan fish farmer Jean Kaahwa are growing fish for us! He farms tilapia in Africa's Lake Victoria.
In this episode, we talk with Jean about Uganda and the role agriculture plays in the country as well as a wealth of projects he has started as he teaches fellow African farmers how to farm fish.
See video & photos at http://groundedbythefarm.com/ugandan-fish-farmer-producing-fresh-tilapia
Topics in the interview include:
* the Ugandan landscape
* Smallholder farms
* Crops produced for export
* Producing tilapia
* Helping youth engage in farming
Connecting to Jean & Grounded
You can connect with Africa Agri-Business Services via aagribusiness.com and the company's social media too.
Look for Kaahwa Jean on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaahwa-jean-97b40737/
Follow him on Twitter and tell him that Grounded By The Farm sencha'! https://twitter.com/kaahwajean1
You can also find Grounde…
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Apr 28, 2021
Traveling Around the World & Visiting Farms As She Goes
Usually Grounded by the Farm episodes include us interviewing a farmer, talking about the food they produce. And in this second season, we are interviewing farmers in various parts of the world. But this week, we hit several obstacles for interviews and listeners were nice enough to ask the questions. That put our host Janice Person in the interviewee seat! She talks all about visiting farms while traveling in various countries.
Topics covered & questions asked in this episode include:
* Enjoying dried fruit -- There is a tremendous dried fruit business coming out of Turkey. Have you ever been there?
* Tea production -- We enjoy tea very much in the US. Have you been to tea plantations in Japan China or India (whether assam or ceylon which we know as Sri Lanka)? Teas from those regions are very popular.
* Terraced rice -- There's real Beauty in seeing rice grown in tropical areas, have you seen the terraced rice patties in the Philippines or Bali?
* Surprising things you've s…
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Apr 14, 2021
Who grew the flowers in that bouquet? Talking Local Flowers with England's Ben Cross
Whether you pick up a bouquet of flowers at a florist or a supermarket, you may well find alstroemeria in the bouquet How cool would it be to know a local farmer who grows those flowers? I have to confess, I'd never met an alstroemeria farmer til I came across British farmer Ben Cross through Clubhouse.
In this episode, we talk about growing alstroemeria, about how to keep it looking fresh as long as possible and what is happening in the flower market.
Read more and see photos/video at https://groundedbythefarm.com/local-flowers/
While there are many types of flowers, there is one that not only fosters ongoing warm feelings - its name actually fosters that same thought: The Alstroemeria. And it isn't just one of the most-beautiful flowers - its the one that we're going to focus on as we talk to Ben Cross, a fourth generation flower farmer, from Crosslands Flower Nursery! He's definitely not local for me, but he got me thinking a lot about local flowers. Growing Flowers in Southern E…
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Mar 31, 2021
For Egg Farmers, Both Chickens and Eggs Have to Come First!
It's the sage ol' question that continues to perplex us - which came first? The chicken or the egg? For farmers like Dianne McComb it's the care of hens that deliver the incredible, edible egg! So both stay front and center! McComb farms with her brother in Ontario, Canada fostering the legacy four generations have crafted.
Taking care of thousands of hens means a lot of time with eggs and Dianne shares with us her tips on all things eggs. And she answers lots of our questions!
See photos, video & get a detailed transcript at https://groundedbythefarm.com/egg-farmers/
Some other links of interest:
* The housing system they used is called "enriched housing" for hens.
* Dianne is active with a program called Farm & Food Care and pointed us to some videos that would help us see what the farm is like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIOJ2KKhID8
* Dianne's operation produces the "conventional white egg," but there are MANY different types of eggs.
Dianne on Social Media:
* h…
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Mar 17, 2021
What is a pig farm really like? And what's your favorite cut of pork?
Pork is a major part of the German diet, a deep love for so many and farmer Marcus Höltkotter says schnitzel is his favorite way to enjoy it! Producing pork for his table are others is what drives his family. To get there, they care for the pigs on the farm, take the manure from the barns out to fields to fertilize the crops. Listen as he tells us about that as well as the Rhine countryside he calls home.
Photos and video at https://groundedbythefarm.com/pig-farm-pork/
Marcus on Twitter: @BauerHolti
When I say "pig farm", what is it YOU think of? From the things we see and "learn" from when we're kids, to the experiences we have when we're cooking up our favorite brand of bacon to listening to an interview with a pig farmer... there are so many touch points!
Inside this most-recent episode of Grounded by the Farm, we take you to western Germany to talk with farmer Marcus Holtkötter about pork and farming! A Love of Pork
While many Americans ears perk up at the mention of bacon,…
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Mar 3, 2021
Cheese-a-Day Challenge: Farmer Tom's Way of Discovering UK Dairy
Knowing the first episode of our second season would be published the first week of March, it was obvious we needed to talk about the Cheese-A-Day Challenge started by "Farmer Tom" in the UK had to be discussed! Getting to Know Farmer Tom
Let's start with the reality that the farmer who started the Cheese-A-Day Challenge, a taste-sensation for the month of February isn't a dairy farmer! In fact, he primarily grows arable crops including wheat for baking, barley for beer, and they also produce lamb. Tom says all of it works together in building soil health with rotations and grazing.
If you listened to season 1 of Grounded by the Farm, you know we have done episodes on all of those foods, but hearing about how they are grown on Tom's farm in the East of England is definitely different. And I had to laugh that I'm sitting in St. Louis and interviewing a farmer on the other side of the Atlantic to find out he grows a specific barley for Budweiser! A Cheese-A-Day Challenge
Farmer Tom's…
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Feb 17, 2021
Urban Farming & Urban Gardens a Way to Honor Black History
Empowering others to produce food for themselves and their families came to Natasha Nicholes through her family history. She has been building a community garden, urban farm & the community for a years now. She started locally, growing a few plants at a condo and grew to a backyard before getting permission to plant lots on Chicago's South Side & online. Her community lives the moniker "We Sow We Grow" meeting gardeners where they are and seeing all celebrate each other's accomplishments and helping them manage challenges.
Links
Read more and see photos at https://groundedbythefarm.com/building-a-community-garden/
The We Sow We Grow Gardening Chat community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/wesowwegrowchat/
You can find events to help you plan for spring & summer!
You can support We Sow We Grow through PayPal donations https://bit.ly/3f28bYb as well as buying various products like the “Dirty by Nature” t-shirts on TeeSpring https://teespring.com/stores/we-sow-we-grow…
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Feb 3, 2021
Black History includes Farming for the Johnson Family
Black History Month is a time to pause and look at the many contributions black Americans have had on our country, our culture and ourselves. Lloyd Johnson talks through all of that as a back man who has been farming on a large scale much of his 80 plus years.
Mr. Johnson talks about the farm's history dating back to the days before Abraham Lincoln's presidency as well as some of the shifts he has seen first-hand.
His wisdom and life lessons extend well beyond what it is like to be a farmer to some of the things that make it a bit different since he is a black farmer. We ask him about advice for people looking to get into farming, about the creation of generational wealth, as well as some of the changes he’s seen in the St. Louis metro area.
Grounded by the Farm is replaying this episode as we take a hiatus til March 2021.
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Jan 20, 2021
Ready to celebrate mardi gras? Then let's talk crawfish!
With mardi gras and Fat Tuesday on the horizon, crawfish is on the mind and I'm wishing it was on the plate!
We sat down with crawfish farmers Bill & Janice Cheek at Stelly's Restaurant in Labeau, Louisiana. to learn all the things... did you know there were red & white crawfish? Interested in learning the history of growing them and how ponds are managed? That and talking about the joy of a crawfish boil in this rebroadcast episode. More info, photos & video on groundedbythefarm.com
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Jan 6, 2021
Talking with this Farmer Helped Me Up My Popcorn Game!
In this episode from the start of season 1, we talk popcorn with Matt Helms who started a popcorn business with his family's farm. A year later they are supplying via specialty shops, the website and have a test market with a local grocery chain. It's perfect for movie nights, watching the big game or just nibbling.
And I have found some great olive oils, chili oil & flavored salts in local shops to really up my popcorn game.
There are different types of popcorn grown on the farm -- heirloom, butterfly and mushroom. And they have different fits for movie theaters, candying and more. He talks through that and the various ways the family enjoys popcorn and gives a tip for a recipe that he says was a hit as a holiday appetizer!
After you listen to the podcast, you may want to check out a video tour on the farm as we learn about moisture testing, a key point in popcorn quality.
You can order directly from Ella & Ollie’s website and find Ella & Ollie Popcorn on Facebook.
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Dec 23, 2020
Growing Corn in Iowa, Dave Walton is Not The Stereotype You May Hear
As we round the foods on the holiday plate, it's time to talk about growing corn! Iowa corn farmers have reached a stereotype level of familiarity for many of us. But Dave Walton proves the stereotype is outdated as he grows numerous types of corn including blue corn and heirloom varieties that make a perfect polenta or tortillas!
We talk so many types, varieties, colors, flavors and people that grow and harvest it, there's a TON to learn about this little, robust and incredibly diverse crop! Links Mentioned in the Show
See photos, etc at https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-corn/
Brandon Whitt, who grows barley for a local Nashville brewery is beginning to play with some of the heritage corn varieties too.
Tips on how to freeze sweet corn.
Natasha uses a lot of companion planting like the three sisters in the We Sow We Grow garden.
Revisit the posts of other holiday food episodes http://groundedbythefarm.com/tag/holidays Iowa Corn Farmer Dave Walton
To walk us through corn,…
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Dec 9, 2020
Sweet Potato Farmer Todd O'Neal Is Feeling the Love as
Todd O'Neal is a sweet potato farmer in Louisiana and his enthusiasm for the crop is electric. He talks to us about how sweet potatoes were considered something for poor people, as small farmers always had a patch to feed their family. But recently, the crop has been better understood as flavorful, nutritious and versatile. Todd talks to us for our holiday foods series about the ins and outs of growing them as well as give us his tip on the best way to enjoy sweet potatoes.
Todd is with Black Gold Farms, you can connect with them on online:
* On the Web: https://blackgoldfarms.com/
* Like Them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackGoldFarms/
* Connect with Them on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-gold-farms/
Watch Todd talk growing sweet potatoes this season with the team at This Week in Louisiana Agriculture.
Sweet Potatoes are now grown & enjoyed 12 months out of the year! It's no longer just a holiday thing!
Did you know that the "regular potatoes" yo…
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Nov 25, 2020
Not a Stereotypical Cranberry Farmer But Destined to Join the Family Business
Amber Bristow grows cranberries with family in Wisconsin -- they are some of the 700 family farm owners of Ocean Spray. Having taken some time away from the farm to work elsewhere, she said cranberry farming was in her blood and eventually she wanted to return to the marshes.
She walks us through the process for growing cranberries, talks with us about managing the perennial vines, some of the pests that can get in the way and ultimately helps us understand cranberries. Links For More Information
Photos/videos and more at https://groundedbythefarm.com/cranberry-farmer/
A video of cranberries being raked so they float on top of the water and a video of cranberry harvest.
Cranberry Recipes mentioned during this episode -- cranberry sauce, cranberry salad and the sangria. https://groundedbythefarm.com/cranberry-recipes/
Amber on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cranberrychats/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cranberrychats
US Cranberry Harvest Explained in Four Charts (Nati…
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Nov 11, 2020
Turkey Farmers Are Deep Into the Holiday Rush
Eating turkey is such an integral part of the holiday season in the US, that we knew our holiday series had to include a convo with a turkey farmer.
John Peterson is the third generation to work Ferndale Farms & Ferndale Market. His grandparents, Fern & Dale, started the farm in Cannon Mills, MN more than 80 years ago and his parents still live on the farm. While his sister & he are evolving things, John takes a lot of pride in honoring a lot of the past including offering outdoor environments for the birds.
This is the peak season for Ferndale, getting birds ready for sale through a range of suppliers and restaurants for the holidays. Luckily, we caught John in September so he could talk us through working with pulots (baby turkeys) in the spring just after they break through the egg shell to a range of market weights for our tables. He also offers insight on the differences in fresh and frozen turkeys, how to handle so food safety isn't a problem and he even offers tips for buying…
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Oct 28, 2020
Growing Sugar & Baking Cookies is the Sweet Life
As holidays approach, farmers growing sugar are trying to wrap up harvest so it seems appropriate that others of us are shifting into baking cookies, making pies & cakes and more. That means bags of sugar, brown sugar, confectionary sugar and more!
Our latest episode features a conversation with Rebecca Larson, who just finished sugar beet harvest in Colorado. And while she's turned her work attention to analyzing the yields and soils from the 2021 season, nights and weekends, she is full-scale holiday baking and planning. She helps us understand the various sources of sugar and offers some incredibly creative ideas for celebrating the holidays!
Photos and a full transcript is available at https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-sugar/
Links Mentioned in this episode:
* Rebecca Larson on Twitter @sugaryfacts
* Her company's website: westernsugar.com
* sugar.org is a good resource for a full range of questions about sugar
* Recipe for graham crackers
* Etsy link for…
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Oct 14, 2020
Pumpkin Farm Fun Helps Get Fall Holidays Underway!
Fall has arrived and we have a lot of holidays to look forward to.. starting with Halloween and pumpkins! Join us as we talk to Shannon Latham at Enchanted Acres in Northern Iowa today.
Toddlers and other young children definitely enjoy the pumpkin farm, but Shannon says pumpkin patches offer something for everyone - bridal parties, engagement photo shoots and school groups all. From carving and decorating, to picking your own pumpkin or simply choosing from the a stack, you will find something there that tickles your fancy.
And cooking with pumpkin is something she does so often that friends of her children call her the muffin lady! She shares tips with us on those favorite foods, recipes and cooking tips for the ages!
They plant dozens of varieties to offer the color, shape and intended use (cooking, decorating, carving or whatever!) as well as homemade jams and jellies. And with various activities featured each weekend -- including great photo opps like the how tall this fall bac…
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Sep 30, 2020
The Sweet & Savory Moments in Growing Onions & Enjoying Them in All The Foods
Growing onions is something I've never done. But if you have ever stood in the produce aisle looking at the various bays of onions and wondered which ones you should buy, I feel your pain.
Shay Myers and his family have been growing onions & enjoying them for decades. Their farm -- Owyhee Produce -- packs and ships onions to all 50 states from his home base in Idaho. And with that depth of experience, he knows a lot about buying and enjoying onions.
We talk through that purchase decision in the grocery, the differences in sweetness and pungency, how onions get rated through a measure called pyruvics, tips for storing onions at home and the way the lifecycle of onions from harvest & storage was really impacted by the stay at home orders. Key Links for this Episode
Full post with photos, video & full transcript https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-onions/
How to choose the onion you need https://www.instagram.com/p/CDSdsBBpaDy
The hot onion dip / soufle https://www.saveur.com/artic…
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Sep 16, 2020
Getting the Pulse of Growing Lentils
The Farver family has been growing lentils in northeastern Montana for decades. But in the past few years, the family decided to make some changes at Farver Farms, says Shauna Ferguson Farver. First up? Value-added products that let the family sell mixes of some of their favorite recipes including a sweet lentil chili and fudgy lentil brownies.
Shauna talks us through the farm's progress and helps us understand the various kinds of lentils, tips for cooking them, finding good recipes and provides insight on some of the things farmers take into consideration to reduce the possibility of fire during the busy harvest season. Links of Interest
Find Shauna & the farm online:
* Get to know Farver Farms
* Shop Farver Farms lentils (meal mixes and snacks)
Shauna and her family also grow crops previously featured on Grounded by the Farm. Check out the episodes on growing wheat and growing barley aka our conversation with a beer farmer.
The website that Shauna mentions as a great sourc…
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Sep 2, 2020
Enjoying Lamb Starts with A Good Cut & Simplicity in Cooking
Lamb may not be a common dish on every table in America, but this red meat provides a great tasting addition to the menu. We talk to Nevada rancher Mike Compston about raising sheep, cutting meat and enjoying lamb.
Mike talks us through the way sheep are raised in the mountains, traditionally something Basque immigrants had done. Their influence continues in the area with the best in restaurant lamb offerings.
We also talk about the differences in mutton and lamb, how lamb sourcing differs from local butchers to US grocery stores, and he provides a depth of options in cuts and ways to prepare lamb.
Links mentioned in the podcast:
Find Mike Compston on social media:
* Instagram. MikeNVUSA
* Twitter MikeNVUSA
* Facebook Michael Compston
Sandi Brock's YouTube Channel featuring all things raising sheep as well as her Sheepishly.Me Instagram
Where to find Grounded by the Farm on social media:
* GroundedbytheFarm.com for photos, blog posts, show notes and more
* Ask the Far…
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Aug 19, 2020
Growing Purple Hull Peas, Young Black Farmer Terren Moore Keeps Focus on the Future (episode 123)
Texan Terren Moore saw a lot of demand for vegetables locally while in high school. He started a backyard garden at the age of 15 & it wasn't long til he was expanding to use more land. He's now nine seasons into the business and investing in capital and improving the farm's environmental footprint.
We talk about how as a young black man, he is creating multiple income streams for the future. He explains his business that grew from his family's love of peas and how education, hands-on experience & customer service make the difference. And he shares his grandmom's secret for peas that he could eat everyday for the rest of his life!
Links mentioned in the show:
* Accompanying Post on GroundedbytheFarm.com including photos and video https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-purple-hull-peas/
* Episode 122 -- The history of Being a Black Farmer, Johnson Family Farm Precede Lincoln's Presidency https://groundedbythefarm.com/black-farmer-lloyd-johnson/
* Video of Terren (on Facebook) h…
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Aug 5, 2020
Lloyd Johnson Shares the History of his Black Family Farm
Few farmers have a more captivating history or voice than Lloyd Johnson who grows corn, soybeans and wheat in Alton, Illinois. The Johnson family -- Lloyd's great grandparents -- bought the property in 1850, years before Abraham Lincoln would be president.
Lloyd talks with us about how he feels his path of being a farmer was part of a covenant made generations earlier. A covenant that ends with him he points out. The wisdom and life lessons extend well beyond what it is like to be a farmer to some of the things that make it a bit different since he is a black farmer. We ask him about advice for people looking to get into farming, about the creation of generational wealth, as well as some of the changes he's seen in his 80 plus years in the St. Louis metro area.
Post including show notes & photos:
https://groundedbythefarm.com/black-farmer-lloyd-johnson/
For more information about the The National Black Growers Council, see https://nationalblackgrowerscouncil.com/ , or connect on so…
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Jul 27, 2020
What 2020 is Like for Microbreweries & Restaurants (Bonus Episode)
Over the past several months, we have talked to several farmers including changes in light of covid-19. This bonus episode takes a totally different look at the world as we catch back up with Christian Spears at Tennessee Brew Works. Christian was featured in a winter episode about sourcing local grain for the brewery and that episode was accompanied by an interview with the wheat and barley farmer they source so much from…. That wheat from Batey Farms is featured in their summer seasonal wheat beer I Walk the Lime too.
Christian’s first words are about how much the world has changed since we visited in the winter. We talk through how the brewery has had to rework things in light of the pandemic. Some of the topics and timecode follow as we covered a lot of ground in 45 minutes!
Please support your local microbreweries, restaurants, etc. Look for their products, call for curbside service, order products for a couple of meals at once, buy logo’ed wear, share your experiences w…
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Jul 22, 2020
Growing Watermelons & Connecting to Customers
Summertime wouldn't be the same without watermelon! It cools us down, hydrates us and brings smiles to faces! Few of us have had the chance to visit a watermelon farm or talk to a farmer, but Rachel Syngo's family has been "in the biz" of growing watermelons for generations.
They proudly grow on multiple farms in southwestern Florida and work with farmers up the East Coast to provide the tasty fruit as much of the year as possible! We talk about how and where watermelons are grown, the trends that seem to be gaining traction, food safety, how you get seedless watermelons and more!
Links mentioned in this episode include:
See how watermelons are harvested and transported https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=303319994388874
Where to find Melon 1 online:
* Facebook Melon 1 at https://www.facebook.com/melon1inc/
* Instagram Official Melon 1 at https://www.instagram.com/officialmelon1/
* Twitter Official Melon 1 at https://twitter.com/officialmelon1?lang=en
More Grounded by the Far…
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Jul 8, 2020
You Asked the Questions, Janice Gives Some Answers!
Wondering what’s on the minds of the people who listen to and follow Grounded by the Farm, we asked you to send us your questions and boy, did you all deliver!
In this episode we get a quick look at a range of topics from international farm visits, unusual discoveries, misconceptions about farming, the impacts of covid on farmers and quite a few questions around meat & fruits / vegetables. Janice Person, host of Grounded by the farm answers in this unedited, independence week episode.
Link to the Facebook page for the live event, Wednesday, — Facebook Live Animal Crossings New Horizons Farm Tour at 2 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/GroundedbytheFarm/live/
Check out the latest (including photos, videos, etc) on our website groundedbythefarm.com
As mentioned in the episode intro, LOTS of links for the show notes so we have related podcast episodes and other sites/
Previous episodes of Grounded by the Farm mentioned or related to this episode:
* How I got from a total city…
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Jun 24, 2020
Growing Almonds & Starting a Flavored Almonds Business
When you search for Dino GIacomazzi online, you find a farmer who is focused on the environment. You also read a lot about dairy farming, but last year, the Giacomazzi family sold the cows & shifted their focus to crops including the almonds they had nurtured for the past 5 years. Dino shares how that came to happen and how environmental sustainability learned in the dairy is leading to innovation in reducing water use. He also has sons (12 yr old Miro & 7 yr old Gio) join us to discuss the new business they started while out of school due to the corona virus.
Links mentioned in the podcast:
* Photos / video of almonds on the tree https://groundedbythefarm.com/almond-trees/
* Buying almonds from the Giacomazzi Brothers https://giacomazzibrothers.com/ or GBNuts.com
* Video of Dino and his father Don with a post I wrote while visiting years ago https://jploveslife.com/agriculture/animal-ag/giacomazzi-dairy-farm-video/
* Article highlighting some of the environmental work in al…
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Jun 10, 2020
A Rice Farmer Who Loves Farming, Food & YouTube
You can learn a lot talking to a rice farmer about the way he works with the land to produce one of the world's most common foods. We talk with YouTuber & Matthew Sligar of Rice Farming TV.
Matthew talks with us about the way rice is grown in California and we discuss some of the other ways rice is grown. Some of the things that people who enjoy eating rice may be interested in -- what's the difference in brown & white rice, why is some rice cheaper than other types, etc.
We also talk about the way Matthew utilizes his creativity to share the story of rice in video as well as a brand new children's book.
Links mentioned during this episode:
Blog post that provides photos & more: https://groundedbythefarm.com/rice-farmer/
Where to find Matthew Sligar online:
* RiceFarming TV on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGgTSaa-uh9u5EQWX4H1Zg
* RiceFarmingTV.com
Rice recipes from some farmers who love to cook https://groundedbythefarm.com/rice-recipes/
Where to…
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May 27, 2020
What kind of wheat do you use to make bread? to make pasta?
When you think of the many foods we love that are made of wheat -- pasta, breads, baked goods and so much more -- it's easy to think of wheat as a single thing. But reality is, there are many different kinds of wheat and what makes the best pasta but may not make the best noodles for another use or the best breads.
Montana wheat farmer Michelle Jones talks with us about growing wheat, how the wheat she grows will be used and what she's learned as a member and leader of some grain grower organizations.
Key links for this episode:
* Post with photos, etc -- https://groundedbythefarm.com/what-kind-of-wheat/
* Michelle's website -- BigSkyFarmHer.com
* Wheat 101 post that includes the map of where each type of wheat is grown https://bigskyfarmher.com/2018/01/27/wheat-101-a-guide-to-wheat/
* Michelle's instagram https://www.instagram.com/bigskyfarmher/
Other links of interest:
* Talking about semolina with a chef https://jploveslife.com/agriculture/ag-awareness/w-is-for-wheat…
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May 13, 2020
Experiencing & Understanding Shifts in America's Food System
There have been a lot of things happening in America’s food system over the past few weeks and while we have talked about some elements in various episodes so far, the big picture still is a question for many. That led YouTuber Kay Johnson of Happy Trails Hiking to take a different spin on her live Foodie Friday show. This week’s podcast is the bulk of that interview.
We discuss some of the various things we may be seeing in the day-to-day (at grocery stores, restaurants, and how farms are connected). We talk about dairy, meat, some of the baking supplies and more.
You can see the full event on Youtube at https://youtu.be/dQzP0G6GJxA
Key links mentioned:
* Grounded by the Farm’s website https://groundedbythefarm.com/
* Grounded by the Farm’s YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1RgGoXaVDcFTZ9EcWJDzfw/featured?view_as=subscriber
* Happy Trails Hiking YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HmirE1SUNoSnDOgeIKfqg
Previous episodes of Grounded b…
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Apr 29, 2020
Building a Community Garden in Chicago and Online
Natasha Nicholes has been building a community garden & the community that inspires more people to grow food in their backyard for years. She started locally, growing a efw plants at a condo and grew to a backyard before getting permission to plant lots on Chicago's South Side & online. Her community lives the moniker "We Sow We Grow" meeting gardeners where they are and seeing all celebrate each other's accomplishments and helping them manage challenges.
Links
Read more and see photos at https://groundedbythefarm.com/building-a-community-garden/
The We Sow We Grow Gardening Chat community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/wesowwegrowchat/
You can support We Sow We Grow through PayPal donations https://bit.ly/3f28bYb as well as buying various products like the “Dirty by Nature” t-shirts on TeeSpring https://teespring.com/stores/we-sow-we-grow
Natasha Nicholes’ blog Houseful of Nicholes https://housefulofnicholes.com/ she has a category that shares a lot of garde…
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Apr 15, 2020
Getting the Perfect Avocado For Our Kitchens & The Farm
The search for the perfect avocado is a search many of us have been on. But avocado farmers like Mimi Holtz, who is known simply as Mimi Avocado online, know what to look for and what impacts the tasty goodness we all crave. Listen as she shares favorite recipes, some of the everyday ways the Holtz family enjoys avocados, insight on how the crop is grown and tips for delighting kids.
Links mentioned in this episode:
* a video tour of the farm https://groundedbythefarm.com/avocado-farm-tour/
* detailed post from podcast https://groundedbythefarm.com/the-perfect-avocado/
* Mimi Avocado's blog (includes great recipe, farm stories, etc http://mimiavocado.com)
* Website where the Holtz family sells avocados & other fruits & vegetables direct https://www.californiaavocadosdirect.com/
Key topics & timecodes in the episode include:
* Selling produce by the box including expanded vegetables due to COVID19 1:23
* Varieties of avocados they grow (Haas, Fuerte, Bacon, Reed, N…
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Apr 1, 2020
Having Enough Food for a Farm Family Takes Time & Effort
A detailed transcript and photos are available at http://groundedbythefarm.com/enough-food/.
Links for this episode are at the bottom of the list of timecodes, etc.
Val Wagner and her husband Mark farm and raise a family of four boys in Monango, North Dakota. We talk with her about how they plan for and store food for a family that size as well as a bit about the crops and livestock they raise.
The latest episode of Grounded by the Farm speaks to something many of us are facing this week whether we are at home in big cities or rural areas — we are focused on having enough food at home. Buying, storing, and cooking more meals.
The last time I was at home cooking this much was when I lived in the Mississippi Delta, an area I frequently called the middle of nowhere. I personally am looking at food differently. Although I have many grocery stores and restaurants within a mile or two, I am planning for my meals, thinking about what I need to have in the house for a week or two instead…
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Mar 18, 2020
Caring for Beef Cattle, The Planet & Our Communities
Links mentioned during this episode:
Previous episode talking steaks, burgers, types of cattle and animal use/waste https://groundedbythefarm.com/picking-out-steaks-under-appreciated-cuts-of-beef-part-1-feutz/
Video of Marybeth with the cows talking about feed https://groundedbythefarm.com/beef-cattle-farmer-veterinarian/
Marybeth’s website is myfearlesskitchen.com easy recipes you can make at home & great resources on meat especially
Experts on sustainability and the impact of animal agriculture include
* Dr. Jude Capper https://twitter.com/Bovidiva and https://bovidiva.com/
* Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam https://twitter.com/BioBeef and https://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/people/faculty/alison-van-eenennaam
Contact Lyles Station lylesstation.com and read more here https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2016/06/telling-the-story-of-lyles-station
That time I worked cows https://jploveslife.com/agriculture/animal-ag/city-slicker-working-cows-dakota-vacation-highlight/
Recipe…
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Mar 4, 2020
Picking Out Steaks & Under-Appreciated Cuts of Beef (Part 1 Feutz)
Links:
Video of Marybeth talking about the cows, their feed, etc. https://groundedbythefarm.com/beef-cattle-farmer-veterinarian/
Marybeth’s blog myfearlesskitchen.com
This episode of Grounded by the Farm takes a bit of a different path as Marybeth Feutz discusses beef and her Indiana cow-calf operation with us.
One of those differences was planned — rather than ask questions I had, I asked several millennial nieces and nephews to give me their questions and they loved making me ask questions that would make me feel awkward while also getting info they were interested in.
The other difference was far more awkward in that we somehow encountered a tech issue halfway through the interview that wasn’t caught til we were in editing. Its a hard lesson learned but we’ll be fine with a two-part episode.
Getting to Know Marybeth Feutz, Farmer & Vet
Marybeth grew up in the suburbs of New York City — West Milford, NJ to be exact. She met John while in vet school and he convince…
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Feb 19, 2020
More Mushrooms for the Middle of the Country
Interview with Scott Engelbrecht, J-M Farms Mushrooms
Key Links:
Video from a tour inside J-M Farms https://groundedbythefarm.com/mushroom-farm/
JP’s first visit to J-M https://jploveslife.com/food/mushroom-farm/ and answering a lot of questions about mushrooms https://jploveslife.com/agriculture/growing-mushrooms/
Find J-M Farms online at https://www.jmfarms.com/, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jmfarmsmushrooms and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JMFarmsmushrooms
As a child, I remember mushrooms usually being in cans or bottles. But today most US farmers grow for the fresh market. It was a shift that really started in the 1970s and was a way for the US farmer to be a preferred source in the global market. There is some cannery mushrooms. Those are usually mushrooms that don’t meet fresh standards usually. They are a byproduct, a way to use some now that may be wasted.
The company sells into both food service and retail (grocery…
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Feb 5, 2020
How Americans Love of Spicy Food Gave This Farm Room to Grow
Links:
Video of Bailey Farms peppers https://groundedbythefarm.com/pepper-farm/
Scoville scale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale
Bailey Farms website: baileyfarmsinc.com
Bailey Farms Instagram https://www.instagram.com/baileyfarms/
Bailey Farms on Facebook
Peppers are a food that spark a lot of passion and nowhere is that more clear than with Bailey Farms. Randy Bailey started the farm in Oxford, NC as a young adult knowing how much he enjoyed the spicy foods a friend’s mom cooked. That was in the 1980s and American food culture has certainly embraced the various Latin foods and the specialty peppers category has grown with grocery stores and farms like the Baileys’.
I first met Randy, Debbie and their young son Ryan on the family’s Bonita Springs, Florida farm that enables them to get multiple growing seasons in a year. My memory is strong because I smelled the poblanos and almost immediately craved a chili relleno! In fact, the memory of that alone mad…
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Jan 22, 2020
Crafting a Beer that Has a Depth of Local Flavor & Connecting to Farmers
Resources mentioned in this episode:
* Interview with Brandon Whitt, Batey Farms (episode 106)
* Video from inside the brewery & on the farm https://groundedbythefarm.com/craft-beer-tennessee-brew/
* crawfish episode https://groundedbythefarm.com/crawfish/
* Video of TNBrew Works https://www.facebook.com/tnbrew/videos/369475823833814/
Finding Tennessee Brew Works online:
* Brewery website: https://www.tnbrew.com/
* Instagram TNBrewWorks. instagram.com/tnbrewworks
* Facebook TNBrew. www.facebook.com/tnbrew
* Tumblr TNBrew. https://tnbrew.tumblr.com/
* Twitter TNBrewWorks https://twitter.com/TNBrewWorks
Interview notes: Christian Spears, founder of TN Brew Works
As Christian Spears and the Tennessee Brew Works team began getting their new craft brewery together, they reached out to the Department of Agriculture to see what the ag department may know that could be helpful. That started a great relationship for the brewery, some chances to learn a lot about wh…
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Jan 22, 2020
Ever met a beer farmer? That malted barley has to start somewhere!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Interview with Christian Spears (episode 107 issued at the same time as a bonus episode)
Video from inside the brewery & on the farm https://groundedbythefarm.com/craft-beer-tennessee-brew/
Popcorn episode (Grounded by the Farm #102) https://groundedbythefarm.com/growing-popcorn/
Finding Batey Farms online:
* Instagram BateyFarms1807 https://www.instagram.com/bateyfarms1807/
* Facebook BateyFarms https://www.facebook.com/Batey-Farms-121633014572778/
* Website BateyFarms.com https://bateyfarms.com/
Closeup photo of two-row barley
Interview notes: Brandon Whitt, barley farmer, Batey Farms
He never thought he’d be a beer farmer but Brandon Whitt says Batey Farms welcomed the new spin on the centuries old farm. He says the motto is “preserving the past and embracing the future” and the two really come together at the Nashville area farm.
Murfreesboro, TN is among the top five, fastest growing counties in the country and this eigh…
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Jan 8, 2020
The Sweetness that is Candied Pecans with Trish and Brian McKeighen
You can see video of the farm at https://groundedbythefarm.com/trish-brian-mckeighen/
Belenus Farms Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/BelenusFarms/
Trish and Brian McKeighen purchased a farm in Saint David, Arizona that had a dozen pecan trees. The couple used Brian's baking knowledge to create new recipes for candied pecans including a local flavor called Mexican chocolate.
For Trish and Brian, the farm was located in a great area -- Brian's family ranches nearby -- but the couple didn't know anything about pecans. And with a dozen or so trees on the property, they decided they needed to quickly learn more about them as it offered a way to begin getting some return on their investment in the farm.
Bringing back the trees that had been neglected for years was only one thing to consider. The McKeighens also knew there were a lot of other places that could sell customer pecans. So they wanted something more. They went through a lengthy process of developing flavors and recip…
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Dec 25, 2019
What makes Virginia hams so legendary? DeeDee Darden explains her family's traditions
This interview with Virginia farmer and ham expert, DeeDee Darden takes place in Smithfield, Virginia where the family raises cotton & corn and maintains the family smokehouse where they salt cure hams the way it was done decades ago.
She explains the almost year-long process of salt curing and smoking hams to get the color and taste that is so desirable. As well as some of the history around Virginia and Smithfield hams in particular.
DeeDee also shows us around the family's farm, telling us about the fall visits by many school groups in the area. Hosting school groups provides a chance for children to learn about cotton (even checking out a cotton picker, playing in corn boxes, seeing various animals, taking a hay ride and picking out the perfect pumpkin in the field!
DeeDee mentioned an element of laughter with cotton underwear used to provide insight on where clothes come from. I have long blogged about cotton on a site called HundredPercentCotton.com and had to explain how othe…
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Dec 11, 2019
Who knew there were red & white crawfish? A conversation with Bill & Janice Cheek
This is a conversation with crawfish farmers Bill & Janice Cheek at Stelly's Restaurant in Lebeau, Louisiana.
We talk about the important things like crawfish, crawdads and mudbugs as lingo.... but seriously, we talked about the red swamp crawfish & white species that are raised commercially and the difference between them and the small crawdads people see in creeks.
The programs at the LSU Ag Program does a lot of research into the crop. And there are a few other areas of the US where crawfish are grown.
Bill provides a lot of historical and cultural context on crawfish from the Louisiana perspective. We talk about creating new markets for the crop, hosting crawfish boils and the family's favorite ways to eat crawfish at home between boils.
See the video shot of the Cheek's crawfish ponds and a post of photos from inside Stelly's Restaurant on the Grounded by the Farm website.
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Dec 11, 2019
Popcorn... family legacy and local future
In this episode, we talk popcorn with Matt Helms who is returning to his family farm part-time as he starts a popcorn business serving customers in the St. Louis local area and online.
With a family tradition of farming, Matt tells us he wanted to participate in that while still living in the city and working off farm as well. While he and his wife Michelle considered a few things, popcorn rose to the top and has become a family business that includes their young daughter Lily Ella. He talks about taking on that new level of risk and feeling more connected to his ancestors.
In this interview, Matt also shares his excitement for finding new customers and the help Lily offers as well as telling us about the various types of popcorn grown on the farm -- heirloom, butterfly and mushroom.
He also talks about the various ways the family enjoys popcorn and gives a tip for a recipe that he says was a hit as a holiday appetizer!
After you listen to the podcast, you may want to check out a v…
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Dec 10, 2019
How I Got Here & A Convo with Mr. Ray Young (The First Farmer I Interviewed)
This bonus episodes provides a bit of background on the show's host Janice Person, the way she got into agriculture and memories of a first farmer interview decades ago.
As the launch of the show began to near, it became clear that connecting back to Mr Ray Young -- the first farmer I (Janice) ever interviewed -- just seemed to make sense.
Mr Ray and his wife Mrs. Dorothy welcomed me into their home and as he and I laughed and talked, I turned on the microphone to explain a bit of the project and to get his grounding once again.
Thanks to great people like Mr. Ray, I am now Grounded by the Farm.
Learn more about the show at http://groundedbythefarm.com and go along with Mr. Ray and I as we look at his farm, and take a much closer look at soils in this post https://groundedbythefarm.com/mr-ray-young/
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Dec 10, 2019
Talking Lettuce Farming, Food and Family with Jon Dinsmore
More information available on GroundedbytheFarm.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/2381122262203711/
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Discussed in this podcast:
Jonathan Dinsmore farms with his father in Yuma, Arizona.
Dinsmore Farms produces head lettuce (iceberg lettuce), fresh romaine and romaine hearts, red & green leaf mixed lettuce and alfalfa hay.
Romaine and romaine hearts are frequently grown from the same seed but farmers like Dinsmore plant the fields that will be harvested as romaine hearts more closely together so the plants will remain more columnar.
We talked a good bit about how his family looks at lettuce. Romaine hearts are a favorite of his but he loves a wedge salad with iceberg, his son agrees. But cultural issues early on for one of the kids means a funny story. He also throws romaine hearts on the…
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Nov 21, 2019
Introducing Grounded by the Farm (show trailer)
Grounded by the Farm is a new podcast featuring food conversations with farmers.
Each interview will focus on a specific food and we will be talking with a farmer who produces that, learn the ways their crops get to market, ways they enjoy the crop with family and what it takes to grow the crop.
Because food is so visual, the website groundedbythefarm.com will include more than your typical show notes -- sharing photos and videos from the farms profiled and a range of other information about and from farms.
Beginning December 11, 2019, Grounded by the Farm will release new episodes averaging 30-45 minutes in length every other Wednesday but the initial launch will include multiple episodes! Already we have been talking with lettuce, popcorn, pecan, avocado and crawfish farmers. Some will release on the 11th and others will come in the coming months. We have lots more coming too!
The show is a production of Janice Person of JPlovesCOTTON, LLC. You can learn more about her work as a…
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