The Farmers Beet

In this episode of The Farmer’s Beet Podcast, host Gisele Herren sits down with Ed Sills of Pleasant Grove Farms, a third-generation, family-owned certified organic grain and bean farm in the Sacramento Valley. Ed was one of the first grain farmers in California to transition to organic production, planting his first organic popcorn crop in 1985. The conversation covers the crop rotations that…

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In this episode we continue the conversation on the impact of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Linden, California. You’ll hear from the father and son duos of Colombini Ranch and Chinchiolo Farming Company about the impact BIOS had on the different generations of their farm, and why they continue to follow BIOS practices like cover cropping and integrated pest management.

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The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project has brought together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. In this episode we head down to the Northern San Joaquin region to interview early BIOS collaborating growers, Chris and Christy Locke, and PCA, Jeannine Lowrimore…

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In this episode we travel to Southern California to meet with Samuel Guitron of Gospel Swamp Farm in Santa Ana and Johnny Wilson from The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano to talk all about Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, in urban farms. You’ll also hear about how soil health is monitored using potatoes at Gospel Swamp Farm, how wheat and rice bran are being used to manage soil-borne pathogens at The Ecology Center, and so much more. Episode Resources: Gospel Swamp Farm website: https://heritagemuseumoc.org/gospel-swamp-farm/ Gospel Swamp Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelswampfarm/?hl=en The Heritage Museum of Orange County: https://heritagemuseumoc.org/ CAFF Cover Crop Decision Guide for Annual Cropping Systems: https://caff.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CAFF-Cover-Crop-Guide-for-Annual-Systems-112222.pdf The Ecology Center website: https://theecologycenter.org/ The Ecology Center instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theecologycenter/?hl=en Regenerative Organic Alliance: https://regenorganic.org/ Joji Muramoto’s UCCE page: https://ucanr.edu/?facultyid=42875 Master Gardeners Handbook - 2nd Ed.: https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3382 CAFF webpage: https://caff.org/ CAFF instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caff_famfarms/?hl=en CAFF Ecological Pest Management website: https://caff.org/epm/

The Goat Girls Cal Poly Sheep Unit SB 675 AB 297 Paso Robles- Salinas River Vegetation Management Project CEQA and grazing resources Prescribed Herbivory White paper from the Rangeland Management Advisory Committee Regional Water Quality Control Board and Grazing tips Upper Salinas- Las Tablas Resources Conservation District CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program California Climate and Action Network: Wildfire Policy Resources Resources Legacy Fund- Wildfire Strategies PRODUCTION TEAM: Podcast hosted by Amber Schat and supported by Grizzly Corps Fellow, Joshua Harjes Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions Release Date: 12/08/202

In this episode we delve into all things on-farm composting, from its production to its use and relevant agricultural policies. We hear from Abel Ruiz at CRECE Farming Collective in Santa Ana about their use of various composting methods at a small scale. Liz Schroeder of Spreadwing Farm in Rumsey shares about their use of compost on an organic farm, from considerations around sourcing compost to its application. Dave Runsten, CAFF’s Water Policy Director, also provides an update on the state of composting policy in California. Show Notes CRECE Urban Farm Collective: https://www.crece-coop.org/about CRECE Urban Farm Collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crece.coop Spreadwing Farm website: https://spreadwingfarm.com/ Spreadwing Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spreadwing_farm Tierra Negra (es) : https://tierranegramx.wixsite.com/website Assessing Compost Quality for Agriculture: https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8514.pdf Organic Materials Management from CalRecycle: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/farming/ More on CAFF’s policy work: https://caff.org/policy/ On-Farm Composting video with Frog Hollow Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSUSUH04Bjw Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, we learn about integrated crop livestock management from two Northern California Farms. First, we hear from Lorraine Walker of Eatwell Farm in Dixon, CA, where they incorporate laying hens into their diversified vegetable production, and also touch on soil health and fertility management. Ken Walker of Pasture 42 in Guinda, CA then walks us through how they incorporate sheep and…

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In this episode, we travel to First Rain Farm in Nevada County, where Tim Van Wagner is integrating a number of effective wildfire preparation methods on his property, as well as those of his neighbors and surrounding community. By combining targeted ecological grazing and prescribed burns, Tim is able to rehabilitate overgrown forests in the foothills to productive foraging systems that support…

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In this episode, Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow in Penngrove, CA describes her entry into ranching and how her love of the land positioned her to become a leader in developing and supporting community grazing cooperatives. Join us as Sarah shares her experience with wildfires in Sonoma County and how grazing is making a difference for regional wildfire protection and preparedness…

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In this episode we visit Cheetah Tchudi at his diversified operation in Yankee Hill, Butte County, CA. Cheetah shares his experience surviving the 2018 Paradise wildfire, and some methods for recovery; addressing toxic ash using fungi to capture and and treat persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. Release Date: 11/16/2022…

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