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The Farmers Beet

Community Alliance with Family Farmers

Recent Episodes

Russian River Lavender: Growing Organic Lavender for Traditional Medicinals

Russian River Lavender: Growing Organic Lavender for Traditional Medicinals

September 17, 2026 33:55

In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Chris Holcomb from Russian River Lavender, a 33 acre farm based in Sebastopol, CA. At Russian River Lavender, they grow approximately 5 acres of organic lavender, primarily for Traditional Medicinals, an organic tea company. Russian River Lavender was recently certified organic by CCOF. Brandon recently connected with Chris inside of a restored Airstream trailer overlooking the old apple orchard on their farm. In this episode, Brandon talks with Chris about their organic certification process, their relationship with Traditional Medicinals, how they use sheep in their operation for rotational grazing and organic weed management, and how he ended up growing lavender.

Seas Greens: Growing and Marketing Organic Microgreens in San Diego

Seas Greens: Growing and Marketing Organic Microgreens in San Diego

September 10, 2026 35:18

In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Alex Cummings from Seas Greens Farm, a small urban farm located in Vista, CA.  Alex started the farm along with his wife Dana in 2018.  At Seas Greens Farm, they grow a variety of microgreens products and sell them at local farmers markets and fine dining restaurants in the greater San Diego area. Seas Greens Farm was recently certified organic by Oregon Tilth. In this episode, Brandon talks with Alex about their organic certification process, their marketing strategies, and some of their growing practices. 

Pleasant Grove Farms: Building Soil Health Through Seed Production and Crop Rotation

Pleasant Grove Farms: Building Soil Health Through Seed Production and Crop Rotation

September 3, 2026 22:07

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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The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 2

The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 2

July 8, 2025 39:16

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 Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 1

The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 1

June 18, 2025 37:08

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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Urban Agriculture in Orange County: Gospel Swamp Farm and The Ecology Center

Urban Agriculture in Orange County: Gospel Swamp Farm and The Ecology Center

August 16, 2024 32:42

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…

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EPISODE 3, SEASON 4: FUELS MANAGEMENT AND POLICY CONCERNS IN CA- A CONVERSATION WITH BETH REYNOLDS OF THE GOAT GIRLS, COLE BUSH OF GRAZING SCHOOL OF THE WEST, AND SENATOR MONIQUE LIMÓN

EPISODE 3, SEASON 4: FUELS MANAGEMENT AND POLICY CONCERNS IN CA- A CONVERSATION WITH BETH REYNOLDS OF THE GOAT GIRLS, COLE BUSH OF GRAZING SCHOOL OF THE WEST, AND SENATOR MONIQUE LIMÓN

December 9, 2023 43:26
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
CRECE Urban Farm Collective, Spreadwing Farm, and CAFF’s Dave Runsten podcast episode

CRECE Urban Farm Collective, Spreadwing Farm, and CAFF’s Dave Runsten podcast episode

August 7, 2023 37:32
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
Farmers Beet Podcast on Integrated Crop Livestock Systems with Eatwell Farm – Dixon and Pasture42 – Guinda

Farmers Beet Podcast on Integrated Crop Livestock Systems with Eatwell Farm – Dixon and Pasture42 – Guinda

May 18, 2023 26:51

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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Episode 3: First Rain Farm- Nevada City

Episode 3: First Rain Farm- Nevada City

December 14, 2022

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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