We are experiencing the end of an era as a new era in human civilization is beginning. It is a time of great risk but also a time of great potential. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/103 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. We now know that it is possible to restore large-scale damaged ecosystems. It is possible to sequester carbon and re-regulate the hydrological system. It is possible to restore natural fertility and to remove toxicity from contaminated soils and water. We are required to do this so that future generations will live in peace and abundance. For humanity to further evolve it is necessary to transition from a society dedicated to consumption to a society dedicated to ecological function. Although sometimes obscured by the collapse of the old order this heralds a time of full employment, equality, purpose and fulfillment. This is THE GREAT WORK OF OUR TIME and we are called to understand and participate in it. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/103 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. PV2 Audio: permaculturevoices.com/pv2audio

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - What are the current roadblocks to being able to consistently grow your own morel mushrooms? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/javan Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support There are many reasons that we can do something. To survive, to get paid, to compete, to make ourselves better, to achieve a goal, to seek fulfillment, the list goes.... All valid reasons. None of them more universally right than another. Some are more applicable to some people at a given time in a given situation. It all comes down to context. It comes down to what are you seek. Something short term and material, something quantifiable, or something bigger, something bigger than yourself that you really can't put a finger on... To further explore this idea, let's go to the classic fable of the Three Stone Cutters as told by then Harvard University president Drew Faust... "A man came across three stonecutters and asked them what they were doing. The first replied, “I am making a living.” The second kept on hammering while he said, “I am doing the best job of stonecutting in the entire county.” The third looked up with a visionary gleam in his eye and said, “I am building a cathedral.” The first stonecutter is simply doing a day’s work for a day’s pay, for the material reward he receives in exchange for his labor. The substance of his work, the purpose of his work, the context of his work do not matter. The second stonecutter has higher aspirations. He wants to be the best. The second stonecutter is an unshakable individualist. He believes in the power of the human mind, and its capacity for reason, in the drive for quality and results, and in the usefulness of reducing complex reality to a simple equation. His world is competitive and meritocratic. It is cosmopolitan; he measures himself against the “whole county” as the story has it—even the whole world. Yet somehow the vision of the second stonecutter is also incomplete. The focus on the task, the competition, the virtuosity, is a kind of blindness. Consumed with individual ambition, the second stonecutter misses the fundamental interconnectedness of human kind, of societies and of economies. This stonecutter fails to see that there would be no stones to cut if there were not a community building a cathedral. The third stonecutter embraces a broader vision. The very menial work of stonecutting becomes part of a far larger undertaking, a spiritual as well as a physical construction. This project aspires to the heavens, transcending the earthbound—and indeed transcending the timebound as well, for cathedrals are built not in months or even years, but over centuries. A lifetime of work may make only a small contribution to a structure that unites past and future, connects humans across generations and joins their efforts to purposes they see as far larger than themselves." An idea that we will explore in this episode. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/javan Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question -  Basic advice, suggestions and learnings on breeding chickens on the homestead? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens. Over the last two episodes [Episode 1, Episode 2] we looked at How Chris started and grew his microgreen business, and we have taken a look at what's possible with that business when it grows. And if you just stand back and look at the numbers, their jaw dropping. Let's be honest. Grossing $200,000 growing 10 day old crops in a shipping container that takes up 320 square is jaw dropping.  It almost seems unbelievable. But it's real, and that's where Chris is at with his business after 10 years. Chris has show what's possible. And given that and the relatively low capital investment required to start a microgreens business, it's a business that attracts a lot of people. People that likely focus on the high dollar value per tray, and people that dream about how much money they can make. This is where it gets dangerous, because you can't just look at the income side of the business. You have to look at the expenses as well. When you do that with microgreens that high dollar per tray, isn't as high as it might appear. There are a number of cost that need to be considered - the soil, the seed, and the big one - the labor. There's a decent amount of labor that goes into producing each tray of microgreens. Labor that needs to be priced into the product, and labor that might turn some people off from growing microgreens. When over 60% of your time will be spent harvesting, cleaning, and sanitizing trays, some of the allure of that $50 tray goes away. Add in the need for rigorous observations and recording keeping, and you will find yourself in a position that Chris describes as part automaton and part scientist. No for everyone. Especially when people enter the business looking to make a quick buck. If you are thinking about starting a microgreens operation, there's a lot to consider, especially the negatives. For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/27 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Ben Falk from Whole Systems Design, LLC joins me talk about permaculture design and what he has learned on his research site over the years. He talks about how to break into the business as a designHe touches on cold climate infrastructure and heating with wood. And he goes into his thoughts on designing a property and why it's important to understand the land's capability and how you should relate that to your goals. We also spend some time talking about the mass selection of plant genetics for a site, stressing the importance of over stacking the system in the beginning to see what works and what doesn't. Key Takeaways: Get some experience working with the land and systems before you start designing properties as "a designer." You can reduce your wood usage by 30-40% by drying wood well versus haphazardly drying it. Cold humid climates have a low tolerance for bad moisture detailing in structures. When designing a home detail carefully to keep the home dry and get water out. Grow tree multi-purpose tree species for fuel wood. Consider black locusts - fixes nitrogen, fast grower, rot resistant wood, good fuel wood, and makes great saw logs. Have goals but understand the land's capability so you can adjust those goals as needed. Don't fight against the land's tendencies and capabilities, work with it, not against it. Most people have more land than they can manage well. Moving down in acreage might be advantageous. It is better to manage 5 acres right than 100 acres wrong. Most people can have most of their needs met on 5-10 acres. Unless you have a commercial aspect or grazing component. Have a good access plan for your site. Don't box yourself out. Start and maintain a clear access pattern which is based on the water flow throughout the site. For site selection general location and access are a quick way to filter down a list of a lot of properties. Then look to the Keyline Scale of Permanance. Consider water security and controlling as much of a watershed as you can. Focus on manageability with regards to plantings. Plant based on water access with on contour swales. Not all permaculture techniques will work on all sites. So don't expect that. Practice the mass selection of genetics. Identify the best genetics from your site by growing trees from seed. Plant as many tress as you can on a site, way closer than you would ever imagine, and cut out the ones that don't do well. Use the first 3-5 years on a site to learn what does well. Years 5-10 are when you focus on plants and families that really want ot grow on your site - microclimate - aspect - soils. And there is no way to know which ones will work unless you start putting a lot of plants in the ground. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/27 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/139 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support If you have kids and you are self-employed and you work from home, getting work done in that environment can be a challenge. Today Rob Avis is going to talk about some of his methodologies for balancing out working at home and what techniques he uses to plan out his week. Rob is a busy guy co-running two companies (Adaptive Habitat and Verge Permaculture) with his wife Michelle, and he does it from his house, raising two young kids, so he has had a lot of experience getting serious work done in the heat of it. Rob's also one of the smartest guys that I know. He's an avid reader and he thinks a lot about this type of stuff, so I was really curious how he is approaching raising kids, how he is choosing to school his kids and why. He's one of those guys that I go to when I am questioning a decision that I am making. He usually has a lot of insight into things that make me really think about what I am doing and why. It's something that I think we all need in our life. Overall this message is part life hacking, part parent hacking, part hard dose of reality. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/139 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.   "They weren't just buying the product, they were buying the whole package."   That's how Chris Thoreau was able to go to a farmer's market selling one crop.  Just one.  Sunflower shoots.  He was able to go to market with just one crop because he was selling a product that had a great story.     It was a product that was produced hyper-locally and one that was delivered to market via pedal power on a bike.    Since Chris started his microgreen business nearly 10 years ago he has grown the business into one that has multiple employees and one that will do over $200,000 in sales in 2016.   If you want grow microgreens commercially, listen to today's episode.  You'll see how important it is to systemize your production and constantly record and analyze your results.     It's the constant testing, analyze and adaptation that has made Chris' business hugely successful.     I think that you will really get a lot out of this interview.   You'll learn how Chris introduced a brand new crop to his market.  How he priced that product.     And how and why he thinks about new products to sell.   There's a lot of in depth applicable business content in here for the experienced growers.  And for the beginners you will learn what Chris suggests for some good crops to grow    There's a lot in this one and at it's core this interview focuses heavily on core success principles - relentless testing and experimentation, constant record keeping and analysis, and knowing what to focus on.     Let's get into it Tips and Tricks for Growing, Harvesting, and Selling Microgreens as a Business with Chris Thoreau...   For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - What are you thoughts on combing biochar and fungi? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/138 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Today I am talking with Erica Wisner, co-author of The Rocket Mass Heater Builder’s Guide.   She co-wrote the book with her husband Ernie, and combined they are a wealth of knowledge on RMH. They build them, they use them, they teach about them, and they innovate new designed.  They live the RMH lifestyle. On the surface I think RMH are a complex subject, and I really tried to break through that complexity in this one by getting to the core of the what, where why and how. At the end of this episode I think you will either be excited to learn more or saying, not for me.  Either way, we have done our job. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/138 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - Any advice for processing one to two birds at a time on a homestead level without having to purchase a bunch of equipment? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.   Today we are going to start the series, by going back to the beginning.  This is the story of how urban farmer Chris Thoreau started his microgreens farm almost 10 years ago.   Chris will take on questions such as:   Why microgreens?  Why did he start with microgreen?   Who did he model and how much did he start with?   And how did he handle startup and work life balance.   As you will hear it was tough at times, because Chris started his farm at what on paper looks like an inopportune time.   He started this part time while in school full time and 2.5 months into his first semester his son was born.   Despite life presenting challenges that some people would say aren't worth the risk, Chris made a go of it taking on these early challenges he has managed to grow his operation to  one that will do around $200,000 in sales in 2016.   And all that sales are coming from a farm that's in a shipping container taking up 320 sq. ft.     That's where Chris is at today, but it didn't happen overnight, let's get into it and find out how it all started.   For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/79 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. In Woody Agriculture, crops would be planted only once in a lifetime. The use of woody perennials for agricultural staple commodities production would result in little or no use of tillage, as well as the presence of a permanent cover during both the growing and the dormant seasons. Not only would this lead to a vastly lower rate of soil loss and less runoff into water supplies and aquatic environments, but there would be a reduced need for the fossil fuels consumed in plowing and tilling. In addition, use of pesticides needed for the establishment of annual plants could be sharply reduced. A further important benefit would be the reduction of soil compaction, since far fewer trips through the fields with heavy equipment would be required. Key Takeaways: Breeding: You cannot work with more than two traits at the same time. The most important trait is to have a population that actually survives. When you sell products off of your farm (like nuts) you are exporting a lot of minerals. It is important to remineralize your soil. You can use sheep and chickens in hazelnut systems to remineralize and fertilize the soil. Hickory and Pecan work well with hazelnuts. Chestnuts don't do as well given different soil pH requirements. Find the old timers growing tree species that you want to grow in your area. They may have long tested genetics suited for your area. Hazels are wind pollinated, so you don't' need immediate close proximity for insect pollination. Coppicing to the ground every 10 years can help to rejuvenate the plants. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/79 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - I have been curious how an aspiring homeowner could make prefab parts of their home using mycelium on a straw based substrate? Wouldn't be amazing and incredibly empowering if we could literally grow the walls of our homes? Is this something the average person could realistically pull off? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/58 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. An interview with Phil Rutter of Badgersett Research Corporation. We talk about why perennial based woody agriculture is important and how chestnuts and hazelnuts fit into that. We also talk a lot about plant breed and using mass selection to find genotypes that have the traits that you are looking for. This episode is pretty dense and has a ton of information in it for anyone looking to breed plants. Phil is brilliant and I think I learned more about plant breeding my conversations with him than I ever have anywhere else. Given how much information is in this episode and how long this episode is, I have split it into two parts. This is part 2 of 2. Take it all in, enjoy it, and most importantly do something with this information. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/58 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - I have noticed that your kids do a lot of work on the farm, what has been yall's approach to introducing the kids to work and chores on the farm? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/jodi Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Curtis is on vacation, so I am joined by bio-intensive farmer Jodi Roebuck. Jodi's been farming and studying under the originator of the Grow Bio-Intensive form of farming, John Jeavons, for 18 years. Jodi's well known for using Jeavon's bio-intensive method to build soil. Soil that's deep and loose enough to literally put your arm into up to your elbow.  It's a soil that well known grower JM Fortier has called some of the best soil that he's ever seen.  It's from this rich soil that Jodi farms, growing his own fertility, his own food, saving seeds, and educating the next generation of farmers. He's traveled the world studying under the masters and visiting a lot farms along the way.  This summer Jodi made a stop in North America where he visited the home farms of both JM Fortier and Curtis.  As a result, he's very familiar with their market gardening style.  The question then becomes how can he apply his knowledge of bio-intensive practices to the context of market farming, and that's where we pick up the conversation today. Where do the worlds of bio-intensive growing and market gardening collide, and what's possible... Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/jodi

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/16 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Darren Doherty of Heenan Doherty and Regrarians joins me from Australia to fill in some of the gaps surrounding Keyline design. While the whole Keyline design system is complex and way beyond the scope of this podcast.This episode should give you a brief introduction into what Keyline is, where it can be used, and what it can accomplish. Like all other design systems Keyline isn't the be all, end all, it is another tool in the tool box help design a regenerative landscape. For those that want to learn more check out Darren's work, some of it below, and P.A. Yeomans books. Darren recommends The Keyline Plan and The Challenge of Landscape. Keyline design is a foundation of technique and planning using a scale of permanence. It's focus is on reacting to a climate of an environment, a site, and then using the landscape's shape to maximize the possibility of a sustainable, regenerative environment. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/16 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.  

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - What are your thoughts on the integration of fungi into septic, grey water, swales, and/or other water catchment systems? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/57 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. An interview with Phil Rutter of Badgersett Research Corporation. We talk about why perennial based woody agriculture is important and how chestnuts and hazelnuts fit into that. We also talk a lot about plant breed and using mass selection to find genotypes that have the traits that you are looking for. This episode is pretty dense and has a ton of information in it for anyone looking to breed plants. Phil is brilliant and I think I learned more about plant breeding my conversations with him than I ever have anywhere else. Given how much information is in this episode and how long this episode is, I have split it into two parts. This is part 1 of 2.With the second part dropping this Friday, July 11 as episode 58. Take it all in, enjoy it, and most importantly do something with this information. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/57 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - You have been raising turkeys for a few months now - how has it been, and has it been worth it? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support   Today Curtis takes on the question - Let's say you are starting a a new farm.  And I gave you a bunch of land, 15 acres.  All pretty flat, all pretty usable.  How would you go about deciding how much of that land you would farm? We get into the ideas around how much land he would farm and why.   Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/13 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Darren Doherty of Heenan Doherty and Regrarians joins me from Australia to talk about the regrarian philosophy that he has put together and how it can be used to regenerate landscapes and farming enterprises. This is a system that borrows and includes tools from multiple disciplines like permaculture, keyline design, the transition movement, carbon farming, and the work of of people like Joel Salatin, Paul Stamets, and Dr. Elaine Ingham. These tools give you the ability to design a system that ultimately regenerates land while producing numerous agricultural products. The system deals with everything from the work done on the land to how you can synergistically stack multiple enterprises in the same system, and ultimately how to market and distribute those products to the people that actually want them. The system emphasizes participating in all 4 legs of the farm income stool - production, processing, marketing, and distribution. This allows you to be a market price setter, not a price receiver. If you are involved in an agricultural enterprise, or if you want to be involved in an agricultural enterprise, then you need to pay attention to the regrarian system and learn this information. The current status quo of agriculture isn't working; it isn't sustainable, it's degenerative. The regarian system IS regenerative. And it gives you the tools to produce the products that the consumers ultimately want, all while living the farming lifestyle that you want to live. It won't be easy, and it will be hard work, but hey that's farming. And I think farmers that farm in systems like this have fun and enjoy their life because they can make good living while restoring the land. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/13 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - In order to produce the most amount of Reishi mushrooms out of this sawdust spawn for home use, does it make sense to expand the sawdust spawn out by going back to sterilized grain first and then expanding out onto more sawdust bags or just take the sawdust spawn and expand it out onto more pasteurized sawdust bags? Basically, is there any advantage to taking mycelium back to grain once it is on sawdust?  To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/javan4 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Don't like where you are at? Today we take a look at analyzing your level of dissatisfaction. Looking at what is the current level is dissatisfaction?  Is it to the point where you just need to get out?  Or what does it take to bring your situation up to get it closer to a 10?  Can you change the frame - how you are view it, or the situation?   What can you do where you are at? Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/javan4 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - You recently finished your series of 100 days of raising food, what are some of the things that you learned over those 100 days? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Whenever you do something why are you doing it? Are you doing it because that something is pulling you towards it, is it the opposite, are you forcing yourself to do something and pushing yourself towards it. There's a big difference there.  And depending on the answer to that question, it mean the difference between doing big things and setting out to do big things, but never really getting anywhere. To further explain this concept I turn to the brilliant personal development specialist Anthony Robbins... “I think you have to have something larger than yourself that you are after because [otherwise] you will let your fear dominate you. But if you have something—your children, your mom, your dad, a friend, a mission—something you want to do that really pulls you [the fear disappears]. Because push never lasts. ‘Push’ motivation is I’m going to make myself do that. You can do that for a while, but you are eventually going to [regress]. When you are pulled toward something larger than yourself, you’ll make the sacrifices; you’ll do what’s necessary because it’s not just about you. I really believe life supports what supports more of life.” This is what we are focusing on today.  It's a loose conversation based around this idea of push and pull.  And finding something that meakes it easy to choose to be great. Something that you feel compelled to do, and you feel off when you aren't doing it. When you hear about someone like Curtis putting in a ton of hours working in the farm, and you think, why does he work so much, you are missing the point, because maybe that thing that you think is work isn't work after all... Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/15 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm joins me to talk about his new book Fields of Farmers which focuses on the next generation of farmers.How young people can work with existing farmers to transition into farming. He talks about young people can do today to take advantage of the huge opportunity that is out there. Topics range from leasing land to forming synergistic, non-competitive enterprises on existing farms. The whole key is that you have to start. Movement creates movement. Joel touches on the cultural stereotype against farming. So many people get "forced" into a job that they hate to satisfy their parents only to do that career for a few years and realize that they hate it.All along that person only wanted to do something with their hands. So why not encourage the youth to follow those passions and pursue them with all of their skills and talents. This episode also has a very heavy entrepreneurial component. Hopefully it will motivate some people to get out there, stop thinking about farming, and actually start farming. Key Takeaways from this Episode: Invest in hydration. Get water into the landscape. You don't have to own land to farm. Look for land to lease. Look to add another enterprise onto an existing farm. Focus on mobile infrastructure. Insource carbon instead of outsource carbon. So many farmers start out bringing in fertilizer at the beginning.Start building up your soils at the beginning to lower your long term input costs. Grow what you like to eat. You may have to eat through your inventory. Be willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. That might mean putting in a lot of hours, making a lot of sacrifices, cutting expenses, and taking some odds jobs. Make use of what you have first. Don't buy anything. So many people want to run out and buy things when they first start out. Access what you have, use that, and only buy what you absolutely need. Better to become 80% self reliant that get analysis paralysis and not doing anything while trying to become 100% self reliant. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Stack multiple enterprises on a single land base whenever possible. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/15 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - What's a simple way to cultivate mushrooms? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/137 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Let's say that you own 1000 acres and you want to farm. What do you do with that land? One of the first decisions that many of you would come to is the decision of do I get livestock or go with annual crops. Both common.  Both viable choices for farming big land. One system is based in perennials and grazing animal’s and the other is based on annuals and mechanical tillage.   For many people these two systems would be seen as mutually exclusive.   Annuals and perennials don't really mix, at least on first thought they don't.  But what if you could do it? How do you plant annuals into a perennial grass system and how do you graze animals through an annual system? It all comes down to timing.   If you seed annuals into dormant perennial grassland you take advantage of a niche in time where both species can co-exist.  Then you later harvest the annual crop and grass the animals through the now non-dormant perennials. The system provides the benefit of zero tillage, rotational grazing, a constant plant cover on the soil and root mass under the soil, and minimal inputs costs. The system is called Pasture Cropping and it was developed by Colin Seis. Today's show is a presentation that Colin gave at PV2 in March 2015.  It was an honor to have him present at the conference, this guy is a true pioneer and innovator, and his work needs to be heard. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/137 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - When you first started the vlog, what was the goal? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Today is part three in our series focusing on more money, less land, where we are brainstorming ideas to make more money off of your farm without, without adding more land. Over the last few weeks we have focused on a variety of ways to sell more product and produce more product without adding more land. Today we will get into the last primary concept... Raising Prices Specifically how can you do that? What are the different ways that you can change what you are selling to justify a higher price? There's a lot of ideas in here. Some easier to implement than others. Each with has their own costs and benefits. As with the previous episodes, there's a lot in this one. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/23 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Michael Pollan joins me to talk about GMOs, organic food, the industrial agriculture, and his new book Cooked. Points we hit on: What will it take to ultimately get GMOs labelled in the US? And what affect will that labeling have. Rewarding farmers for embracing sustainable practices. Getting changes in agriculture from the grassroots, corporate and government level. Getting representation for eaters on the government agriculture committees which are currently dominated by lightly populated corn belt states. The importance of being able to demonstrate scientifically that we can do what we say we can do - relating to permaculture, sustainable agriculture. The importance of cooking your own food and the trickle down effects. If you are cooking your own food then you have the ability to shop from local farmers, farmers markets, and CSAs. Fast food supports industrial agriculture. 10% of the food dollar goes to the farmer. The longer the food chain the less the farmer gets. Even the packaging manufacturers make more than the farmers. By diversifying as a farmer and having more than a single crop you are able to being more of a price maker than a price taker in the commodity system. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/23 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/121 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Paul’s central premise is that habitats have immune systems, just like people, and mushroom forming fungi are the foundation of the foodwebs of land based organisms. Our close evolutionary relationship to fungi can be the basis for novel pairings that lead to greater sustainability and immune enhancement. As w​ e are now fully engaged in the 6th Major Extinction (“6 X”) on planet Earth, our biospheres are quickly changing, eroding the life support systems that have allowed humans to ascend. Unless we put into action policies and technologies that can cause a course correction in the very near future, species diversity will continue to plummet, with humans not only being the primary cause, but one of the victims. What can we do? Fungi, particularly mushrooms, offer some powerful, practical solutions, which can be put into practice now. Paul will discuss his groundbreaking research utilizing their cellular networks to create molecular bridges governing the evolution of sustainable habitats. The implications of his research are far-reaching and could spark a paradigm shift to a better future. This presentation was recorded live at PV2 in March 2015. For all of the audio presentations from PV2 visit: permaculturevoices.com/audio/

An archived interview that was conducted at PV1 in March 2014. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support  

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Today is two in our series focusing on more money, less land, where we are brainstorming ideas to make more money off of your farm without, without adding more land. Last week we focused on two of the primary concepts that had a lot of ideas under them: If you aren't moving all of your current product, sell it all. Selling all of your current product, but you know there is more demand... Today we will focus on a third primary concept: Change Your Product Profile and Crops It's all about making more just by changing what you grow and when you grow it. There's a lot in here, enjoy it... Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/12 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Doniga Markegard of Markegard Family Grass-Fed comes on the show to talk about ranching, permaculture, and the regenerative power of rotational livestock grazing.She is a real life rancher, who is out there successfully doing things the right way. On her ranch she is using cattle, sheep, and pigs to build the soil and supply the San Fransisco Bay area with high quality food.Doniga discusses why traditional ranching methods often fail and lead to degenerative cycles with the soil; and how a more holistic, permaculture approach can actually repair landscapes. She talks about how they use permaculture on their ranch to increase species diversity and to increase the water holding capacity of the soil. She touches on how to get into ranching, the advantages of small herd dairy, and the importance of leasing land. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/12 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.    

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - If I add mycorrhizal spores to my soil how do I know that the fungus is actually growing? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/136 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support The 8 Forms of Capital is a dynamic and living framework to guide holistic and regenerative enterprise development by mapping the complex flows and pools of all eight forms of capital, not merely the financial capital. At first glance many people assume that the 8 forms of capital is simply a way to account for or measure in a similar way to the triple bottom line. This is a common way to think about business design. However, the most powerful use of the 8 capital model is to help uncover the essence and potential of each form of capital beyond the current reductionist perspective. For instance, instead of thinking about “valuation of ecosystem services” when we ask about Living Capital, we might instead start an active enquiry into the story of a bioregion, plant, or watershed that leads us to uncover the mythological unlimited yields that Mollison reminds us exist when we use the organ of our imagination to explore the potential of an ecosystem. The framework was initially developed by Gregory Landaua and Ethan Roland and the information was coalesced in their book Regeneraitve Enterrpse. Today's show is a presentation that Gregory gave at PV3 on the 8 forms of capital, where he presented it through the lens of regenerative cacao; an industry that he has worked closely with over this years.  The presentation blends the theory with the real world application. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/136 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - What advice would you have for someone who wanted to start vlogging? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Say you're a vegetable farmer and you want to make more money. How do you do that? How would you do that? If this was an episode of Family Feud one of the top answers on the board would likely be ‘grow more products’. And if we took this line of question on iteration further the asking how do you grow more crops? One of the top answers would be ‘get more land’. More land means more vegetables can fit in that space. A more vegetables means more to sell. Simple enough right. What if you couldn't get more land? Because it wasn't available or it was too expensive or it would change the dynamic of your farm... what would you do then? You want to make more money... but you can't add land. What are your options... you could raise prices or lower input costs, those would work, but there are a lot of other options available. That’s the topic that we are taking on in this multipart series – more money with less land. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/3 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.   In this episode of the Permaculture Voices Podcast I have my friend Ben Kotnik of Suburban Food Farm on the show to talk about the recent presentation that he gave to a local permaculture group, 12 Months of Fresh Fruit. The first part of the presentation highlights some of the varieties that can be grown in Southern California to achieve the goal of a year round fruit harvest. While the varieties that we talk about are specific to SoCal, the theory behind how why the varieties were selected can be applied to any location. The second half of the presentation focuses on different techniques that can be used to grow more varieties of fruit in a given space. And these techniques can be applied anywhere in the world. In this episode you will learn about: A variety of 13 fruits that could be grown in Southern California giving you 12 months of free fruit. The trees are specific to SoCal, but the theory is applicable anywhere. Ben’s favorite sweet citrus varieties. The beauty of the forgotten fruit, the white sapote. And why everyone should be growing it in SoCal. Why you should remove some of the fruit from a tree in the early years. Techniques for growing more fruit in a space. How to use dwarfing rootstocks to your advantage. -Why to prune and train your trees. Grafting several varieties onto one tree, multi-graft trees. Working with neighbors to grow more trees.   Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/3 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - I have access to a lot of coffee grounds. If I am approaching mushroom cultivation from a commercial standpoint, what species of mushroom do you think would grow the best if coffee grounds were the primary substrate? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

"You're the average of the five people that you spend the most time with."  Jim Rohn Hang around with people who support you and push you and you will end up farther ahead than by hanging around with people who hold you back and tear you down.  It sounds obvious.  And I think that most people listening to this would agree. But it's not always easy to do.    Either by choice or by life. Sometimes we just don't put in the effort or want to deal with the pain of getting rid of the negative influences in our lives.  And sometimes we can't easily get rid of the negative influences in our lives.  Sometimes people in our family struggle or run into problems.  Problems which require our support.  So we can't abandon those people.   Regardless those people will have an effect on our lives.   And this idea is one of the many that I will be talking about today with Javan Bernakevitch as part of our continued look into the common, but hidden reality of us all. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/javan3 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - As a homesteader, how have you decided to educate your kids - traditional schooling, alternative schooling, homeschool?  And why? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin.   Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support It's currently September 15, 2016 and the end of the regular farming season is near. Along with it is Curtis's tenure at the Kelowna Farmers Market. After 7 seasons at the farmers market, Curtis is moving on. It's part of a larger effort to simplify the farm and match the farm to his lifestyle. At this point in his career Curtis is trying to simplify his farm. Not grow bigger just to be bigger. Instead choosing to grow better becoming more efficient and effective. That means focusing on the market streams that work, the products that sell, and moving to plots located even closer to his homebase. Part of those changes involve dropping things like the farmers market which has done since the beginning of his career. But it's a market stream that requires getting up on Saturday for 8 months of the year and it's a market stream that isn't growing anymore. And It's one of the many changes taking place at Green City Acres, resulting in a farm that will look very different come April 2017. Today we will take a look at the many changes coming to Green City Acres, along with they why behind those changes. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support

Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/43 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Shannon Jones, a young farmer from River Hebert, Nova Scotia joins me to talk about what it is like to be a young farmer on her farm, Broadfork Farm. She started the farm with her partner Bryan Dyck in 2011. Both Shannon and Bryan farmed on other farms for many years before they started their own farm. The lived simply and knew what they could get by without. That made the transition to farming a lot easier. Their path of frugality is one path into farming. But like Shannon said, find what works for you and don't just copy what someone else did. At the end of the day it is very clear that Shannon loves what she does. Living her dream, working her dream job, as part of the next generation of farmers. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/43 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.

Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - How should I incorporate micro-nutrients into my mushroom substrate? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.