Today’s guests are Heidi Barr of Kitchen Garden Textiles and Emma de Long of Knee High Farm, who have joined forces in the Pennsylvania Flax Project, aiming to revitalize the flax for linen industry in their region for the benefit of both urban and rural communities. Their goals are to create an industry built on the principles of radical inclusion, environmental stewardship and social justice, and to create clean jobs across the industries of farming, milling, weaving, cut and sew manufacturing. Their story as a team begins on March 12, 2020 when the two met to have a conversation about a natural dye project. Their chat quickly turned into an enthusiastic musing about the possibilities of Pennsylvania grown linen and the Pa. Flax Project began. In this episode we chat about the history of linen in this country and the challenges of reinstating it as a viable domestic industry, creating connection in a globalized economy, and issues with product transparency and consumer awareness. Heidi and Emma are excited to expand their commitment to the local economy and textile supply chain, recognizing that local self reliance and choosing to produce natural fibers on regenerative farms is an important step towards a healthy future.  Topics Covered: The history of textile production in the US Heidi and Emma's journey to growing flax domestically The process of turning flax in to linen fiber How linen compares to other natural fibers, particularly hemp, and the impacts on our soils PA Flax Project's process to regionalize flax seed varieties Rethinking the wedding industry, and the desire for domestically-grown and sewn gowns Consumption culture and the influence of social media The next steps for PA Flax, and their crowdfunding goals Resources Mentioned: Magic Fashion Trade Show Chico Flax Episode Amy DuFault Episode Crowdfunding Campaign Connect with the PA Flax Project: Their Website: https://paflaxproject.com/ Square Yard Project Heidi's Company, Kitchen Garden Textiles Emma's Farm, Kneehigh Farm @paflaxproject on Instagram PA Flax Project on Go Fund Me About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at [email protected] Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

In this episode, Mary and Emma are talking to Julia Skinner of Root: Historic Food for the Modern World. Root was born from Julia's deep love for community and a belief in the power of food to tell stories, connect us to place and to each other, and to build a bridge to the past. Julia's work is all about food, history, food stories, where it comes from and the people behind it. She loves fostering connections with other people and with the earth around us. Julia is especially interested in learning and teaching about fermentation, demonstrating to people the ease and accessibility of preparing delicious and healthy food using this ancient and powerful food preservation technique. Topics Covered: Exploring historic cookbooks Julia’s discovery of historical cooking traditions Types of fermentation she has explored How to start fermenting The growing popularity of traditional foods Shifting food interests during the pandemic Food Access Milk Kefir Food as medicine Resources Mentioned: Julia's website--Root Kitchens Our Fermented Lives. by Julia Skinner The English Housewife by Gervase Markham The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz Free99Fridge, Atlanta Umi Feeds Goodr Sowans Celtic Porridge The Fermentation School Son-Mat --(Korean) Hand taste, the unique quality and taste food has from an individual's touch, care, and experience; the way food tastes different when made by different people, often used to describe the taste of mom's cooking. Connect with Julia:  Root Kitchens Website: https://root-kitchens.com/ @rootkitchens on Instagram Julia's Books, Classes and Courses Root Kitchens Newsletter on Substack About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at [email protected] Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Edzard van der Wyck is the co-founder of Sheep Inc., a sustainable apparel company that creates carbon negative knitwear made from merino wool. Sheep Inc's revolutionary approach starts at the source - the farm! Their partnership with regenerative farms in New Zealand and innovative manufacturing processes allow them to maintain a carbon negative status from sheep to sweater. In this episode, we talk about the impact of the fashion industry on our climate, how Sheep Inc was born, why they chose to start at the raw materials, regenerative sheep wool farms and how they work, and why carbon neutral goals are not enough. We also discuss how we can collectively shift to a more sustainable economy as a whole, and Edzard's hope for what the future of purchasing looks like. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: The impact of the fashion industry on our climate Sheep Inc's innovative manufacturing process Regenerative sheep farming in New Zealand Why carbon neutral goals are not enough How Sheep Inc maintains its carbon negative status Sustainably dyeing their garments How Sheep Inc avoids waste or deadstock in their manufaturing The future of transparency and shopping sustainably How social pressure may have a role in a more sustainable future The true cost of fashion, and our perceived value of apparel The durability of natural fibers Why transparency is important, but may not be enough in the future Resources Mentioned:  Lady Farmer ALMANAC Membership ZQ Merino Connected Dot Sheep Inc’s Website: https://sheepinc.com/ On Instagram @sheepinc About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Email us at [email protected] Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about fundamental shifts in many of our most basic assumptions about our relationship with each other and the environment, and the role each of us plays in the way forward towards a worldwide, life-supporting community.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: How Andrew came to his interest in ecology through religion How The Institute for Ecological Civilization came into being Explanation of The Institute for Ecological Civilization and its mission The Centrality of the Human Experience Genesis as a directive for the human role in the web of creation Deep Ecology Are we fighting for human survival or earth's survival? EcoCiv partners and programs Where are the solutions? Does change happen from within the system, outside the system or from the top down? Who is getting it right? Who do we support? Resources Mentioned:  Rose of Sharon Sacred Harp Hymn 254 Don Shiva David Corton Jeremy Lent Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Aspen Institute Philip Clayton John Cobb What is Ecological Civilization by Andrew Schwartz and Philip Clayton Claremont School of Theology Willamette University Water for South Sudan Wellbeing Economy Alliance Connect with Andrew and the Institute for Ecological Civilization: EcoCiv website: https://ecociv.org/ On Instagram @ecociv_ Listen to the EcoCiv Podcast About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at [email protected] Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

"What does the good dirt mean to you?" Join Mary and Emma as they celebrate this 100th episode milestone by reflecting on the two and a half years of their podcasting journey and by highlighting several of their past guests answering this question. Things Mentioned: Our Episode with Sherri Powell “4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman Mary Oliver Poem - The Summer Day Featured Guests 27:11 - Amy DuFault, Episode 1 27:28 - Liz Kimball, Episode 40 28:43 - Rebecca Burgess, Episode 38 29:28 - Lynn Cassells, Episode 79 30:54 - Justin West, Episode 72 31:28 - Julia Watkins, Episode 12 & 83 33:10 - Jason Fowler, Episode 84 35:01 - Eliza Greenman, Episode 86 35:33 - Amanda Agricola, Episode 87 36:14 - Ryan Mitchell, Episode 77 35:35 - Lisa Mitchell, Episode 91 36:54 - Bex Partridge, Episode 94 38:45 - Doug Phillips of Conscious Clothing, Episode 90 39:10 - Melissa K. Norris, Episode 99 39:40 - Jesse Golden, Episode 81 40:20 - Megan Borukhovsky of Sister Nettle, Episode 83 41:13 - Tony Cohen, Juneteenth Bonus Episode (June 19, 2021) About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at [email protected] Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Want small, attainable steps you can take to begin your homesteading journey? Melissa K. Norris is a fifth-generation homesteader who believes in keeping the old ways alive and that food shouldn't come from a box. She lives on a 15-acre farm in Washington state with her husband and two children, and together they raise 100% of their own meat and a majority of the fruits and vegetables they consume in a year.  Melissa doubled-down on her homesteading journey after a chronic health issue caused her to look at the foods she was eating every day. She decided she could save money and be healthier if she grew and preserved her own food rather than purchasing pre-packaged food items. From this, she’s built a homesteading empire, with a podcast, multiple books, and an online education platform with over a thousand members.  Melissa's passion is to teach others the skills of the homesteading and simple life movement, no matter where you live. In this conversation, we talk about the concept of convenience and how it is used against us - especially in the food industry - as well as small, attainable steps you can take to begin your homesteading journey. Join us for this inspiring conversation!  Topics Covered: How Melissa healed her chronic health issues with food Food fads of the nineties Reframing what "convenience" means to you  Small steps to start homesteading How Melissa created the Pioneering Today Academy Herbalism and Natural Medicines Resources Mentioned: Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe | Melissa K Norris Blog Michael Pollan Books Pioneer Today Academy Sourdough Starter Tutorial  Homesteaders of America Conference Connect with Melissa: On Instagram @melissaknorris On Facebook @melissaknorris Melissa’s Youtube Channel Melissa’s Website: https://melissaknorris.com/ Pioneering Today Podcast Pioneer Today Academy About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at [email protected] Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

After observing the waste and unsustainable practices while working in the fashion industry, Sarah Arch and Allie Feldman decided to do something about it by starting Rooted Botanics, a fashion brand that gives ethically sourced vintage pieces new life through natural dyes. Both Sarah and Allie are dedicated to thoughtful sourcing, purposeful education about the history of natural dye, and creating beautiful garments while developing a business model designed to remain at a human scale. The relationships they have forged with plant dyes continue to advance a paradigm shift in the fashion industry - a shift that ultimately downplays harm and amplifies joy. Topics Covered: Discovering Natural Dyes Waste in the Fashion Industry Greenwashing and Microplastics Health Benefits of Natural Dyes and Fibers Embracing the Beauty and Unpredictability of Natural Dye Learning and Growing Into Slow Living Resources Mentioned:  Christie Dawn Podcast Episode Textiles 101: Fiber Content Maiwa natural dyes Connect with Rooted Botanics: https://rootedbotanics.com/  Instagram: @rootedbotanics About Lady Farmer: Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at [email protected] Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Herbalist, artist, and cookbook author Spencre McGowan tells us about her herbal allies and the ways that living in relationship with plants has shaped her slow living journey. After receiving informal training in cooking with herbs in Sweden and attending herb school in California, Spencre began exploring her own personal relationships to herbs through writing and creating zines, one of which became her first book (Blotto Botany, a guide to herbal infusions and cordials). Spencre is passionate about the accessibility of herbal medicine, and encourages listeners to get to know a few herbs personally, whether or not they have access to their own garden. She also advocates for the use of herbs within their cultural context. Her honesty about her slow living journey has gained her a large following on TikTok, where she works to share openly about the difficulties and joys of living closely with herbs and plants. Topics Covered: Self-Expression Through Zines Herbal Cordials and Infusions The Beauty of Tulsi, or Holy Basil Our Healing Relationships with Herbs Getting to Know Our Herbal Allies Cultural Responsibility In Herbalism TikTok and Slow Living Diverse Uses for Nettles Resources Mentioned:  Blotto Botany Forest + Home: Cultivating an Herbal Kitchen (Available for Pre-Order) Verdant Feasts Workshop Connect with Spencre McGowan: https://www.gingertooth.com/ Instagram: @gingertooth TikTok: @spencrelinnea About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma!  Email us at [email protected] Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Marti Buckley captivates us as she portrays the rich culinary traditions of the Basque country of Spain, where slow living and seasonal eating are key ingredients to community life. Marti fell in love with Basque culture when she studied abroad in college, and has now lived in San Sebastian, Spain, for over ten years, where she has written two cookbooks about Basque cuisine. She hopes to give visibility to the little-known food, history, and culture of Basque country. Marti takes us on a journey through the way to eat in Basque country - from pintxos (similar to tapas) to dining societies, Basque traditions around eating provide inspiration and creativity to those of us looking for ways to slow down, eat closer to home, and delve deeply into community life. Topics Covered: Basque Culture and Cuisine The American Food Industry and the Myth of Convenience Slow Living and Long Lunches in Basque Country The Art of the Pintxo Connecting With Friends Through Traditional Basque DIning Societies Relearning Seasonal Eating Slow Living To Boost Nutrition and Well-Being Resources Mentioned:  Basque Country (Marti’s First Book)  Auxiliares Program Bottega Restaurant (Birmingham, AL) Connect with Marti Buckley:  https://www.travelcookeat.com/ Email: [email protected] Instagram:@martibuckley About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma!  Email us at [email protected] Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Lizzie Horvitz explores the subtleties and nuances of sustainability as she introduces us to Finch, a browser extension that rates products on their environmental and social impact as you shop online. Lizzie started Finch in order to empower customers to make informed, conscious choices as they consider the impact of what they buy. She is hopeful about the ways data and technology can address greenwashing and begin to shift our paradigm of unconscious over consumption. Influenced by the data she works with at Finch, Lizzie takes a pragmatic approach to sustainability, recognizing that there are no perfect solutions or simple answers when it comes to mitigating climate change, improving welfare for manufacturing workers, or shifting the standards to which we hold our products. She advocates for small, simple steps towards improved buying choices by providing the information that customers need to choose a sustainable life. Topics Covered: Decoding Sustainability with Data Choosing Progress Over Perfection The Nuances of What Makes A Product Sustainable Regenerative Agriculture and Alternatives to the Meat Industry Resources Mentioned:  Environmental Working Group Done Good Connect with Lizzie Horvitz: Finch Website Instagram @choosefinch Twitter @choosefinch or @lizzieh188 About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma! The winner will be announced in our 100th episode. Email us at [email protected] Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Despite her life being as busy as ever, Bex Partridge tells us about the ways it feels full of better, more fulfilling things since she made the shift from a corporate job to working as a full-time flower farmer and floral designer. Bex is the founder of Botanical Tales, a dried flower installation business based in Devon, England, where she provides beautiful, low-waste floral designs to her community from her own garden. Since moving to Devon, her family has enjoyed being part of a close-knit community which supports local makers and growers. She encourages listeners to trust the process as they seek to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, and to remember that we are not separate from nature - we all come from the good dirt. Topics Covered: Planting by the Moon The Winding Road of the Lady Farmer Lifestyle Floral Artistry and Dried Flowers The Benefits of Local Flowers Floral Design and the Wedding Industry World Events as Catalysts for Paradigm Shifts Rethinking Slow Living as “Full Living” Our Interconnectedness with Nature Resources Mentioned:  Bex’s First Book: Everlastings Bex’s Upcoming Book (Available for Pre-Order): Flowers Forever Guest Info: Bex's Instagram: @botanical_tales Botanicaltales.com Patreon Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

In this bonus episode, Mary and Emma chat about greenwashing in food, fashion and cleaning products. What do we mean by greenwashing, and how does an informed consumer know when a so-called "green" product is really better for the planet, or when they're being pulled in by marketing strategies that don't tell the whole story? Listen in and see what we have to say about it, and let us know what you think! Notes & Resources: Podcast Episode on Cotton with Mairin Wilson Email us at [email protected]! Follow us on Instagram @weareladyfarmer Continue the conversation in our membership, The ALMANAC

Mairin Wilson talks about the ways that Christy Dawn, a dress company based in Los Angeles, California, is transcending sustainability and seeking to create garments that regenerate land, businesses, and communities from the soil up. Rather than being satisfied with a net-neutral outcome when it comes to their agricultural, manufacturing, and employment practices, Christy Dawn is working towards a positive impact through innovative fundraising campaigns, regenerative farming methods, and high standards for transparency throughout the entire process of making clothes. As the Director of Regenerative Practices at Christy Dawn, Mairin has the privilege of visiting and working alongside farm and textile partners in India who are returning to traditional methods of farming, printing, and dyeing cotton cloth. She loves the way her job allows her to connect with the abundant life present in healthy soil, and is excited to continue working towards increasingly positive outcomes through regenerative practices. Topics Covered: Rethinking Weeds Organic Cotton Regenerative Agriculture and the Fashion Industry Innovative Economic Practices in the Textile Industry The Dangers of Conventional Cotton Block Printing and Natural Dye Traditions Resources Mentioned:  Gardenkeeper Gus Oshadi Collective Christy Dawn’s Farm to Closet Collection Guest Info: Connect with Mairin Wilson and Christy Dawn Website: https://christydawn.com/ Instagram: @christydawn LinkedIn: Mairin Wilson Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

April Gargiulo, founder of the skin-care company Vintner's Daughter, closes the loop between winemaking, soil health and sustainable skincare, as she tells the story of the slow beauty company she created to reflect her desire for quality, love for the earth, and production with an old-world mindset. April works from the foundation that fewer and better products are the remedy to a market built for overconsumption, and approaches skincare with the attitude of a winemaker: focusing on whole plants, active ingredients, quality sourcing, and soil health, resulting in a product made to an exacting standard of quality. For April, slow living means leaning into terroir, the unique flavor of a place that it carries due to the composition of the soil in which things are grown. Her intentionality and desire to engage with the details of the making process fuel her ability to serve her specific community, just as creators would have done in the pre-industrial age. Topics Covered: Slow Beauty Winemaking Holistic Skincare Routine Soil Health and Terroir from a Skincare Perspective Creating Products with a “Fewer, Better” Mindset Conscious Consumption Resources Mentioned:  Spirit Weavers Gathering Rosemary Gladstar Buddhist Economics Gargiulo Vineyards Guest Info: Connect with April Gargiulo Vintner’s Daughter Instagram @vintnersdaughter Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Fiber farmer Lisa Mitchell encourages listeners to embrace a beginner’s mindset and connect to the earth through handwork and making as she tells us the story of her major life shift, from striving for success as an art therapist in the suburbs, to slow living on a guanaco farm in the Pacific Northwest. Guanacos, the undomesticated ancestors of the alpaca, produce a unique and high-quality wool, but are often challenging to work with, and are not commonly farmed in the United States. In the absence of mentors and educational resources, Lisa and her husband set about spending significant time learning how to care for these special animals through experience, trial, and error, resulting in a fiber farm producing the highest quality wool on the market. Lisa seeks to “live with her hands” as she creates, and to practice making as an act of love - for the animals she lives alongside, for other people, and for the earth. Topics Covered: Seeking a different life Guanacos and Guanaco Wool Learning to Work with Natural Fibers Working with Natural Dye Embracing Beginner’s Mind Creating as an Act of Love Connecting with Reality Through Hand Work Resources Mentioned:  Black Sheep Gathering Guest Info: Lisa Mitchell's Website and Online Store, A Fiber Life Instagram: @afiberlife Podcast: https://afiberlife.com/podcast/ Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Learn about individual actions you can take to mitigate climate change and make sustainability attainable for everyone, with Stephanie Miller, author of Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way and founder of Zero Waste in DC. Stephanie left her job as a climate change specialist for the World Bank in order to simplify her own life, confront the disconnect she felt between her life and her work, and to take personal steps toward sustainability. She now empowers others in her community to examine their waste practices and connect with local resources for low-waste living. Stephanie recognizes how paralyzing it can be to think about climate change, and encourages listeners to focus on what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, ditching plastic, and recycling right, growing more confident and conscious with each choice. The joy and connection that result from low-waste living are paradigm shifting in themselves. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: The 80/20 Way - Perfection is not the answer Sustainability in Food Choices The greenwashing of “plant-based.”  Sustainable meat production vs standard industrial CAFO operations The problem of food waste Purge Plastic / Easy Alternatives Recycle Right/ the problem of “Wish-Cycling” The community-building aspect of cultivating a more sustainable lifestyle Finding joy in sustainable living  Resources Mentioned:  Stephanie’s Book: Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way Coining "dirt" to mean gossip: Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises Connect with Stephanie Miller: Zero Waste in DC Instagram @zerowasteindc Follow Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley, @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.

Join us in this conversation about the ins and outs of sustainable fashion, how it has evolved over the last decade and where it might be headed. In this episode, Shannon Lohr, sustainable fashion expert and founder of Factory 45, discusses her own journey in apparel production and her subsequent launch of Factory 45 as an online business school for entrepreneurs launching ethical, sustainable fashion brands. Shannon teaches courses on the entire process of brand development, from fundraising and marketing to production and manufacturing. She seeks to educate and empower both consumers and business owners to make sustainable choices as they buy, sell, and manufacture, focusing on the major benefits of these choices rather than on fear or shame. Shannon believes that more conscious consumers lead to a brighter future. As customers gradually come to know their purchasing power and begin to think about the impact of their buying choices, the market evolves and shifts toward a more sustainable outcome. While it doesn’t happen all at once, Shannon urges us to trust the process and keep making positive choices every day. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Sustainable Fashion Ethical Fashion Supply Chain Textile Manufacturing Rana Plaza Collapse Fashion Revolution Week Resources Mentioned:  Factory 45 https://factory45.co/ The Crowdfunding Factory https://crowdfundingfactory.co/ Guest Info Connect with Shannon Lohr  http://www.shannonlohr.com/ Instagram: @factory45co Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Challenge yourself to think a little deeper about what you buy with Rose and Doug Phillips of Conscious Clothing as they talk slow fashion, conscious consumption, staying authentic as business owners, and the “hearts and minds campaign,” encouraging consumers to delve into the impact of their purchasing power. Founded in Michigan in 2006, Conscious Clothing designs and creates beautiful, sustainable, and ethically sourced staple garments to complement a capsule wardrobe - all sewn in the USA.  Rose and Doug are not just passionate about sustainable clothing, but also cultivate opportunities for sustainable living through their business, creating systems that allow sewers to work on their own schedules at home and seeking authentic collaborations and relationships with like-minded companies. For them, the good dirt is all about those relationships: with others, with our purchases, and with the earth. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Slow Fashion Natural Fibers Conscious Consumerism Sustainable Fashion Slow Living Clothing Manufacturing Recycled Materials Microplastics Resources Mentioned:  Conscious Clothing https://www.consciousclothing.net/ “The True Cost” Documentary https://truecostmovie.com/ Guest Info Connect with Conscious Clothing Instagram: @consciousclothing Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/consciousclothing_/pins/ TikTok: @consciousclothing Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consciousclothing5104 Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

It’s #fashionrevolutionweek! We have a special bonus episode up for you today where we're chatting about our own personal stories regarding shopping, clothing, and the slow fashion journey. Tune in to listen to us chat about the ongoing fight against fast fashion, the beacon of hope that is slow living, and how to get in on the fashion revolution movement! Never miss an episode of The Good Dirt! Opt-in HERE to get a text from us whenever a new episode drops ✨ 🌿 Fashion Revolution Rana Plaza Collapse Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Sowing seeds of slow living is our mantra at Lady Farmer. Simplifying our belongings, prioritizing good choices in food and clothing, and choosing sustainable habits wherever we can all have a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our planet.

What do heritage livestock breeds have to do with sustainable and regenerative farming practices? For Aliza Eliazarov, photography was the discipline that helped her to confront the disconnect she felt with her relationship to her food sources and the land, and opened the door to the importance of preserving heritage breeds and supporting the regenerative farms that are raising them. Join us as we talk with Aliza, author of “On the Farm” a photo book about heritage livestock breeds, about her stunning livestock portraiture, our shared love of animals, and the benefits of raising heritage and rare animal breeds in contrast with conventional farming practices.  Aliza’s livestock photography career began when she noticed chickens in a community garden in New York city and decided to start photographing them. Since then, she has made portraits of all kinds of farm animals, from ducks to bison. Her work takes animals out of the context of the farm, focusing on the animals themselves and giving the viewer the opportunity to consider the role that these animals might play in their lives. Aliza believes that slow living comes easier through the observation and companionship of animals. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Photography  Conservation  Preservation Heritage Breeds  Resources Mentioned:  Modern Farmer Magazine Tammy White Good Dirt Episode  Liz Riffle Good Dirt Episode  Angela Ferraro Fanning Good Dirt Episode  “On the Farm”, Aliza’s Book  “Best Dog Book”, In Production  Guest Info: Connect with Aliza Eliazarov at alizaeliazarov.com Instagram @aliza.eliazarov Facebook, Aliza Eliazarov Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Learn to make space for what truly makes you happy using the power of refusal and conscious choice, with Danielle Alvarado of Sustainably Kind Living. Danielle’s educational online collective for the conscious consumer provides alternative resources to the harmful fast fashion, home, and beauty industries. Moved by the horrific stories she heard first hand from garment workers in Southeast Asia, Danielle found her calling by advocating for sustainable fashion and for a rejection of harmful and toxic industrial systems. After making the move to Italy to begin her family, Danielle found herself in a small Italian village where sustainable slow-living was simply the norm. Amazed by this new way of life and inspired by her experience in Asia, she began a blog to educate and advocate for a paradigm shift towards simple living. She now preaches about the power to bypass consumerism by asking, “What truly makes us happy?” and “What defines actual need?” Danielle knows that beneath all of the things we think we want, we are really longing for acceptance and connection back to each other and the Earth. She also knows that if we have the privilege to consider sustainable options, then we have the responsibility to select those options. Ultimately, she argues that slow living is, at its core, a call to show ourselves and the world greater empathy.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Please be advised, this episode contains mention of sexual assault and sexual violence.  Topics Covered: Sustainable Fashion  Consumer Culture  Fast Fashion  Child Labor  Social Inequality  Minimalism  Conscious Consumerism  Slow Fashion  Slow Living  Resources Mentioned:  Elizabeth Kline Good Dirt Episode  Fashion Revolution  The True Cost Documentary  Wildling Shoes  The Foresting School  Guest Info Connect with Danielle Alvarado at www.sustainablykindliving.com Instagram @sustainablykindliving and @sustykindliving  Facebook, Sustainably Kind Living Facebook, Danielle Alvarado  Pinterest, Sustainably Kind Living Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Slow sustainable fashion meets yoga in this heart opening episode with our dear Lady Farmer friend, Amanda Agricola. A true renaissance woman, Amanda is the creator of Flowy, a sustainable slow fashion brand providing comfortable, naturally dyed garments for yoga and life, using materials that bring a consciousness to how we cover our bodies. As an artist and entrepreneur, Amanda brings a thoughtful and intentional eye to her products, empowering her customers energetically while also supporting mother earth. A disheartened consumer herself, frustrated by the systemic failures of the apparel industry, Amanda created Flowy out of a desire to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the materials that cover our bodies. Not only does she make her products herself, but Amanda invites participation in the making process through natural dye workshops and by distributing seeds for customers to grow their own dye gardens. She also offers a do-it-yourself dye kit to further encourage awareness of this sustainable process. Working with nature through these hands-on, intuitive methods, Amanda integrates her lifestyle and work with her goal to create a little love and comfort in the world. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Yoga  Kundalini yoga Natural Dyes Conscious Closet  Slow Fashion  Recycled Materials  Natural Materials  Sustainable Undergarments  Resources Mentioned:  Maryland Institute College of Art  Ishamel by Daniel Quinn Tomorrow will be Better by Betty Smith  A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith The ALMANAC  Guest Info Connect with Amanda at www.flowylife.com  Instagram @flowy.life Amanda’s blog  Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Tune in to this weeks bonus episode with Mary & Emma in our discussion of “product fatigue,” that feeling of overwhelm with all the things on our shelves and under our sinks requiring end-of-use decisions about the packaging and containers. Despite our efforts to purchase sustainably and reduce waste, things seem to pile up and we are left wondering what to do with the remains. With “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” being the mantra for sustainable waste management, how do we decide which is most appropriate for so many products, every day? Join us as we give a couple of examples of our own struggles and solutions, and invite listener input as well! Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Join this "fruitful" and enlightening conversation with tree crops specialist, horticultural historian and agroforestry practitioner Eliza Greenman as she explains the evolution of the apple, horticultural tree crop history and shares her love for fruit exploring. A creator of niche products, Eliza is passionate owner of charcuterie company, HogTree, and is working towards the goal of creating orchard systems that function symbiotically with livestock to replace costly livestock feed. After a time pruning apple trees on an island off the coast of Maine, paired with her time abroad in Germany in apprenticeship with an apple grower and a formative research trip to Asia, the homeland of fruits and nuts, Eliza found her calling and became single- mindedly obsessed with apples. Now she is an advocate for natural wildlife practices and indigenous systems, stressing the importance of eating in season and shying away from global commodities. The conversation includes various types of fruit and nut trees such as pawpaws, mulberry trees, hickory walnuts, acorns, autumn olive and the infamous Bradford Pear, exploring all the ways these beautiful gifts can be nurtured and enjoyed.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Agroforestry  Agroecology Permaculture  Food Forests  Perennials  Fruit and Nut Trees  Bradford Pear  Red Delicious  Fire Blight  Heart Rot  Pollarding Autumn Olive Silvopasture agroforestry  Resources Mentioned:  US Apple - Lobbying  Back River Market  “Of New York” Series - Catalog of Fruit Varieties  The National Soil Fertility League  North American Fruit Explorers - NAFEX  John Bunker, Fedco Trees Francis Fenton  Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. These systems are intensively managed for both forest products and forage, providing both short- and long-term income sources.  Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/practices/silvopasture.php  Guest Info Connect with Eliza at elizaapples.com  HogTree charcuterie company  Fruit and Fodder  Instagram @elizaapples  Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Step into the world of collaborative art, natural textiles, plants, botanicals and slow fashion with owner entrepreneur and artist Megan Borukhovsky of Sister Nettle. As a mother and artist living in the hills of Tennessee, Megan’s work centers around natural textiles using botanicals, creating slow fashion with a “collaboration over competition” mindset. Sister Nettle strives to offer products that are fulfilling to both the makers and the recipients, creating a beautiful and reciprocal relationship that honors all of the women a part of the process. A community minded business woman, Megan discovered block printing and natural dyeing as an accessible, inclusive and sustainable art form. After a time living off grid as a homesteader, Megan found herself called to a return back to self and to the natural world and continues to embrace the values of slow living in her life and her work. Valuing her fellow artists and makers, Megan believes in sourcing from people who feel valued and called to the work that they do. The end product results in a beautifully slow garment that is created from a place of passion and positivity that sustains both planet and people.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Natural Textiles  Slow Fashion  Local Sourcing  Embroidery  Entrepreneurship  Women Artisans and Makers  Stinging Nettle  Oeko-tex Linen  Hemp  Resources Mentioned:  Events Sunchaser Retreats, [email protected]  Books Our Wild Farming Life Pre-Order and Author Meet and Greet Additional Resources: Cinnamon Ginger Oat Cookie Recipe inside The ALMANAC  The ALMANAC Online Community Membership  Sister Nettle  TS Designs Solid State Clothing Guest Info Connect with Megan at sisternettle.com Instagram @sister.nettle  Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Discover the power of the potluck as a community forum for the New Agrarian Revival, a movement based in the Bedford, Va. area that offers inspiration for deeply rooted living, cultivating the local food economy and community connection. Our guest today, Jason Fowler, is founder and organizer of Land and Table, an organization that sponsors a monthly potluck event for farmers and like-minded local food enthusiasts, and offers a unique opportunity to gather for a shared meal in an evermore disconnected world. Jason found that not only were these gatherings great opportunities to eat delicious local food, but were formative community building events. Ten years on and the tradition is alive and well, and functions as a time for meaningful connection in reverence for the land, local food, and one another. Throughout the episode, Jason tells his own story of seeking a different way of life for himself and his family, his journey back to the land and his role as community leader in the New Agrarian Revival. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Local Food Local Food Movement  Agrarian Philosophy  Community Building  Resources Mentioned:  Books “The Omnivore's Dilemma” by Michael Pollan “Farming as a Spiritual Discipline”  “Making Peace with the Land”  "The Art of the Common Place" by Wendell Berry  Podcast Episodes Great Day Gardens - The Good Dirt Episode 5 Other: Mountain Run Farm  Terra Numa - Nonprofit Organization The Parable of the Good Soil  The Stone Soup Story  New Agrarian Revival Guest Info: Connect with Jason at landandtable.com  @land_and_table on Instagram  Merch shop: @newagrarianrevival Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Discover author Julia Watkins' light and loving approach to gardening and to slow living as she shares her perspective on parenting, work, and finding joy and compassion in the midst of it all. As an author, photographer, fellow slow living enthusiast, and Lady Farmer friend, Julia has a wealth of knowledge about how to cultivate a slow and beautiful life in a way that is honest and approachable. Her new book, Gardening for Everyone is a beautiful guide to planning, planting and playing in the garden, that is sure to be a foundational reference for gardening year after year. During this catch-up conversation, Mary and Emma discuss with Julia how life has unfolded during the pandemic, how to find balance as a parent and as a creative, and how to use social media in ways that bring light and connection. In this honest and joyful conversation, Julia inspires an approach to life filled with happiness, grace and grounded in a love for good dirt. Topics Covered: Slow Living Social Media  Gardening  Perennials  Parenting during a Pandemic  Small Space Gardening  Resources Mentioned:  Pre-Order, Gardening for Everyone  Simply Living Well  Subscribe to the Lady Farmer Newsletter  The ALMANAC  Alys Fowler, "The Edible Garden"  The Fisherman and His Wife, Brothers Grimm  Julia Watkins Episode 31  Guest Info: Connect with Julia at simplylivingwell.com  @simply.living.well on Instagram  Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram The Lady Farmer ALMANAC, our online community Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

This week we spoke with historian, nonprofit founder, and author Tony Cohen, who operates Button Farm,  Maryland’s only living history center depicting 19th-century slave plantation life and the heroic story of the Underground Railroad. Tony has dedicated his studies and work to preserving the Underground Railroad’s history, historic sites and environments. In this episode, he  shares with us stories of his own travels along the Underground Railroad on foot, in an effort to recreate some of the original travelers' sensory experience of the landscape and the monumental physical challenges they endured in the pursuit of freedom. Tony also shares the story of meeting Oprah Winfrey and working with her in preparation for her starring role in the film, BELOVED, based on the book by Toni Morrison. Tony is founder and director of the Menare Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the creation of cutting edge educational programs, including an Underground Railroad immersion experience based on the work he did with Oprah Winfrey.    1:20 - Mary and Emma check in with the Slow Living Challenge 7:10 - The Spring Grow Your Own Food Intensive Let’s get into the interview! 8:40 - Tony introduces himself and The Menare Foundation 12:50 - Why start a nonprofit? 17:00 - Tony’s experience walking the route of The Underground Railroad 20:00 - Mary’s land and its connection to The Underground Railroad 27:00 - Tracking down your roots along The Underground Railroad 36:00 - Tony’s connection to the Harriet Tubman Museum 38:00 - How Tony got involved with Oprah Winfrey 49:00 - What is Button Farm? 57:00 - Tony’s work in relationship to Good Dirt  Mentions:  Slow Living Challenge Grow Your Own Food Intensive Workshop The ALMANAC Button Farm Living History Center The Menare Foundation The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guide Chesapeake Tours The Chesapeake Fibershed Beloved by Toni Morrison Mentioned in this episode: Join The ALMANAC Community ALMANAC TGD Discount

Discover the wonders of forest agriculture and agroecology with our guest Lincoln Smith, founder of Forested, an edible food forest devoted to sharing research and knowledge surrounding forest gardens through tours, classes and forest to table dinners. As a champion of good dirt, Lincoln believes that growing forest gardens as a form of environmentalism can reintegrate our lives with nature, and reestablish a connection to the forest as a food source. Having trained in landscape design, Lincoln brings his expertise to food forest projects in and around the DC area, and has seen first hand the effects an edible forest garden can have on a community. Forest agroecology is a slow but rewarding process, that can produce vibrant, delicious and often overlooked foods from native species. He knows that like the forest, humans are interconnected and when we rethink our approach to food and to nature, we can rethink our approach to life.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Edible Food Forests  Forest Gardens  Agronomic Science  Agroecology  Sustainable Landscape Design  Regenerative Agriculture  Rapid Land Development  Permaculture  Resources Mentioned:  Lady Farmer Slow Living Challenge  Forested   University of Maryland The US Botanic Garden  Maryland Master Gardeners Conference  Groundnut  Black tea chamomilla  Yaupon Holly  Yerba Mate Holly  Trugreen ChemLawn  Hyattsville Public Works, Emerson Street Food Forest Langley Elementary School Food Forest  Capital City Public Charter School Food Forest  Ddot  The Conway School  Yarrow  Nature by Design  American Native Plants  Chesapeake Natives  Persimmon Spice Latte - sub the pumpkin for persimmon! Guest Info Connect with Lincoln at Forested, LLC  Instagram @forested.us Newsletter  Youtube  Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The ALMANAC Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Tune in today for a brief check-in & wrap up from Mary & Emma on the progress of the Lady Farmer 2022 Slow Living Challenge, and to discuss this week's final focus and theme. Sign up for the Slow Living Challenge HERE. Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Sowing seeds of slow living is our mantra at Lady Farmer. Simplifying our belongings, prioritizing good choices in food and clothing, and choosing sustainable habits wherever we can all have a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our planet. Every winter for the past few years we’ve taken on a Slow Living Challenge together as a community to bring these ideas into action little by little, day by day, week by week. This year, we’re excited to offer this free challenge for four weeks, kicking off Monday, January 31st. Each week you will receive a downloadable calendar in your email inbox that includes daily prompts centered around a theme. We’ll be able to share our experiences together in community, with all of us walking alongside you, through #slowlivingchallenge on Instagram or within our private online membership, The ALMANAC. If you’re not yet a member, participation in the challenge gets you a free trial in this community!

Join us for this conversation with author, mother, model and beauty entrepreneur Jesse Golden of The Golden Secrets, as she shares her story of creating a sustainable skincare product line, and her tools for creating self love and healing, all while living with chronic illness. As founder and CEO, Jesse has created a multifaceted career with integrity by embracing natural products, ancient folklore and a sensorial and soulfully slow approach to beauty. From seed to skin, Jesse fostered a brand around making the most conscious choices possible at every stage of her business and sees her products as a tool to tune in with one's self, and cultivate rituals of self love and self affirmation. Utilizing her own health crisis and struggle with rheumatoid arthritis as her greatest teacher, Jesse has learned to embrace her hardships and built a soulful life and business full of light and inspiration. Jesse’s “golden secrets” are beacons of hope in a an industry full of toxin and false promises. When it comes to beauty, Jesse believes, nature is enough.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Rheumatoid Arthritis  Osteoarthritis Clean Beauty  Natural Beauty  Chronic Illness Retinol  Sustainable Packaging  Resources Mentioned:  The Golden Secrets Skincare Line Lady Farmer Slow Living Challenge  Dr Zach Bush  The Farmers Footprint  NRDC  The Loveland Foundation  USDA certified  Leaping Bunny Eco cert  FSC Forest Stewardship Certified  Plaine Products  “Our Wild Farming Life” Pre-Order  Lynn Cassells Podcast Interview  EWG - Environmental Working Group  Guest Info Connect with Jesse at The Golden Secrets  Instagram @jessegolden @thegoldensecrets Twitter @thegoldenglow Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Mentioned in this episode: Join The ALMANAC Community ALMANAC TGD Discount

Tune in today for a brief check-in from Mary & Emma on the progress of the Lady Farmer 2022 Slow Living Challenge, and to discuss this week's focus theme. Sign up for the Slow Living Challenge HERE. Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Sowing seeds of slow living is our mantra at Lady Farmer. Simplifying our belongings, prioritizing good choices in food and clothing, and choosing sustainable habits wherever we can all have a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our planet. Every winter for the past few years we’ve taken on a Slow Living Challenge together as a community to bring these ideas into action little by little, day by day, week by week. This year, we’re excited to offer this free challenge for four weeks, kicking off Monday, January 31st. Each week you will receive a downloadable calendar in your email inbox that includes daily prompts centered around a theme. We’ll be able to share our experiences together in community, with all of us walking alongside you, through #slowlivingchallenge on Instagram or within our private online membership, The ALMANAC. If you’re not yet a member, participation in the challenge gets you a free trial in this community!

Step back in time with living history fellow and historical baker, Justin Cherry, founder and owner of Half Crown Bakehouse, as he shares his love for nutrient rich ancient grains and 18th century bread baking methods. With his 18th century reproduction clay oven in tow, Justin travels to historic sites along the east coast of North America sharing his expertise on period correct methods and flavors, as well as, educating his patrons on the history and evolution of ancient grains and their uses in hopes of keeping this part of our history alive.  A maker deeply committed to his craft, Justin seeks to restore the baker and the hearth to a central part of our homes and lives. He started Half Crown Bakehouse out of a deep love for heritage grains and landrace grains and an awe and respect for this naturally slow process. For Justin, baking bread using historic methods is a way to return to tradition and to a way of life dependent upon community - a rekindling of a beautifully slow practice with a deep sense of place.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Heritage Grains LandRace Grains - often referred to as heritage or heirloom grains, are ancient, pre-hybridized varieties of wheat, barley, oats, rye and other grains that flourished naturally for centuries throughout the world where they adapted to local environmental conditions. Source here  Living History  Potassium Bromate  Bromated Flour Local Grain Windmills Waterwheel Gristmills Barley Wheat Spelt Einkorn  Haudenosaunee People  Seneca  Iroquios White Corn  Amaranth  Pink Lady’s Thumb  Red May Flour Resources Mentioned:  The Washington Library  Anson Mills New Ebenezer Settlement  George Washington's Mount Vernon  American Heritage Chocolate The Lady Farmer Slow Living Challenge  Lynn Cassell’s Good Dirt Podcast Episode  Pre-order “Our Wild Farming Life” inside the Lady Farmer Marketplace Sarah Marie Massee Episode  King Arthur Baking Company  Migrash Farm Fort Frederick 18th Century Market Fair  Revolutionary War Weekend  Connect with Justin: Half Crown Bakehouse  Instagram @halfcrownbakehouse Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The ALMANAC, our private online community. Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Mentioned in this episode: Join The ALMANAC Community ALMANAC TGD Discount

Tune in today for a brief check-in from Mary & Emma on the progress of the Lady Farmer 2022 Slow Living Challenge, and to discuss this week's focus theme. Sign up for the Slow Living Challenge HERE. Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Sowing seeds of slow living is our mantra at Lady Farmer. Simplifying our belongings, prioritizing good choices in food and clothing, and choosing sustainable habits wherever we can all have a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our planet. Every winter for the past few years we’ve taken on a Slow Living Challenge together as a community to bring these ideas into action little by little, day by day, week by week. This year, we’re excited to offer this free challenge for four weeks, kicking off Monday, January 31st. Each week you will receive a downloadable calendar in your email inbox that includes daily prompts centered around a theme. We’ll be able to share our experiences together in community, with all of us walking alongside you, through #slowlivingchallenge on Instagram or within our private online membership, The ALMANAC. If you’re not yet a member, participation in the challenge gets you a free trial in this community!

Rewild the land and yourself by farming in harmony with nature and leaning into regenerative practices that create habitat connectivity. Our guest today, Lynn Cassells, alongside her partner Sandra Baer, owners of Lynbreck Croft, had a shared dream of living closer to the land. And while the pair never meant to be farmers, they found themselves called to the task of stewarding a 150 acre croft in the Highlands of Scotland in 2016. Seized by a vision of farming in collaboration with nature, rather than against it, they began their mission of creating a place that honored not only their desire to grow their own food, but also the needs of the land and the animals, all working and thriving in a collaborative community. The whole story of how they unexpectedly became farmers and created a viable and sustainable working farm using their own combination of regenerative and rewilding practices is soon to be available in their upcoming book “Our Wild Farming Life: Adventures on a Scottish Highland Croft”. Lynn’s message - looking back doesn’t have to mean going back. Let the land do the leading and don't be afraid to rewild yourself along the way.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Regenerative Farming  Croft - A small agricultural unit and form of land use/ legal entity unique to Scotland: source via citzensadvice.org.uk  Rewilding - taking a piece of land and allowing it become self-willed; taking people out of the equation; reintroducing native species; restoration on a wild scale  Resources Mentioned:  Pre-Order Our Wild Farming Life: Adventures on a Scottish Highland Croft by Sandra Baer and Lynn Cassells  Wilding: Returning Nature to our Farm by Isabella Tree   BBC - This Farming Life Season 3  Lynbreck Croft Courses - “How to Farm”  The National Trust  Cairngorms National Park  Knepp Castle  “You Can Farm” by Joel Salatin  Guest Info Connect with Lynn Lynbreck Croft Instagram @lynbreck_croft Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Mentioned in this episode: Join The ALMANAC Community ALMANAC TGD Discount

Tune in today for a brief check-in from Mary & Emma on the launch of the Lady Farmer 2022 Slow Living Challenge, and to discuss this week's focus theme. Sign up for the Slow Living Challenge HERE. Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Sowing seeds of slow living is our mantra at Lady Farmer. Simplifying our belongings, prioritizing good choices in food and clothing, and choosing sustainable habits wherever we can all have a positive impact on ourselves, our community and our planet. Every winter for the past few years we’ve taken on a Slow Living Challenge together as a community to bring these ideas into action little by little, day by day, week by week. This year, we’re excited to offer this free challenge for four weeks, kicking off Monday, January 31st. Each week you will receive a downloadable calendar in your email inbox that includes daily prompts centered around a theme. We’ll be able to share our experiences together in community, with all of us walking alongside you, through #slowlivingchallenge on Instagram or within our private online membership, The ALMANAC. If you’re not yet a member, participation in the challenge gets you a free trial in this community!

Heal and connect with seasonal locally grown food and learn how to participate in a system that sustains our local economy, provides food access, food security and mitigates food waste. Our guest today, Liz Reitzig, saw that responsibly sourced food had the power to heal her family and community. In hopes of spreading the good word on the transformative power of this food, she started a buying club consisting of high quality foods from sustainable and regenerative local farms and artisans. She wanted to create consistent and convenient access to these foods and provide an alternative choice to the unsustainable industrialized system that currently prevails. Liz knows that access to shorter supply chains means not only supporting fair living wages for farmers and high quality conditions for our food but ensures our own food supply in the event of a larger scale supply chain disruption. The reward of eating local, getting to enjoy a deep connection to delicious, high quality food that is intrinsically linked to the land and the seasons.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: CSA - Community Supported Agriculture  Buying Club  Supply Chain Issues  Food Waste Raw Milk* Pasteurization  The Dairy Industry  Short Supply Chain Local Food  Sourcing Locally  Food Security  Food Waste Composting Resources Mentioned:  Liz Riffle of Riffle Bison Farm Good Dirt Episode  Veteran Compost 1000 Eco Farms  A History of Raw Milk Slow Living Challenge 2022 The ALMANAC   Liz's Store Guest Info Connect with Liz at http://nourishingliberty.com Liz's Podcast Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 *Raw milk for human consumption is a highly controversial issue and one that requires research and understanding on the part of the consumer. Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Join the minimalist movement, and design a simple, sustainable lifestyle that provides freedom from debt, consumerism, and cultural expectations. Our guest today is Ryan Mitchell, creator of The Tiny Life, who started his minimalist journey by challenging the American dream and having the courage to ask, what does the life I really want to live actually look like? He began by moving into his self built tiny house in 2012, sharing his journey along the way and connecting with other like-minded tiny house enthusiasts. This passion ultimately created a business that sustained his dream of an independent, pared down, low cost life – one deeply rooted in an understanding of slow living and the power of conscious choices. Ryan simplified his life by pausing to examine how he spent his time, money, and resources. He is now a life simplification expert and encourages everyone he meets to build a habit of questioning norms and stopping to think critically about your choices as a consumer. The key to minimalist living is to mindfully observe how you move through your life, how you use your resources, your time and your living spaces. Be bold and challenge assumptions. On the other side of hard decisions and self observation is a small, simple life that supports you and the planet.   Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Tiny Homes The Tiny House Movement  Homesteading Simple Living  Minimalism Marketing “PAS” - Identity the Problem, Agitate the Consumer, Present a Solution  Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Resources Mentioned:  Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living CODE???? Blog Post - 7 Day’s of “Real Food” Winter Meals The Tiny Life  Tiny House Living: Ideas For Building and Living Well In Less Than 400 Square Feet by Ryan Mitchell  “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” - Dave Ramsey “Children of Time” by Adrian Tchaikovsky “The Comfort Crisis” by Michael Easter  “Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart” by Gordon Livingston  Use code THEGOODDIRT for free shipping on The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living in the Lady Farmer Marketplace Guest Info Connect with Ryan at thetinylife.com  Instagram @thetinylifedotcom  Twitter @the_tiny_life Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Where does land stewardship and regeneration, natural wine production, sustainable farming practices and local community collaboration come together? On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, Mary and Emma talk with sisters Lisa Hinton and Ashli Johnson of Old Westminster Winery in Westminster, Maryland. Their story begins in 2008; when the family was unable to sell their farm, they united instead behind a vision of preserving it and putting the land into a thriving, sustainable and regenerative operation. They agreed that growing and making wines was an idea worth pursuing, and thus the dream of planting a vineyard was born.  Ten years later, Lisa, Ashli, and their brother Drew, are on a mission to craft distinctive wines with a sense of place. Through trial and error, and in collaboration with other growers to proudly represent their region and it’s beautiful varieties, they have been able to develop a style of wine linked to the land and the seasons in an intimate and intentional way. Hand-harvesting 30,000 bottles annually, their wines are alive, vibrant, and uniquely local. With a holistic approach to sustainability, this family business is all about creating a great product while taking care of their land and their community. This is truly a good dirt story!  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Grape Varieties  Natural Wines Chardonnay  Muscat  Chardonel  Albarino Cabernet Franc Maryland Wineries Land Stewardship  Terroir - to mean “a sense of place.” Essentially, terroir encompasses all of the factors that go into producing wine grapes in a vineyard, from the climate to the soil to the elevation. Source via jjbuckley fine wines.  Resources Mentioned:  Burnt Hill Farm H-2A Visa Program Migrash Farms  The Almanac  Guest Info Connect with Ashli and Lisa at Old Westminster Winery  Follow Old Westminster on Instagram Follow Us: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

Transform your microbiome and your life with cultured foods, and learn how the simple practice of food fermentation can promote mind and body healing. On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, Mary & Emma sit down with the founder of Cultured Food Life, Donna Schwenk. Many years ago, Donna found herself pregnant with her third child and in need of a lifestyle change. At 40 with a brand new baby she realized she wanted to live a vibrant life for her newborn and for herself. Enter “kefir'' and the beginning of Donna’s journey towards healing her body, mind and spirit. Cultured food was her pathway towards nurturing for herself and her family. Now Donna devotes her life to sharing the power that cultured food holds to transform your microbiome. Throughout the episode, Donna introduces us to the sacred trilogy that is fermented foods, kombucha and kefir while explaining how to rebuild your gut and reframe your mindset around bacteria. With over 350 free recipes on her site, Donna generously shares her abundant wisdom on cultured foods and on life. She knows when people feel good, they do good. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Resources Mentioned: Old Befana Podcast Episode  Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Body Ecology By Donna Gates Bifidobacterium  Einkorn flour  saccharomyces boulardii Lactobacillus Plantarum Seylou bakery Red phenol powder Fermented Foods Safety Guest Info Follow Donna at Cultured Food Life Instagram Twitter Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

You can begin healing the planet, improving your health and mitigating climate change right outside your door! On today’s episode of The Good Dirt we sit down with Justin West, the creative entrepreneur behind Thrive Lot – a marketplace platform on a mission to create food abundance by combining agroecology, landscape design and technology. Thrive Lot seeks to reimagine the lawn care industry by scaling permaculture and installing ecosystems into our very own yards. But to do so requires a shift in our collective idea of what we consider lawn care. We can create habitats for wildlife, regenerate the soil, reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate climate change by reimagining our lawns as a place where we grow our own food, produce medicinal herbs, fruit trees and vibrant ecosystems. With over 40 million acres of lawn in the United States - the largest single irrigated crop - it’s a concept ripe with potential, which is why we’re so excited to share our conversation with Justin as he dreams of a future where home agroecology is the norm, and where “good dirt” heals the world.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Agroecology--is the application of ecological concepts and principals in farming, combined to create a type of farming that is sustainable and in cooperation with nature.  Permaculture--the development of agricultural ecosystems that are self-sufficient and sustainable, drawing from an observation and imitation of systems in nature and resulting in crop diversity, resilience, increased natural productivity, less human intervention and more sustainability.   Carbon sequestration is "...the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change." Perennials vs Annuals  Resources Mentioned:  Thrive Lot Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Food Forest at Brown Mills  The Museum of Discovery and Science  Guest Info Visit the Thrive Lot website Follow Thrive Lot on  Instagram Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

Today we're talking to Cookie Washington, an African American quilting muralist and fourth generation needle worker, who addresses issues of race and social equality while celebrating the contributions of her African ancestral heritage and the  Divine Feminine in her work.  Cookie is the first in this long line of needle workers to take up art quilting, yet she feels her connection very deeply to her foremothers and her African-American history whenever a needle and bit of cloth is in her hands. Her passion for quilting is a way of communicating the African American woman’s experience.  In our conversation, Cookie shares several  fascinating stories around her recent projects, You’ll hear about mermaids and goddesses, and how she was divinely inspired to do  a series of eight quilts depicting The Black Madonna as a way of bringing the healing energy of the Sacred Feminine into the world. She also shares the heartbreaking story of her friendship with Reverend Clementa Carlos Pinckney, a senior pastor at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church  in Charleston who was murdered by a white supremacist terrorist in 2015, just days before they were to meet to plan an art exhibit in his church.  Cookie also shares with us some ancestral wisdom that is communicated through the bees, and the upcoming Return of the Bees Multimedia Project, which is an exhibit that  celebrates the history, evolution, and futurism of southern Black agrarian material culture, including fiber arts and heritage quilt making. The show will be in Charleston, South Carolina at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park, opening January 17th and running through Black History Month. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Mentioned: Website The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd The Return of the Bees Multimedia Project Acres of Ancestry Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Credits: Original Music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

Today's guest is Sara Marie Massee, a lead interpreter at George Washington's Mount Vernon. She works with the historic trades department, teaching and actually doing many of the skills and trades that were being practiced around Washington's estate during his lifetime there.  She oversees Mount Vernon's cooking, baking, and textile living history demonstrations to illuminate daily life in the 18th century.  Sara Marie has been in the field of living history for 16 years, 14 of them at George Washington's Mount Vernon. She spends her days talking to visitors about Washington's sustainable, innovative farming practices and demonstrating various trades that enslaved people and white, indentured workers would have done on the estate. Her favorite demonstrations are cooking and textile work (spinning, weaving, natural dyeing, and preparing wool, linen, and hemp fibers to be spun). In today’s episode, Dr. Massee shares anecdotes and stories that give us a glimpse of the the textiles industry in the 18th century and the role it played in the economy of George Washington's estate. Tune in to learn more! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: The history of textile production at Mount Vernon.  18th-century clothing and linen Working in the field of living history Resources Mentioned: Mount Vernon Guest Info Connect with Dr. Massee on Mount Vernon’s website Follow Us: Our Website Instagram

You're in for something a little different this Friday...it's a solo show with Mary and Emma! At Lady Farmer, we're always thinking about ways to shift our thinking to live into a more slow and sustainable lifestyle, and today is a great opportunity to do just that. What if Black Friday became Slow Friday, and what would that look like? Join us on this week’s episode of The Good Dirt as we share a bit about our own Christmas memories and experiences with gift-giving as well as how we're thinking about being more mindful with our consumer habits during the holiday season. Enjoy this week's episode, let us know what you think, and we'll be back with another interview next week! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: The negative impacts of consumerism and how to think differently about our consumer habits The importance that we have placed on gift-giving and receiving during the holiday season Slow Friday Challenge Resources: Unplug the Christmas Tree Christmas by Peter Spier Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Join us at the Lady Farmer Slow Living Retreat! Original Music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

This week we will hear from twin sisters Jess Boeke and Sarah Pottle of the Rust Belt Fibershed, a bioregional textile network growing hope and resilience through the use of local fibers. We speak with this dynamic duo on a multitude of topics, touching on ways to shift and expand our mindsets towards a more sustainable paradigm. Jess is an educator and fiber artist who has been working with natural dyes since 2008. Born and raised in Ohio, Cleveland, she is known for engaging and educating communities on the importance of local labor, dyes, and the carbon impacts of our soil-to-soil textile industry. In her teachings, she has inspired others on the promotion of ethical fashion and the importance of regenerative learning. Her twin sister, Sarah has personally coached hundreds of teachers through thousands of lessons in high-quality, equitable instruction. Her desire to create transformational systems change has led her on a daunting journey with her twin sister of slow living and sustainable fashion, spreading awareness on regenerative learning education in the Rust Belt Cities. Today we will learn more about how we can focus our relationships between people and the Earth in order to enable transformation in our society, explore the impact of the clothing and textile industry on climate change and incorporate more environmental teachings in the classroom. We will also speak to Sarah and Jess about what they envision for the future, their hopes and aspirations, and how we can continue to promote regenerative education learning in the classroom. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: What is regenerative living for modern families? How we can incorporate more environmental teachings in the classroom.  The impact of the clothing and textile industry on climate change. Resources Mentioned & Guest Info: Drift Lab Dye Studios Rust Belt Fibershed Connect with Jess and Sarah on their company website. If you're involved in the educational system (teacher, substitute, principal, para, school counselor, involved parent) and you want to know more about how we're trying to shift the educational paradigm away from a mechanical one towards one that's filled with more life, you can check out their podcast Regenerative Ed. Check out their workshops here. Follow Sarah & Jess: @groundedteaching Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Credits: Original music by John Kingsley - @jkingsley1026

Did you know that Gen Z is using fashion TikTok to fight climate change? Joining us on today’s episode is Sylar Saba, a Gen-Z influencer who shares her low waste sustainability tips by engaging online communities in small, fun, and meaningful ways. She shares her love for the outdoors and nature through her Instagram and TikTok platforms, engaging her community with #COOTD highlights (cute outfits of the day) and conscious outfit inspo, recipes, resources, and more. Skylar Saba is the Founder & CEO of Happy Earth Habits, a major supporter of mamma earth, mindful educator, & sustainability expert. She has grown a community of 40k+ changemakers around the world via Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. HEH has become a resource for sustainability education and low waste living. In addition, Skylar is the Founder and CEO of Skylar C Creative, a branding & social media agency for conscious businesses. She strives to connect individuals with the Earth and live more mindfully. Today we learn more about incorporating sustainable habits into our everyday lives, how perfectionism isn't necessary to live a low-waste life, as well as ways to share your favorite eco-friendly tips and tricks on social media. We will also be speaking to her about her hopes for the future and how we can take steps at the individual level to connect more deeply with the natural world. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Regenerative lifestyle from the perspective of Gen Z The difference between fast and slow fashion How to use social media to inform, educate and inspire Inspiring individuals to reconnect with the Earth and live more mindfully How low-waste living can help reduce carbon emissions Resources Mentioned & Guest Info: Overrated vs underrated Swedish Dish Cloths Happy Earth Habits Follow Skylar on Tik Tok @skysaba Follow Skylar on Instagram @happyearthhabits Follow Us: Our Website Instagram Credits: Original music by John Kingsley - @jkingsley1026

This week's episode is all about honeybees! Did you know that there are 4,000 different bee species native to North America? Honey bees, however, are not native to North America, but were brought here from Europe in the 17th century, and have since become are integral part of our ecosystem. They are efficient pollinators who, along with native bees, allow our food crops and the planet's flora to flourish. Factors in our environment such as climate change, habitat loss, and widespread usage of chemicals in modern-day agriculture are threatening to the bee population, and in turn, to our food supply. Bees have always been a part of Tierney Monahan’s life, and her fascination with them has been well-documented in her new book, Beyond Honey. She weaves together beautiful stories about the economic, entrepreneurial, and environmental impacts of bees on our society. Today we will be speaking to her about her fascination with bees and how she has documented them as a writer for the Georgetown Magazine, and as author of her book as an MBA candidate at Georgetown University. Tierney also shares with us her mission of educating individuals on the impact of honey bees on society. Join us on this week’s episode as we learn more about the importance of pollinators in ensuring our planet’s biodiversity, how to support local beekeepers and the global impact of Colony Collapse Disorder due to habitat loss and climate change. We will be speaking to her about her personal experiences in beekeeping, how it has enhanced her life and the lives of others, and how we can take steps as individuals to ensure the survival of these essential creatures. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: How has human activity and interventions affected bee populations? Why are bees important and what is the profound impact that bees have on our everyday lives? Washington DC’s healthy and robust bee population. The difference between honey bees and native bees Learn more about Colony Collapse Disorder Resources Mentioned: Tierney Monahan DC Beekeepers Beyond Honey Community Food Rescue Finding the Mother Tree The Overstory Kirsten Shockey @kirstenkshockey Christy Johnson @christijay Eva Kosmas Flores @evakosmasflores Original music composed, performed, and produced by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026. Guest Info Connect with Tierney on Twitter @TierneyMonahan Follow Us: Our Website Instagram

Today we're talking with Heidi Hannapel, cofounder of the Bluestem Conservation Cemetery, about options for green burial. We're also taking a look at our modern approach to death and the practices that surround it. Heidi and her business partner Jeff Masten are land conservationists and conservation burial specialists, concerned with the degradation of our planet through wasteful burial practices. They are committed to offering an alternative to conventional burial, working on green burial initiatives specifically tied to land conservation, encouraging a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impacts. Through the establishment of Bluestem, Heidi and Jeff's vision is to establish the concept of conservation burial as a tool for protecting natural lands, wildlife and plant species, creating healing green spaces and increasing community connections to nature, and creating opportunities for those seeking green burial options for themselves and their loved ones. In addition, we talk to Heidi about her personal journey with death practices and conventions, inspired by the time she spent being present to her own mother's illness and death in 2015. This experience left her with the realization that death and loss are shared human experiences worthy of active participation, both before the passing of the loved one and in the sacred space between death and burial. Our modern customs often separate us not only from the process of dying itself, but also from the opportunity to experience the the hours and days after the passing as an opportunity for powerful healing. Modern burial procedures also separate us from the processes of nature, in which remains of the deceased continue to be part of the natural life cycle of the planet. The idea behind rethinking our cultural death practices and considering green burial, and as in the case of Bluestem Conversation Cemetery conservation burial, is that human death be honored and embraced as a sacred passage, "where nature is enough." Join us on this week’s episode as we learn more about green burials and how they can contribute to land conservation efforts and lessen our impact on the environment. Stay tuned to learn more! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Green burial options/reducing environmental impact Integration of life and death through conservation areas Death doulas Home funerals and home burials Hybrid cemeteries Resources Learning from Trees Green Burial Council Conservation Burial Alliance Bluestem Cemetery Green burial NYT article Original theme music for The Good Dirt composed and performed by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026 Guest Info Bluestem Conservation Cemetery Website Bluestem Resources Page LANDMATTERS Website Connect with Heidi on Twitter @hhannapel Follow Us: Our Website Instagram