Jamie Balesteri is the Farm Production Manager at Coastal Roots Farm, managing the crop production fields, propagation house, food forest, laying hen flocks, and compost operation. Prior to joining Coastal Roots Farm in 2021, she worked with several farms and farmers markets in the Phoenix area while earning a degree in Food and Nutrition Management with a focus on Sustainability. She also has a certificate in Permaculture Design and is passionate about healing people and the planet through good food, community, and regenerative growing practices.

In this episode, we discuss the roundabout way that Jamie came to farming, and the recommendations that she has for anyone that’s interested in pursuing their interest in food systems work. We talk about what it means to work intuitively with land, and why being able to listen is a key skill for farming success.

Tune in to learn more about:

• The differences between working on a for-profit farm versus a non-profit farm

• Striking the balance between letting nature take over versus stepping in to intervene and influence the growth

• Revisiting the importance of volunteering on farms

• Engaging with regional and international food systems

• How regenerative farming can be healing in surprising ways

• The quiet way that our body shows us how in alignment we are

• The joys of fermented foods throughout the seasons

• How nutritional education can often lead us astray

• … And so much more!

Connect with Jamie:

• Follow her on Instagram: @jbalesteri92 and @coastalrootsfarm

• Visit the Coastal Roots Farm website: www.coastalrootsfarm.org

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel