Podcast: The Goddess & The Medicine Woman

Hosts: Melissa McHugh and Sydney Decker

Episode: 90

Guest: Greg Peterson

Greg Peterson is a lifelong food-growing enthusiast with a deep passion for sustainable agriculture. His journey into the world of aquaculture began at an early age, with a focus on growing fish for food. By his teenage years in the 1970s, Greg was building fish ponds for backyard food production.

Witnessing the vulnerabilities in our food system, Greg started growing his own food and discovered Permaculture in 1991. This discovery profoundly shifted his perspective from a linear to a regenerative way of thinking.

In 2001, while completing his degree, Greg initiated The Urban Farm project, transforming his home of 32 years into an old growth food forest. He mastered rainwater and greywater harvesting, reuse of building materials, fruit tree cultivation, and harmonious interaction with nature.

Greg emphasizes the critical importance of understanding food origins and self-sufficiency in food production due to our current broken food system. His vision is encapsulated in the question: “What if there was a garden and fruit tree in every yard?”

Over 32 years, Greg developed one of Phoenix's pioneering environmental showcase homes for urban farming on a 1/4-acre yard, featuring over 80 fruit trees, rainwater and greywater harvesting systems, solar applications, and extensive use of reclaimed materials.

In 2003, Greg founded UrbanFarm.org as an educational portal for urban farming. In 2015, he launched the Urban Farm Podcast to share gardening stories and insights, furthering his mission of promoting homegrown food.

• Greg's Early Years: Greg began with fish farming in 1981 and explored the potential of creating waste-free fish farms.
• Permaculture Principles: In 1991, Greg attended a Permaculture Design Course, aligning his thinking with nature's regenerative processes, contrasting monoculture with nature's balanced ecosystem.
• Urban Farming: Discussion on the potential of urban farming, including indoor farming solutions for low-income households and the importance of local food production. Sydney shares a client’s project in Pittsburgh similar to Greg’s initiatives.
• Sustainable Food Systems: Greg believes cities are ideal for growing food and advocates for tower gardens, hydroponics, container farms, and community farms to decentralize corporate farming.
• Global Inspirations: Greg's visits to Croatia and Italy, where front yard gardens are common, highlight the feasibility and benefits of urban gardening.
• Education and Outreach: With decades of teaching experience, Greg dedicates his life to educating others about sustainable farming in small spaces. He offers courses and runs the Urban Farm Podcast, providing valuable resources for aspiring gardeners.

Discover Healthy Soil with Greg Peterson

Visit HealthySoilHacked.com for a free video series on building healthy soil, which is essential for a successful garden. Learn about:

• The 5 Components of Healthy Soil
• Sheet Mulching 101
• Parri's Instant Garden (how to build a garden in one day for under $100)

Join Greg Peterson as he shares his insights and experiences in creating sustainable, self-sufficient urban farms. His decades of dedication to permaculture and urban farming provide invaluable knowledge for anyone looking to start their own food-growing journey.

Tune in to Episode 90 of The Goddess & The Medicine Woman podcast to hear more from Greg Peterson about the art and science of working with nature and transforming urban spaces into thriving food forests.