In today’s mini episode, we explore some fun facts about seeds! Each tiny seed holds within it the blueprint for life—whether it's a plant, a tree, or even an entire ecosystem— and I wanted to highlight some interesting information that I’ve learned over the years.

Tune in to learn more about…

• The shelf life of seeds and how “dormant seeds” work
• The story of the 2000-year-old date seed
• Why wildfires are ecologically important
• How seeds adapt to extreme climate factors
• The importance of seed saving
• The surprising truth about apples, coconuts, and potatoes
• ... And more!

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 18: Let’s Talk GMO’s

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel

Many people want to make the switch from grocery store chains to local farmers markets, but experience some barriers that have prevented them from doing so. In today’s mini episode, we’ll be exploring tips for navigating your local market.

Tune in to learn more about…

• Normalizing the confusion that comes along with familiarizing yourself with the culture of farmers markets

• The feeling of distrust in what’s being sold

• Three key questions to ask the farmers that you’re interested in buying from

• Why not having organic certification doesn’t mean it’s not organic

• The truth about pesticides

• The importance of building community with people that grow food in your area

• Planning in advance for seasonal produce

  
  

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel

Laura Baum, a former clinical herbalist, is a holistic business development coach who works to strengthen holistic healthcare by strengthening holistic healthcare service-based businesses. She offers businesses a holistic lifestyle coaching framework to assist patients and clients get improved health results at home to enhance the benefits of practitioner services. Laura also helps these businesses market and sell this offer and step into thought leadership opportunities to strengthen the industry.

We discuss how a health crisis led Laura to discovering her passion for herbalism, and how her journey through connecting with plants in a new way transformed her health. She explains what it means to be a clinical herbalist, how the dominating medical systems work to disempower people, and the ways that alternative medicine can bridge the gaps.

Tune in to learn more about:

• How developing relationships with plants can teach us about ourselves

• The importance of empowering ourselves through our food and our daily habits

• How herbalism is directly addressing ecological balance and restoration

• What gets in the way of our ability to communicate with plants

• Changing our perspective to see plants as sentient beings

• The implications of “plant blindness” and the importance of learning the names of the things that grow around you

• The power of the garden and the transformative impact of immersing ourselves in nature

• … And so much more!

Laura’s Links and Resources:

• Laura's Botanicals Website

• Laura's Botanicals on Instagram

• Complimentary Course: Holistic Solutions to Improve Your Lifestyle

• YouTube Channel: Laura Baum Holistic Health Business Coach

• Facebook Group: "Braiding Sweetgrass" Study Group

• Facebook Group: Richmond Herbalism Guild

• Published Article on Plant Communication

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel
  

Asher Cloran is the Director of Life Rocks, a not-for-profit aimed at protecting childhood by connecting children to Nature. Asher is a passionate advocate for Earth Science Education for Kids and having Earth sciences and Nature studies at the heart of the curriculum. Asher has authored the book 'connecting children with nature' and is the co-creator of 'The Soil Education Kit' and "The Soil Book,". Asher is also a holistic lifestyle coach and integrative movement specialist with the C.H.E.K Institute and a bio-energetic nutrition and lifestyle consultant.

We discuss the power of Earth Sciences to uplift culture, humanity and the Earth, and why Earth Science ought to be at the heart of the curriculum. We also explore why the schooling systems values are not aligned with our best interests and what we can do to re-shape it, as well as the most prominent myths and mistakes that we need to dispel around health, childhood and our diet.

Tune in to learn more about:

• How an early connection with nature can help with healthy development

• Why our over-emphasis on teaching kids about technology has become a barrier to connection with nature

• The importance of leading by example when it comes to protecting the planet

• The accidental ways we disempower children when we teach them about the global climate crisis

• How ADHD can be regulated through nature immersion

• What body temperature can tell us about the state of our health

• The importance of cultivating curiosity and awe in everyday life

• How a lack of curiosity is correlated with higher rates of dementia

• Actionable ways to connect with the Earth

• … And so much more!

Connect with Asher:

• Follow him on Instagram @liferocks.school

• Follow him on Facebook @liferocks.school

• Connect on LinkedIn

• Subscribe on YouTube at @LifeRocks.School and @LifeRocksKids

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel
  

Sequoia was born in New Zealand and raised in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California. She got her masters in Soil Science from UC Davis in the Gaudin Agroecology lab, and is currently a livestock operator in Petaluma, California, working with Coastal Land and Livestock, implementing targeted grazing with sheep and goats.

We start by discussing soil, from a detailed breakdown of what soil is made up of, to a discussion about why soil is a key component of our conversations about climate change. We talk about Sequoia’s experience as a livestock operator, and how targeted grazing with various animals impacts the health of the grazed land. We also explore a paper Sequoia is currently working on about how we can think about our food systems using a framework of power, motives, values, and relationality, and what a re-envisioned food system, backed by the principles of agroecology, might look like.

Tune in to learn more about:

• A dive into the organic, mineral, and air components of soil compositions

• Soil in the context of agriculture and food systems

• Why soils end up being different colors

• The role of microbial life in soil

• How soil health impacts the nutritional profile the foods grown in it

• The process of building relationships with animals that are slow to trust

• Targeted grazing with small ruminants and why specific animals are chosen for it

• The necessity of making sure grazing animals get the nutrients they need

Connect with Sequoia:

• Follow her on Instagram @sequoia.rw

• Gaudin Agroecology Lab

Resources Mentioned:

• Sequoia's Paper: A knowledge creation framework for academia toward agroecological transformations of food systems

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel

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

In today’s mini episode, we explore the question of how to get started on your path towards working in food systems. I discuss my own non-linear path to getting to where I am today, and offer advice for steps to take to getting involved in this ever-evolving landscape.

Tune in to learn more about…

• The many examples of non-farming jobs in the food systems sector, from activism and policy-making to education and food waste reduction

• The importance of networking and connecting with others that are already doing what you’re interested in

• Why you need to put yourself out there

• How to apply seemingly irrelevant skills to the job you want to do

• Why farming is not meant to be done alone

• … And so much more!

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel

• The Farm Lab in Encinitas: If you’re local, we would love to meet you! https://farmlab.eusd.net/volunteer

Today we’re joined by Morgan-Lea Fogg, Co-Founder of Nautical Farms. Morgan set out to change the world and disrupt food systems by building a modern farm that promotes sea greens and creates sustainable food & bath goods that are just as healthy for consumers as they are for the planet. With a background in community building at Summit- a thought leadership event series, Morgan-Lea also is focused on building sustainable ocean farming networks and has her own kelp farm off the coast of Maine.

In today’s episode, we explore what it means to do aquaculture farming in a regenerative way, and how the state of the aquaculture industry has rapidly evolved over the last decade. We also discuss the urgent need for entrepreneurs in the space to come up with novel ways to utilize our most abundant resources, from using seaweed as a replacement for single-use plastic to creating sustainable biofuels, fabrics, and even skin care products.

Tune in to learn more about:

• What inspired Morgan to become a seaweed farmer

• The importance of self trust when you’re starting a new endeavor

• How to seek out mentors in the aquaculture industry

• Aquatic polyculture with mussels, oysters and seaweed

• The challenges of being a woman in the industry

• Morgan’s focus on building sustainable farming networks

• The time sensitive nature of seaweed after it’s harvested

• Tips for how to know if the seaweed you’re consuming is of high quality

• Why most seaweed is imported into the US and why you should opt for local sources

• The difference between certified organic seaweed and non-organic seaweed

• … And so much more!

Connect with Morgan:

• Visit the website at www.nauticalfarms.com

• Follow Morgan on Instagram: @nauticalfarms

Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel