Episodios

  • 203. Axe & Root Homestead’s Angela Ferraro Fanning on Permaculture and Sustainable Living
    Jul 19 2024
    Angela Ferraro Fanning built and runs the Axe and Root Homestead in New Jersey. After suffering from postpartum depression, Angela wanted to remove herself from modern day hustle culture and return to nature, growing as much of her own food as possible. She grew from her own private garden to a fully functioning farm, and shares the empowerment that comes along with homesteading with our audience today. Sitting down with Emma and Mary in this follow-up to her original episode “Homesteading is What You Make It”, we catch up with Angela’s progress in running her farm a few years later after she was certified as a permaculturist by Cornell University. Angela shares insights about the evolution of her farm, managing a variety of plants and animals, and implementing permaculture principles into her lifestyle. She talks about publishing her books “The Sustainable Homestead” and the “Little Homesteader” series , growing protein-rich crops as a vegetarian, and raising a family on a farm. She leaves us all with why she believes it is vitally important to remember the legacy we leave for the people who take over the land after we’re gone. Topics Discussed · Eco-friendly Permaculture Homesteading · Maintaining Geese, Ducks, Apiary, Sheep, Orchard, and Garden · Being a Vegetarian Homesteader · Leaving Graphic Design and Web Design for Nature · Food Allergies & Pesticide Pain · Pros and Cons of Eating According to the Season · Compromises for Family · Finding a Flexible Sustainability Sustain that Works For YOUR Lifestyle · Mary’s Raspberry Story · Preserving Your Food · A Mugwort Invasion · Growing Strawberries · Working with Horses · Raising Kids on a Farm · Spending Time Outdoors · Compromises, Saltwater Pools, and Honeybees · Cultural Shifts Post-Pandemic · Writing “The Sustainable Homestead: Create a Thriving Permaculture Ecosystem with Your Garden, Animals, and Land" by Angela Ferraro-Fanning · The Little Homesteader Books · Seitan · Growing Beans, Garbanzos, and Quinoa · Impact of COVID on Homesteading Episode Resources: · Listen to The Good Dirt “Homesteading is What You Make It with Angela Ferraro Fanning of Axe & Root Homestead” · Listen to The Good Dirt “Homesteading is a Mindset with Angela Ferraro Fanning” · Read Angela’s Books including “The Sustainable Homestead”, “The Harvest Table”, “Design for Change”, and the “Little Homesteader” series · Listen to Vox Media’s “Today Explained: Honey, We Saved the Bees” Connect with Angela : · Axe & Root Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axeandroothomestead/ · Website: https://www.axeandroothomestead.com · Angela’s Photography Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angferrarofanning_photography/ · The HOMESTEADucation Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homesteaducation/id1593301801 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: · Wendy Gray
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    1 h y 2 m
  • 202. Pee the Change You Want to See: Urine For A Surprise with Amy DuFault
    Jul 12 2024
    In this special episode, Emma and Mary are catching up with their first guest ever featured on the podcast, Amy DuFault. A writer on sustainable textiles for 15 years, Amy has dedicated her next chapter to reconnecting with the roots of her home on Cape Cod. Amy brings us along from her career in various aspects of sustainability in fashion and textiles to her current focus on water quality. She has dedicated her next chapter to reconnecting with the roots of her home on Cape Cod and is now working as communications director at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center. You will hear about Amy's work with growing natural dye plants in wastewater and innovative solutions for water sustainability. Finding her “why” was key to Amy’s journey as her drive to heal the earth is directly tied to her late father's environmental awareness, and a deep longing for the return of the environment she remembers as a child. Topics Discussed · Fibershed · The “Why” Behind Your Sustainability · Your Personal Toolkit & How to Use it to Change · Sustainable Fabrics and Clothing Practices · Determining Your Value System · Working with the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Tech Center · The Fear Around Eco-conscious Businesses · The Umbrella of Sustainability · Where Our Clothing’s Color Comes From · Natural Dye Farmers · The Priceless Value of Waters · Sanitation Practices · Experiments for Optimal Flower Growing · NOFA: Northeast Organic Farming Association · Septic Tank Issues · Saltwater Intrusion · Exploring Wastewater Fertilization · Revitalizing Septic Systems and Destroyed Bodies of Water · The Cape Cod AquiFund · Pasteurized Urine · Restoring Your Home · Eco-grief for the Way the Environment Was · Government Support and Funding · Water Quality · Preserving Our Ground Water Episode Resources: · Listen to The Good Dirt’s 1st Episode with Amy DuFault · PROJECT: Wastewater’s Impacts On Natural Dye Plant Growth & Color · Botanical Colors · Feedback Friday Videos · Read “The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future” by Peter Gleick · The Rich Earth Institute · Read "Everybody Poops!" by Justine Avery · Read "Everybody Pees!" by Justine Avery Connect with Amy DuFault: · Website: amydufault.com · Instagram: @amytropolis · Links: https://linktr.ee/amytropolis · Southeastern New England Fibershed ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: · Wendy Gray
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    1 h y 3 m
  • Slow Living Through The Seasons | July
    Jul 9 2024
    Tune in to the July episode of Slow Living Through the Seasons, in which Mary highlights the nostalgic soundtrack of July flies, the societal and physical impact of air conditioning, gardening by the signs in midsummer, and a simple recipe for fermented cucumbers. With the 12th episode in this series, we've now completed a full journey around the sun with seasonal reflections, memories, gardening guidance, tips, and a whole year of planting and gardening by the signs of the moon. After taking a pause from this monthly program, Mary will be picking up this discussion again but in a different format moving forward, bringing it more directly into the community for sharing and conversation and adding more personal interaction into the experience. Read more what's in store for Slow Living Through the Seasons HERE https://ladyfarmer.substack.com/t/seasonal-living PINE TREE GARDEN SEEDS Order their seeds today from superseeds.com and use our promo code: GOODDIRT2024 for 20% off your entire order! NEPTUNE'S HARVEST ORGANIC FERTILIZERS Use code GOODDIRT at checkout for 5% off your order for products from the ocean to set your plants in motion 🌊 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray
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    17 m
  • 201. Exploring Eco-Spirituality with Mary & Emma
    Jul 5 2024
    In this thought-provoking episode, Emma and Mary delve into the concept of eco-spirituality, discussing its origins, significance, and their personal experiences with it. They reflect on various interviews they've conducted with guests who have touched on this topic, exploring the integration of spirituality with a love for the earth and nature. The episode is a deep dive into how eco-spirituality informs their work with Lady Farmer and The Good Dirt podcast, and how it serves as a path to healing both personally and globally. Key Points: Introduction to Eco-Spirituality: Eco-spirituality combines the study of ecology and spirituality. Historically, spirituality and nature were never separate until modern times. The separation between humans and nature is perceived, not real. Personal Journeys: Mary shares her spiritual journey and how it led to her interest in eco-spirituality. Emma discusses her observations of environmental changes growing up and her connection with nature. Influential Conversations: Recap of impactful interviews with guests like Ian C. Williams, Paul Hawken, and Asia Suler. Insights on how eco-spirituality involves healing oneself to heal the earth. Themes and Reflections: The importance of language in discussing eco-spirituality. The challenge of integrating spirituality and ecology without perpetuating the idea of separateness. How personal healing practices can contribute to environmental regeneration. Practical Applications: Encouragement to connect with nature daily as a form of grounding and healing. Discussion on how eco-spirituality can be a response to climate change and environmental degradation. Exploring ways to live with eco-spiritual principles in modern society. The role of sacredness and reverence in how we treat the natural world. Resources Mentioned: Ian C. Williams' book, Soil and Spirit, Seeds of Purpose, Nature's Insight and the Deep Work of Transformational Change Asia Suler's book, Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections on Self Healing from the Living World Osprey Orielle Lake's work on climate justice and rights of nature Claire Dunn's experience of living in nature for a year The Good Dirt Episodes Mentioned: Mary DeJong Ian C Williams Asia Suler Leah Rampy Osprey Orielle Lake Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 Claire Dunn 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray
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    28 m
  • 200. Homesteading is a Mindset with Angela Ferraro Fanning of Axe & Root*
    Jun 28 2024
    *This episode is a replay of Episode 64, initially published on October 22, 2021 under the title Homesteading is What You Make It On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, we’re chatting with Angela Ferraro Fanning of Axe and Root Homestead, a six-acre farm in central New Jersey. Angela shares the story of how she went from being a graphic designer to a homesteader in 2012, when she told her husband she'd like to trade her job income for time outside growing food they would no longer have to buy. Now she finds herself balancing a life raising two boys with managing a working farm, as well as authoring a cookbook, a children's book series and hosting a homesteading podcast. In this conversation, we discuss not only the benefits of growing your own food, but the many options available to the modern homesteader. Though the concept of homesteading appeals to a lot of people, the reality of shifting to such a lifestyle is often intimidating and seemingly full of obstacles. Angela explains that homesteading doesn't look the same for everyone, and doesn't have to be defined by what you see when you look out your window. She encourages her followers to begin with the smallest task, such as growing one plant, and taking that longing for connection to food and nature just one step at a time. It doesn't have to involve raising and harvesting your own animals, or all of your food, baking artisan bread or keeping bees. There are likely others in your area that can do all of that. Instead, she says to focus on what interests you, and rely on your community for the rest. The homesteading mindset is about hands-on, local, seasonal living. Join us on today’s episode to hear more about the first steps that Angela took in growing her own food, how she got comfortable with the constant trial and error of homesteading, and how she’s slowly expanding her business through writing and online media. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: A day in the life of Angela The joys and challenges of farm life Getting back to basics and not relying on machinery Homesteading on a plant-based diet Sharing her story and expertise through writing, podcasting, and online courses Guest Info Website Instagram The Definitely Not Simple Life Podcast The Harvest Table: A Collection of Seasonal Plant- Based Recipes Inspired by the Home Garden Little Country Cottage: An Autumn Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom Follow Us: Our Website Instagram
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    50 m
  • 199. Coming to our Senses with Author and Retreat Leader Leah Rampy
    Jun 21 2024
    Leah Rampy, author, educator and retreat leader, discusses her work and recent book release“Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos”. She emphasizes how facing the reality of climate change and loss can help us open our hearts and "come to our senses" , allowing our grief to empower us in reconnecting to the living world. Leah integrates ecology, spirituality and personal practices in guiding others to deepen this relationship. In this conversation, we also discuss the epidemic of loneliness, the importance of community, the concept of indigeneity and the challenges of finding one's place in a changing world. We hear all about the co-housing community in West Virginia where Leah lives with her husband, and her involvement with the Church of the Wild-Two Rivers, a place to find hope through community and connection with nature. Topics Discussed · Leah discusses her book · Working with Al Gore & Biodiversity for a Livable Climate · Eco-Anxiety and Eco Grief · Older vs. Younger Generation Perceptions of Climate Loss · The Loss of Spring · How Being Busy Distances Us from the Earth · The Paradigm of Human Superiority · Our Language towards Nature · Distance or Disconnection · The Beauty of Worms · The Co-housing Movement · The Epidemic of Loneliness · A Community of Like-minded People or Like-hearted People · Indigeneity and Connection to the Land · Active Listening to the World Around Us · How Science Helps Us Understand Our World · The Tricky Thing about Hope · Age Diversity · Retreats and Pilgrimages Episode Resources: · Read “Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos” by Leah Rampy · Biodiversity for a Livable Climate · Shepherd Village · The Church of the Wild · Read the Lady Farmer Article "St Brigid The Lady Farmer” · Listen to The Good Dirt “The History and Folklore of Bridgid: Saint, Legend and Lady Farmer with Kathy Spaar” · Listen to The Good Dirt “185. Reimagining Our Place in the Landscape: Eco-Spirituality and Rewilding with Mary DeJong” · Read "Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest" by Suzanne Simard Connect with Leah Rampy · Website: https://www.leahmoranrampy.com/ · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahrampy/ · Join Leah’s Mailing List: https://www.leahmoranrampy.com/subscribe.html ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: · Wendy Gray
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    56 m
  • Juneteenth: A History and Reflection on Emancipation with Tony Cohen {REPLAY}
    Jun 19 2024
    This bonus episode originally aired on June 19th, 2021 We have a special bonus episode for you this week in celebration of our newest national holiday-- Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time. Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today. The trio grapples with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done. Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world. Let’s get into the episode: 1:30 - Emma introduces this week’s special episode 3:00 - Tony Cohen on the history of Juneteenth 15:00 - The transition into freedom 20:00 - The shift to “waged” labor and the evolution of slavery 28:00 - Fair trade 31:00 - Local emancipation 41:00 - Celebrating Juneteenth 42:30 - The happenings at Button Farm 48:00 - Creating Community Things Mentioned: Button Farm Oprah’s visit The Menare Foundation HipCamp - Camp at Button Farm Anthony Cohen The Good Dirt - Episode 31 The AG Reserve - Montgomery County The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guide Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday Lift Every Voice and Sing DC Emancipation Day Montgomery County Historical Society 13th Amendment 14th Amendment 15th Amendment 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: · Wendy Gray
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    44 m
  • 198. Giving Back to the Earth: Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds
    Jun 14 2024
    This episode was initially published on April 21, 2023 under the title The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening Internationally acclaimed landscape designer, activist and bestselling author of The Garden Awakening and her newly released title We are the Ark, Mary Reynolds discusses her efforts to restore the earth through her global ARK campaign, (Acts of Restorative Kindness). She launched her career by achieving a gold medal for garden design at the Chelsea flower show in 2002, the story of which was made into a 2016 movie called “Dare to be Wild”. She later founded the global movement “We are the ARK”, an organization advocating for more wild spaces and to raise awareness of our current extinction event. Topics Discussed Mary's new book We Are the Ark: Returning Our Gardens to Their True Nature Through Acts of Restorative Kindness with illustrations by Ruth Evans Mary's story of the pivotal moment that changed her career How Mary reframes the concept of gardens The ARK concept How the idea of feeding the world is greenwashing, when we should support the world to feed itself. Floral designer Amber Tamm @ambertamm Doug Tallamy, founder of Home Grown National Park - a grassroots organization regenerating local biodiversity Native species vs non-native plants and how they affect local eco-systems The 100th monkey syndrome Shifting Baseline Syndrome/ Daniel Pauly How has Mary's mission evolved from The Garden Awakening to We Are the Ark Mary's project in Westport, County Mayo The difference between a garden and an ark is intention How can people become less afraid of the wildness? Where does Mary find hope that we will be able to save the planet and ourselves? Spreading the message of The ARK all over the world From What is to What If written by Rob Hopkins The book Silent Spring written by Rachel Carson Connect with Mary: Website: We Are the Ark Instagram: wildmarymary 🌻 About Lady Farmer: · Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community · Visit Our Website · Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram · Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: · Wendy Gray Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network. Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered 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.
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    1 h y 20 m