Living Homegrown Podcast with Theresa Loe (general)

142: Small Scale Farming on Just 5 Acres or Less

Listen, we all have to eat. Right?

And if you’re into consuming organic, sustainable food, you either have to grow it yourself or find reliable sources from people with the same values that you have.

Chances are…you’ll find those values in your local, small-scale farmer!

In today’s episode, host Theresa Loe interviews Josh Volk who is a small-scale farmer, farming consultant and an author. He wrote a book featuring 15 small-scale farmers from across the country. It showcases how they were making it in the compact farm world and it's fascinating.

So if you’ve ever thought about becoming a farmer, you’ll love this episode.

But...even you DON'T want to be a farmer, you'll love this episode. And that's because it really shows us how important the small organic farm is within our food system and how we need to support their efforts with our purchases.

You will learn:

  • Is it possible to start a farm as a “side gig” (part time)
  • What is bio-intensive food production
  • Are there advantages to farming in a small way
  • What are the 3 pillars of sustainability a farmer needs to follow
  • How is “success” as a farmer defined
  • What trait do most organic farmers share
  • How a “sampler share” CSA fits smaller families and smaller farms

 As always, you can get more links and info on this topic at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/142 and you will also find a full transcript of the show there.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership - The Living Homegrown Institute where you learn how to live farm fresh without the farm through monthly masterclasses and community. To learn more, go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/courses 

Direct download: 142_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:45am PDT

LH 141: How to draw in beneficials and pollinators with flowers

There are huge rewards when you grow your vegetables and flowers in one space of your garden.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe brings on flower farmer Lisa Ziegler to explore exactly how we can use companioning planting to draw in beneficial insects, pollinators and so much more.

You will learn:

  •      Which flowers will help your tomatoes and why
  •      How your planting space determines sunflower height
  •      The difference between cool and warm season annuals
  •      How to prevent overwhelm when growing veggies
  •      Why native bees are so awesome for veggies
  •      A different way to do CSA farm memberships
  •      Lisa’s favorite sunflower for cut flower bouquets

As always, you can get all the links mentioned in the episode at www.LivingHomegrown.com/141 and you will also find a full transcript of the show and more articles and podcasts for Living Farm Fresh Without The Farm.

This podcast episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership program - The Living Homegrown Institute where you learn the skills for a living farm-fresh lifestyle. Go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH to get the free PDF outlining how to have success on your own farm fresh journey.

Direct download: 141_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27am PDT

LH 140: Maximizing Flavor in Our Veggie Recipes

As seasonal eaters, foodies and even as gardeners, we understand the nuances of locally-sourced cucumbers, fresh picked herbs and heirloom tomatoes.

It doesn’t matter if we grow these foods ourselves or not.

We understand their value and we want to deliver the very best of their flavors to our dinner table.

Well, what better way to learn how to bring out the best flavors in seasonal produce than by talking to someone who is known for their delicious plant-based cooking?

And if that someone is also a gardener?  Well, then we are in for a TREAT!

Such is the case with this week’s podcast episode.

Host Theresa Loe invited on Laura Wright of "The First Mess" Blog to share her chef secrets to delicious vegan and vegetarian meals.

You do NOT need to be vegan or vegetarian to use these chef tricks. 

All that matters is that we learn new and exciting ways to showcase the wonderful flavors of our garden. And you’ll get that from this interview!

You will learn:

  • Where the name The First Mess comes from
  • Why we needn’t worry about protein in good vegan meals
  • What are “Flavor Savers”
  • Do we have to buy weird ingredients to eat plant-based foods
  • Which sweeteners work best
  • Which ingredients make the best egg substitutes
  • What makes whole spelt flour so special
  • A great way to use up chard from the garden

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/140 to get all the links mentioned AND a free, printable PDF of Laura's Chard Soup recipe and links to more podcast episodes on growing cool veggies.

This episode was brought to you by Theresa's membership site: Living Homegrown Institute where you learn to live a farm fresh lifestyle without having a farm.

Direct download: 140_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:24am PDT

Episode 139: How to make delicious bread with one simple recipe

You’re busy. And you probably long for more delicious, wholesome food…made at home.

But you just don’t have the time to make things like homemade bread on a regular basis.

Good news!

Author Alexandra Stafford has the perfect bread recipe for people like us. It comes together in under 5 minutes, rises quickly and it bakes in a jiffy.

So simple, yet SO delicious!

The best part is…This one bread recipe can be turned into everything from focaccia and pizza to hamburger buns and even…dessert!

Host Theresa Loe has been baking her way through Ali’s book for the last few weeks and she LOVE'S IT.  She had to have Ali on the show to share her secrets.

 

You will learn:

  • How this closely guarded family recipe remained a secret for so long
  • The simple ingredients & steps to making the bread
  • The best tips for using the bread in other ways
  • How to get the right water temperature every, single time
  • The unusual vessel Ali recommends for baking & why
  • Ali’s favorite recipe for using up slices of bread
  •  Tips for making fresh and dried bread crumbs
  • How best to store bread crumbs for later use
  • And so much more

As always, you can get more information, links and resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/139 as well as a full transcript of the episode. 


This episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's Living Homegrown Institute - her membership site. If you want to see where you are on your own farm-fresh path, check out her free PDF at: www.LivingHomegrown.com/PATH for more info. 

Direct download: 139_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am PDT

#138: Busting Myths About Backyard Chicken Care

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to keeping backyard chickens or you’re a seasoned veteran – there’s always more to learn!

With each change in the weather, comes a whole new set of considerations about their care.

And dealing with extreme cold, extreme heat or even molting can make us worry about them…a lot!

To help us get a handle on seasonal care of adult chickens, host Theresa Loe brought on Kathy Shea Mormino – better known as The Chicken Chick®.  She gives it to us straight when it comes to what’s essential in backyard chicken care and what she believes we should absolutely NOT be doing at all.

Her recommendations might surprise you!

You will learn:

  • How to know if your coop is too cold or too hot
  • If you should ever heat your coop in winter
  • The best ways to add ventilation
  • The best way to break a broody hen
  • The truth about food-grade diatomaceous earth
  • The truth about adding vinegar to the chicken waterer
  • Tips for helping your chickens through their molt
  • And more...

As always, you can go to www.LivingHomegrown.com/138 to get more resources, links to other chicken related episodes and a full transcript of the show in PDF format. 
This podcast episode was brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership site, Living Homegrown Institute.

Direct download: 138_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27pm PDT

The basics of worm composting (Vermicomposting)

If you’re a gardener, you totally “get” that compost is awesome. But you may not have jumped on the DIY compost bandwagon because you either don’t have the space or you worry it’s too complicated to do well.

Fear not!

Vermicomposting may be the answer for you.

Also known as “worm composting”, it’s one of the easiest ways to compost kitchen scraps in a small space. And to be honest…the little worms feel more like pets than worms.

Yeah…sounds weird..but it's true!

But ask anyone with a worm bin and they'll probably admit that they develop a fondness for those little wigglers that they never expected.

On this week’s podcast, host Theresa Loe brought on author Michelle Balz to chat about everything vermiculture – which is the process of using worms to create compost.

You will learn:

  •      How composting benefits your garden & the earth
  •      Where you can set up a worm bin (hint: Inside your home is ok!)
  •      Why it won’t smell if you do it right
  •      Which worm is best and where to get them
  •      The step-by-step directions for setting up a bin
  •      How to care for and feed your worm bin
  •      What NOT to feed your worms
  •      And more…

As always you can get more links and free resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/137 including a full transcript of the show. 
This week's episode is brought to you by Theresa Loe's membership, the Living Homegrown Institute.

Direct download: 137_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:06am PDT

Using Design Principles for Our Smaller Veggie Gardens

Just because we have an edible garden does NOT mean it can’t be beautiful. In fact, it should be even MORE beautiful than the average backyard.

In this episode, host Theresa Loe brought on garden designer Susan Morrison to talk about some simple design principles we can use to make our backyard space more usable and beautiful at the same time...even our veggie garden space!

You will learn:

  •      The biggest mistake most homeowners make these days
  •      Why we may not want a lawn if we have kids
  •      Create ways to make the backyard usable
  •      The 3 W’s of a good design philosophy
  •      The best 2 vegetables for dramatic color in a garden
  •      How to use containers to bring the design together
  •      And so much more

As always, you can get all the links mentioned and information about Susan's new book at www.LivingHomegrown.com/136 as well as a full transcript in PDF form. 

Direct download: 136_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:11am PDT

How one homesteader balances family life with raising farm animals and bees.

There's so much processing done to the food in our grocery stores today that much of that food is unrecognizable. And that processed food has certainly lost most (if not all) of it's nutritional value.

Homesteading is one way to take back control of the food that we eat. When we grow our own food, we know EXACTLY what's on our plate and where it came from.

 

This week, host Theresa Loe invited Kristina Urquhart, author of The Suburban Chickento talk about raising a young family on a homestead. They dive into the challenges of producing your own food, raising meat rabbits, and everything you could want to know about beekeeping.

Kristina shares the story of how she and her husband struggled at first to get a financial foothold on their dream, and how dedication, hard work, and some creativity made that dream a reality.

You will learn:

  • Why it’s so important for our kids to know where their food comes from
  • Which meat rabbit is good as a full service animal
  • Where should you start if you’re interested in keeping bees
  • Which books are best for beginning bee keepers
  • Why sometimes homesteading doesn’t always go as planned
  • What can keep you motivated to keep going
  • And there's some bloopers at the very, very end...LOL

As always, you can get more free information and all the links mentioned at www.LivingHomegrown.com/135 and you get a full PDF transcript as well.

This episode is brought to you by the Living Homegrown Institute - Theresa's online membership for living farm fresh without the farm.

Enjoy!

Direct download: 135_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26am PDT

Learn how mead is made (in a sustainable way) with local honey and fruit

Mead is an old-fashioned drink that's been around for centuries. If you aren't familiar with mead, it's an alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey and it can be DELICIOUS.

Host Theresa Loe invited Nick Lorenz of Nectar Creek Brewery on to talk about the art of crafting mead.

This drink is experiencing a resurgence thanks to companies like Nectar Creek. But they're doing WAY more than just producing a tasty beverage. They use locally sourced honey and educate their taproom guests about the importance of honey and bees.

We can all say 'Cheers' to that!

You will learn:

  • Why supporting the local farmer can support the bees and visa versa
  • The science and process of making mead
  • What fermentation science is and how it relates to sustainable agriculture
  • Why it's important to these brothers that their mead be farm to table
  • Which yeast gives the best results
  • How a mead is flavored and the nuances of those flavors

As always, you can learn more and get all the links at www.LivingHomegrown.com/134 including a full transcript of the episode.

Direct download: LH_134_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:36am PDT

Why Grow THIS, When You Can Grow THAT

Who wouldn't want to grow something like purple sugar magnolia peas, cape gooseberries, cucamelons, or dragon's egg? These unusual and heirloom varieties of vegetables add an element of fun in the garden and flavor to the table. Plus, they make our veggie gardens more magical...especially if we have kiddos.

So let's change what we grow this year and dive into the HUGE variety of tasty, exotic looking vegetables that honestly take very little effort.

Host Theresa Loe invited Niki Jabbour, author of Veggie Garden Remix, to share her tips on getting experimental with our vegetable varieties this year.

You will learn:

  • Why amaranth beautifies your garden while expanding your flavors
  • Which undervalued plant tastes like pineapple with a hint of vanilla
  • Why French gold, dragon's tongue and red swan beans are all "must haves"
  • How Sugar Magnolia has a purple pod, green peas and tastes amazing
  • When to pick a loofah gourd and how to cook it (yes, they're edible!)
  • How hand-pollinating will guarantee a more bountiful harvest
  • Which varieties are so beautiful, they are Instagram worthy

As always, you can get all the links mentioned and more free resources at www.LivingHomegrown.com/133 including Theresa's Favorite Seed Sources PDF, a full transcript and Theresa's handy guide for garden/food experts looking to create online courses. 

Direct download: 133_LivingHomegrown_Podcast.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:36am PDT