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A PODCAST FOR CALIFORNIA FARMERS

In these podcast episodes we hear directly from small family farmers throughout California, getting the real information and the stories behind the food we grow and eat. In Season 1 and 2, we pay particular attention to the innovative work small-scale farmers are doing to keep their food safe to eat and share techniques – farmer to farmer. In Season 3, we travel across the state to hear directly from farmers about how they are preparing their operations against wildfire, and sharing methods for recovery. Season 4 showcases practices around nutrient cycling and soil fertility management.

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SEASON 4

In this episode, we learn about integrated crop livestock management from two Northern California Farms. First, we hear from Lorraine Walker of Eatwell Farm in Dixon, CA, where they incorporate laying hens into their diversified vegetable production, and also touch on soil health and fertility management. Ken Walker of Pasture 42 in Guinda, CA then walks us through how they incorporate sheep and poultry into their orchards, which were designed with animal integration in mind. Both expand on the benefits and challenges of integrating livestock, as well as considerations for pasture, rotational grazing, and food safety.

Show Notes:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Emily Ayala
  • Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald 
  • Music by Blue Dot Sessions
 

Photo: Abel Ruiz

In this episode we delve into all things on-farm composting, from its production to its use and relevant agricultural policies. We hear from Abel Ruiz at CRECE Farming Collective in Santa Ana about various composting methods at a small scale. Then, Liz Schroeder of Spreadwing Farm in Rumsey shares about their use of compost on an organic farm, from considerations around sourcing compost to its application. Dave Runsten, CAFF’s Water Policy Director, also provides an update on the state of composting policy in California.

Show Notes:
 
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Emily Ayala
  • Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald 
  • Music by Blue Dot Sessions
 
 

In this episode we connect with Beth Reynolds of The Goat Girls, a women owned and operated contract grazing operation located on California’s Central Coast to learn about her successes and challenges with long term viability of the targeted grazing industry, especially as it relates to fire preparedness and fuels management. 

Over the last decade, California has experienced the most dangerous, destructive, and environmentally hazardous wildfires in the history of the state. Prescribed grazing is a versatile and ecologically-based wildfire mitigation strategy with scientifically proven benefits to our environment, soil, and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Prescribed grazing complements other vegetation management practices through the reduction of fuel loads and implementation in areas where controlled burns are considered too risky or not appropriate for the ecosystem.

Later in the episode, we join Senator Monique Limón on a tour of a grazing operation in Ojai Valley, who represents District 19 in Santa Barbara County. She authored Senate Bill 675 and introduced it in February of this year in order to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts by expanding statewide prescribed grazing efforts. 

Show Notes:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Amber Schat and supported by Grizzly Corps Fellow, Joshua Harjes
  • Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald 
  • Music by Blue Dot Sessions


SEASON 3

In this episode we visit Cheetah Tchudi at his diversified operation in Yankee Hill, Butte County, CA. Cheetah shares his experience surviving the 2018 Paradise wildfire, and some methods for recovery; addressing toxic ash using fungi to capture and and treat persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals.

Show Notes:

Production Team:

  • Podcast hosted by Amber Schat- Wildfire Resilience Specialist at CAFF
  • Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald 
  • Music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow describes her entry into ranching and how her love of the land positioned her to become a leader in developing and supporting community grazing cooperatives. Join us as Sarah shares her experience with wildfires in Sonoma County and how grazing is making a difference for regional wildfire protection and preparedness, while also working to reconnect locals with the ecology of the region and each other.

Show Notes:

Production Team:

  • Podcast hosted by Amber Schat
  • Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald 
  • Music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, we travel to First Rain Farm in Nevada County, where Tim Van Wagner is integrating a number of effective wildfire preparation methods on his property, as well as those of his neighbors and surrounding community. By combining targeted ecological grazing and prescribed burns, Tim is able to rehabilitate overgrown forests in the foothills to productive foraging systems that support greater biodiversity, sequester more carbon, and improve soil health and water quality in the region- all while also reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires. 

Show Notes:

Production Team:

  • Podcast hosted by Amber Schat- Wildfire Resilience Specialist at CAFF
  • Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald 
  • Music by Blue Dot Sessions 
  • Release Date: 12/14/2022

 

SEASON 2

Photo from Bai Thao

In this episode we visit Bai Thao at her farm in Sanger, CA. We learn about Bai’s family history in agriculture and her farming and food safety practices, including water testing and an inventive method for ensuring her tools stay sanitized.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque
Release date: 3/2/2022

Photo from Hillview Farms

In this episode we visit Shanon and Michael Whamond at their farm in Placer County, CA. We learn about Shanon and Michael’s farming journey, recent challenges and their farm’s food safety practices, including how they maintain produce quality during hot summer days and prevent risk of cross-contamination throughout busy days.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release date 3/9/2022

Photo from New Natives

In this episode we visit Ken Kimes at New Natives Farm in Santa Cruz County. We learn how New Natives pivoted during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, their food safety practices, including tips for passing a third party food safety audit, and walks us through the farm’s post harvest process and identifies helpful tools and equipment.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release date 3/16/22

Photo from Soil Born Farms

In this episode we interview Tyler Stowers, the farm manager at Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova, California. We learn about the organization’s history and growth, how they integrate food safety practices into their day-to-day operations as an urban-based education farm and address the food safety saying “never let produce touch the ground”.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release date 3/23/22

Photo from Civil Eats

In this episode we hear from Dr. Floyd D. Harris Jr. of Fresno Freedom School in Fresno, California. We learn about the organization’s history and mission to connect Fresno’s youth with agriculture, how they implement food safety practices as an urban-based education farm and tips for communicating their food and human safety guidelines to youth, parents and volunteers.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release date 3/30/22

Photo from Coastal Roots Farm

In this episode we visit Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas, California. We learn about the farm’s mission to connect agriculture, education and ancient Jewish wisdom. The farmers give us a tour of the food forest, production fields, laying hens and compost production, and describe how food safety plays a role in their day-to-day operations. Listeners can look forward to hearing tips and tricks related to food safety recordkeeping and volunteer and employee training.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 4/6/22

Photo from Jacobs Farm / del Cabo

In this episode we visit Jacobs Farm / del Cabo in Watsonville, California. Larry Jacobs, one of the co-founders, tells us about the company history and relationship with growers in Mexico. We learn how food safety regulations for imported produce helped identify contamination from an unlikely source, the importance of keeping wells covered and maintained, and tips for developing an engaging employee food safety training program.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 4/13/22

Photo from Wild Farm Alliance & CAFF

In this episode we interview Daniel Karp, Ph.D., Associate Professor at UC Davis studying conservation in working landscapes. Danny describes his research related to wildlife habitat conservation and bird activity on farms, and implications for food safety on produce farms. He also provides risk management considerations for farms with bird activity and resources for farms interested in attracting beneficial birds for their pest control services.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 4/20/22

Photo from California Climate and Action Network (CalCAN)

In this episode we visit Steve Fukagawa Farms in Kingsburg, California. Steve Fukagawa is a third generation Japanese farmer, growing organically in the San Joaquin Valley. We learn about Steve’s family history farming in California, his production of organic tree fruit and raisin grapes, and use of compost tea. We also discuss how the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) can impact the way growers use and apply soil amendments such as compost tea.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 5/4/22

Photo from Sysourath Farms

In this episode we visit Sysourath Farms in Fresno, California. Veomany Sysourath, a second generation farmer, shares about her family’s history emigrating to the United States, working in agriculture and eventually starting their farm. Sysourath Farms grows a variety of Southeast Asian specialty crops on leased land, which presents infrastructure challenges. We learn about the farm’s food safety practices and requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), plus innovative tools they use to ensure their farm complies with FSMA. 

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 5/11/22

Photos from Urban Tilth

In this episode we visit Urban Tilth, a community-based organization in Richmond, California. We learn about the organization’s mission and programs to cultivate agriculture and build a more sustainable, healthy and just food system in West Contra Costa County. One of the farm managers, Debora Supinski, describes their year-long journey to formalize food safety practices through writing a food safety plan and SOPs. Listeners can look forward to hearing about the farm’s approach to volunteer management, maintaining food safety across the farm and distribution and efficiencies behind their wash and pack station.

SHOW NOTES:

Photos from their wash and pack station:

Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 5/18/22

Photo from Donald Sherman

In this episode we visit Donald Sherman at his farm in Kerman, California. Donald owns and operates Sherman Produce, a year-round diversified vegetable farm and produce market distributing throughout Fresno County. Donald has been involved in agriculture his entire life and knows about managing on-farm food safety risks. We talk to Donald about his family business and involvement with the African American Farmers of California. Then, we dig into food safety topics like maintaining food safety across multiple farm locations and reducing risks during post-harvest processing.

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 5/25/22

Photo from Vitis and Ovis Farm

In this episode we visit Vitis and Ovis Farm, a multi-generational Swiss-American-Ethiopian family farm located in the Capay Valley and specializing in pastured duck eggs, fruit and medicinal herbs. We talk to Hans, Barbara and Giselle Herren about the 30+ years of stewarding their land, including the recent shift from producing only wine grapes to planning for a more diversified operation designed with permaculture principles. While they wait for their fruit trees to mature, the family shares how they plan to rotate ducks throughout their orchard while also maintaining food safety standards. They also describe some of the infrastructure changes they made recently to ensure their packing and storage areas are easy to clean and sanitize, and at lower risk of cross contamination. 

SHOW NOTES:
Production Team:
  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 6/1/22

Photo from Stone’s Throw Farm

In this episode we visit Stone’s Throw Farm, an organic vegetable and flower farm located in Colfax, California. We sat down with Bryanna Eisenhut, co-owner and operator of Stone’s Throw, to learn about her path to farming full-time and what it’s like to farm in the foothills of the Sierra’s. Bryanna also shares about the challenges and opportunities her family experienced while navigating the coronavirus pandemic and farming with young kids. Lastly, we hear how a winter storm ruined the farm’s original packhouse and how they recovered. Bryanna tells us about her favorite packhouse equipment and changes they made to improve food safety in their post-harvest operations.

SHOW NOTES:

Photos from the updated packhouse:

Production Team:

  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 6/15/22

Photo from Luna’s Farm

Queridas oyentes, este es nuestro último episodio de la temporada. Esperamos que disfrute de este episodio especial en español presentado por el productor de nuestro podcast, Jaime Roque. 

En este episodio, visitamos Luna’s Farm, una granja familiar Latinx multigeneracional que cultiva vegetales orgánicos en Hollister, California. Antonio Luna comparte sobre la granja de su familia y su historia agrícola en los Estados Unidos, que se remonta a más de tres décadas. Aprendemos cómo la granja reduce los riesgos de inocuidad alimentaria a través del uso del agua, la capacitación de los empleados y la evaluación previa a la cosecha para detectar la intrusión de animales. Antonio también comparte consejos para otros agricultores sobre el mantenimiento de registros de inocuidad alimentaria.

​​NOTAS DEL PROGRAMA:

Production Team:

  • Podcast hosted by Grace Perry
  • Audio engineering and editing by Jaime Roque

Release Date 6/22/22

The second season of the Farmers Beet is funded by the California Speciality Crop Small and Medium Scale Farm Food Safety Technical Assistance Program, made possible by the United States Department of Agriculture.

SEASON 1

Photo from Live Oak Farm

Show notes:
Release date: 2/27/19

Photo from Full Belly Farm

Show notes:
Release date 3/6/19

Photo from Foothill Roots Farm

Show notes:

Release date: 3/13/19

Photo from Red Shed Farm

Show notes:

Release date: 3/20/19

The first season of the Farmers Beet is funded by the National Farmers Union’s Local Food Safety Collaborative.

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