Best Jordan Marr Podcasts (2024)

1
How BC Drought Managers Make Tough Water Allocation Decisions 38:57

5d ago38:57

38:57

This episode returns to the subject of drought and how the government manages water scarcity. This time: an interview with Nicole Pyett, a hydrogeologist and Water Resources Section Head, Authorizations for the Thompson Okanagan region with BC's Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Scroll down to find a bunch of resources NIcole mentio…

1
The Current State of Farmers Markets in BC 41:55

19d ago41:55

41:55

My guest today is Wylie Bystedt, a farmer based in Quesnel and the current board chair of the British Columbia Association of Farmers Markets. Wylie joined me on the phone to trumpet a recent study conducted at the University of Northern British Columbia that confirms what Wylie already knew: that farmers markets in BC are growing in popularity and…

1
Bolen Livestock: Farm-to-Table Beef in Jaffray 48:50

1M ago48:50

48:50

My guest today is Brody Bolen. He's 28 years old and a third generation rancher and butcher based in Jaffrey, in the southeast corner of BC. Brody's grandparents established the ranch in 1957 as a commercial cattle operation. Brody and his wife Kashtyn now live there and operate a farm-to-table business model in which they're directly involved in e…

1
Water Scarcity in Westwold and Around the Province 52:34

2M ago52:34

52:34

This episode I speak with Tom Walker of Country Life Magazine and BC Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen. Much of BC has experienced various stages of drought in the last few years, with each successive year of drought compounding the issue of water scarcity in numerous parts of the province. In some areas, water scarcity…

1
Dominion: Cider in Summerland 45:24

2M ago45:24

45:24

This episode: a conversation with apple grower and cider maker Mike Harris of Dominion Cider Company in Summerland. You'll learn how a guy went from an oil & gas job and no farming experience to managing an apple orchard and producing good cider in just a few years, why the snobs who say you can't make good cider with dessert apples are totally rig…

1
Zak Vescera on his reporting about BC's migrant farm workers 55:34

2M ago55:34

55:34

Zak Vescera just wrapped up a stint at The Tyee as its labour reporter, and last August he launched a series focused on the housing and working conditions of BC's migrant farm workers. Here's a link to the first article in the series. The series was deeply reported, and went beyond specific allegations to look at the value of seasonal farm worker p…

1
Wild Antho: Beekeeping in Armstrong 41:07

2M ago41:07

41:07

Welcome to a new podcast about farming in BC! This first episode, a conversation with Emily Huxter, a beekeeper based in Armstrong. In our conversation, Emily contrasts honey production on the prairies and the Okanagan, why the economics of beekeeping is probably not what you have assumed, and why 50% of a jar of 100% Canadian Honey may actually be…

1
A Critique of Canada's Pesticide Oversight 1:08:48

8M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

In the summer of 2023, Bruce Lanphear, Professor of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, resigned his position as co-chair of a recently formed Science Advisory Committee of the PMRA, which regulates pesticide use in Canada. Dr. Lanphear felt he could no longer lend his credibility to the agency following disagreement about the Terms of Refe…

1
The North Pole Apple Sector Podcast Has Folded 1:36

1y ago1:36

1:36

Thank you for inviting me to your gathering in Penticton!By Jordan Marr

1
Condensed Version of the Apple Sector Questionnaire from Jordan's Presentation 14:43

1y ago14:43

14:43

Episode one contains just about all the perspectives shared by Katie, Hank, Mani, Josh, and David. In this episode you can hear the condensed version that I shared in my presentation in Penticton.By Jordan Marr

1
The Inaugural North Pole Apple Sector Podcast Episode 42:02

1y ago42:02

42:02

Hello, BC Apple Sector professionals! This is a fake podcast with a real episode featuring a few voices from your sector sharing their thoughts about the apple industry in BC. The version shared in this episode is the unabridged one. Here, I've included just about all the perspectives shared by Josh, Hank, David, Katie, and Mani. For the condensed …

1
I Threw Out The Turkey You Sold Me. 14:44

1+ y ago14:44

14:44

The Ruminant's first ever holiday special! Fellow Canadians, don't @ me. The original version of this piece was produced for Canadian Thanksgiving, for radio.By Jordan Marr

1
Big Chicken, Indebted Farmers 47:05

1+ y ago47:05

47:05

The US chicken industry is dominated by just a few very large, vertically integrated companies. They directly control every stage of chicken production from hatching to distribution, except that they outsource the riskiest stage--raising the birds from chick to mature bird--to independent farmers. In this episode, guest Patti Anderson of the Johns …

1
The Case for Slower 23:32

2y ago23:32

23:32

This ep: we introduce a new segment called Farm Sounds. This time: when the tradeoff that comes with a gain in efficiency on the farm doesn't feel worth it. Plus another installment of The Farmer Questionnaire.By Jordan Marr

1
Crop Wild Relatives in Plant Breeding 53:44

2y ago53:44

53:44

This episode I speak with Dr. Patrick Byrne, Professor Emeritus of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Colorado State University. Our topic: crop wild relatives, the forebears to all of the agricultural crops we love and depend on. Patrick helps us understand the relationship between, say, Teosinte and modern corn, and why the conservation of these wild…

1
The Very First One. It's about potting blocks! 1:06:33

2y ago1:06:33

1:06:33

The interview we planned to record yesterday and release today was postponed, so I dug up the very first episode of the show, from way back in 2012, until now never released on the newer podcast feed. It's an interview with Jason Beam about potting blocks, you lucky ducks. We'll be back with a new episode in two weeks, promise.…

1
The Biggest Little Disappointment 42:12

2y ago42:12

42:12

This episode: to mark the release of an update (sort of?) to Netflix's big, farmy 2018 hit The Biggest Little Farm, herein we review both the original documentary (Netflix) and an update, called The Return of the Biggest Little Farm, which dropped on Disney+ on Earth Day. Also: another installment of The Farmer Questionnaire! This episode was produ…

1
I Hope You Die: Livestock Farmers on the Threats They Receive 47:37

2y ago47:37

47:37

This episode, three farmers who slaughter animals reflect on the experience of encountering hate, vitriol and worse from animal rights activists. This episode was produced by Jordan Marr & Philippa Mennell.By Jordan Marr

1
Did Certified Organic Pay a Price for its Success? 1:00:16

2y ago1:00:16

1:00:16

This episode: Rebecca Kneen, a BC-based organic farmer & brewer, whose roots and activism in the organic sector go back decades, on the evolution of organic standards and oversight over time, some aspects of which she has misgivings about. Rebecca put her thoughts down in an open letter that was the basis for this coversation; you can download a PD…

1
Let's Whet Together 56:30

3+ y ago56:30

56:30

Hi Everyone! Herein: four audio segments I think you'll enjoy. Each comes from a 25-episode podcast series I'm in the middle of producing for my province's annual organic conference. So yeah, this is a teaser for the conference, but be assured that each segment in this episode stands alone as an interesting piece of audio on its own merits. More in…

1
Drivecast No. 3 33:52

4y ago33:52

33:52

I've had it with trying to produce a show during the farming season so I cut out a lot of production & administrative BS by just cold-calling people to see what they have to say. Episode 3.By Jordan Marr

1
Drivecast No. 2 55:16

4y ago55:16

55:16

Episode two of driving around and cold-calling people. Mainly farmers and extension specialists. A good mix of strangers and friends. Mostly to talk about the pandemic, but really to talk about anything food or farming related.By Jordan Marr

1
Drivecast No. 1 29:30

4y ago29:30

29:30

In which your host catches you up on things as quickly as possible, and then makes some calls.By Jordan Marr

1
Rotational Grazing Tips with Sarah Flack (e.111) 51:36

5y ago51:36

51:36

Tristan Banwell, BC-based rancher and occasional co-host of the show, recorded this interview with Sarah Flack, author of The Art and Science of Grazing: How Grass Farmers Can Create Sustainable Systems for Healthy Animals and Farm Ecosystems. From Sarah’s website: Sarah Flack is an author and consultant specializing in providing practical informat…

1
Participatory Plant Breeding (e110) 44:40

5y ago44:40

44:40

This ep: my interview with Alex Lyon, a UBC Postdoctoral Fellow focused on seed systems and plant breeding for diverse farm environments. Alex is involved in a number of projects that recruit commercial farmers to assist in the development of better seeds, and she joins me on the show to talk about them. Show sponsor: The Small-Scale Meat Producers…

1
Farming is Gay 1:15:29

5y ago1:15:29

1:15:29

This ep: a few perspectives from members of the LGBTQ community who farm This ep: a few perspectives from members of the LGBTQ community who farm Show sponsors: BCS America BC Small-Scale Meat Producers AssociationBy Jordan Marr

1
e108: Aliwawa? 35:31

5y ago35:31

35:31

In which your host tells you all about his experiences sourcing certain farm equipment using Alibaba, the massive, China-based gathering place for buyers and manufacturers. He'll take you through all the steps, from confusion to suspicion to curiousity to impulsivity, before cruising through anxiety and ending up at ambivalent satisfaction. Plenty …

1
e107: A Cynical Farmer Rebuffed 51:41

5y ago51:41

51:41

My guest this ep is Stefan Morales, producer of the Working Together podcast. Stefan and I both care about food and farming. I brought my passions to farming; he took his into the non-profit and government sphere. We compare notes, things get mildly awkward, and a farmer's heart grows by a couple of sizes. Or: a guy with good insights about the wor…

1
e106: How to Gross 250K on 1/2 Acre 16:06

5y ago16:06

16:06

This ep: my conversation with urban farmer Kevin Sturdy, author of a book getting a lot of buzz: You're Welcome: How to Crush Your Dreams By Grossing More Money on Less Land Than You Ever Thought Possible. Kevin claims that by following his guide, you can gross 250K on a half-acre urban farm. Episode Sponsor: Dubois Agrinovation Many thanks to prof…

1
e105: Ramial Wood as Soil Amendment and More with Karl Hammer 38:23

5y ago38:23

38:23

This episode I speak with Karl Hammer, founder of Vermont Compost and all-around soil fertility expert. We focus on the use of wood chips as a soil amendment, and Karl also shares his thoughts about managing soil fertility on bio-intensive market gardens. Show Sponsors: BCS America and Dubois Agrinovation In our conversation, Karl refers to researc…

1
e104: Silvopasture with Steve Gabriel 59:00

5y ago59:00

59:00

This ep: Ruminant co-host Tristan Banwell interviews Farmer and Author Steve Gabriel about his book Silvopasture: A Guide to Managing Grazing Animals, Forage Crops, and Trees in a Temperate Farm Ecosystem. Bonus content (more conversation) should show up in your podcast feed, otherwise: get it at theruminant.ca Tristan and Steve discuss what to do …

1
e102: Weed Management in the Pasture 40:17

5+ y ago40:17

40:17

This episode my guest is Mark Renz, an extension weed specialist at the University of Wisconsin. He joins me to talk about weed management in the pasture.By Jordan Marr

1
e101: Beneficial Insects on the Farm 50:40

5+ y ago50:40

50:40

This ep: I wanted to learn more about maintaining and increasing bug biodiversity on my farm so I contacted the Xerces Society, a non-profit that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. They connected me with Eric Mader, co-Director of their Pollinator Conservation and Agricultural Biodiversity program. Eric …

1
Foliar Feeding w/ Steve Solomon 46:43

6y ago46:43

46:43

Steve Solomon is back to talk about what's turning his crank in the garden these days: foliar feeding. Steve is the author of numerous gardening books including one of my faves, The Intelligent Gardener.By Jordan Marr

1
e.99: Incubating your own eggs 31:20

6y ago31:20

31:20

My guest today, Pascale Deffieux Pearce, is a vice-president with Brinsea, a producer of egg incubators for the farm and home. She joins me to talk about ins and outs and pros and cons of hatching your own eggs, or those of your hens'.By Jordan Marr

1
e.11: Adding seed production to your veggie operation (re-run) 27:46

6y ago27:46

27:46

This episode: Part 1 of 2 of my conversation with Dan Brisebois, editor of the seed production blog Going to Seed and co-author of Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers. In this part, Dan talks about the basics of vegetable seed production and suggests how to begin incorporating it into a small scale farm business. In part two, Dan discusses …

1
e.98: Breeding for Better Flavour and Row 7 Seeds 43:07

6y ago43:07

43:07

Have you read The Third Plate by chef Dan Barber? Great Book. This episode explores one of the legacies of that book: a brand new seed company, representing a collaboration between chefs and plant breeders, that aims to improve the flavour and performance of our plant varieties. My guest is Michael Mazourek, plant breeder at Cornell and a partner i…

1
e97: Jean Martin Fortier! Cocaine! Compost Tea! 36:52

6y ago36:52

36:52

This ep: Jean-Martin Fortier returns for a quickie. We talk about fame, semi-fortune, cocaine, compost tea, the tool he's most obsessed with at the moment, and a few other tidbits. One of JM's recent projects is an online course. He's pretty amped about it. It's called The Market Gardener's Master Class. We discuss that too.…

1
e.96: A Critique of Compost Tea 48:23

6y ago48:23

48:23

Linda Chalker-Scott is an extension specialist at WSU with a penchant for horticultural myth-busting. One of her targets has been the use of compost tea as a disease-preventer/pest-abater/all-around garden panacea. Seeing as your podcast host is about to start a compost tea regimen on his own farm, this seemed like a good topic to ask her about.…

1
e.95: The Farmers Aren't All Right pt II 42:39

6y ago42:39

42:39

Episode 92, about farmer mental health, really resonated with lots of listeners. This episode features a follow-up conversation with Javan Bernakevitch, a farmer and permaculturalist who emerged from his own depression with insights that he now shares with others. Learn more about Javan at http://allpointsdesign.ca Also this episode: I talk about T…

1
e.94: Better GH Practices 54:52

6y ago54:52

54:52

This ep: First I speak with Andew Mefferd, author of The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower's Handbook (superb!), about making the most out of caterpillar tunnels. After that, Cornell Extension Specialist Judson Reid joins me to talk about avoiding and managing toxic levels of soil nutrients in greenhouses.…

1
2018 Season Launches Friday! But first: a teaser. 5:25

6y ago5:25

5:25

Coming Friday, March 2: the first episode of the next season of The Ruminant Podcast. To tide you over, I've produced a microsode. I hope you enjoy it!By Jordan Marr

1
e93: Stop Washing Your Children So Much! 50:40

7y ago50:40

50:40

The microbes that colonize us when we're in the womb and as infants have lasting impacts on our health later on. My conversation with Claire Arrieta, author of Let Them Eat Dirt. Marie-Claire is the co-author with B. Brett Finlay of Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Your Child from an Oversanitized World. After that, I talk about lego for farmers.…

1
e.92: The Farmers Aren't All Right 45:32

7y ago45:32

45:32

Farming is tough work. The unpredictability of the job and the pressure to present a curated, bucolic version of the work can easily lead to various kinds of mental health problems: despair, feeling overwhelmed or like a failure, or even depression. In this episode, co-produced with Jessica Gale of Sweet Gale Gardens, we discuss the prevalence of m…

1
e.91: The Origins of Artisanal Food in America 35:44

7y ago35:44

35:44

Patric Kuh, James Beard award winner, Food Critic for LA Magazine, and author of Finding the Flavours We Lost: From Bread to Bourbon, How Artisans Reclaimed American Food, joins me to talk about his book. I ask Patric about the cynicism surrounding bearded Brooklyn craft pickle-makers, whether it's okay for food artisans to sacrifice a little bit o…

1
e.90: Our Agricultural Heritage is At Risk 28:50

7+ y ago28:50

28:50

First, my conversation with Simran Sethi on her book Bread Wine Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love, which describes the increasing threat to the biodiversity within our food system, and how a better appreciation for the diversity of flavour that's all around us could help reverse the problem. Then: I review two great tools for market gardene…

1
e.89: America Does Too Have a Food Culture! | Successful CSA Pickup 38:54

7+ y ago38:54

38:54

This ep: a conversation with Sophie Egan, author of Devoured: From Chicken Wings to Kale Smoothies--How What We Eat Defines Who We Are Then, Robin Turner of Roots & Shoots Farm provides tips for setting up a good pick-up point for your CSA. Likes or shares from The Ruminant's Facebook Page are most appreciated, as are retweets Have you ever been to…

1
Just when you really need it: The Zone 3:59

7+ y ago3:59

3:59

A new season of The Ruminant Podcast begins in January 2017. For now, I hope you enjoy this ode to gettin'er done around the farm.By Jordan Marr

1
e88: Cut Flower Maintenance, Farm Internship Workshop 39:13

8y ago39:13

39:13

This ep: Jessica Gale of Sweet Gale Gardens is back with suggestions for taking good care of your cut flowers throughout the season: soil fertility management, pruning tips, deadheading, and harvesting. After that: Dr. Charles Levkoe joins me to talk about the politics and practice of farm internships as a source of labour on farms. Charles and col…

1
e87 Insights on Leasing Farmland 55:03

8y ago55:03

55:03

This ep: I've spliced together the best clips from a couple of webinars about leasing farmland. One was given by me, your host; the other by Blake Hall of Prairie Gold Pastured Meats. The webinars were produced by Farmstart, and can be found here. Also: The Canadian Organic Grower Magazine co-Editor Amy Kremen returns to talk about the latest issue…

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