Listen to urban planners from Toronto Metropolitan University's School of Urban and Regional Planning answer fun questions about themselves, their work, and their memories from SURP.
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If you’re looking to build a profitable farm that works, The Thriving Farmer Podcast is for you. Learn the latest tricks and strategies from successful farmers, strategize with in-depth interviews with leaders in the industry, and connect with stories of farmers just like you. With over 15 years of farming background, your host Michael Kilpatrick has the experience and authority to bring you practical advice, ask the hard questions, tease out the gold nuggets, and help share what it’s really ...
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286. Melanie Cunningham on the Power of Oxen in Farming
42:29
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Have you ever wondered how traditional oxen power can transform modern farming? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Melanie Cunningham of Shakefork Community Farm in Northern California. Along with her husband, Kevin, they grow a variety of vegetables, strawberries, and pasture-raised livestock using permanent raised be…
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285. Ray Tyler on Balancing Family and Farm Life
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How do you successfully balance family and farm life? Find out in this episode of the podcast with Ray Tyler! Ray has previously been on the podcast and he also participated in our Thriving Farmer Vegetable Summit this past January. Ray is an inspiring figure in the world of sustainable agriculture and is a dedicated family man, self-made farmer, a…
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284. Jim Sander on Community-Centered Nonprofit Farming
39:23
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How can shifting from profit-driven farming to a nonprofit model enhance food production and community well-being? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Jim Sander of Wildflower Lane Farm in North Carolina. After a successful career selling to local markets and CSAs, Jim shifted his farm’s focus to growing produce exclusi…
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As we gear up for TMU’s School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association 2024 Spring Reception, we decided to take you behind the scenes and chat with the dedicated volunteers driving the engine of SURPA. Host Neil Loewen interviews SURPA members Nicholas Klymciw, Danielle Culp, Chris Drew, Alexander Hardy, Kevin Nunn, and Julia Bevacqua.…
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283. Will Harris on the Shift from Industrial to Zero-Waste Regenerative Farming
55:18
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How can a zero-waste ecosystem benefit both the environment and the local community? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Will Harris, a fourth-generation farmer and the owner of White Oak Pastures. His regenerative farm maintains a zero-waste ecosystem that supports 10 species of animals and produces everything from hig…
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282. Ari Memar on Saving Time and Increasing Revenue with Farmhand
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What could you achieve with an extra 10 hours each week on your farm? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Ari Memar, the founder and CEO of Farmhand. Ari combines his tech expertise with a passion for sustainable agriculture to help local farmers boost their profits and cut down their workload, all through innovative te…
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281. Briana Bosch on Sustainability, Sheep, and Suburban Farming
1:06:21
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How can suburban spaces transform into sustainable farming hubs? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Bri Bosch who runs Blossom & Branch Farm in Colorado. On 1.7 acres in the suburbs of Denver, Briana and her husband have been blending budget-friendly farming with environmental stewardship, and offering educational …
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280. Hannah Breckbill on Collaborative Farm Ownership
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Does a farm run by its workers affect its success and how it operates? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael talks with Hannah Breckbill, who helped start Humble Hands Harvest. This organic farm in Northeast Iowa is run by its workers. Now in her 12th year, Hannah and her team practice no-till farming, showing their dedication to …
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279. Josh Holleb on Advancing Efficient Greenhouse Design
36:05
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What are the key benefits of integrating advanced technology into greenhouse construction? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Josh Holleb who is the Systems Integration Specialist at Ceres Greenhouse Solutions. Josh combines his construction and farming expertise to help create sustainable growing spaces that blend…
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Episode 13 - Emma Abramowicz and Geoff Schwartz
27:55
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It was Valentine's Day when we sat down withthree "planning power couples" to talk about that most romantic of topics: city-building. Part 3 of 3 features Emma Abramowicz of ERA Architects andGeoff Schwartz of Altus Group in a chat with host Neil Loewen.
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Episode 12 - Krishtian-Tyler Rampersaud and Humna Khurshid
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It was Valentine's Day when we sat down with three "planning power couples" to talk about that most romantic of topics: city-building. Part 2 of 3 features Krishtian-Tyler Rampersaud of Weston Consulting andHumna Khurshid of Metrolinx in a chat with host Neil Loewen.
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Episode 11 - Stephanie Kwast & David Riley
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It was Valentine's Day when we sat down with three "planning power couples" to talk about that most romantic of topics: city-building. Part 1 of 3 features Stephanie Kwast of Bousfields and David Riley of SGL in a chat with host Neil Loewen.
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278. Bryce Loewen on the Sweet Success of Stone Fruits
41:27
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What are the biggest challenges in fruit farming? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Bryce Loewen of Blossom Bluff Orchards as he shares his journey in agriculture and the challenges of organic fruit farming in California's Central Valley. He discusses the life cycle of orchards, the yield per acre of stone fruits,…
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277. Paul Muller on Organic Farming's Past, Present and Future
1:00:01
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How has organic farming evolved over the years and what might the future hold? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Muller who is a part of the pioneering force at Full Belly Farm, a 450-acre certified organic farm in North Central California. For over four decades, the farm has championed economic stability, ye…
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276. Abram Bicksler on Empowering our World's Farmers with ECHO
47:35
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How does the health of soil directly impact global hunger solutions? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D., who is President and CEO of ECHO, a global Christian organization focused on empowering the undernourished through sustainable hunger solutions. With over 15 years of international exper…
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275. Julia Bocchese on Sprouting Success: SEO Strategies for Farmers
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How can SEO transform your farm's online visibility? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Julia Bocchese, a SEO Consultant for agriculture and horticulture businesses and founder of Homegrown Reach. With a deep passion for supporting local agriculture, Julia focuses on making businesses easily discoverable to their i…
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274. Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou on Navigating the Wholesale Market
42:50
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How can small farms compete in a wholesale market dominated by large agricultural businesses? On this episode, Michael is joined by Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou who co-runs Brisa Ranch in California's Pescadero area. Together with his farm partners, their farm offers a variety of crops grown regeneratively on ecologically rich farmland for mainly lo…
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273. Theresa Podoll on Sowing Resilience with Organic Seed Production
51:18
51:18
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How many plants does it take to get a pound of tomato seeds? On this episode we’re joined by Theresa Podoll from Prairie Road Organic Seed in Fullerton, North Dakota. Since 1997, Theresa and her husband, Dan, have been passionate about providing resilient, organic seed varieties with a focus on taste and abundance for their customers. Tune in to he…
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272. Jeremy Kaufman on the Impact of Agroforestry on Farming
47:24
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Can agroforestry boost farm profitability? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jeremy Kaufman who is Chief of Operations at Propagate, a leader in Agroforestry. Along with his team, Jeremy is fully committed to integrating agroforestry into farming to increase farm profits, decrease erosion and nutrient loss, and pr…
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271. Amy Fewell on Herbalism, Health and Homesteading
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Are you looking for more community and education on homesteading? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Amy Fewell, who is the visionary behind Homesteaders of America. As a published author, herbalist, and modern-day milkmaid, Amy nurtures her passion for self-sufficiency on her family’s farm in the Blue Ridge Mounta…
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270. Tim Joseph on the Grass-fed Dairy Revolution
45:48
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How long do you think it takes to get a cow from grain fed to fully grass-fed? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Joseph, the pioneering founder of Maple Hill Creamery, the largest 100% regenerative, grass-fed organic dairy farm in the U.S. After leaving his corporate job, Tim positioned Maple Hill at the foref…
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269: Alexis Dragovich on Milling a New Path in Grain Farming
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What are the unique challenges of growing and milling your own grains? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Alexis Dragovich, co-operator of Mud Run Farms in northeast Ohio. What started out as a 1st generation dairy farm has turned into a father daughter team working hard to make certified organic grains and fresh s…
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268. Jodi Roebuck on Mastering the Elements on a New Zealand Market Farm
52:00
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How does your local climate influence your agricultural decisions? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jodi Roebuck who is the trailblazing market gardener and mentor at Roebuck Farm in Taranaki, New Zealand. With over two decades of experience, Jodi guides fellow growers toward more economically viable farming prac…
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267. Brad Russell on Reviving Chestnut Farming in the US
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What unique challenges and rewards come with chestnut farming? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Brad Russell of Chestnuts in the Ozarks in Omaha, Arkansas. Brad’s lifelong respect for nature along with his dedication to sustainable agriculture has guided him and his wife, Sandy, to revive and sustain the long-for…
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266. Ann Accetta-Scott on Embracing Homesteading and Food Preservation
1:03:07
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How do you take your homestead from beginner to profitable? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Ann Accetta-Scott, a dedicated first-generation homesteader and the author behind "The Farm Girl's Guide to Preserving the Harvest." While managing her family farm in Middle Tennessee, Ann shares her journey from self-tau…
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265. Michael Kilpatrick on his Top Takeaways from the Vegetable Summit
22:40
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Are you ready to take your vegetable farming to the next level? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael shares about this year’s Thriving Farmer Summit and this year is all about Vegetables. The Summit is a free event happening January 12-14th and features a lineup of expert speakers covering topics from fertilizer-free farming meth…
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Chris Drew is a planner with Kagan Shastri DeMelo Winer Park LLP, graduate of TMU SURP in the Class of '09, and the longest-serving active member of the alumni association! Hear him talk transit and city-building with Plannerama's new host: Neil Loewen.
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264. Michael and Savannah Kilpatrick on a Farm Year in Review
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Do you take the time to reflect on the past year of your farm? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by his wife, Savannah. Together, they chat about how this past year went at their farm in Ohio called The Farm on Central. From building a farm store to strawberries and sourdough, they share the up's and down's of 2023. …
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263. Melissa Smith on the Delights and Demands of Growing Dahlias
56:17
56:17
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What lessons can Southern gardeners learn from Melissa Smith's experience with dahlias? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Melissa Smith of Fraylick Farm who is a passionate gardener, dahlia enthusiast, and experienced flower farmer. As a Clemson certified Master Gardener and a self-taught expert in the art of cut …
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262. Jeff Bednar on Building a Successful Food Hub
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What can you learn from a food hub model of connecting local producers with chefs and consumers? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jeff Bednar, the innovative force behind Profound Foods in North Texas. Since 2014, Jeff and his wife, Lee, have been revolutionizing local food systems and specializing in hydroponic …
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Episode 10 - Alexandria Ellington & Kevin Nunn
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Hear what Alexandria Ellington (BURPl '19) and Kevin Nunn (BURPl '15), the two sitting co-chairs of SURPA, think about cities, what's so important about alumni networking, and how to show off Toronto to a newbie. Happy listening and happy planning!
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261. Laura Fernandez on Sowing Seeds of Sustainability with Garden Design
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42:18
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In what ways can transforming our front yards into edible landscapes impact our local food systems and communities? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Laura Fernandez who is the visionary behind Front Yard Foods in South Carolina. Laura's journey began with a simple garden at the age of 12 and has blossomed into a …
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260. Megan Neubauer on Transforming Farms with U-Pick Agritourism
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Ever thought about shifting your farm to a U-Pick model? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is diving into the world of agritourism with Megan Neubauer of Pure Land Farm located in McKinney, Texas. Megan literally wrote the book on pick-your-own farming and her farming journey offers invaluable insights into transforming local …
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259. Billy Bond on Value-Added Farming and Permaculture Practices
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How does the concept of value-added thinking apply to both farming and our daily lives? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Billy Bond, owner of Perma Pastures Farm, located in North Carolina. From hands-on workshops to online education, Billy and his family share their knowledge and love for permaculture. When he’s…
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258. Jacob Towe on Building a Community-Focused Farm
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What challenges and opportunities arise when starting a farm and retail venture from scratch? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jacob Towe of Jubilee Farms in Pauline, South Carolina. After helping with his family’s Christmas tree farm from an early age, Jacob launched his own regenerative farm as well as a local …
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257. Suzanne Karreman on the Grass-Roots of Sustainable Dairy Farming
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Is it the grass or the genetics that helps most with grass-fed dairy farming? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Suzanne Karreman of Reverence Farms in North Carolina. Along with her veterinarian husband, Dr. Hubert, they run a 400-acre, 80-cow grass-fed dairy. Their farm is a thriving polyculture where animals are…
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256. Julie Olberding on Growing Award-Winning Garlic
52:28
52:28
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Do you know what all goes into garlic growing? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Julie Olberding of Rustic Roots Farm in Alexandria, Minnesota. Their farm balances natural resources with a blend of innovative techniques and traditional methods to produce the highest quality products for their customers. They speci…
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255. Tim and Sophia Eng on Cooking and Community Cultivation
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What are ways you can get involved in your local community? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim and Sophia Eng who are both first-generation Asian American farmers who left their Silicon Valley careers to start a 5-acre micro farm in northeast Tennessee. Tim is a homestead-focused realtor and Sophia is the autho…
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254. Adam Martin on Reviving Sustainable Beekeeping
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Can going back to more sustainable ways be the key to modern beekeeping success? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Adam Martin of Bee Kept Farm in middle Tennessee. Along with his wife, Leslie, Adam got into beekeeping using commonly taught methods. After an unsuccessful first year, they decided to think “outside …
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253. Josh and Rebecca Tickell on Regenerative Filmmaking for a Better Planet
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Can “regenerative filmmaking” help with our current agricultural challenges? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Josh and Rebecca Tickell who are the filmmakers of the recently released documentary Common Ground. This highly anticipated follow-up to their first film Kiss the Ground is an urgent call to action and of…
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252. John Arbuckle on Pigs, Productivity, and a Product-Centric System
53:31
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How do you keep productivity up on your farm? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by John Arbuckle of Singing Pastures Farm. Along with a network of farm partners, John and his family raise heritage breed pigs in the grassy fields of coastal Maine. Hear more about the day-to-day operations and decisions behind this sus…
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251. Craig Odem on Propagating Success in the Nursery Industry
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What are the challenges and rewards of transitioning a hobby into a thriving business? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Craig Odem who runs a retail nursery in northwest Alabama. Starting with just a few dozen plants six years ago, Craig and his family have taken their business to a full-scale production and prop…
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250. Jill Winger on Living Old-Fashioned on Purpose
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Could you embrace the "Reverse Pioneer" Lifestyle? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jill Winger, The Homestead Mentor of The Prairie Homestead. Jill has taught thousands of people how to cook nourishing homemade meals, grow food in their backyards, and find joy in a simpler, slower life. Her new book Old Fashione…
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Today's episode is with Keira Webster (M.Pl. '17) and we're talking future-ready and climate-prepared cities! Keira shares about her experience advising EU cities on climate change, on advancing smart cities in North America, and how travelling the world is different when you're an urban planner. Shameless plug: Once you've given this a listen, we'…
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249. Taylor Ayers on Regenerating Health and Farmland
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Has the quality of food you’ve consumed ever affected your health? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Taylor Ayers, co-owner of Ayers Valley Farm located in Russellville, OH. After experiencing health issues that no doctor could pinpoint, Taylor, and her husband Josh, started digging deeper into how their food was raise…
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Special Episode: Pete Kennedy on the PRIME Act
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Want more access to local meat? We need your help! On this special time-sensitive episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Pete Kennedy of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Pete is sharing about the Prime Act which is an important piece of legislation that will empower states to decide their meat inspection protocols. The ultimate…
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248. Savannah Kilpatrick on Baking and Banking with Sourdough
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Is there really a way to make sourdough simple? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by his wife, Savannah, to talk all about sourdough at The Farm on Central. The Farm on Central is a small family farm located in Carlisle, Ohio and provides the community with a wide array of vegetables, meats, and horticultural product…
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247. Susan Koehler and Nathan Boone on Securing the Future of Farming
31:43
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How can land trusts support the next generation of farmers? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Susan Koehler and Nathan Boone. Susan is the Farmland Preservation Program Manager for the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. She is working alongside Nathan who is a seasoned organic farmer and agricultural consultant. Together, …
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246. Sam Oschwald Tilton on Mechanical Weed Control in the Midwest
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How much do you know about mechanical weeding? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Sam Oschwald Tilton who is the organizer of the upcoming Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day in Ohio. After earning his Master’s degree in Horticulture from Michigan State, Sam has worked many roles in vegetable farming from tool dev…
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245. Alex Miller on the Business of Regenerative Farming
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How do business acumen and regenerative farming practices shape tomorrow's agriculture? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Miller who is the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Lick Skillet Farm in East Tennessee. Alex is a seventh-generation farmer and a chaired professor of Business at the University of Tennessee. A…
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