Our Farms, Our Future

We begin this episode with a visit to the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center at Mizzou. Education Program Coordinator Hannah Hemmelgarn gives us a brief tour of some of her team's current projects and explains their rootedness agroforestry principles. Then, Interim Director of the Center Mike Gold and silvopasture expert Chuck Talbott dive deeper into the field of agroforestry, analyzing various practices, discussing challenges, and addressing some of the latest field studies and research. 

For this episode, two academics discuss educating a new generation in sustainable agriculture. Xiochi Ma, also known as Max, is a graduate student at Washington State University researching efficient irrigation systems for grapevine cultivation. Krista Jacobsen is an agroecologist and professor at University of Kentucky focusing on nutrient cycling and soil fertility. For these guests, the university setting is an important one for sparking young people's dedication and passion for sustainable practices.

For this episode, two agricultural engineers discuss adapting innovation on the farm. Trevor Hardy is manager of one of New England’s largest distributors of agricultural supplies at Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, New Hampshire. Chris Callahan is an agricultural engineer with University of Vermont extension. Both guests say engineering plays a crucial role in synthesizing the newest research and technology with the diversity and complexity of farming practices on the ground.

For this episode, two farmers managing vastly different scales of production discuss staying grounded in sustainable principles while keeping their bottom line out of the red zone. Jeanne Carver raises grass-fed cattle and sheep for wool at Imperial Stock Ranch in Oregon, a 5,000 acre land operation. She'll be in conversation with Hilary Corsun, a farmer in her fifth-year managing 87 acres in New York's Hudson Valley at Dog Wood Farm.

As the Quality of Life Rep for Southern SARE's Administrative Council Doug Constance is constantly thinking about how current policies, cultural norms, and industry trends are affecting farmers and their communities. He'll be speaking with Beth Nelson, Director of North Central SARE’s Research and Education Programs, about extending sustainability beyond soil and crops to the people and communities most impacted by our country's agricultural practices.

This episode, two rural sociologists dig into why they feel passionately about building connections among farming communities. Kim Niewolny is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Leadership and Community Education at Virginia Tech. Spencer Wood is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Kansas State University. They were both drawn to the field's emphasis on rural leadership and community-based education outside of the classroom and the research lab.

This week, we take a bird's-eye-view of the sustainable ag movement and the research initiatives that sustained it's beginnings. Ferd Hoefner, a Senior Strategic Advisor for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, (N-SAC) will be in conversation with Andy Clark, National Communications Director for SARE. They have both worked in Washington, DC for many years, with specialties in national food and agriculture policy and research.

Our fifth episode features Nathan L'Etoile and Travis Krause. For this pair, farming runs in their blood. Travis Krause, a seventh-generation farmer, owns and operates Parker Creek Ranch, a multi-species livestock operation, with his wife in D'Hanis, Texas. He'll be speaking with Nathan L'Etoile, a fifteen-generation farmer, who works with his family to run Four Star Farms in North Field, MA, a small grain and hops farm with a mill on-site.

This episode features mother-daughter pair Hiu and Hana Newcomb. Together with family members from three generations and a crew of dedicated farmhands, Hana and Hiu run Potomac Vegetable Farms in Vienna, Virginia. At a time when small family farmers often have to disconnect from their farms in order to make a living, Hiu and Hana have a lot of wisdom to offer about sustaining the land, strengthening family connections, and planning for the future while also running a successful farming enterprise.

This episode features Amy Garrett and Ron Rosmann. Amy leads the Dry Farming Project for Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms Program, where she focuses on drought mitigation tools and strategies for growing with little or no irrigation. Ron raises certified organic beef, pork, and vegetables in Shelby County, Iowa. He co-founded Practical Farmers of Iowa, a group devoted to profitable, environmentally sound farming practices.

This episode features Greg Judy and Adam Saunders. Greg is based in Rucker, Missouri and is known for his rotational livestock grazing methods. Adam lives nearby in Columbia, Missouri, where he works as the development director for the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture.

Our first episode features Dan Kuebler and Emily Wright. Dan has been market gardening since 1990, providing a variety of organically grown vegetables and value-added products such as "Farmer Dan's Sauerkraut" for the mid-Missouri area. Emily Wright is co-owner and operator of Three Creeks farm in Ashland, Missouri. She and her partner grow a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and recently began incorporating agroforestry crops and pastured pork into their operation.

Our Farms, Our Future is a new podcast by SARE, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education project. Through this series of thought-provoking conversations between those involved in the sustainable agriculture community, we hope to capture a snapshot of the current state of sustainable ag, how we got here, and where we're headed. Our first episode will be released April 1, 2018. Episodes will be released twice a month.