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In this episode, recorded in April 2020, T. McLeod and I talk about his early days of farming, the inspiration and creation of McLeod Organics, his business philosophy and vision, and the current state of local food and the world. I ramble incessantly and somewhat incoherently at times and T is kind enough to put up with me and give great insight and thoughtful responses to my meandering line of questioning. Oh yeah, and I confess to having a dream about T shortly before our interview!? Happy New Year!

This episode is everything I hoped this show could be. We take a deep dive into Freshlist and their mission, as well as into Jesse's life and the human condition itself. We are so much more than just the work and businesses we create and there are so many layers to keeping ourselves, our relationships and our farms, businesses, etc. strong. I love Jesse's openness and honesty. And of course, I over share and then kind of regret it later...but that's part of the fun right?! Oh, and we talk about taking baths. Thanks for listening!

On this episode, we sit down and talk to Katherine (Peanut) Belk of Wild Hope Farm. We talk about the challenges of starting a farm, infrastructure headaches and hurdles, the importance of business planning and investment and having goals for the growth of a farm business. Plus, we talk about crying on the farm (which probably happens more than we all want to admit) and being a female in a male dominated industry. AND, Wild Hope is hiring! Check out www.wildhopefarm.com for details.

On this episode, we talk with Alisha Pruett, the founder of The Bulb Gallery. A non-profit organization that is saving 2000 lbs of food a day from the landfill and getting it in the hands and mouths of food insecure communities through a series of mobile farmers markets. We talk about how pervasive the problem is, partnerships that are helping The Bulb make a difference and ways we all can help. Alisha is an inspiring lady, and pretty funny. Plus, she calls Joe out for a wayward cringe!

This week we talk with Aaron Newton of Steward, author of A Nation of Farmers and former director of the Lomax Research and Education Farm. We discuss his book that called for 100,000,000 new farmers and what that looks like 10 years later, beginning farmers, incubator farms and the challenges facing growers in the Southeast compared to the rest of the country. We touch on Loofa, Derrick Jensen and so much more, in this extra long episode.

In this episode, we speak with Clark Barlowe, an acclaimed chef and the owner/operator of Heirloom, a Farm to Fork restaurant in Charlotte, focused on hyper local food. He discusses the challenges of sourcing almost every product in the restaurant from NC, what it's like to work with so many different farmers, the role of a chef in society and kitchen culture. Plus, Clark drops some news on us that may surprise you!

In the first ever episode of the Soil Life Podcast, we speak with organic, market farmer Ben Street about starting and operating a farm and all things local food and sustainable agriculture. Plus, we wax philosophical and act like 12 year old boys.