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Linen is a woven and durable fabric that gets pulled out of the closet when summer rolls around or spread across one’s bed as a soft blanket or duvet cover. But the big question remains: how sustainable is linen? We speak to Heidi Barr about how she has worked with reclaimed fabrics to reduce textile waste in the industry. She noticed the need for more sustainable solutions when she saw the urgency for making these changes in order to build a healthy, vibrant future with kitchen products that you will want to use every day.Heidi Barr is the founder of The Kitchen Garden Textiles, a line of kitchen textiles made with natural and reclaimed materials sold to support urban agriculture. Her business began by making napkins out of the backs of second-hand men’s shirts and selling them to support her local urban CSA farm.  Now, her company has gained significant traction in the textile industry and is used by some of Philly’s top chefs including Ari Miller, co-owner and chef at Musi BYOB, and by Judy Wicks, environmental activist, author, and founder of the White Dog Cafe.As a former dancer turned costume designer, her business combines her love for the environment, fabric, and sewing. Heidi uses this passion to continue to inspire other individuals to live a more environmentally conscious and plastic-free lifestyle. Join us on this week’s episode as we dive into the topics of ethically sourced products, environmental stewardship, and Heidi’s personal journey as an entrepreneur.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered:Replacing single-use plastics with sustainable solutionsEnvironmental stewardshipEthical business practicesAffordability and sustainable productsGreenwashing in the textile industryResources Mentioned:The Kitchen Garden TextilesWeavers Way FarmsHenry Got CropsThe Flax Project Guest InfoConnect with the guest on Heidi’s website or by email at hello@kitchengardentextiles.comFollow Us:Our WebsiteInstagram

In this week’s episode,  Mary and Emma talk with Amanda Cather from The Million Acre Challenge, a nonprofit organization that helps Maryland farmers build soil health, increase farm profitability, and improve water quality – while making farms resilient and active in the face of climate change. Their farmer-focused collaborative uses soil health science, economics, education, and incentives to achieve their mission.  Amanda's early training in pre-med  led  her from  an interest in equitable food access to a career path in urban agriculture, and ultimately to running her own farm raising grass-fed livestock. Now, alongside the team at Million Acre, the goal is to achieve one million agricultural acres in Maryland using healthy soil techniques by 2030, while sharing best practices and making healthy soil connections throughout the Chesapeake watershed. Throughout the episode, Amanda shares her  knowledge surrounding the effort. She educates us on the industrial versus ecological models,  and introduces us to the multiple factors that affect the way farmers must approach soil improvement. She stresses the importance of listening to farmer’s voices and supporting their journey, as well as, fighting for systems that reward good stewardship and value biodiversity. She explains there are multi-pathways to healthy soil and no one way to achieve the goal.  The key to progress in this effort  is maintaining curiosity and communication along the way, and remembering that healthy soil (good dirt!)   is the foundation of everything.   1:30 - Mary and Emma check in to see how Plastic Free July is going! 4:00 - Amanda Cather of Million Acre Challenge Let’s get into the episode:5:45 - Amanda introduces herself 11:00 - What is the Million Acre Challenge? 20:30 - Connecting to the issues 23:30 - Incentivising soil health and funding the transition 27:00 - Nutritional quality of crops 34:00 - Equity 43:00 - Lobbying to change 48:00 - Engaging with farmers 50:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you? Things Mentioned: Million Acre Challenge IG: @soilchallengeThe Land Institute Plow and Stars FarmGuidelight / Patagonia Report Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Soil Health BenchMark StudyUMD Organic Grains Transition Project American Farmland TrustSoil Health Institute  Maryland Department of AgricultureUSDAFFARThe Farm’s Project Regen1The Real Food Project The Agriculture Resilience ActFair Farms PledgeLady Farmer The ALMANAC

In this week’s episode, Mary and Emma dive deep into the world of plastic consumption and waste management with Lauren Olson, a Zero Waste Manager at World Centric, exploring the world of compostables and the use of plastic in our daily lives. The discussion covers several aspects of the topic, including the difficulties of “zero-waste," how plastic sneaks into our homes even when we are consciously trying to avoid it, and all the ways in which existing systems make it difficult to create true sustainability in our homes. Lauren explains the science behind bioplastics, as well as the difference between industrial vs home compostables. She also shares how to determine genuinely compostable products and helps us imagine a cradle to cradle world where waste equals food for the earth, and not the other way around! Mary and Emma ask the vital questions, what can we do to work through this monumentally large plastic problem, and is it really possible to achieve the ultimate goal of a zero-waste economy? Lauren gives practical tips for individual action, while encouraging all of us to use our voices as paying consumers to demand change from the top down.1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about plastic problem solving! 10:30 - World Centric Let’s get into the episode:11:30 - Introducing Lauren & the world of World Centric 16:30 - Is zero waste really achievable?  22:00 - Bioplastics 30:00 - Landfills as coffins for waste 35:00 - What can we do? 36:00 - Greenwashing 43:00 - Facing this massive issue 50:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you? USE CODE: "thegooddirt" for  10% off online at World Centric. Valid for 30 days. Things Mentioned:World Centric The Ecology Center Nature WorksPolystyreneBPI Compost Manufacturers Alliance (CAM)  ASTM 6400 or 6868Findacomposter.comWorld Centric’s Giving Program

Mary and Emma have an enlightening conversation this week with grower and legal educator Eva Moss, discussing an aspect of the homestead dream that is too often overlooked. Knowing farm law and preparing for unexpected issues through healthy communication before they come up creates legal protection for all parties involved. Eva shares with us the story of how a life transition left her and her farm legally vulnerable. With help, she found her way through that experience all the wiser, and now uses her voice and legal knowledge to educate the farming community through her work at Farm Commons. Throughout the episode, Eva speaks to the power of finding healthy pathways forward in our relationships within the business, with each other and with the land. She reminds us that we have the power to create our own solutions and that we have significant creative power to (legally) cultivate the lady farmer life we’re dreaming of if we take the time to talk about our needs and goals. Mary, Emma and Eva also discuss how to cultivate a slow life as a hardworking homesteader and the important distinction between self-sufficiency and community resiliency.1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about Plastic Free July! 7:30 - Introducing Eva MossLet’s get into the episode: 9:25 - Eva introduces herself 18:30 - Creating a foundation...grounded in the law 21:30 - Eva’s homestead story 26:30 - Finding pathways  32:00 - A great place to start 39:30 - Looking ahead 47:00 - Setting boundaries 50:00 - Grappling with “homesteading” 57:00 - Carving out community 59:30 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?  Shop our Plastic Free July zero waste products in the marketplace! Use Code: plasticfreejuly for 15% OFF Things Mentioned:Plastic Free July Lady Farmer MarketplaceHeart Strong FarmFarm CommonsNorth Carolina Farm LinkLand Link Montgomery Thistle FarmsCooperative Extension

This week, Mary and Emma have a wonderful conversation with photographer, chef,  cookbook author, educator and entrepreneur turned homesteader, Eva Kosmas Flores.  Eva shares her journey to the slow living lifestyle, led by an ancestral pull and deep familial ties that have guided her back to a connection with home, the garden, food, family and community. Always leading with curiosity, Eva talks about her new adventures as a homesteader and what she’s learning from the land. Throughout the episode, Mary, Emma and Eva talk about the pursuit of the creative life and how to make it work, native species, permaculture gardening and the complexity of our forest ecosystems. They also discuss their sustainable home projects, creating beautiful and enduring interiors, and the complicated decisions involved in the process.  Eva reminds us that real life is an intersection of all the things we love, and we have permission to pursue all the parts of ourselves. 1:25 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk berries! 5:00 - Eva Kosmas Flores Let’s get into the episode:  6:20  -  Eva introduces herself 15:50  -  Finding and creating a homestead 21:00  -  Forestry and restoring the soil 22:30  -  The importance of native species 29:00  -  Breaking ground 33:00  -  A sustainable home  39:30  -  Timeless, natural interiors  52:00  -  Loving lots of things57:30  -  What does the Good Dirt mean to you?   Things Mentioned:Eva Kosmas Flores Adventures In CookingFirst We Eat https://www.firstweeat.coAdventures in ChickenThe Hidden Life of Trees The National Scenic Area Simplicity by Nancy Braithwaite The Nature of Home by Jeffery Dungan Braiding Sweetgrass 

We have a special bonus episode for you this week in celebration of our newest national holiday-- Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time.Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today.  The trio grapples with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done.  Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world.  Let’s get into the episode:1:30  -  Emma introduces this week’s special episode3:00  -  Tony Cohen on the history of Juneteenth15:00  -  The transition into freedom20:00  -  The shift to “waged” labor and the evolution of slavery28:00  -  Fair trade31:00  -  Local emancipation41:00  -  Celebrating Juneteenth42:30  -  The happenings at Button Farm48:00  -  Creating Community Things Mentioned: Button FarmOprah’s visit The Menare FoundationHipCamp - Camp at Button Farm Anthony CohenThe Good Dirt - Episode 31 The AG Reserve - Montgomery County The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guideJuneteenth becomes a federal holiday Lift Every Voice and SingDC Emancipation Day Montgomery County Historical Society 13th Amendment 14th Amendment15th Amendment

On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, Mary and Emma sit down with artist, teacher and “sorceress of the stitch” Christi Johnson. Christi’s art, like herself, is cosmic in nature with an emphasis on the hypnotic beauty of botanicals. Her work explores communion and connection with plants, alchemy, herbalism and the natural world as she reimagines symbols as language that are stitched slowly and methodically into fabric. Christi is dedicated to bringing meaning back to stitching in hopes of rejoining the art of embroidery with its complex and meaningful origins and encourages all to bring this unique art form and ritual back into the home. Throughout the episode, Christi discusses her own history within the fashion industry and the lack of connection she felt to the material and the work within that industry. Mary, Emma and Christi remind us that “cheap is never a bargain” and encourage all who listen to question what “off-site” production really means as we dig into what it actually takes to produce these essential goods. Christi also dives into images as language and talks about allowing the creative process to be a conversation between you and the work that is ever-changing and not predetermined. Christi discusses her dedication to experimentation, exploration and evolution in her work, shares her dream of bringing art and meaning back into traditional craft and how giving our art power in turn allows us to empower ourselves.  Christi’s new book is entitled “Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment”. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PLAINE PRODUCTS. USE CODE LADYFARMER FOR 20% OFF.  1:30 -  Mary and Emma catch up and talk about Mary’s plant rescue mission Let’s get into the episode:9:00 - Christi Johnson, sorceress of the stitch 11:20 -  Christi introduces herself 15:30 - Understanding composition 30:30 - The intersection between herbs and art 34:00 -  A “good” price 37:30 - Images as language 52:00 - Working with the seasons  1:00 - Mystical Stitches 1:01 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?Things Mentioned:Mixed Color Mystical Stitches Magic Threads Stitch WishShop Plaine Products Textile Arts CenterDoug JohnstonEmily Fisher: Haptic Lab Braiding Sweetgrass The ALMANAC Summer Enrollment A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things 

In this episode, we talk with Lady Farmer and chef Michelle Aronson, creator of Farmbelly, an educational platform dedicated to sharing the love of growing, cooking, and eating wonderful food.  Although Michelle wasn't particularly interested in cooking while growing up in the suburbs of the Midwest, once she moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia for college, she I discovered her love for food and farming. After several summers apprenticing on different small-scale farms, and after managing  an educational farm in Charlottesville, complete with laying hens, bee hives, and lots of eager student volunteers, she recognized that she needed to level up her cooking skills  in order to enjoy the hard-earned fruits and veggies she was learning to grow.In the spring of 2013 Michelle attended culinary training at the Ballymaloe Cooking School, located on a 100-acre organic farm on the coast of Ireland, where almost all of the dairy, meat, vegetables, and herbs come straight from the fields into the teaching kitchens. Inspired by the incredible teachers, fresh ingredients, and straightforward culinary ethos at Ballymaloe, Michelle returned home to work in many sectors of the food/farming world, and ultimately to where she now lives on a beautiful 10-acre farm near Saxapahaw, North Carolina, cultivating a diverse market garden + farmstand, and teaching  gardening + cooking classes. Michelle shares about  her journey and her mission to make farm-fresh food accessible and less intimidating for folks...and to help everyone get a “farm belly." What's that? Listen in to find out! Timestamps, Links & ResourcesIntroduction:Slow Living IntensiveThe ALMANAC open enrollment6:36: Introducing Michelle8:35: Michelle describes her journey10:27: Ballymaloe Culinary School in Ireland11:28: Starting Farmbelly12:33: A day in the life at Ballymaloe Culinary School16:17: What is a  "farm belly" ? 18:45: Food culture now20:00 The value of sitting down together for a meal22:22 Focus on the farm24:00 The farmstand, how it works27:00 Cooking with the produce31:30: Planting season33:00 Lady Farmers34:00. Michelle's Inspiration38:30  Sustainability and  good dirtFollow Michelle on Instagram @farmbelly or via her website!  

On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, Mary and Emma sit down with artist, writer and teacher Katrina Rodabaugh to discuss her slow fashion journey,  sustainability as a process, embracing imperfection and mending as healing. Katrina dives into her own outlook on embracing a more sustainable lifestyle, a process that takes place over time and many small steps. The three discuss the importance of accessibility in the movement, and how remembering the values of the past doesn't have to mean giving up the progress we have made as a society.  They also talk about how slow fashion practices such as thrifting, mending  and making are important as a disruption of the industry and a positive step towards change. A poet and fiber artist at heart, Katrina has published three books, Make Thrift Mend (2021);  Mending Matters (2018); and The Paper Playhouse (2015). Her writing and artwork has appeared in publications such as the New York Times, Boston Globe, Martha Stewart Living, Mother Earth Living, Sewing Magazine, Sunset magazine, Sweet Paul Magazine, Taproot magazine, and more. Katrina currently lives with her artist husband and their young sons on a two-hundred-year-old farmhouse in Hudson Valley, New York where they grow dye plants, flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables while caring for chickens and honeybees. Let’s get into the episode:1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk “cultivation” and upcoming events 4:00 - Katrina Rodabaugh: Artist, Writer, Teacher 5:20 -  Katrina introduces herself 13:30 - Make Thrift Mend 20:00 - Accessible sustainability 34:00 - Remembering slow fashion  41:50 - Mending as healing 47:40 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?Things Mentioned:Slow Living Intensive ALMANAC summer open enrollment Make Thrift MendMending Matters Katrina Rodabaugh Studios 2013 Garment Factory Collapse

On today’s episode, Mary and Emma sit down to talk about what’s currently captivating their interest and the latest happenings on the farm. Mary shares her experience and knowledge gardening by the moon and encourages the use of the lunar cycle as a framework for the things we want to cultivate in our lives. The mother and daughter duo discuss the mesmerizing emergence of the seventeen-year cicada and embrace the celebratory nature of the phenomenon. drawing the parallel of a cultural emergence that's unfolding a year after a worldwide lockdown. Let’s get into the episode:1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about gardening by the moon 11:30 - The 17 year cicada 19:00 - The insect sounds of summer 23:00 - Fireflies at the farm 23:50 - Upcoming events and announcements  Things Mentioned:Slow Living IntensiveThe Farmer’s Almanac The 17 year cicadaThe Almanaclady-farmer.comRaising With the Moon: The Complete Guide to Gardening and Living By the Signs of the Moon by Jack R. Pyle and Taylor ReeseYou and the Man and the Moon: The Complete Guide to Using the Almanac by Jack R. Pyle and Taylor Reese

On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, Mary and Emma talk with dancer, writer and quiltmaker Marlee Grace to consider the question, what are we practicing and showing up for in our day to day lives? Throughout the episode, Mary, Emma, and Marlee dig into the concept of “personal practice” as they reimagine art forms as a practice rather than a performance. Marlee shares why she stepped away from social media, questions the role it plays in our lives, and addresses the platform’s inherently performative nature. She also shares where she finds encouragement and inspiration, and reminds us to take our work seriously (but not ourselves). Marlee’s work focuses on the self, rituals of devotion, creativity, and art-making. Her practice is rooted in improvisation as a compositional form expressed through dance, writing, quilting, teaching, and hosting artists.  Her dance project Personal Practice has been featured in the New York Times, Dance Magazine, Vanity Fair, and The Huffington Post. Marlee is the author of Getting to Center: Pathways to Finding Yourself. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PLAINE PRODUCTS. USE CODE LADYFARMER FOR 20% OFF!1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about natural dyeing and quilting! 6:40 - Dancer, Writer, and Quiltmaker Marlee Grace Let’s get into the episode:8:30 - Marlee Grace introduces herself 15:50 - Personal practice 24:20 - Escaping the chaotic and addictive loop of social media37:00 - Improvisational quilting 39:30 - What inspires and encourages you?45:30 - Slow living and its challenges 53:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?  Things Mentioned:Natural Dye and Slow Fashion Pop Up Line + TowMarleegrace.spaceGetting to Center: Pathways to Finding Yourself Within the Great UnknownNew York Times featureVanity Fair featureHuffingtonpost featureTen Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler The Freedom Quilting Bee Acres of Ancestry InitiativeNatural Dyeing IntensivePlaine Products: Use code LADYFARMER for 20% off! 

In today’s episode, Mary and Emma sit down with Lani Estill, founder of Lani’s Lana ~ Fine Rambouillet Wool; a commercial wool business and small yarn line based in Northern California. Alongside her family, Lani also owns and operates a vertically integrated diversified livestock ranch producing cattle, sheep, alfalfa and grass hay in the Northern California/Northern Nevada region. With the help of partners like Fibershed and the Carbon Cycle Institute, Lani’s family ranch is now running under a climate-fighting Carbon Farm Plan!Throughout the episode, Mary and Emma dig into Lani’s life on the ranch and chat about the complexities of owning and operating a truly sustainable supply chain. They also speak to the power of the consumer and talk about the soul satisfying decision to invest in climate beneficial products. 1:20 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about upcoming events! Let’s get into the episode:9:30 - Lani’s Lana Wool!12:15 - Lani introduces herself 16:00 - Regeneration on the ranch20:00 - The early days at Fibershed 23:40 - Investing in carbon farming 30:00 - The team 32:30 - The sheep 35:10 - The fabrics 42:00 - The cost of climate beneficial products 49:00 - Dyers and natural dyes51:20 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you? Things Mentioned:Lani's Lana Water mountain weavers  Fibershed TGD - Rebecca Burgess TGD - Elizabeth Cline Northface Backyard Project Carbon Cycle Institute

1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk fermentation around the farm! 8:20 - Introducing Kirsten Shockey of Ferment Works  Let’s get into the episode:10:30 - Kirsten introduces herself 16:50 - What is fermentation? 19:40 - Bioavailability22:40 - Fermentation vs Pickling 28:05 - The Wonderful World of Vinegar 34:50 - Fermentation School38:35 - Fermenting dairy 39:50 - Fermenting safety & policy...it’s safe y’all! 42:00 - Fermentation vs canning...fermentation for the win! 45:35 - Tips & tricks 47:55 - Kirsten’s favorite ferment 49:20 - Gateway ferment for getting started!  51:50 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you? 52:55 - Don’t be afraid and you've got thisKirsten's Books:The Big Book of Cidermaking; (award winning) Miso, Tempeh, Natto & Other Tasty FermentsFiery FermentsHomebrewed Vinegar Fermented VegetablesThings Mentioned:Upcoming Kefir WorkshopFerment WorksPlaine Products  20% OFF with CODE: ladyfarmerfermentationschool.comTHANKS TO OUR SPONSOR PLAINE PRODUCTS: USE CODE "LADYFARMER" FOR 20% OFF YOUR PURCHASE

Liz Kimball (MFA, CPC) is a creativity catalyst, writer, coach, speaker, and founder of The Collective, a network of women creators and thought leaders dedicated to fostering cultural change through creativity. Her work has been featured at TEDx, Oprah.com, the NBA, The Guggenheim, NYU, and at universities and institutions throughout the country. In today's episode, we talk about the creative process from many angles,  how pursuing our dreams might not be the straight path we imagine, how to foster our creative selves in a world that demands much from us,  and how some of these things might be shifting from the pandemic year. Liz talks about the importance of detaching yourself from labels that you’ve placed on yourself since adolescence. Your work in the world is much more important than a title.  We discuss how the ideas of slow living and "good dirt" are essential to cultivating the creative life, and building a future we can’t wait to wake up to!1:30 - Mary & Emma catch up and chat about plants!7:00 - Liz introduces herself20:00 - Rewriting the rules 23:00 - The Collective27:00 - Discussion around time35:00 - The creative process50:00 - Mary recalls her own journey with her creative process Things Mentioned: Liz's Website - The CollectiveLiz's TED TalkHoward Thurman - The Sound of The GenuineBig Magic - Elizabeth GilbertThe ALMANAC - Sharon Bailey's Workshop (available to members only) Lynn Felton - @bonzart   

1:30 - It’s Fashion Revolution week!10:00 - Elizabeth introduces herself11:00 - Has there been much change in the last two decades in the fashion industry?20:00 - Why are corporations not paying their factories?28:00 - The problems in your own closet38:00 - The PayUp Campaign 42:00 - What does The Good Dirt mean to you?50:00 - How Farmers in West Texas inspired ElizabethThings Mentioned:Fashion Revolution Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth ClineThe Conscious Closet by Elizabeth ClineLady Farmer Essential CollectionLine and Tow Line at Lady FarmerGrace BrianThe Twilight of the Ethical Consumer articlePayUp FashionSB 62 - The Garment Worker Protection ActElizabeth Cline InstagramPayUp Fashion InstagramGreenwashing article for PatagoniaAnother TomorrowThe ALMANAC

1:40 - Next week is Fashion Revolution WeekLet’s get into the interview!6:13 - Rebecca shares her biggest influences11:35 - The moment that started Fibershed16:35 - What is Fibershed?22:50 - Hemp in the fashion industry30:00 - What’s to come of Fibershed?40:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?41:00 - Seniors and the working community44:00 - What makes for a healthy fibershed?Things mentioned:Fashion RevolutionLady Farmer MarketplaceLady Farmer InstagramFibershedFibershed by Rebecca BurgessChesapeake FibershedThe ALMANACHarvesting Color  by Rebecca Burgess

In this episode, Mary and Emma have a wonderful conversation with Eliza Blue, a singer/songwriter who lives and works on a regeneratively-managed ranch raising grass-fed cattle and fiber sheep with her husband and two children. She talks about going from the life of a touring musician to a teaching job in South Dakota,  and the pivotal moment when she walked into a friend’s lambing barn at lambing season and knew she had found her calling. Eliza's connection to the land is evident in her stories of life on the ranch and her daily involvement with the animals and the natural environment.  She has written a book called "Accidental Rancher," which came out this past spring, and she writes and produces audio "postcards" about ranch life for the North Dakota and South Dakota NPR affiliates. In addition, she has just finished filming for a new series that celebrates rural life through stories and songs called Wish You Were Here.1:23 - It’s been a year since The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living has been released!Let’s get into the interview!8:35 - Eliza introduces herself13:20 - Eliza’s creative endeavor 18:00 - Eliza’s shares a story from the ranch30:00 - How the pandemic has affected Eliza’s life33:00 - What inspires Eliza’s music and songwriting?44:00 - Regenerative Agriculture in the grasslands50:00 - What does The Good Dirt mean to Eliza?Things Mentioned:The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living BookAccidental Rancher by Eliza BluePostcards from the PrairieWish You Were HereDirt to Soil by Gabe BrownOmnivore's Dilemma  by Michael PollanThe History and Folklore of Brigid: Saint, Legend and Lady Farmer with Kathy SpaarEliza's Spotify 

Today's guest is Sharon Bailey of The Glow Emporium, a woman’s wellness education and empowerment community.  As a homesteader, mother, entrepreneur, and educator living in a small mountain town, Sharon espouses a life lived in sync with nature, and helps other women connect with their own feminine rhythms for a happier and healthier lifestyle.  Emphasizing the counter- cultural art of slowing down as a fundamental necessity for coping with the many demands of women today, Sharon offers empowering information and advice for dealing with exhaustion and burnout.  In this conversation, Sharon shares her own story of early challenges that led to destructive habits in early adulthood, and how through the experience of giving birth and early motherhood, she came to an understanding of the necessity for taking care of herself and her body. Her passion for supporting other women on the path to claiming full health and well being for themselves is the inspiration for the work she does today.1:30 - Mary and Emma talk about planning by the moonLet’s get into the interview!6:53 - Sharon introduces herself9:00 - How did Sharon get into health and wellness?16:15 - The current mission of The Glow Emporium25:00 - Planning around your hormonal cycle32:00 - What are we trading our time for?40:00 - Making sustainability more accessible48:00 - What does Sharon want us to most take away from this conversation?Things Mentioned:The ALMANACThe Glow EmporiumThe Glow ApothecaryUnrefined SHE PodcastThe Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan

Cynthia Main @sunhousecraft is an artisan maker in Berea, Kentucky who has built a thriving business hand making home goods. Inspired by the timeless traditions of Appalachian crafts, her wooden wares are hand made, often hewn with axe and knife. Brooms are hand woven, with a non-electric process, with utmost attention given to the details of each piece. The materials are sourced and harvested from local, sustainable materials. In this conversation, Cynthia discusses her lifelong passion for learning traditional agrarian skills and the arts of self sufficiency, from farming to building, wood working, furniture making and crafting the basic tools of everyday life. With many of these skills largely forgotten by our consumer culture, Cynthia shares the story of how she has made her way, rediscovering these skills for herself, teaching others, and demonstrating an alternative path through a life of making.1:20 - Catch up with Mary and EmmaLet’s get into the interview!12:00 - Cynthia introduces herself17:50 - The importance of mindful supply chains20:40 - Broommaking and Appalachia31:00 - Crafts, accessibility and price39:00 - Claiming your own power45:00 - Cynthia’s work in relation to The Good Dirt48:30 - How 2020 has affected Sunhouse CraftThings Mentioned:Sunhouse CraftEmma's quilting course - A Quilt is Something HumanState the LabelEast Fork PotteryRaleigh DenimServiceberry: An Economy of Abundance by Robin Wall KimmerThe Way Home - Tales From a Life Without Technology by Mark BoyleLet’s Talk About Your Skin! Herbal Skincare with Militza MaurySunhouse Craft on Youtube

Alyson Morgan (@alysonsimplygrows)  is an environmentalist, gardener, artist and photographer, as well as a slow living advocate and mother. Through this conversation, Alyson gives us a glimpse of conscious living through her lens, the realities of juggling a creative business and motherhood, the desire for activism alongside the need for slowing down and being present, and the power of plants in everyday life.  Through her beautiful photography and her writing, along with the flower essences she creates for Earth Star Herbals, Alyson offers her gifts of healing to her audience and the world. 1:20 - Mary and Emma talk about the seasonal transitionLet’s get into the interview!5:34 - Alyson introduces herself8:40 - How did Alyson get into herbalism18:00 - Plant allies and personal growth22:00 - What is a flower essence?29:00 - Rest and Productivity33:40 - Living by the moon40:40 - Balancing slow living and motherhood with COVID45:00 - What does Good Dirt mean to you?Things Mentioned:The ALMANACWintering by Katherine MayLady Farmer Playlists on SpotifyNumero GroupEarth Star HerbalsAlyson’s Instagram