In this garden chat, Greg and Don Titmus dive into permaculture's eighth principle, 'Information and Imagination Intensive,' highlighting its emphasis on multi-disciplinary approaches to problem-solving using both low and high-tech solutions. They delve into the importance of utilizing quality thought and data to maximize yields and share personal experiences about integrating various systems like passive solar heating, water filtration, and composting. The discussion also covers the concept of food forests, zone planning, and sustainable design strategies for reducing energy and resource consumption. They encourage community collaboration and innovation, reflecting on their own permaculture journeys and offering insights on creating self-sustaining environments. Upcoming events like the Phoenix Permaculture Design Course and the Great American Seed Up are also mentioned.

Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/918 for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Replay

This episode is the replay pof our monthly 'Rosie on the House' radio show in Phoenix. It features host Romey Romero, Farmer Greg and guest Kari Spencer discussing backyard livestock, primarily chickens and goats, for urban farming. They chat about the benefits of keeping chickens and goats, including eggs, milk, garden pest control, and composting. They also delve into the logistics of raising these animals, such as the necessary supplies, housing, and regulations. The episode touches on the challenges and advantages of meat birds, ducks, turkeys, quail, and guinea hens, offering practical advice and sharing personal experiences for listeners interested in starting their own urban farm.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/917 for the show notes and links on this episode!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Seed Shat with Bill McDorman

Register for our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org

In This Podcast: In this month's Seed Chat Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss the pressing issue of seed sovereignty in the age of corporate control. They highlight the growing dominance of a few corporations over the global seed supply, which has resulted in decreased biodiversity and increased farmer dependency. The conversation covers the importance of local seed libraries, open-source seed models, and the traditional practice of saving and sharing seeds as pathways to food freedom. Additionally, they emphasize the detrimental impact of capitalism on biodiversity, discuss historical and legal contexts like the Diamond vs. Chakrabarty Supreme Court decision, and introduce various resources and organizations working to combat corporate control in agriculture, such as the ETC group and Seed Library Network. Practical advice for listeners includes growing a diverse range of seeds, starting or joining seed libraries, and engaging in community-driven agricultural initiatives.

List of mentioned resources:

· First The Seed, the Political Economy of Plant Biotechnology. https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/F/First-the-Seed

· Shattering by Pat Mooney and Carrie Fowler

· https://SeedupInABox.com

· https://GreatAmericanSeedUp.org

· Diamond Vs Chakbarty - https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/447/303/

· Liberate Diversity - https://liberatediversity.org

· There’s an ongoing international survey hosted by Let’s Liberate Diversity https://seeds.ifoam.bio/seed-network-survey

· First the Seed: The Political Economy of Plant Biotechnology, Jack Ralph Kloppenburg, Jr.

https://uwpress.wisc.edu/Books/F/First-the-Seed2

· Consolidation in the Seed Industry - https://philhoward.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/seed2022.png

· Seeds & Genetic Diversity - https://www.etcgroup.org/issues/seeds-genetic-diversity

· ETC Group- https://www.etcgroup.org/issues/corporate-monopolies

· Going to Seed - https://goingtoseed.org/

· Adaptation Gardening - https://goingtoseed.org/products/1406309

· Seed Library Network -

In This Episode: Greg interviews Charles Malki, a multifaceted biologist, attorney, author, and inventor, about the innovative benefits of whitewashing trees. Charles details his journey from a passion for plant sciences during his childhood to a career in medicine and law, ultimately leading to the creation of Ivy Organic. He explains the importance of whitewashing for tree protection against weather extremes and pests, emphasizing the environmental benefits of using organic products. The discussion also covers the genesis of Ivy Organics, the science behind their product formulations, and their impact on both small-scale gardeners and commercial orchards. Charles shares valuable personal and professional anecdotes, highlighting the significance of setting clear goals, fostering beneficial relationships, and continually educating oneself and others about sustainable gardening practices.

Our Guest:  Charles Malki is a biologist, attorney, all American swimmer, philanthropist, inventor, entrepreneur, and author. He has been published in journals, including the Journal of Surgical Research and American Federation of Medical Research. At the heart of all of his successes is his love of life and his passion to educate others on the limitless topics that rotate to plant sciences, and it all benefits you, your family and friends, community, and our planet.

Connect with IV Organics - IVOrganics.com

Book recommendations -  Saving the World with the Home Garden by Charles Malki

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Visit UrbanFarm.org/IVOrganics for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Greg chats with Dr. Jeff Tomberlin about the remarkable benefits of black soldier flies in recycling organic waste. Jeff explains the global distribution and industrialization of black soldier flies, their life cycle, and their ability to convert waste into valuable resources like protein for animal feed and fertilizer. The conversation highlights community and individual efforts in utilizing black soldier flies for sustainability and reducing food waste, emphasizing the potential for large-scale impact through local actions. Jeff also offers practical advice for beginners interested in starting their own black soldier fly bins and stresses the importance of patience and community involvement.

Our Guest: Dr. Tomberlin is a Professor, AgriLife Research Fellow, & Presidential Impact Fellow in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University and Fellow of the Entomological Society of America. He is the principal investigator of the Forensic Laboratory for Investigative Entomological Sciences (F.L.I.E.S.) Facility at Texas A&M University..

Visit UrbanFarm.org/BSF for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In this garden chat, Greg and Don Titmus dive into the Permaculture Principle Everything Gardens, focusing on the beneficial relationships within an ecosystem, particularly soil, food webs, and the role of different plants and animals. They explore how weeds, chickens as soil tillers, water as a sculptor, and the role of fungi, earthworms, and birds all lead back to gardening. They also tackle specific topics like the impact of wind, creating microclimates, and practical considerations for raising chickens and growing mushrooms. The session wraps up with audience questions on gardening tips, urban farming, and permaculture design courses. If you would like to attend live visit GardenChat.org to sign up for our monthly live chat.

Our Guest: Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then starting his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/913 for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

For more info about the Phoenix Permaculture Design course visit UrbanFarm.org/PDC

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Replay

In this episode join Romey Romero & Farmer Greg on Rosie on the House's Outdoor Living Hour with special guests Sowan Thai and Bryant Cruz from Spaces of Opportunity, a 19-acre community farming project in South Phoenix. We dive into the origins and development of the farm, the unique model of community and urban farming it employs, and the various educational and market components it offers. Sowan and Bryant explain their roles in teaching sustainable farming practices, running an apprentice program, and the challenges and benefits of farming organically in an urban setting. They highlight efforts like agroforestry and integrated pest management while sharing inspiring stories of community growth and engagement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of local food production and the potential of urban farming in addressing food security and sustainability.

Find out more - https://www.spacesofopportunity.org/

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/912 for the show notes and links on this episode!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org

In This Podcast: In this months Seed Chat Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman, discuss the art and craft of harvesting seeds. They cover the basics of seed saving, including observation, threshing, and water winnowing, with a focus on tomatoes. The chat also delves into various resources, books, and historical practices for effective seed harvesting. They answer audience questions, including issues with onion seed pollination and share personal anecdotes and practical tips for both small-scale and larger-scale seed saving. The session emphasizes the importance of creating a new seed-saving culture and learning from experienced gardeners.

Visit UrbanFarm.org/911 for the show notes and links on this episode!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.