Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Urban Farm Team
Welcome to The Urban Farm Podcast, your partner in the Grow Your Own Food revolution! This audio only podcast features special guests like Rosemary Morrow, Zach Loeks, and Andrew Millison as we discuss the art and value of growing food in urban areas. We'll explore topics such as gardening basics, urban beekeeping and chicken farming, permaculture, successful composting, monetizing your farm, and much more! Each episode will bring you tips and tricks on how to overcome common challenges, opportunities to learn from the experience of people just like you, and plenty of resources to ensure you're informed, equipped, and empowered to participate more mindfully in your local food system... and to have a great time doing it!
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- 1 weeks ago43 min
1013: Finding Joy in the Garden with Kristin Battafarano
Soil Health, Beneficial Insects, and Growing with NatureIn this Episode Farmer Greg talks with Kristen Battafarano, a horticultural consultant and educator with more than three decades of experience helping people grow healthier gardens. Kristen shares how an unexpected journey from illustration and office work to organic farming transformed her life and connected her with the soil, plants, and people who share her passion for growing food. She takes listeners on a tour of her Arizona garden, exploring wood-chip mulch, rainwater absorption, cover crops, volunteer plants, beneficial insects, and creative ways to recycle nutrients. Kristen also explains why healthy soil and thoughtful plant care can reduce the need for chemical treatments. Her message is simple: stay curious, experiment in your garden, and create a place where both people and nature can thrive.Our Guest: Kristen is a horticultural consultant and educator who has spent more than three decades helping people create healthier, more resilient landscapes. Her journey began on a small organic farm in Tempe, where she discovered a deep connection to soil, plants, and the natural world. Since then, she has taught horticulture and consulted on hundreds of landscapes, building bridges between science, practical application, and the people who care for our shared landscapes. Key TopicsKristen Battafarano — Horticultural consultant and educator with more than 30 years of experience.Organic farming — Kristen's introduction to hands-on growing and her connection to food and nature.Matt Sur — Organic farmer who mentored Kristen and contributed to the low-desert vegetable planting calendar.Soil health and microbial activity — How organic matter, mulch, and soil organisms contribute to healthier growing conditions.Wood-chip mulch — Using layers of woody material to improve soil, retain moisture, and recycle nutrients.Rainwater harvesting and swales — Designing garden spaces to absorb rainfall rather than allowing runoff.Cover crops — Using clover and other plants to protect soil, add nitrogen, and support soil structure.Volunteer plants and seed saving — Allowing plants such as cherry tomatoes, carrots, and trees to reseed naturally.Beneficial insects and pollinators — Recognizing the roles of native bees, flies, wasps, and other garden organisms.Desert gardening — Working with Arizona's heat, irrigation water, mineral salts, and challenging growing conditions.Integrated pest management — Identifying insects and assessing the severity of infestations before deciding whether treatment is necessary.Organic matter and nutrient cycling — Reusing rabbit litter, plant material, and other organic resources in the garden.Natural plant growth and pruning — Preserving blossoms, healthy foliage, and the movement and beauty of plants.Curiosity and experimentation — Treating garden challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.Key Questions AnsweredHow did Kristen discover her passion for gardening?After finding office work and digital illustration unfulfilling, Kristen began exploring her love of nature and plants. Working on an organic farm with Matt Sur gave her a sense of purpose, connection, and joy that changed the direction of her life.How can wood-chip mulch improve a garden?Kristen describes using thick layers of wood chips to encourage microbial activity, build soil, and retain moisture. As the material breaks down, it contributes organic matter and nutrients to the soil ecosystem.How can homeowners manage rainwater in desert gardens?Kristen uses swales and soil-building techniques that allow rainfall to soak into her property. She contrasts this with neighboring yards where water collects and runs into the street.Why are cover crops useful in a vegetable garden?Cover crops such as clover protect the soil surface, help improve soil structure, and can contribute nitrogen. They also provide an alternative to maintaining conventional turf in some garden spaces.Should gardeners eliminate every insect they find?No. Kristen recommends identifying the insect and understanding what it does before deciding whether intervention is needed. Many insects contribute to pollination, pest control, and a healthy garden ecosystem.What causes plants to struggle in Arizona's soils?Kristen explains that mineral salts and sodium can accumulate through irrigation. These conditions can alter soil chemistry and cause nutrient lockout, preventing plant roots from absorbing nutrients even when those nutrients are present.How can gardeners reuse household materials to support plant growth?Kristen uses her pet rabbit's litter as a garden resource. The nitrogen-rich material, combined with org
- 1 weeks ago34 min
1012: Grow Little for Big Impact: Rachel Opio of Little Lighthouse Farm
On this replay of the Rosie on the House radio show Host Rome and Farmer Greg welcome Rachel Opio, founder of Little Lighthouse Farm, a certified organic urban farm in central Phoenix, Arizona, to explore how growing food in small spaces can strengthen communities and reconnect people with the land. Inspired by her late mother, Lane Bales, Rachel transformed a family garden into a productive quarter-acre farm focused on soil health, biodiversity, fresh local food, and community education. She shares practical approaches to regenerative agriculture, companion planting, seed saving, and growing food in the Sonoran Desert. Rachel also explains how small urban farms can improve access to fresh produce, preserve growing knowledge, and contribute to a stronger local food system. Her advice for beginners is simple: start with one plant, grow something you love to eat, and let your garden grow from there.Key Topics & EntitiesRachel Opio — Founder and farmer at Little Lighthouse Farm in central Phoenix.Little Lighthouse Farm — Certified organic urban farm focused on nutrient-dense food, community access, and education.Farmer Greg Peterson — Urban farming educator, founder of UrbanFarm.org, and host of the Urban Farm Podcast.Urban agriculture — Growing food in residential yards, containers, and small urban spaces.Regenerative agriculture — Building soil health, increasing biodiversity, and supporting a living ecosystem.Certified organic farming — Annual inspections, detailed recordkeeping, traceability, and certification requirements.Local food systems — Connecting growers and consumers through direct sales, farm stands, restaurants, and local distributors.Soil health — Balancing nutrients, organic matter, airspace, water, and living organisms.Companion planting — Combining compatible plants, including tomatoes, basil, and marigolds, to support a diverse garden.No-till gardening — Protecting soil structure and using chickens to help cultivate garden areas.Seed saving and climate adaptation — Saving seeds suited to Phoenix's Sonoran Desert conditions.Food access and community inclusion — Accepting SNAP/EBT, WIC, and senior farmers market nutrition benefits.Pollinator stewardship — Maintaining bees, perennial flowering plants, and habitat for beneficial wildlife.Beginner gardening — Starting small with a container, herb, or favorite edible plant.Key Questions AnsweredHow did Rachel Opio become an urban farmer?Rachel originally worked in technology, although farming was something she had always wanted to do. After her mother passed away, Rachel returned to the family garden to clear the weeds and found that the space could feed her household and eventually her neighbors. That realization inspired her to turn her quarter-acre property into Little Lighthouse Farm.Why did Rachel name her farm Little Lighthouse Farm?Her mother loved lighthouses and spent decades helping children learn to read. Rachel saw her mother as a guiding light in the community, making the name a tribute to her mother's life and a reflection of the farm's mission: guiding people back to the land.Why does Rachel prioritize locally grown organic food?Rachel emphasizes freshness, nutrient density, and accessibility. Food harvested close to the time it is eaten spends less time in transportation and storage, while local production helps consumers connect with the people growing their food.What does regenerative agriculture look like on a small urban farm?Rachel focuses on soil health, regular soil testing, companion planting, biodiversity, and avoiding tillage. Her chickens help cultivate designated garden areas, while bees and perennial flowering plants support pollination and habitat.How does Little Lighthouse Farm make fresh food more accessible?Rachel sells directly to customers through online orders and a farm stand, and supplies restaurants, hospital systems, and grocery stores through a local distributor. She also accepts SNAP/EBT, WIC, and senior farmers market nutrition benefits.Why is seed saving especially important in the Sonoran Desert?Seeds suited to other climates may struggle in Phoenix's heat and growing conditions. Saving seeds from successful plants helps Rachel maintain varieties adapted to her local environment and reduces dependence on purchasing new seeds.What should a first-time gardener grow?Rachel recommends starting with one plant in a manageable space, such as a container or cup. Choose something you enjoy eating. Herbs are particularly useful because they are relatively easy to grow and can be expensive to purchase.How can small urban farms strengthen local food systems?They bring food
- 2 weeks ago34 min
1011: Getting Viable Seeds: How to Harvest, Save, and Grow Your Own
With Seed Expert Bill McDormanJoin us for our monthly live Seed Chat at SeedChat.orgWhat makes a seed viable, and how do you know when it's ready to grow? In this episode of Seed Chat, Greg Peterson of the Urban Farm Podcast joins seed expert Bill McDorman to explore the art and science of harvesting mature, viable seeds from vegetables, fruits, and wild plants. They share practical techniques for saving seeds from cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans, lettuce, and more, explaining when to harvest, how to dry and process seeds, and why nature's built-in diversity matters. The conversation also explores the importance of seed saving, locally adapted varieties, and community seed networks in building a more resilient food system. Their message is simple: when in doubt, save the seeds and see what happens.Key Topics & EntitiesSeed viability and germination testingSeed maturity and harvesting techniquesSaving cucumber and winter squash seedsHarvesting seeds from grocery-store produceSeed saving from tomatoes, peppers, melons, and applesWet seed processing and fermentationHarvesting and storing beans, peas, and cowpeasLettuce flowering, seed collection, and winnowingNatural reseeding and letting plants self-propagateGenetic diversity and locally adapted seedsNative Seeds/SEARCH and traditional seed varietiesMasanobu Fukuoka and The One-Straw RevolutionGoing to Seed and its seed-sharing programCommunity seed libraries and regional seed networksKey Questions AnsweredWhat makes a seed viable?A viable seed is mature enough to germinate and grow into a plant, and it has remained healthy enough to survive conditions such as extreme heat, excessive moisture, and seed-borne pathogens. Seeds don't all become viable at the same moment; there is natural variation within a plant's seed production.How do you know when cucumbers are ready for seed saving?Choose a healthy, desirable cucumber and mark it on the vine. Leave it to mature well beyond the eating stage until it becomes large and often turns orange. The seeds should fill out rather than remain flat and immature.Should winter squash be cured before saving its seeds?Yes. Leaving winter squash in the field for several days after harvest maturity, particularly during warm weather, allows the seeds to finish maturing before the squash is opened. Summer squash should also be left on the plant well beyond the usual eating stage.Can you save viable seeds from grocery-store produce?Often, yes. Tomatoes are frequently suitable for seed saving, and bell pepper seeds may be more mature if the fruit is allowed to turn red before processing. Melons and squash may also provide useful seeds. However, seeds from hybrid or seedless varieties can produce unpredictable results.Will seeds from an apple grow into the same kind of apple?Usually not. Apple flowers can receive pollen from different trees, creating new genetic combinations. Growing an apple tree from seed can take three to ten years to evaluate, and the resulting fruit may be better, worse, or simply different from the original.Is fermenting seeds necessary when saving tomatoes and cucumbers?No. Seeds can germinate successfully without fermentation. However, wet processing and fermentation can help reduce certain seed-borne disease problems and may improve storage and handling, particularly when processing larger quantities.How should you harvest and store bean and pea seeds?Allow the pods to dry on the vine until they begin to open. If weather conditions make that impractical, pull the vines and hang them indoors until the pods dry completely. This helps the seeds mature and prepares them for storage.What is the best way to harvest lettuce seeds?Let lettuce flower and develop its characteristic fluffy seed heads. Watch for a large number of mature seed heads, then cut the stalks, turn them upside down, and shake them into a paper bag. Winnow away the fluff and chaff before storing the seeds.Why should gardeners allow some plants to reseed naturally?Plants can respond to their local conditions and emerge when the timing is right. By allowing crops such as basil, cilantro, lettuce, and kale to reseed, gardeners can encourage plants that are already growing successfully in their gardens.What should you do when you're unsure whether a seed is viable?Save it and try growing it. Bill emphasizes that seed maturity varies among species and even among individual seeds. Experimentation can reveal surprising germination potential and teach gardeners more about the resilience of plants.How does seed diversity strengthen local food sy
- 3 weeks ago48 min
1010: Certified Naturally Grown: Building Community, Trust, and a Better Food System
with Jennifer Miller & Erin TorgersonIn this Episode - What if small farmers could build trust with their customers without taking on the cost and paperwork of USDA Organic certification? That’s the idea behind Certified Naturally Grown (CNG), a grassroots organization helping farmers show customers how they grow their food. In this episode, Greg Peterson sits down with Jennifer Miller and Erin Torgerson from CNG to talk about how peer inspections, transparency, and a strong farming community help make that possible. Along the way, they explore the importance of local food, saving seeds, sharing knowledge, and making good food more accessible to everyone.Our Guests: Jennifer is the interim executive director of Certified Naturally Grown. From working on farms around the world to running her own farm and directing two food hubs, Jennifer's hands-on experience proves one thing, food is her love language. Erin is the communications and certification coordinator of Certified Naturally Grown. While filming a student documentary about a local farm-to-table restaurant, Erin caught her first glimpse of a biodiverse small-scale farm and hasn't looked back. Certified Naturally Grown is an organization that offers peer review certification to farmers and beekeepers producing food, flowers, and fiber for their local communities by working in harmony with nature without relying on synthetic chemicals or GMOs.Key TopicsCertified Naturally Grown (CNG): A farmer-led certification program built around trust, transparency, and community.CNG and USDA Organic: How CNG offers an alternative for farmers who find USDA Organic certification too expensive or complicated.Peer inspections: Farmers visit and review one another’s operations, creating opportunities to learn as well as verify growing practices.Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS): A community-based approach to building confidence in how food is produced.Making farming work financially: The challenges small-scale farmers face when balancing good growing practices with the realities of running a business.Five CNG certification programs: Produce and flowers, livestock, apiaries, mushrooms, and aquaponics.Transparency for consumers: How customers can learn more about participating farms and review inspection information.Local food systems: Why connecting farmers, consumers, and communities matters.Food hubs and distribution: The challenges of getting locally grown food to the people who want it.Natural beekeeping: Approaches to raising bees with attention to their health and well-being.Aquaponics: Growing food through a system that combines fish and plants.Seed saving: Preserving seed varieties and helping farmers maintain greater control over their growing systems.Farmer education and mentorship: How sharing experience can help new and established growers succeed.Understanding the food system: Why building a better food future involves more than just how we grow food.Key Questions AnsweredWhy was Certified Naturally Grown created?CNG was developed to help smaller farmers demonstrate their growing practices and build customer confidence without the expense and administrative burden that can come with USDA Organic certification.How is CNG different from USDA Organic?CNG uses standards based on the USDA National Organic Program, but it operates as a separate, community-based certification program. It is not the same as USDA Organic certification.How does the certification process work?Farmers apply to the program and participate in peer inspections. These visits help verify growing practices while giving farmers a chance to exchange ideas and learn from one another.Is CNG affordable for small farmers?The organization uses a sliding-scale dues structure, with options intended to make participation more accessible to farms of different sizes and circumstances.How can consumers learn more about a CNG farm?Consumers can visit the CNG website to find participating farms and review available application and inspection information.What do farmers gain beyond certification?They become part of a community where growers can share knowledge, build relationships, and learn from people facing many of the same challenges.Why does seed saving matter?Saving seeds helps preserve v
- 4 weeks ago48 min
1009: Growing Your Farm Without Outside Inputs w/ Shawn and Beth Dougherty
In this Episode Farmer Greg welcomes returning guests Shawn and Beth Dougherty, homesteaders with 40 years of experience growing food and building a farm ecosystem with minimal outside inputs. They discuss their philosophy of homesteading, living soil, biological wealth, and the patterns that allow a farm to generate its own fertility and abundance. Their new book, One Cow Revolution, is an in-depth instruction manual for the family dairy cow, drawing on decades of experience with cows, goats, grazing, milk, and farm systems.Shawn and Beth have been homesteading for the last 40 years. They speak all over the country on sustainable farming, teaching whoever will listen how to grow food without inputs. They grow 95% of what they eat and what their animals eat, and the heart of their sustainable homestead is their grass-fed dairy cow. They joined us for the first time on episode 147 all the way back in October 2016.Key TopicsHomesteading as producing food for your family while improving the soilHow to grow food without relying on outside inputsCreating living soil is biological wealthHow to build self-fertile farm ecosystemsThe relationship between plants, animals, soil, and sunlightRotational grazing and working with natural patternsLearning through failure, mistakes, and setbacksThe role of dairy cows in a homesteadOne Cow RevolutionThe Independent FarmsteadMicrograzing and small-scale grazingGrass-fed dairy, milk, cheese, butter, whey, and buttermilkChickens and pigs as part of the farm nutrient cycleFamily, food, farming, and passing knowledge between generationsKey Questions AnsweredWhat is homesteading?Shawn and Beth define homesteading as producing food for your own consumption while improving the soil through the same activities. They see it as more than food production: it is a way of reconnecting people with natural systems and creating an environment where families can thrive.How can a farm become less dependent on outside inputs?The key is learning the natural patterns that generate food, animal feed, and soil fertility. Instead of continually importing fertility, a farm can cycle organic matter, manure, animals, plants, and other resources so that the ecosystem becomes increasingly self-fertile.Why is living soil so important?Living soil supports mineral-rich plants, which feed animals and people. Returning organic matter and nutrients to the soil allows biological wealth to increase from one generation to the next rather than being depleted.What role does a dairy cow play on a homestead?A dairy cow converts grass and hay into milk while also producing manure, a calf, and byproducts such as whey and buttermilk. Those resources can feed people, pigs, chickens, and the soil, creating connections throughout the farm ecosystem.How can a dairy cow work on a small property?The Doughertys explain that cows can fit on relatively small acreage when their food is brought to them. They describe the family dairy cow as a powerful way to convert abundant grass into nutrient-dense food and other resources for the farm.What does failure teach us about farming?Mistakes and setbacks force farmers to observe, experiment, and discover what actually works. Shawn and Beth describe their own years of “homesteading badly” as an important part of learning the patterns that eventually made their farm productive.How should farmers respond to drought and other natural events?Rather than automatically fighting every environmental change, farmers can look for the opportunities within it. Their experience with drought showed how changing conditions can strengthen warm-season grasses and renew the seed base for future conditions.Why did Shawn and Beth write One Cow Revolution?They wanted to capture the small, intuitive details of managing a cow that are traditionally learned by watching experienced farmers. The book is intended to provide the practical knowledge and reassurance of an experienced farmer or grandparent who can help someone understand what is happening and respond appropriately.Episode HighlightsHomesteading is about producing food while improving the soil through the same activities.A healthy farm can generate much of its own fertility, food, and abundance when its natural patterns are understood.Biological wealth begins with living soil and grows when nutrients and organic matter are returned to the ecosystem.Failure and setbacks can provide some of the most valuable education a farmer receives.Shawn and Beth describe the dairy cow as a central connector between grass, milk, pigs, chickens, manure, and soil.Grass captures sunlight and provides
- Sep 25, 202633 min
1008 - Worm Castings, Compost & Regenerative Gardening
In this Episode - What if the key to growing healthier, more productive gardens isn’t more fertilizer, but healthier living soil? Ben Lederer, co-founder of Regenerative Soil Company in North Phoenix, joins Greg to explore how compost, worm castings, mulch, and beneficial biology can transform the soil beneath your garden. You’ll learn simple ways to start composting, use kitchen scraps and chickens to build a regenerative cycle, and improve your soil while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. Ben and Greg also share practical ideas for taking one small step toward a healthier garden and a more resilient community.Our Guest: Ben is the co-founder of Regenerative Soil Company, a small batch amendment company based in North Phoenix. A longtime gardener, chicken keeper, and compost enthusiast, Ben is passionate about helping people grow healthier plants naturally through worm castings, regenerative gardening practices, and living soil biology. He also works in turf grass management and enjoys teaching practical, approachable ways to build healthy soil at homeKey TopicsBen LedererRegenerative Soil CompanyWorm castingsLiving soil biologyRegenerative gardeningCompostingGreen mulch and cowpeasChickens and backyard food systemsLocal soil amendmentsTurf grass and soil managementPermaculture and closed-loop gardeningArizona Worm FarmCommunity gardeningThe Worm Farmer’s HandbookKey Questions AnsweredHow did Ben Lederer get into regenerative gardening and soil health?Ben grew up watching his parents garden and became fascinated by how plants grow. His experience in landscaping and turf grass management eventually led him to question conventional practices and look for ways to build healthier soil naturally. What are worm castings, and why are they useful in the garden?Worm castings are worm-processed organic material that contains microbes and nutrients. Ben describes them as a gentle organic fertilizer that can help plants grow stronger and handle environmental stress, while Greg shares his experience using them to reduce heat and transplant stress. What are some natural ways to improve garden soil?Ben recommends compost, worm castings, mulch, and green mulch. These practices can add organic matter, support soil biology, retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, and improve conditions for future plantings. How can cowpeas function as green mulch?Cowpeas help cover the soil, keep it cooler, and contribute nitrogen through their relationship with soil biology. At the end of the season, Ben recommends cutting the plants down and leaving the roots in the soil so they decompose in place. How can a beginner start composting at home?Ben says the simplest approach is to establish a compost pile in an appropriate area of the yard. A basic compost system needs a balance of nitrogen-rich “greens” and carbon-rich “browns,” along with moisture and occasional turning. How can gardeners get enough green material for compost?Ben suggests building relationships with neighbors and offering to collect their kitchen scraps. Providing neighbors with a five-gallon bucket gives them an easy way to contribute food waste while helping the gardener build compost. How do chickens, compost, and gardening form a regenerative cycle?Chickens can eat kitchen scraps, produce manure for the compost pile, and help turn and work through compost. The resulting compost feeds the garden, which produces more food and food scraps, creating a useful cycle between animals, compost, soil, and plants. Why does Ben emphasize buying soil amendments locally?Ben says local compost and soil products are more likely to retain active microbial life because they have not spent long periods sitting on a store shelf. He encourages gardeners to seek out local compost and soil producers. What does Ben see as the role of competition among local worm farms?Ben views other worm farms as potential complements rather than competitors. He believes there is ample demand for locally produced worm castings and that collaboration can help more gardeners succeed. What did Ben learn from personal setbacks?Ben describes rebuilding his life after struggling with drugs and alcohol as a teenager and young adult. He says the experience taught him resilience, responsibility, and accountability, and that those lessons now influence how he approaches agriculture and business. What book does Ben recommend for people interested in vermicomposting?<p
- Sep 18, 202642 min
Building Peace Through Being Prepared w/ Wendi Bergin - Ep 1007
SubtitleIn this Episode Wendi Bergin and Greg Peterson explore preparedness as a practical, positive part of everyday life rather than fear-driven survivalism. They discuss building a working pantry, storing and rotating food, developing skills, maintaining backups, and preparing for the specific challenges of where you live. Greg and Wendi also share lessons from Hurricane Helene and other emergencies, emphasizing that preparedness creates peace and makes it easier to care for family, neighbors, and community. Key TopicsPreparedness as a way of lifeWorking pantry and food storageFreeze-dried and survival foodsFood-system vulnerabilityThree-day grocery supply and “three-hour supply”Meal planning for food storagePressure canning and food preservation“Two is one, one is none”Backup power and generatorsWater storage and filtrationEmergency cooking and lightingSkills versus possessionsHurricane Helene preparedness lessonsNeighborhood food infrastructureKey Questions AnsweredWhat does preparedness look like without becoming hoarding?Wendi and Greg describe preparedness as having useful supplies that are part of everyday life. Food should be familiar, used, and rotated rather than purchased and forgotten. How can someone build a food supply without buying large amounts of survival food?Start with meals the household already eats. Wendi recommends identifying 10 familiar meals and gradually stocking enough ingredients to make each meal multiple times. Why should preparedness be for everyone?Emergencies aren't limited to natural disasters. Job loss, health crises, family needs, power outages, and other unexpected circumstances can all create situations where having food, water, skills, and supplies makes life easier. Why are skills more valuable than stuff?Skills travel with you. Greg explains that gardening, food preservation, cooking, and other practical abilities remain useful even if you move somewhere else or lose access to your existing equipment and supplies. What does “two is one, one is none” mean in practical preparedness?It means having backups because equipment can fail when you need it most. Both Greg and Wendi share experiences where generators or other equipment failed or had to be given to someone else. How should people prepare for their particular location?Preparedness depends on local conditions. The conversation covers hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in New Jersey, extreme heat in the low desert, and the different needs of other climates and households. How can preparedness strengthen a neighborhood?Prepared people can share resources and skills instead of simply relying on others. Greg describes neighbors sharing food during Hurricane Helene and his idea for a neighborhood potato-planting party to build food production into the community. How can someone get started today?Start by taking inventory of what you already have: food, water, filters, flashlights, batteries, cooking equipment, generators, and other supplies. Then identify the gaps that matter most for your household and location. Episode HighlightsPreparedness doesn't have to be heavy or fear-based; it can simply become part of everyday life. Build a pantry around food you actually eat, and rotate what you store. A stocked pantry became especially valuable when Greg and Heidi experienced a week without water and electricity during Hurricane Helene. Test generators and backup equipment regularly instead of assuming they will work when needed. Water, food, shelter, cooking, and light are fundamental preparedness priorities. Skills can be carried anywhere, while possessions can be lost, left behind, or fail. Start small: inventory what you already have, then fill the gaps based on your circumstances. Preparedness can move beyond the household into neighborhood food infrastructure and community care. Calls to Action & ResourcesHomesteading Made Simple — Podcast and YouTube channel featuring homesteading skills, mindset, gardens, animals, and homestead properties. Food storage inventory — Start by documenting the food, water, equipment, and other preparedness resources already in your home. 10 Times Food
- Sep 11, 202639 min
1006: Seed Libraries: Growing Community, Resilience & Local Seed
A Seed Chat w/ Rebecca NewburnRebecca Newburn, co-founder of Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library and a leader of the Seed Library Network, joins Greg Peterson for a conversation about the power of community seed libraries. They explore how seed libraries differ from seed banks, why local seed matters, and how seed saving can increase biodiversity, food resilience, and community connection. Rebecca also shares new resources for seed saving, education, children, librarians, and communities that want to create their own seed-saving cohorts. The conversation ultimately comes back to a simple idea: seeds are life embodied, and they sprout hope.Key Topics & EntitiesSeed Library NetworkRichmond Grows Seed Lending LibrarySeed libraries vs. seed banksCommunity seed saving and sharingLocal and regionally adapted seedSeed diversity and biodiversityPermaculture and traditional wisdomSeed-saving educationSeed-saving cohorts and teacher trainingSeed-saving guidelines and chartsSeed libraries in public libraries and schoolsFood resilience and cultural preservationKey Questions AnsweredWhat is a seed library?A seed library is a free community resource where people can get seeds without paying for them or being required to return seeds. When gardeners learn to save and return seeds, the library can become increasingly self-sustaining.How is a seed library different from a seed bank?Seed libraries generally serve home gardeners and don't require seeds to be returned. Seed banks are more commonly associated with farmers and often require a return of seed in greater quantity than was borrowed.Where did the modern seed library movement come from?Rebecca was inspired by BASIL, the Bay Area Seed Interchange Library at the Berkeley Ecology Center. While taking a permaculture design course, she connected with one of its founders and decided to develop a replicable model for creating seed libraries.Why is local seed so important?Rebecca believes communities need to re-localize their seed. Much commercial seed is produced in different climates and sometimes different countries. Locally saved seed has the opportunity to adapt to local conditions while communities preserve greater genetic and cultural diversity.What does localizing seed look like?It means more people learning to save and share seeds, increasing the diversity of seed stocks, and paying attention to which plants actually thrive in their own communities.What should home gardeners save seed from?Save seed from what you like. Greg and Rebecca emphasize selecting plants that perform well in your particular environment and produce food you actually enjoy eating.What makes a seed library successful?Success depends on the community. It might mean getting people to garden for the first time, meeting the community's demand for seed, or gradually increasing the percentage of locally donated seed.Why is genetic diversity valuable in a home garden?Greater diversity can mean different plants mature at different times, while variation may provide more resilience when pests, frost, or other challenges affect the garden.What does a gardener need to know about saving viable seed?Seed saving isn't simply about collecting seeds. Some crops need cross-pollination and a sufficient number of plants to maintain viable genetics. Rebecca's forthcoming seed-saving chart addresses ease of saving, potential cross-pollination, viable seed production, and recommended population sizes.When are cucumber seeds ready to save?Unlike cucumbers harvested for eating, cucumbers intended for seed saving should remain on the vine until they become fully mature, orange, and even begin to soften. This allows the seeds to develop properly.How can communities create seed-saving teachers?The Seed Library Network is developing replicable seed-saving cohorts that combine online instruction from experienced seed savers with local hands-on learning. The goal is to help communities develop people who can teach seed saving to others.How can seed libraries connect with children and educators?Rebecca is developing coloring books, seed-saving activities, story-time resources, songs, bookmarks, downloadable materials, and "Program In A Box" concepts that libraries, educators, and homeschoolers can use to teach children about seeds.Episode HighlightsSeed libraries are free community resources where people can access seeds without the obligation to return them, while seed b
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About The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson
Welcome to The Urban Farm Podcast, your partner in the Grow Your Own Food revolution! This audio only podcast features special guests like Rosemary Morrow, Zach Loeks, and Andrew Millison as we discuss the art and value of growing food in urban areas. We'll explore topics such as gardening basics, urban beekeeping and chicken farming, permaculture, successful composting, monetizing your farm, and much more! Each episode will bring you tips and tricks on how to overcome common challenges, opportunities to learn from the experience of people just like you, and plenty of resources to ensure you're informed, equipped, and empowered to participate more mindfully in your local food system... and to have a great time doing it!
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Urban Farm Team.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson release new episodes?
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson cover?
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson covers topics including Leisure, Education, Arts, Food, Courses, Garden, Home & Garden. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson summaries tomorrow morning.
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Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.