The Farmers Beet
The Farmers Beet
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 2
In this episode we continue the conversation on the impact of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Linden, California. You’ll hear from the father and son duos of Colombini Ranch and Chinchiolo Farming Company about the impact BIOS had on the different generations of their farm, and why they continue to follow BIOS practices like cover cropping and integrated pest management. Source
Jul 8, 2025
39 min
The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 1
The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project has brought together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. In this episode we head down to the Northern San Joaquin region to interview early BIOS collaborating growers, Chris and Christy Locke, and PCA, Jeannine Lowrimore… Source
Jun 18, 2025
37 min
Urban Agriculture in Orange County: Gospel Swamp Farm and The Ecology Center
In this episode we travel to Southern California to meet with Samuel Guitron of Gospel Swamp Farm in Santa Ana and Johnny Wilson from The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano to talk all about Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, in urban farms. You’ll also hear about how soil health is monitored using potatoes at Gospel Swamp Farm, how wheat and rice bran are being used to manage soil-borne pathogens at The Ecology Center, and so much more. Episode Resources: Gospel Swamp Farm website: https://heritagemuseumoc.org/gospel-swamp-farm/ Gospel Swamp Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelswampfarm/?hl=en The Heritage Museum of Orange County: https://heritagemuseumoc.org/ CAFF Cover Crop Decision Guide for Annual Cropping Systems: https://caff.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CAFF-Cover-Crop-Guide-for-Annual-Systems-112222.pdf The Ecology Center website: https://theecologycenter.org/ The Ecology Center instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theecologycenter/?hl=en Regenerative Organic Alliance: https://regenorganic.org/ Joji Muramoto’s UCCE page: https://ucanr.edu/?facultyid=42875 Master Gardeners Handbook - 2nd Ed.: https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3382 CAFF webpage: https://caff.org/ CAFF instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caff_famfarms/?hl=en CAFF Ecological Pest Management website: https://caff.org/epm/
Aug 16, 2024
32 min
EPISODE 3, SEASON 4: FUELS MANAGEMENT AND POLICY CONCERNS IN CA- A CONVERSATION WITH BETH REYNOLDS OF THE GOAT GIRLS, COLE BUSH OF GRAZING SCHOOL OF THE WEST, AND SENATOR MONIQUE LIMÓN
The Goat Girls Cal Poly Sheep Unit SB 675 AB 297 Paso Robles- Salinas River Vegetation Management Project CEQA and grazing resources Prescribed Herbivory White paper from the Rangeland Management Advisory Committee Regional Water Quality Control Board and Grazing tips Upper Salinas- Las Tablas Resources Conservation District CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program California Climate and Action Network: Wildfire Policy Resources Resources Legacy Fund- Wildfire Strategies PRODUCTION TEAM: Podcast hosted by Amber Schat and supported by Grizzly Corps Fellow, Joshua Harjes Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions Release Date: 12/08/202
Dec 9, 2023
43 min
CRECE Urban Farm Collective, Spreadwing Farm, and CAFF’s Dave Runsten podcast episode
In this episode we delve into all things on-farm composting, from its production to its use and relevant agricultural policies. We hear from Abel Ruiz at CRECE Farming Collective in Santa Ana about their use of various composting methods at a small scale. Liz Schroeder of Spreadwing Farm in Rumsey shares about their use of compost on an organic farm, from considerations around sourcing compost to its application. Dave Runsten, CAFF’s Water Policy Director, also provides an update on the state of composting policy in California. Show Notes CRECE Urban Farm Collective: https://www.crece-coop.org/about CRECE Urban Farm Collective Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crece.coop Spreadwing Farm website: https://spreadwingfarm.com/ Spreadwing Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spreadwing_farm Tierra Negra (es) : https://tierranegramx.wixsite.com/website Assessing Compost Quality for Agriculture: https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8514.pdf Organic Materials Management from CalRecycle: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/farming/ More on CAFF’s policy work: https://caff.org/policy/ On-Farm Composting video with Frog Hollow Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSUSUH04Bjw Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Aug 7, 2023
37 min
Farmers Beet Podcast on Integrated Crop Livestock Systems with Eatwell Farm – Dixon and Pasture42 – Guinda
In this episode, we learn about integrated crop livestock management from two Northern California Farms. First, we hear from Lorraine Walker of Eatwell Farm in Dixon, CA, where they incorporate laying hens into their diversified vegetable production, and also touch on soil health and fertility management. Ken Walker of Pasture 42 in Guinda, CA then walks us through how they incorporate sheep and… Source
May 18, 2023
26 min
Episode 3: First Rain Farm- Nevada City
In this episode, we travel to First Rain Farm in Nevada County, where Tim Van Wagner is integrating a number of effective wildfire preparation methods on his property, as well as those of his neighbors and surrounding community. By combining targeted ecological grazing and prescribed burns, Tim is able to rehabilitate overgrown forests in the foothills to productive foraging systems that support… Source
Dec 14, 2022
25 min
Episode 2: Wild Oat Hollow Penngrove, CA
In this episode, Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow in Penngrove, CA describes her entry into ranching and how her love of the land positioned her to become a leader in developing and supporting community grazing cooperatives. Join us as Sarah shares her experience with wildfires in Sonoma County and how grazing is making a difference for regional wildfire protection and preparedness… Source
Nov 30, 2022
27 min
Episode 1: Turkey Tail Farm – Yankee Hill
In this episode we visit Cheetah Tchudi at his diversified operation in Yankee Hill, Butte County, CA. Cheetah shares his experience surviving the 2018 Paradise wildfire, and some methods for recovery; addressing toxic ash using fungi to capture and and treat persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. Release Date: 11/16/2022… Source
Nov 16, 2022
33 min
Luna’s Farm Podcast Episode (en Español)
Queridas oyentes, este es nuestro último episodio de la temporada. Esperamos que disfrute de este episodio especial en español presentado por el productor de nuestro podcast, Jaime Roque.  En este episodio, visitamos Luna's Farm, una granja familiar Latinx multigeneracional que cultiva vegetales orgánicos en Hollister, California. Antonio Luna comparte sobre la granja de su familia y su historia agrícola en los Estados Unidos, que se remonta a más de tres décadas. Aprendemos cómo la granja reduce los riesgos de inocuidad alimentaria a través del uso del agua, la capacitación de los empleados y la evaluación previa a la cosecha para detectar la intrusión de animales. Antonio también comparte consejos para otros agricultores sobre el mantenimiento de registros de inocuidad alimentaria.
Jun 22, 2022
21 min
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