Today’s episode features a special friend who has been an important part of my life for over a decade. We are discussing sustainable agriculture, climate change, and more! Join us!

Judith Redmond has been a farmer for over 30 years. She is one of the founders and owners of Full Belly Farm in the beautiful Capay Valley of northern California. In addition to overseeing 400 acres and 80 different crops, Judith has run their CSA (community-supported agriculture) program and managed the weekly Farmer’s Market. With many hands-on tasks, Judith is also part of the regulatory compliance effort and helps oversee the financial and business operations at the farm. She understands the larger issues and the importance of sustainable agriculture, along with facing the challenges of wildfires and drought in the midst of their Mediterranean climate. Judith explains what it’s like to be a farmer in the era of COVID and what organic agriculture can offer to help mitigate climate change and move us forward.  

Show Highlights:

• How Judith was inspired by her grandfather to become a farmer
• How Full Belly Farms began when four farmers came together in 1989 with a desire to produce organic food
• How the farm has grown and expanded to include 80 different crops, flowers, chickens, and sheep
• How the farm is forward-thinking in the “fertility” of the farm through composting and cover crops, all in an effort to return carbon to the soil
• How the pandemic challenges demonstrated that the local food system was there to help people when the mainstream food industry failed
• Why Judith considers farming a form of activism
• How community-supported agriculture works 
• How the relationship works between fertile soil and microbes, so the groundwater is not tainted with water-soluble fertilizers
• Why farmers need to take risks, learn new techniques, and be willing to constantly adapt to meet the challenges of the pandemic, wildfires, and climate change
• How Judith has moved into a transition time toward retirement from full-time farming and working more with nonprofit organizations 
• Why community, communication, and collaboration are important to Judith
• What Judith is working on right now
• What it means to Judith to live in her purpose
• Hear Judith’s answers to rapid-fire questions about helpful advice, grounding habits, favorite hot beverage, last meal on earth, morning routine, an inspiring person, something people might not know, what she’s reading, and what’s bringing her joy right now. 

Resources:

Connect with Full Belly Farm and check out farming internship opportunities:  www.fullbellyfarm.com   

Books mentioned and recommended by Judith:  

Violeta by Isabel Allende

One! Hundred! Demons! By Lynda Barry

These Precious Days by Ann Pratchett

The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel

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