Rootstock Radio

Dr. John Fagan on the Toxins in our Food and Environment Jun 17, 2019

On this final episode of Rootstock Radio, we're talking to Dr. John Fagan of Earth Open Source Institute about an all-encompassing model of health, climate change, pesticides and science.

It's been a great 4 years of doing this podcast, and we want to thank the thousands of listeners who have celebrated so many Good Food Movement changemakers with us every week. We hope you'll stay connected with us on our blog, Rootstock, at www.organicvalley.coop/blog.

Chef Luke Zahm: The Difference Between a Fad and a Revolution Jun 10, 2019

Today on Rootstock Radio, Chef Luke Zahm of the Driftless Cafe gets real about what it takes to be conscientious in the restaurant industry, and why serving local food is so important to the greater local food system.

Tune in to hear about:

The unique food and agriculture scene in the Driftless region of Wisconsin (which is, of course, how the Driftless Cafe got its name.)
Why Luke and his team spend 85% of their food budget sourcing from producers within 100 miles of their restaurant.
How Luke has made telling the stories of farmers central to his business model.
Important conversations taking place among chefs about how to celebrate local food and farmers without grandstanding or exploiting the “trendiness” of farm-to-table.
The difference between a fad and a revolution, according to Luke (and why organic is clearly the latter.)

Mari Margil: Giving Nature the Legal Rights it Deserves Jun 03, 2019

Mari Margil and her team at the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund are committed to defending the rights of our environment under the law. Already they have assisted the first places in the world to secure Rights of Nature in law, including in Ecuador, where these rights are now written into the country’s constitution.

Recently, the organization was instrumental in advocating for the rights of Lake Erie to be protected against agricultural pollution, which has also been polluting the water of Toledo, Ohio, residents. In February, Ohio voters passed the “Lake Erie Bill of Rights” law, a first-of-its-kind measure that could set a positive precedent for other Rights of Nature laws.

Listen in to hear more about how our environment can - and should - have a lawyer.

Anthony Reyes: Growing Skills (and Food) at the Homeless Garden Project May 27, 2019

Today on Rootstock Radio, we’re talking with Anthony Reyes, Farm Manager at Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz, California. Anthony’s interest in food and agriculture was piqued in college, where he studied food, agriculture and social justice. But after he got a job not just thinking about agriculture, but actually working with his hands in the soil, his focus shifted from theoretical policy, to being on the ground making change in big and small ways.

Which is—of course—part of how Anthony found himself farm manager of an urban farm and garden that employs, educates and nourishes people experiencing homelessness.

Ashleigh Eubanks: Food and Cooperation in the Boroughs of New York City May 20, 2019

Today we’re talking to community organizer Ashleigh Eubanks of RiseBoro Community Partnership, where her work includes food systems education, supporting local co-op development, building cross-movement solidarity and fostering local leadership. Not only that, Ashleigh was named one of Brooklyn Magazine’s “30 Under 30” for her work as a food justice organizer in 2018. Tune in to hear her story of growing up in a food desert, and how the inequality she saw inspired her to make change.

Sarah Potenza: How WWOOF Did Ecotourism Long Before it was Cool May 13, 2019

WWOOF’s model for cultural exchange on organic farms connects people from all over the world through shared values of good food, sustainability and community. WWOOF was doing ecotourism before that term had even been invented! Tune in to hear about how WWOOFing works, how it's changed since the 1970s, and how it has led many people to organic farming (and showed a few that the farming life wasn't for them - and that's a good thing to know).

Cara Loriz: Protecting the (Often-Overlooked) Foundation of Our Food System May 06, 2019

Have you ever stopped to think about how the plants that produce our seeds are treated? Today on Rootstock Radio Cara Loriz, Executive Director at Organic Seed Alliance, is talking about an often-overlooked and truly fundamental piece of our food and agriculture system: seeds.

Amanda Oborne: Helping the "Ag of the Middle" Thrive Apr 29, 2019

Farm infrastructures in the U.S. are designed to support either very big or very small farms, which sometimes leaves mid-sized producers—the “Ag of the Middle”—without resources or a market. Amanda Oborne of Ecotrust is supporting these often-overlooked farms in order to create a flourishing regional food system.

Chef Mary Cleaver on Eating Local in the Urban Jungle (and Happy Earth Day!) Apr 22, 2019

We’re ringing in the 49th anniversary of Earth Day with a special Rootstock Radio conversation with Chef Mary Cleaver, one of the country’s foremost authorities on sustainable food and local sourcing. She's also an alumnus of Earth Dinner, a special themed dinner that brings friends and family together for an intentional, meaningful meal on Earth Day (or really, any day!).

Tune in to hear about:

Mary’s ideal Earth Dinner menu (we’re salivating…)
How Mary has literally watched the “eat local” movement come into being in NYC, from one market selling local products in 1976 to over 55 today.
Helping other NYC chefs to bring local ingredients to restaurants across the city.
Why Mary believes there is a big difference between what hits your tongue and the energy that flows through your body as a result.
The one thing Mary would encourage everyone to do in celebration of Earth Day, or any day of the year!

Cheyenna Layne Weber: The Cooperative Economic Model Our Earth Needs Apr 15, 2019

Today on Rootstock Radio, Cheyenna Layne Weber, Brooklyn-based writer and community organizer with the Cooperative Economics Alliance of New York City, talks about her pursuit of art and activism that elevates the needs of people and the planet over profit. Hear about the "solidarity economy" (aka "new economics" or "regenerative economics") and how everyone can be involved.

Kendra Klein: Reducing Exposure to Pesticides, a Scientifically Proven Way Apr 08, 2019

On today’s episode of Rootstock Radio, we’re chatting with Kendra Klein, senior staff scientist at Friends of the Earth (FOE) and a seasoned writer, researcher and advocate (Kendra’s been at this kind of work for a full 17 years!). Kendra shares what that FOE is doing to change our food and agriculture system for the better. This includes an exciting new study that found switching to organic food can dramatically reduce your exposure to pesticides—we’re talking drops of 60% in just 6 days, and up to 95% depending on the compound! The study also found 14 specific pesticides in every single participant (a fact that should thoroughly alarm us all).

The hopeful news is that this study, and others like it, shows it IS POSSIBLE to seriously reduce the amount of pesticide residues in our bodies through our diet. And in a world where a lot of things feel completely out of our control, our food choices are something that’s still in our own hands.

Eric Holt-Gimenez: Hope for a Democratic Food System Apr 01, 2019

Eric Holt-Giménez firmly believes that our food system is not, in fact, broken. As he shared with us in early 2018, the agriculture system we’re operating today never really worked in the first place. Today on Rootstock Radio, we’re visiting with him again, this time about his latest book, Can We Feed The World Without Destroying It?, and to hear what other good things he’s been taking action around as executive director of the Institute for Food Development and Policy (also known as Food First).

Naomi Starkman of Civil Eats on Fixing TWO Broken Systems: Food & Media Mar 25, 2019

On this week’s episode of Rootstock Radio, founder and editor-in-chief of Civil Eats Naomi Starkman reflects on 10 years spent building a daily news source for critical thought about the American food system. She’s not interested in being beholden to big advertisers and big business, or in chasing the current 24-hour news cycle for that matter. No, Naomi is interested in illuminating the triumphs and challenges of our current food system through fair, balanced and high-quality journalism. With the James Beard Foundation’s 2014 Publication of the Year Award under its belt, Civil Eats is well on its way to doing exactly that.

Betty Izumi: How Teaching "Food Gratitude" Encourages Kids to Eat Their Veggies Mar 18, 2019

Today Betty Izumi, who holds the title of project director and "principal investigator" at Harvest for Healthy Kids, discusses a neat way to get kids to eat their fruits and veggies -- "Food Gratitude," a practice she observed while conducting research on school food in Japan. Listen in to learn more…especially if your kids are picky eaters!

Bob Quinn: The Modern Benefits of Ancient Grains Mar 11, 2019

Today on Rootstock Radio we’re talking to an organic farmer and sustainable agriculture pioneer who’s in the habit of wearing his heart on his sleeve—and in his hat. Often seen with a few stalks of the ancient grain Kamut® tucked into his wide-brimmed cowboy hat, Bob Quinn is pioneering sustainable agriculture and alternative energy in his state of Montana. He’s incredibly knowledgeable about Khorasan wheat, commercially known as Kamut®, that he grows on his farm, but that’s certainly not Bob’s only area of expertise.

Plus: Kamut legends, why it's a registered trademark, how Italy is obsessed with it, and using recycled veggie oil to power his farm. Tune in to hear more!

Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern: Racial (In)Justice, Immigration and Labor in the Food System Mar 04, 2019

Can you understand something like food without considering politics, economics and social conditions? Professor Laura-Anne Minkoff-Zern doesn’t think so. Catch her insights on this week’s episode of Rootstock Radio.

Tune in to hear about:

The lowdown on guest worker programs in agriculture: what they are, why they’re gaining popularity again—and why they’re problematic.
How social violence and economic exclusion in the marketplace turns farmers into migrant farm workers.
The history of farm workers being left out of progressive labor reforms like 40-hour work weeks and the right to unionize.
Hope! An opportunity emerging for immigrant farm workers as (predominantly) white farmers are retiring across the country.

Liz Carlisle: Lentils, Legumes & the Power of Pulses Feb 25, 2019

Tune in to hear about:

- How farmers in Montana turned a cover crop into a cash crop and are fixing nutrients in their soil, all while taking a “slow money” approach.

- Liz’ realizations about conversation and land stewardship in the prairies of Montana.

- How Liz was inspired by Montana politician Senator Jon Tester, who is himself an organic farmer!

- What changed in Montanan agriculture during the farm crisis of the 80s.

- How the transition to sustainable agriculture practices affected farm communities.

- Lentils, legumes and pulses!

Listen at the link below, on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or wherever you get your podcasts.

Terry Oxford: Sustainable Urban Beekeeping Feb 18, 2019

Terry Oxford is a beekeeper…on the rooftops of downtown San Francisco. It’s true! Urban areas can often be better habitat for bees than the countryside because of the parks and residents’ gardens that tend to grow flowers during a wider season than happens in nature. But they have one big thing looming against them: the chemicals used in those parks and gardens put urban bees at more risk.

Tune in to hear about:

- The sophisticated way honeybees think about, and plan for, the future. (Hint: they’re light years ahead of us!)

- Gender roles in beehives, and how sustainable beekeeping supports BOTH the male and female bees. (Conventional beekeeping often cuts males out of the operation entirely).

- How chemicals used in cities have created a world full of poisonous flowers. (Let that sink in for a minute.)

- The most efficient way to create food for pollinators in a city.

- The story of pollination—magical AND sexy.

- Why Terry is reducing her beekeeping practice while expanding it in other ways.

Listen at the link below, on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or wherever you get your podcasts.

Leah Penniman: Amplifying the Voices of Black and Brown Farmers Feb 11, 2019

Tune in to hear about:

- What cover cropping and vermicomposting have in common.

- How Europeans essentially kidnapped skilled Black agriculturalists.

- How Leah’s upbringing and experiences brought her to a connection with the earth and farming.

- Why changing diets in marginalized communities really is an access issue NOT an education, motivation, or anything-else issue.

- The incredible programs Soul Fire Farm is running, how they came about, and where they’d like to go from here.

Leah is a Black Kreyol farmer who has been tending the soil for twenty years and organizing for an anti-racist food system for fifteen years. She’s an educator, food justice activist, executive director of Soul Fire Farm and author of Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land.

Listen at the link below, on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or wherever you get your podcasts.

Fred Provenza: Where Wonder Meets Science (And Why They Aren’t Mutually Exclusive) Feb 04, 2019

Listen in to hear about:

- Imbuing his writing (and latest book) with a little more heart and soul than your average scientific text.

- Plant consciousness and what Fred thinks about it—Totally implausible? Absolute fact? Tune in to find out.

- How plants can sense nutrients and how this “nutritional wisdom” has been lost in humans.

- The possibility of regaining nutritional wisdom (there may still be hope!)

- One low-cost change you can make in your life that will help “link us back to the land,” as Fred puts it.

Listen at the link below, on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or wherever you get your podcasts.

Mai Nguyen: How Food Can Turn a ‘Place’ into a ‘Home’ Jan 28, 2019

Tune in to hear about:

- How Mai learned that cooperation is essential at a young age

- Why a connection to the land is often especially important to refugees

- How Mai and other committed citizens changed legislation in San Diego for the better

- What sparked Mai’s interest in farming

- Culturally relevant crops in organic agriculture (a topic that’s been a long time coming within the good food movement!)

- The super-cool stuff going on at the California Grain Campaign

Alex Eaton: Let's Talk About Poop (Cow Manure, That Is) Jan 21, 2019

Alex Eaton, CEO and cofounder of Sistema Biobolsa (or Sistema.bio), talks about the innovative solution Sistema.bio presents to small (and even larger-scale!) farmers. This incredible biodigester system turns animal manure into both rich fertilizer and methane gas that can be used for fuel and heat. In this way, Alex and his team are addressing climate change, food insecurity, and poverty around the world by providing the full package: technology, training and financing of a sustainable waste-to-resources infrastructure that truly works for small farmers.

Tune in to hear about:

How this magical biodigester works. (Of course it’s not magic, but it’s really, really cool science.)
The way Sistema.bio gives small farmers a game-changing new tool—plus the financing and education that must come with it for this change to be attainable.
Exactly how reliant our world is on small farmers—especially in places like Mexico where Sistema.bio is based.
Why Alex applauds vegetarian and vegan diets but doesn’t think eating that way is the ONLY way to be a good steward of our earth.
The similarities between soil and bank accounts (think long-term investments).

Florencia Ramirez: How Much Water Do You "Eat"? Jan 14, 2019

Florencia Ramirez is a researcher at the University of Chicago’s School of Public Policy and author of the book Eat Less Water (not to mention an activist, educator and mother!). Today, she talks with us about how conserving water—perhaps the most precious resource on our planet—involves a lot more than simply taking shorter showers. In doing so, Florencia breaks down the idea of a “virtual water footprint,” the relationship between our water and our soil, and why the solution to water scarcity is truly in our kitchens.

Jon Steinman: The Magic of Food Co-ops Jan 07, 2019

Tune in to hear about:

Jon’s personal interest in food, the food system and eating well.
The way consumer-owned grocery stores (aka food cooperatives) are being used to alleviate food deserts with fresh, local and natural items, not just to serve already-affluent communities.
Why co-ops are a huge benefit to communities.
A newer model of co-op ownership that allows for both consumer and employee investment and ownership rather than just one or the other.

Jon Steinman is producer and host of the internationally syndicated radio show and podcast “Deconstructing Dinner: Reconstructing Our Food System,” and the author of Grocery Story: The Promise of Food Co-ops in the Age of Grocery Giants, which will be available in spring 2019.

Arty Mangan: From Juice to Climate Change Dec 17, 2018

Arty Mangan, director of Bioneers’ Restorative Food Systems Program, has spent a lot of time working with farmers and producers, in the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, and has some great things to share about the organic industry, soil health and climate change. Today, we hear about his journey from owning and running a small, local, organic apple juice company, to being in charge of fruit sourcing for a large juice company, to his current work at the nonprofit Bioneers.

Tune in to hear about:

- What kept Arty going in the early days when he was keeping an almost impossible schedule and wondering if it was all worth it.

- Bioneers’ success in bringing organic ag training to the deep South in the early 2000s.

- How Arty feels about trendy terms like “restorative,” “regenerative,” “organic,” and “sustainable.”

- The traditional greeting Peruvian farmers use, and why it inspires Arty.

- The most effective technology Arty knows of to draw carbon down out of the atmosphere and begin to mitigate climate change.

A-Dae Romero Briones: The Revival of Agriculture in Indigenous Communities Dec 10, 2018

From bringing awareness to the strengths that indigenous populations can draw on -- a long history of working with the land, strong agricultural traditions and ample land on reservations -- to engaging native youth in the food systems of their communities, A-dae covers it all.

Tune in to hear about:

- How she and her colleagues at First Nations define agriculture a little differently

- A-dae’s own journey from indigenous community, to law school, and back again

- What A-dae hopes the future holds in terms of seaweed, abalone shells, acorns and the environment at large

- How we can help support the existing systems within indigenous communities rather than imposing our own

- What we can all learn from Native culture about food, agriculture and the environment

Starhawk: Applying Permaculture to Plants…and People Dec 03, 2018

Author, activist and permaculture designer Starhawk shares how agricultural permaculture can inform social permaculture (and what the heck that even means). Plus, she digs into how to engage with someone you don’t agree with in a productive way—a worthy endeavor that’s especially important today.

Tune in to hear about:

- Permaculture: what it is, why it’s so cool, and how it fits in with other ideas about regenerative agriculture.

- Thinking about social conflicts through a permaculture lens.

- How climate change is a degradation of multiple ecosystems—something we need to be aware of in order to properly fight it

- How evolution is based as much on cooperation as it is on competition

If you enjoyed this one, check out our other conversations with Starhawk from 2017 and 2016!

Activism 101: Age is Just a Number Nov 20, 2018

Kristy Drutman, a recent graduate of the University of California, Berkeley who is now the California Digital Campaigner for 350.org, talks about her work as an environmental activist over the past 5 years, her passion for environmental storytelling and organizing, how activists can work together across differences of age, gender and race, and where she sees herself in 5 years.

Tune in to hear about:

Kristy’s own podcast, called Brown Girl Green, what she hopes to accomplish with it and how she’d like to grow it in the future
The role social media can play in activism
How Kristy takes care of herself while she’s fighting so hard to influence positive change out in the world
The devastating effects of hydraulic fracturing (FRAC-ing) and why Kristy is especially concerned about this issue (an issue we’ve talked about before on Rootstock Radio!)

The State of the Seed Industry (And Why You Should Care) Nov 19, 2018

Mark Schapiro, award-winning international and environmental journalist, talks about his most recent book Seeds of Resistance: The Fight to Save our Food Supply, how he got interested in seeds to begin with and how seeds are—in many ways—the most primal thing living organisms on this planet share. (Which is why the current state of seed breeding, seed patenting and total control of the seed industry by huge corporations is so troubling!)

Tune in to hear about:

Who, exactly, controls the world’s seed varieties
Why Mark calls seeds bred by large corporations for wide application “crack baby seeds” and how these seeds differ from locally bred varieties
How the seeds produced by huge seed companies are not helping our world’s climate change predicament one iota
Why, in spite of the discouraging current state of affairs, Mark feels hopeful about the future of our seeds, agriculture and planet

Rice: The New Frontier of Sustainable Ag Nov 12, 2018

On this episode…

Co-founder and CEO of Lotus Foods, Ken Lee, talks about the winding journey (literally, time spent traveling through China) that brought him and his partner, Carol, to the creation of Lotus Foods and why he says that “rice is the best thing we could have stumbled on.”

Tune in to hear about…

His best advice for people hoping to change the world in small—and big—ways.
The System of Rice Intensification and why it could be a global game-changer—if only farmers are willing to try it. (Think 50% less water required, 90% fewer seeds used, no agrichemicals necessary… are you curious yet? And no, it’s not too good to be true.)
What percentage of the world receives more than half of their calories from rice.
The feminization of agriculture—why it’s oppressive in the rice industry and how we can flip it to be empowering.
How Lotus Foods’ Do the Rice Thing and More Crop Per Drop initiatives feed into what they call their “audacious goal” to change how rice is grown on the planet

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin: The Next Frontier in Regenerative Agriculture & the Power of Stories Nov 05, 2018

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, is not only responsible for the incredible regenerative agriculture system happening at Main Street Project and the recent recipient of a lifetime Ashoka Fellowship as a result of this work, he’s also the author of In the Shadow of Green Man: My Journey from Poverty and Hunger to Food Security and Hope. The book weaves his own firsthand experience of growing up hearing traditional fables in revolution-torn Guatemala, and his story will delight and inform readers in equal measure.

Tune in to hear about…

How the character of Green Man manifested in Regi’s own life
The role of poultry in regenerative agriculture and how Regi credits the chickens his family raised with the fact that he is not simply another child hunger statistic
The relationship between economic poverty, intellectual poverty and poor nutrition
How we could re-haul our entire food system with poultry!

Denise O'Brien: Amplifying Women’s Voices in Communities, on Farms & in Legislature Oct 29, 2018

Seasoned farmer, community volunteer, and founder of the Women, Food and Agriculture Network, Denise O’Brien, talks about how she and her husband have experienced positive and negative shifts around the idea of organic food—and agriculture in general—over the last forty years. She also talks about what led her to be among the many women running for public office in her home state of Iowa, and across the country, in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections.

Tune in to hear about…

How Denise and her husband have created a “bio-diverse oasis in a sea of industrial agribusiness”
What prompted Denise to run for public office, and what the campaign trail has been like for her
How she thinks things might be different if women had more decision-making power over the land they farm (and what Denise is doing to make that happen)
How Denise turned her own frustration and despair into action—and you can too!

Dr. John Ikerd: An Economist’s Take on Efficiency in Agriculture Oct 22, 2018

Dr. John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agriculture and Applied Economics at the University of Missouri, talks about :

How the calorie count in our food is skyrocketing as the nutrient density plummets
How the loss of independent agriculture producers is NOT cyclical but rather a fundamental transformation of the system (and why you shouldn’t believe anyone who tries to convince you otherwise)
How large operations are gaining market power and then overproducing—and the problems this creates
How we have sacrificed so many things in our food system by chasing a very narrow definition of efficiency
The Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture
How we can put personal connection back in our food system

The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming Oct 15, 2018

Vice President of Communication & Engagement at Project Drawdown, Dr. Katherine Wilkinson was lead writer for the New York Times bestseller Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. Katherine didn’t have time to go into each of the 100 strategies for addressing, adapting to and mitigating climate change that are in this book,but she does touch on some big ones: reducing food waste, plant-rich diets, educating girls and family planning, to name just a few!

Tune in to hear about…

Why Katherine chooses to steer clear of the terms ‘hope’ and ‘optimism’ in regard to climate change (this doesn’t mean she’s resigned to the end of our planet though, not by a long shot!)
How many of the solutions identified by Project Drawdown can be undertaken by anyone anywhere in the world
How gender equality is, in itself, a solution to climate change

The Case FOR Playing with Your Food Oct 08, 2018

Creative food event planner and award-winning writer and multimedia producer, Lola Milholland, talks about starting her Portland-based organic ramen noodle company Umi Organic and the importance of being playful with food. From ‘experimental ice cream socials’ to ‘noodle luges’ Lola is turning the American bad habit of rushing through meals on its head with creativity, ingenuity and—of course—the spoils from her CSA box.

Tune in to hear about…

Exactly how Lola and Rootstock Radio host Theresa Marquez know each other. Let’s just say they go waaaaaaay back…
Food adventures like ‘melon milk ice cream’ and ‘blind tasting bingo’
How to get millennials to cook!
What the heck a ‘noodle luge’ is and what inspired this crazy-awesome idea
Deepening local cuisine even as more extraordinary ingredients show up on grocery store shelves

Rebuilding Food Sovereignty on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Oct 01, 2018

On this episode…

Nick Hernandez, director of the Food Sovereignty Initiative and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, shares his personal definition of food sovereignty and how it can be as simple as returning to the way that Native people lived, pre-colonialism. In many cases, this fancy term “food sovereignty” is just, as Nick puts it “what we did.”

Tune in to hear about…

The incredible changes the Thunder Valley Community Development Corp. has made in its 10 years of development work
How they are empowering Lakota youth to be involved in the food that comes to their plates.
How the Food Sovereignty Initiative is using chickens to regenerate both a food system and its soil (and why Nick and his colleagues fondly call them “Buffalo Chickens”!)
The way health disparities can be traced back to the astounding percentage of food that is shipped to, rather than grown on, the Reservation

LaRayia Gaston on Feeding the Homeless: Mind, Body & Spirit Sep 24, 2018

On this episode…

LaRayia Gaston talks about how her life has been shaped by her passion for feeding the homeless community, and how Lunch On Me is about much more than simply food. She shares how practices recently embraced by wealthy and privileged demographics, like meditation and yoga, are incredibly beneficial for everyone—especially disadvantaged populations.

Tune in to hear about…

How Lunch On Me grew to be the powerful change-agent it is today
Why LaRayia feels so strongly about cooking and sharing organic meals with the homeless
The three women who inspire LaRayia every day
The thing that she believes is “vital to human beings to exist, to coexist, and to heal collectively.” You might be surprised!

Author Kristin Ohlson & How the Soil Will Save Us Sep 17, 2018

On this episode...

Kristin talks about what got her interested in soil in the first place, and she details her journey from knowing very little about the relationship between carbon, plants, microorganisms and soil, to writing an entire book about it. Even armed with all of this knowledge, Kristin says she continues to be amazed by the way nature is so flawlessly designed to keep its ecosystems thriving--if only we would let it.

Tune in to hear about

How farmers are really “citizen scientists”
"Carbon farming"
How plants leak what Kristin calls “carbon fuel” to one another and what that does for the soil around them
How many billion tons of carbon scientists estimate is released from the soil due to human activity (brace yourselves…)

Farm Labor Rights and "Ecofeminism" with Rosalinda Guillen Aug 27, 2018

Rosalinda Guillen is a widely recognized rural justice leader and a champion of farmworker rights. Born in Texas, Rosalinda spent her first decade in Coahuila, Mexico before emigrating with her family to LaConner, Washington in 1960. At the age of ten she went to work as a farmworker in the fields in Skagit County. Today, Rosalinda is the executive director of Community to Community, an organization that works to, broadly, redefine power in order to end settler colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy. Within the labor movement Rosalinda has worked with Caesar Chavez’s United Farm Workers of America and has represented farmworkers in ongoing dialogues of immigration issues, labor rights, trade agreements, and strengthening the food sovereignty movement.

“We have no choice but to take action,” says Rosalinda on this episode as she discusses organizing, participatory democracy, and embracing what she and her colleagues call “ecofeminism” which she explains is about empowering the feminine in our society—both people and mother nature herself. Rosalinda also talks about some of her proudest victories as an activist and organizer, and what she’d like to accomplish next.

Hippies, Back-to-the-Landers, Longhairs & Revolutionaries Aug 20, 2018

Jonathan Kauffman is a San Francisco-based writer who’s made food the subject of his career. For eleven years he reviewed restaurants in the Bay Area and Seattle as the staff critic for the East Bay Express and the Seattle Weekly. In 2015, he joined the food section at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he broadly covers the intersection of food and culture. Add to those accolades his 2018 book, titled Hippie Food, How back-to-the-landers, longhairs and revolutionaries changed the way we eat, has been described as “an entertaining fusion of Tom Wolfe and Michael Pollan” and examines the way the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s has profoundly affected the way we eat today.

In this episode Jonathan talks about how his upbringing contributed to his interest in the food of the counterculture movement. Raised in a liberal Mennonite family he was no stranger to tofu and brown rice. However, it wasn’t until he began to do research for his book, that he realized the depth and breadth of the history of these foods, and how the people who popularized them laid foundations for today’s trendy grain bowls and tofu stir fries.

Connection, Resistance and Reform Through Food Aug 13, 2018

Julia Turshen is the bestselling author of Feed the Resistance, named the Best Cookbook of 2017 by Eater, and Small Victories, named one of the Best Cookbooks of 2016 by the New York Times and NPR. She is currently working on her newest cookbook, Now & Again, which will be released September 2018 (mark your calendars!) and focuses on making delicious meals and using the leftovers creatively. Julia also founded EATT (an acronym for Equity at the Table) which is a digital directory of food industry professionals who are women/gender non-conforming individuals and focusing primarily on POC and the LGBTQ community.

On this episode, Julia talks about how she has always been happiest and most excited in the kitchen, how the latest presidential election helped her connect the dots between her love of cooking and her investment in her community—a silver lining if there ever was one!—and a whole lot of other things that fall under the universality of food. We’ve said it many times here on Rootstock Radio, but the truth is that everyone has to eat, and Julia Turshen reminds us of all the ways that food can be used to connect, resist, and reform.

How One Organic Farmer Fought For Her Rights—And Won Aug 09, 2018

In this episode, Atina talks about what led her to organic farming, shares her own painful stories of being forced to sell the farm that had been in her husband’s family for years and of fighting the proposed route of a crude oil pipeline through their second farm. (A long legal battle with a happy ending for organic farmers' rights, in this case!) Atina also points out that it’s impossible to buy a “new” farm today: farms are by definition used, and they come in whatever condition their previous owner left them. To that end, Atina speaks passionately about the importance of proper stewardship of farmland—something we’re pretty passionate about here at Rootstock Radio too!

Pesticides and Birth Defects—What You Should Know Aug 09, 2018

Dr. Paul Winchester is the Medical Director of the NICU at Franciscan St. Francis Health and a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He also conducts research on the epidemiology of birth defects, including the effects of prenatal exposure to pesticides.

On this episode, Dr. Winchester talks about how his background in farming informs his work today and shares a number of sobering findings from research in his field, such as the fact that women who conceive during peak pesticide months are more likely to have a child with birth defects, a preterm pregnancy, or both; not to mention that the effects of pesticide exposure are not limited to those directly exposed, but can be seen and felt generations later.

Inside the Chocolate Industry with Simran Sethi Jul 23, 2018

In this 3rd and final episode in our 3-part series on tea, coffee and chocolate, we talk with author Simran Sethi about:

The number of species that provide 95% of the world’s calories—take a wild guess before you listen, you’ll never get it
The complicated story of chocolate
How cocoa from Ghana tastes different than cocoa from Vietnam
The risks of cultivating monocrops (and what the heck that even means)
Understanding the origins of our food

Inside the Coffee Industry with Kickapoo Coffee Jul 16, 2018

The second installment in a three-part series on tea, coffee and chocolate, TJ Semachin and Caleb Nicholes, co-founders of Kickapoo Coffee, talk about the coffee industry: where it's been, where it's headed, and what their small roastery (and others like it!) is doing to support coffee farmers and rural communities.

Inside the Tea Industry with Ahmed Rahim Jul 09, 2018

Did you know that tea leaves are never washed after they’re picked? This means that if your tea is not organic, you’re basically brewing a mug of chemicals to sip on. Yikes. This week Ahmed Rahim, co-founder of Numi Organic Tea, talks about the tea industry and how your tea choices make a big difference. Listen in!

Who Owns Our Seeds? Jul 02, 2018

This week on Rootstock Radio, we're discussing organic plant breeding with Dr. Bill Tracy of University of Wisconsin - Madison. What is cross breeding compared to GMO? How does it work? And who owns all our seeds these days anyway? (Hint: It's complicated.) Listen in!

Dr. Erin Silva, "Soil Whiz" Jun 25, 2018

Dr. Erin Silva is a whiz with all things soil. On this episode of Rootstock Radio she talks about soil stewardship - both the good and the bad - how organic agriculture practices and healthy soil go hand in hand, and how organic CAN feed the world. Listen in!

The Mother Hen of Green Bloggers Jun 18, 2018

"I want to help others who are in my predicament," thought Leah Segedie at the beginning of her journey toward personal health. Since then, she has founded both the Mamavation blog and the ShiftCon Social Media Conference, and she has come to be known as the "mother hen" of the green bloggers movement. Hear what she has to say about food activism, children's health and more on Rootstock Radio.

Fighting Global Hunger with "One of the Best Ideas America Ever Had" Jun 11, 2018

M.J. Altman, editorial director at World Food Program USA and host of their Hacking Hunger podcast, talks about fighting global hunger, empowering women, supporting small-holder farmers, and more about the organization 60 Minutes dubbed "one of the best ideas America ever had."

Investing in the Land Jun 04, 2018

"Could you more effectively get people to care about protecting place and conservation and biodiversity if you tried to talk about it through food?" wondered Jill and her colleagues. The answer they came up with was simple: Yes. Everyone has to eat, after all. Jill Isenbarger, CEO of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, is committed to bringing about a system of agriculture and eating that reflects and values ecological health, strong communities and the integrity of place, region and season. This starts with investing in the land.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Many Wear Aprons!) May 29, 2018

Tambra Raye Stevenson jokes that when she made the switch from pre-med to a nutrition program in college, at the time she was thinking "even if I didn't get a job, at least I'll be eating healthy." The good news is that she has had an incredible impact as a nutritionist. Tambra, founder of WANDA and NATIVSOL Kitchen, is a nutritionist, activist, author and change-maker who is passionate about healing through nutrition -- both in communities here in the United States and around the world. Hear her speak about the power of nutrition and why many real-life heroes wear aprons, not capes, here on Rootstock Radio.

"We Should Be Alarmed": Protecting Children's Environmental Health May 21, 2018

"We know that there are direct connections to some forms of cancer pertaining to exposures to certain forms of pesticides...the science on that is extremely clear," says Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, executive director of Children's Environmental Health Network. Learn about the environmental perils children face today from a leader in the field of children's environmental health on this week's Rootstock Radio episode.

'Breeding' a Thriving Regional Grain Economy May 14, 2018

Dr. Stephen Jones, a professor of Crop and Soil Science and the director of The Bread Lab at Washington State University is a wheat breeder who never dreamed he'd be producing wheat varieties bearing "hints of chocolate" or "spicy overtones." And yet, with his interest in flavor and commitment to championing farmers, it's really no surprise that he's found himself doing exactly that. Under Dr. Jones' direction, The Bread Lab at Washington State University is run in such a way that it "can put the farmer first and then figure out the best uses [for the wheat] later." Dr. Jones explains that farmers in the Pacific Northwest used to grow wheat (and that yields for wheat in that area are actually incredibly high) but most of these wheat farmers switched to more lucrative crops during the industrial agriculture boom when wheat became a commodity crop. Dr. Jones is on a mission to once again put wheat farmers first and support a thriving regional grain economy in his area. Listen in!

Breaking - and Baking - Bread with Adrian Hale May 08, 2018

Adrian Hale is a baker and food writer whose foray into baking bread began as a last-ditch effort to find bread that her daughter's stomach could tolerate. After a bit of experimenting, Adrian perfected her "Mama Bread" and has never gone back. Today she combines her passion for writing and bread baking-her essays have appeared in publications such as Saveur, Culture and Brain, Child Magazine. She also edits an online magazine called Communal Table, and blogs about her baking adventures on her blog Thousand Bites of Bread. Adrian's family has a deep-rooted connection to bread, which is part of the reason she refused to give up on it. "My grandmother was a concentration camp survivor and she always said that bread saved her," shares Adrian, explaining that bread has long been a pillar of their meals and family culture. Listen in!

Bridging the Divide Apr 30, 2018

Diane Hatz, founder and executive director of Change Food and founder of the Change Food Video Library, is a creative marketing expert and events innovator who raises awareness about problems and solutions within the food and farming system while encouraging individuals to create their own change. From 2011-2015 she was the founder, organizer and host of TEDxManhattan "Changing the Way We Eat." Diane, who has dedicated 20 years to making positive change in the food industry, admits that in some ways she still doesn't understand "how people can look at profit and greed over [the wellbeing of] their neighbors." And yet, it's still happening every day in our food system, a fact that gets Diane, as she puts it, "pissed off and passionately involved." Currently she is working hard to bridge the divide between urban "eaters" and rural "producers," but she says this disconnect is not as simple as it once was.

Cottage Food Activism Apr 23, 2018

Lisa Kivirist, an old hand at this whole Rootstock Radio thing (listen to her other episode here!) is still involved with supporting, empowering and connecting women farmers through Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) and serves as a Senior Fellow, Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems at the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Minnesota. Recently, Lisa has also redoubled her efforts around cottage food activism in Wisconsin. Fighting for people to be able to sell low-risk foods, like cookies for instance, that they make in their own kitchens is really common sense to Lisa. "what we're talking about is actually the 'oldest' newest thing," she says, reminding us that before commercial kitchens were even a concept people sold goods they'd cooked in their home kitchens almost exclusively.

Cast Your Vote for the Future of Organic Apr 16, 2018

Gary Hirshberg, Chairman and Co-Founder of Stonyfield Farm (the world's leading organic yogurt producer) champions a simple philosophy: "everybody who eats has to vote." Of course, Gary doesn't expect to realistically enforce this statement, it's the idea behind it that he's passionate about. The author of "Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World", and a frequent speaker on the topics of sustainability, organic agriculture and the profitability of green business, Gary knows a thing or two about the intersection of agriculture, business and policy. "We have never had more facts at our disposal than now about the real impacts of non-organic, or conventional or chemical-dependent food and processing," says Gary continuing that "the first thing we need to believe is that science and facts still matter." For instance, it's a fact that the cheapest form of healthcare is preventative; that is, not getting sick at all. It's also a fact that organic food can be a form of preventative healthcare-because it isn't laden with carcinogenic chemicals, for starters. Just as anyone who eats (that is, everyone) can and must find power in their right to vote, Gary also sees the act of choosing organic as a form of personal power. "The choice to embrace organic whether as a grower or a consumer, or as a policy person or a scientist, is really a choice to exercise your own will and commitment to a world that's really better for our children, better for all species and ultimately more sustainable and more durable." Unfortunately, the current US administration is not interested in supporting organic agriculture or climate and environmental initiatives. "Without some normal, reasonable checks and balances, without some folks in there who actually are going to honor science and honor fact, and honor medical and agricultural and environmental statistics, I'm afraid there's no hope," says Gary. This is, again, why Gary holds that "everybody who eats" needs vote in the upcoming elections-both the midterms and beyond.

Uncovering Corruption in Agribusiness with Investigative Journalist Carey Gillam Apr 09, 2018

What began for investigative journalist Carey Gillam as "just an assignment" on food and agriculture grew to be not only her passion, but the focus of her reporting for the last twenty years. Carey's intimate knowledge of food and farming in the U.S. comes from time spent with row crop farmers, ranchers, vegetable growers and orchard operators from the Dakotas to Texas, and from California to the Southeast. She has been welcomed inside the high-tech laboratories, greenhouses and corporate offices of some of the largest U.S. agribusinesses. And Carey has spent countless hours interviewing key U.S. regulators, lawmakers, and scientists involved in food and agriculture. Her book "Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science", was published in October 2017, and has been compared to Rachel Carson's famously hard-hitting expose on DDT, "Silent Spring".

Raj Patel: Capitalism is Catching Up to Us Apr 02, 2018

"Cheap things can never stay cheap for long, in the end those costs always catch up with you," says the award-winning writer, activist and academic, Raj Patel, co-author of the new book "A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things." Food is one of those seven things that become cheapened when subjected to capitalism. Plus, Raj discusses what Jeff Bezos and Christopher Columbus have in common, among other things on this week's episode of Rootstock Radio. Listen in!

Organic Shouldn't Be "Grassroots vs. Suits" Mar 26, 2018

Grace was there at the beginning when organic was much more of a grassroots movement and far less of a market industry. As a result she's seen her fair share of "tension between grassroots and suits" over the years. Grace sees that the bifurcation between the organic 'movement' and the organic 'industry' has often been detrimental to the progress of organic agriculture as a whole, and that situations are usually much more complex than black and white.

Two Problems In Our Food System, One Solution Mar 19, 2018

Gary Oppenheimer, founder of AmpleHarvest.org, created the organization to address two problems in our food system - food waste and hunger - with one simple solution. Listen in to hear what that simple solution was!

Darci Vetter on Eating Local, Thinking Global Agriculture Mar 12, 2018

Ambassador Darci Vetter has spent her career thinking about trade as it relates to agriculture and global agriculture policy, listen in on Rootstock Radio.

Lindsey Shute and the Obstacles Young Farmers Face Today Mar 05, 2018

Lindsey Shute, executive director and co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition, discusses the challenges beginning farmers face today. She says that in order for young farmers to secure a viable future for agriculture, the next thing that must be addressed in agriculture legislation is land access.

"Ag in the Middle" and Eating Local with Kathleen Bauer Feb 26, 2018

Kathleen Bauer, creator of Good Stuff NW, connects the dots between what's happening in the field and what she puts on her table. Kathleen has been increasingly interested in the idea of "ag in the middle" -- the idea that we need to help small farmers scale up to middle-sized and that, in turn, we need to help these mid-sized farmers compete with Big Ag because they are more sustainable, can produce the same yields and contribute meaningfully and measurably to their communities.

Our Food System Isn't Broken (It Just Never Worked Well in the First Place) Feb 19, 2018

Eric Holt-Gimenez of Food First doesn't want to "fix" the food system -- he wants to transform it into something completely different. Because, as he points out, "when you say you want to 'fix' the food system that means you think that it once worked well." In today's episode, Eric explores how capitalism drives our food system and how understanding that can help us make real, lasting change.

Animal Welfare in Organic Agriculture Feb 12, 2018

"The US is quite different from a lot of the other Western countries in the world in the fact that there aren't that many laws on the books that focus on animal welfare--particularly on farm animals," says Dr. Meggan Hain, animal care specialist at CROPP Cooperative / Organic Valley. She agrees with last week's guest, Melissa Hughes, that we need clearer expectations and guidelines around animal welfare in organic agriculture. We also speak with Meggan about what it's like being a woman in the field of large animal medicine.

Not All Organic Eggs Are Created Equal Feb 05, 2018

Many people who purchase organic eggs have no idea that large-scale poultry producers are able to cut corners in ways that don't align with one of the core principles of organic: that "animals are able to exhibit their natural behaviors," says Melissa Hughes, general counsel for Organic Valley. In this episode, we discuss the organic standards and recent circumstances around the Organic Livestock Poultry Practices rule (OLPP), which would have clarified and ensured consistency in organic practices with regard to raising poultry...if it had been allowed to pass.

Connecting Nutrition and Food with Dr. Joan Dye Gussow Jan 29, 2018

Dr. Joan Dye Gussow, professor, author, food policy expert, environmentalist and gardener, illuminates the connection between nutrition and food. Joan has worked tirelessly throughout her career to help people -- in the field of nutrition and beyond -- make the connection between nutrition and food, and she'ss cautiously optimistic about the progress that's been made.

Conscious Alliance: Fighting Hunger, Empowering Youth Jan 22, 2018

"We went from an organization that was searching for food, to an organization that was looking at how to distribute a million dollars worth of food," says Justin Levy, executive director of the nonprofit Conscious Alliance, which works to support hunger relief and youth empowerment across the country. They're the founder of the "Art that Feeds" food drives at major national music concerts, and the food and funds raised at those prominent drives are a boon for those in need. Listen to hear how they do it!

Healthy Cows, Healthy Milk, Healthy People Jan 15, 2018

Dr. Silvia Abel-Caines is a ruminant nutritionist who helps ensure cows are happy and healthy so that they can produce the most nutritious milk. Recently, Dr. Silvia had the opportunity to share her knowledge with an all-women dairy cooperative in Senegal. She found this experience to be incredibly exciting and rewarding. "Besides giving them the technical training on milk processing, I also told them what I have learned so far on the value of a good co-op with good marketing and good leadership."

Organic Beginnings and the Future of Agriculture Jan 08, 2018

Jerome McGeorge has been a part of Organic Valley's journey from the very beginning -- he even wrote, by hand, the fledgling cooperative's very first annual report in 1988. Today Jerome is a cherished friend and keeper of wisdom and wide perspective. In this episode, we revel in memory with Jerome, sharing stories of the beginning of organic agriculture and how things must continue to change as we move forward.

Pioneering Organic with George Siemon, Organic Valley CEO Jan 01, 2018

Rootstock Radio is starting off 2018 with a very special guest: George Siemon, Organic Valley's CEO. George, who was born into a family of businessmen and swore he'd never be one, has been playfully dubbed "The Reluctant CEO," but his passion for agriculture and cooperation serves CROPP Cooperative (maker of the Organic Valley brand) just as well as a background in business could. Today he discusses being a part of the fledgling organic movement 30 years ago and what organic means to him today.

Food Allergies & Why Organic is Not a Fad Dec 25, 2017

Robyn O'Brien is an author, former food industry analyst, TEDx speaker and mother of four. She is also founder of the AllergyKids Foundation, an organization that aims to make clean and safe food affordable to all children.

Robyn's interest in ensuring good food for all children really began when her youngest child had an allergic reaction. In the aftermath of this reaction, Robyn started digging deep into research about children's health and the food they eat, and she unearthed some startling things. "This generation of kids has earned the title of 'Generation Rx', because 1 in 3 now has autism, allergies, ADHD or asthma," she says. "The health of our families is buckling. And the best thing we can do-the most important healthcare decision that anyone can make-is what you choose to put on the end of your fork."

Robyn knows the challenges in our current food system well, from a lack of sustainability, to aging farmer populations, to chemical toxicity on farms. She also sees organic food as a big part of the solution. "The reason organic is not a fad and it is not a trend, is because cancer is not a fad, autism is not a trend. Food allergies are not fads and consumers need to know where their food is coming from-and how it is made. Once they learn that, they choose organic," she says. "It is such a fundamental human right to be able to feed your family and the people that you love products that will not cause harm."

What Midwestern Farmers and Gulf Fishermen Have in Common Dec 18, 2017

Margaret Krome of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is bringing farmers and fishermen together to support sustainable agriculture practices in the Midwest, which, in turn, will protect the fisheries in the Gulf. Stewardship of land in the upper Midwest directly affects the livelihoods of fishermen in the gulf, because poor farming practices dump excess nutrients into the streams and rivers that make their way to the ocean. Knowing this, Margaret wondered if she could take her work in supporting sustainable agriculture practices a step further. "What about creating a cultural relationship between these genuinely great conservation farmers in the upper Midwest and the end users of their water -- namely fishermen in the gulf who are dealing with the dead zone?"

Alternatives to Capitalism Dec 11, 2017

Marjorie Kelly of The Democracy Collaborative is working to shift our economy toward shared ownership and control by exploring alternatives to capitalism. The root of the socio-economic problems in our country, as Marjorie sees it, is "this deep underlying architecture of ownership that is driving wealth inequality and is driving a lot of the problems in our economy." Her solution? A business model that supports communities. A company that retains its mission and agency and contributes positively to its community is what Marjorie calls a "living company," and there are a number of them in agriculture. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that food is the great equalizer. Everyone has to eat, after all. Check out this week's episode to learn more about what "living companies" are and how they are becoming viable alternatives to traditional capitalism.

Frances Moore Lappe on Reclaiming Democracy Dec 04, 2017

"Our market system has been ripped out of any democratic boundaries," says Frances Moore Lappe. She says the top three wealthiest Americans now control more wealth than the bottom half of Americans combined. Frances believes this is because we have accepted materialism, selfishness and competition as the defining characteristics of being human, and ignored our capacity for empathy and cooperation. She cites a study showing that "when humans cooperate, our brains react as if we're eating chocolate -- it's that pleasurable," as evidence to the contrary. Today, we're pleased to share this episode with award-winning author and activist Frances Moore Lappe, whose latest book addresses the importance of reclaiming democracy and embracing cooperation.

Temple Grandin: Good for Animals, Good for Business Nov 27, 2017

Dr. Temple Grandin is a renowned animal welfare activist as well as a professor and author. She has a unique perspective into the minds of animals thanks to her autism, and because of her hard work, half of the cattle in the United States are handled in facilities Dr. Grandin designed. Through her efforts in animal welfare and involvement in writing standards for the livestock industry, Dr. Grandin has done away with a lot of the "vague" language these standards often contain, and she's working to eradicate the rest. "Animals that are afraid of people are less productive. That is known," she says. This is why it's not only the conscientious and right thing to treat animals humanely, it's also advantageous for business and production. "There's a whole lot of scientific research that shows that good stockmanship matters," she emphasizes. Listen in to hear from one of the preeminent voices in animal welfare today.

Shaping the Story of Food Nov 20, 2017

Anna Lappe, founder of Real Food Media and co-founder of the Small Planet Institute, would like to change the way our media represents the story of food. Real Food Media has been calling on media institutions to be very transparent about their sources and to follow strict codes of conduct about reporting on conflicts of interest. "Every year some of the biggest companies in the food and chemical ag sector spend hundreds of millions of dollars on shaping the story of food," says Anna. When corporations are the only ones telling the story of food in order to sell their products, it becomes a one-sided story that often leaves out important points, like whether it's actually good for our bodies or for our planet. Anna would like to see this discrepancy be more apparent to consumers. Ultimately, she wants to help people see these misleading strategies and "be able to then spot them out there in the world when they're happening in real time."

The Man who Wrote the First Organic Standards Nov 13, 2017

Harry MacCormack, co-founder of Oregon Tilth and current president of Ten Rivers Food Web, talks about how, and why, the first organic standards came to be.

We Cannot Feed the World with Industrial Agriculture Nov 06, 2017

Author, activist and consultant Debbie Barker talks about the consequences of continuing to try to feed our world using the industrial agriculture model. "We have a system where we're rewarding farmers and rural communities for doing the kinds of farming that are environmentally harmful and have not been economically prosperous for a majority of farmers in rural communities. And we need to turn that around," says Debbie. These practices need to change not just for our farmers, but for our world.

Author Susan Futrell: Saying "Yes, AND..." to Organic Oct 30, 2017

Of the 16,000 different kinds of apples in North America, Susan Futrell says, "only a few of them actually show up in the grocery stores and a few more at farmers markets." In her new book, Good Apples: Behind Every Bite, Susan explains the history, labor, production and marketing issues in the apples industry, and how "Organic, AND..." can be more beneficial than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Why the Organic Movement Is Not "Losing Its Soul" Oct 23, 2017

Organic pioneer Bob Scowcroft, co-founder of the Organic Farming Research Foundation, recalls the early days of the organic movement and explains why its future is hopeful.

How to Turn Post-Election Anger into Activism Oct 16, 2017

Author, activist and permaculture designer Starhawk returns to Rootstock Radio to discuss regenerative agriculture and turning anger into activism. Starhawk sees anger not as a solely negative emotion, but as also having incredibly healing powers. She encourages "harvesting" anger, channeling that energy into activism instead of ugliness.

Food, Fun & Social Activism at White Dog Cafe Oct 09, 2017

People sometimes tease Judy Wicks, author, activist and founder of Philadelphia's iconic White Dog Cafe, that she used "good food to lure innocent customers into social activism." She doesn't think that's anything to be ashamed of (and neither do we!). Tune in to hear more from this courageous businesswoman who eschews the idea that it's "unbusinesslike" to make decisions with your heart.

Stories from a Half-Century in Organic Oct 02, 2017

Sue Kesey is a true pioneer in the organic dairy industry. The co-founder of Springfield Creamery and Nancy's Yogurt has so many stories to share from her 56 years in organic - including some about musician Huey Lewis and the Grateful Dead!

"Tantalizing the Senses" through Farm to School Sep 25, 2017

Anupama Joshi, executive director and co-founder of the National Farm to School Network, returns to Rootstock Radio to discuss widening the reach of farm to school programs around the country, including early care and native communities. "It's not just about giving them the information. It's about tantalizing their senses by tasting, by feeling, by seeing the colors and looking at all the things that food provides."

Forging the Good Food Supply Chain Sep 18, 2017

Tom McDougall, founder of 4P Foods, is building the good food supply chain by reflecting the TRUE cost of food and directly connecting farmers to consumers.

Ceres Community Project: Food that Heals and Empowers Sep 11, 2017

This week on Rootstock Radio, we're talking with Cathryn Couch, founder and director of the Ceres Community Project, which brings free, nutritious, prepared meals to people who are ill, and - uniquely - youth volunteers are the gardeners and chefs. Even better, this successful program has trained other groups to provide similar services in their own communities around the country.

Wanted: Regenerative, Renewing, Resilient Agriculture Sep 04, 2017

Fred Kirschenmann is a man of many talents: professor, TEDx speaker, organic farmer, author, James Beard Leadership award recipient, and sustainable agriculturalist. Fred isn't under any illusions about the industrial agriculture economy, so he emphasizes how important it is to work together as a community, with a vision for a regenerative, renewing, resilient agricultural future.

We Can Reverse Climate Change (And We Must Start Now) Aug 28, 2017

Nancy Hirschberg is a woman who doesn't just talk the talk about reversing climate change, she walks the walk, and has been for years. Nancy's career has embodied this belief that businesses should be forefront in fixing this particular problem. She now dedicates all her time with the Climate Collaborative to bringing like-minded businesses together to reverse climate change. She says, "I truly believe that we are at a tipping point of awareness and action."

Secrets from Chef Monique Hooker's Kitchen Aug 21, 2017

Culinary pioneer Monique Jamet Hooker is a chef, teacher, and author with a lifelong enthusiasm for food and travel. Born on a small farm in Brittany, France, to a family of modest means, Monique trained as a professional chef in Europe before moving to the United States in the 1960s - bringing her heritage in French cuisine, and the lessons she learned on her family's farm, along with her.

Pesticides: Past, Present and Future Aug 14, 2017

Trying to "fix" problems created by the overuse of pesticides with more pesticides is "like pouring gasoline on fire to put it out. It makes about as much sense," says Dr. Charles Benbrook, an independent scientist committed to exposing the realities of agricultural chemical use in food production, and the effects they have on our health. If you enjoyed part 1 of our interview with Chuck last week, you won't want to miss this second installment.

The Delaney Paradox, Epigenetics and Children's Health Aug 07, 2017

Dr. Charles (Chuck) Benbrook has misgivings about the way biotechnology continues to be regarded in our country: "So many of the universally accepted 'biological truths' about growing food and raising animals have just been swept under the rug in the United States because of this blind faith in technology and the next drug, or the next gene, or the next pesticide that's going to come along."

What Makes Life on an Organic Farm Beautiful Jul 31, 2017

Regina Beidler calls herself an "accidental farmer," but her commitment to organic agriculture, sustainability, rural communities, and caring for her animals is deeply intentional (and about as far from accidental as it gets.) Quickly, she learned to do things like drive a tractor, operate other farm machinery, and get hay in off the field. "Women have always had a very integral part on the farm," she says, noting that today more women like her are interested in farming as a career path for themselves, not just with their husbands.

Want to Reduce Food Waste? Eat Ugly Produce! Jul 24, 2017

Evan Lutz, CEO and co-founder of Hungry Harvest, started out selling "ugly" and surplus produce from the basement of his dorm at the University of Maryland. Now, after a lot of hard work and a successful pitch on the TV show "Shark Tank," Lutz's business has distributed 3 million pounds of produce that would have otherwise been wasted simply because it wasn't pretty.

The Sioux Chef: Cooking with Wild Foods & Cool Heirloom Crops Jul 17, 2017

Cattails, cedar maple tea, and cooking with many other indigenous ingredients is a normal thing for "The Sioux Chef" Sean Sherman and his team. He says, "Our work is really not only working with the tribes, but giving people a deeper understanding of the land that they're standing on, because all of this was indigenous land at one point."

Storytelling to Inspire Food System Change Jul 10, 2017

Food Tank focuses on stories of hope & success to help food system changemakers move from being stuck on the problems to finding the solutions. Today, we hear from Danielle Nierenberg, president and co-founder of Food Tahnk, about the organization's activities to keep the momentum going throughout the Good Food Movement over the last 4 years.

Good Food Movement Pioneer Jim Slama Jul 03, 2017

Jim Slama remembers the food landscape in Chicago in the '90s and early 2000s as rather bleak. "Back then it was nearly an organic food desert," he says. Even access to non-organic fresh fruits and vegetables could be limited. But things slowly started shifting, and today, Jim and his nonprofit, FamilyFarmed, are making a difference in Chicago by building relationships between local, organic farmers and area distributors, restaurants and supermarkets to make the Good Food Movement accessible to more and more people every year.

"Food as Medicine" with Food Sleuth Melinda Hemmelgarn Jun 26, 2017

Melinda Hemmelgarn, MS, RD, says dieticians are vulnerable to industrial ag's messages about the food system -- messages about how production methods don't need to be part of the health conversation. But we must think about food as medicine for ourselves as well as our planet. Melinda encourages us to look beyond those narrow messages and choose foods that are socially and environmentally just, not simply nutritionally sound.

What Industrial Agriculture Can't Accomplish Jun 19, 2017

John Ikerd, professor emeritus of agriculture and economics, started his career gung-ho for industrial ag. But one day, he realized the negative social, environmental - even ehtical and cultural - impacts far outweighed any economic benefits. He says it takes courage to turn away from industrial agriculture practices - but, he says, we must.

Propagating 100 Episodes! (And a Healthy Planet) Jun 12, 2017

This week's Rootstock Radio show marks 2 years and 100 episodes of amplifying honest and inspirational voices from all corners of the good food movement! Hosts Theresa Marquez and Anne O'Connor honor the occasion by sitting down together to talk about what Rootstock Radio, sustainability, social justice, agriculture and plain old lip-smacking good food, mean to them.

Pt 2: Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Activism, DAPL, Fracking and more Jun 05, 2017

Paul DeMain is a member of the Oneida Nation and of Ojibwe descent and is the managing editor and CEO of News from Indian Country. In this Part 2 of a two-part episode, Paul talks about his experience covering the activism surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline project, as well as his community's objections to other extreme extractions of resources such as open pit mining, fracking and tar sand oil processing. Paul's Ojibwe name, Skabewis, means "messenger," which is entirely appropriate for his profession as a journalist and messenger on behalf of his Native American community.

Pt 1: Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Activism, DAPL, Fracking and more May 29, 2017

Paul DeMain is a member of the Oneida Nation and of Ojibwe descent and is the managing editor and CEO of News from Indian Country. In this Part 1 of a two-part episode, Paul talks about his experience covering the activism surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline project, as well as his community's objections to other extreme extractions of resources such as open pit mining, fracking and tar sand oil processing. Paul's Ojibwe name, Skabewis, means "messenger," which is entirely appropriate for his profession as a journalist and messenger on behalf of his Native American community.

Finance Meets Food - Bringing our Money Back to Earth May 22, 2017

Woody Tasch, founder of the Slow Money Institute and an author, says that it's time to bring our money back down to earth--literally--and invest in local, organic, small food enterprises that build local food systems and rebuild our precious soils.

Simran Sethi: Preserving the 'Element of Deliciousness' May 15, 2017

Simran Sethi, author of "Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love," says that losing agricultural biodiversity "compromises not only the kinds of foods that we are eating and our health, but also the real opportunity to savor food--the element of deliciousness." Simran, like most of us, enjoys food with varied and interesting flavors and hopes future generations will be able to do the same.

What You Need to Know about Livestock and Antibiotic Resistance May 08, 2017

"A woman in Nevada died from an antibiotic-resistant infection. ...they gave her 26 antibiotics. That's the entire suite of antibiotics available to US doctors and not one of them worked," says Lena Brook of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Overuse of antibiotics in agriculture is contributing to the problem of antibiotic resistance in humans. Lena is alarmed and fighting back.

Growing Home: Urban Farming that Transforms Lives May 01, 2017

"Giving people a real hands-on job opportunity where they can have time to become more stable and to think about what they want to do with their lives and get paid at the same time is a great recipe for transformation," says Executive Director Harry Rhodes. In this way urban farming isn't the end-goal for Growing Home, but rather a vehicle for the positive change they work to enact.

Why are the People who Feed Us Struggling to Feed Themselves? Apr 24, 2017

Navina Khanna, director of HEAL Food Alliance, shares that people who work in our food system are actually twice as likely to be dependent on food assistance programs as workers in any other sector. Find out why the people who feed us are struggling to feed themselves -- and what we can do about it.

Perennial Crops: A New Solution for Sustainable Agriculture Apr 17, 2017

Fred Iutzi, president of The Land Institute, shares the importance of developing perennial food crops to our food system, as well as to the planet. Notably, the organization has developed a trademarked strain of perennial wheat called Kernza whose root systems are substantially more robust than annual wheat root systems, which has many benefits to our climate and environment.

Changing the Narrative of Food and Farming, with Karen Washington Apr 10, 2017

"Why is it that low-income people have processed food and junk food and people who have privilege and money have healthy food options?" asks Karen Washington of Rise and Root Farm. Karen is trying to change the food system and the narrative that comes with it.

The "Magic" of Grass-Based Agriculture Apr 03, 2017

Sarah Flack, author and grazing expert, describes the "magic" of grass-based ag saying, "Good grazing management is win-win in so many different ways." She even addresses the concern of vegetarians and vegans (hint: not all animal agriculture is created equal). Join us for this enlightening conversation!

Food Allergies and Why Organic is Not a Fad Mar 27, 2017

"The reason organic is not a fad ... is because cancer is not a fad, autism is not a trend. Food allergies are not fads and consumers need to know where their food is coming from." Robyn O'Brien says food allergies are a real part of our lives today, and our food system is doing little to help, and she shares how organic food is part of the solution.

The Renegade Lunch Lady's Fresh Take on School Lunch Mar 20, 2017

"Hungry kids can't think and malnourished kids can't learn - that's just the reality," says Chef Ann Cooper (aka the Renegade Lunch Lady). Today Ann shares how she's working to transform school lunches for all and setting new - higher - standards.

Responsible Seafood with Sheila Bowman Mar 13, 2017

"Probably more than half of the fish we eat right now are farmed, whether it's oysters or shrimp, tilapia or catfish," says Sheila Bowman of Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program. It's no longer a matter of simply comparing the taste of fresh vs. farmed fish - where those fish come from is equally, or even more, important.

The Impact of Pesticides...Compounded Mar 06, 2017

"While pesticides have been marketed as a necessity to growing food and supposedly feeding the world, what they have actually done is unravel our communities' capacity to provide healthy, nourishing food." Marcia Ishii-Eiteman, senior scientist at the Pesticide Action Network shares the alarming picture of pesticides in our food system - and what we can do to help.

Plight of the Pollinators: How Bad Is it...Really? Feb 27, 2017

We've all heard bees are dying, but how bad is it really? "We ignore the plight of pollinators at our own folly," says Eric Lee-Mader of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. "All of us can be stewards of pollinator habitat." Eric shares the alarming picture, but he also shares some real actions that we all can take to help turn the tide.

The Pesticide Problem, Part 2 Feb 20, 2017

We continue our discussion of the serious pesticides problem that our country is facing in part 2 of our 2-part conversation with Jay Feldman of Beyond Pesticides. "As an environmental and public health issue, pesticides are in our lives every day," says Jay. "Why are we using these materials that are associated with diseases if we don't need them, if there are alternative practices that can be used?"

The Pesticide Problem, Part 1 Feb 13, 2017

As an environmental and public health issue, pesticides are in our lives every day," says Jay Feldman of Beyond Pesticides. "Why are we using these materials that are associated with diseases if we don't need them, if there are alternative practices that can be used?" This is part 1 of a 2-part episode on the serious pesticide problem our country is facing today.

How to Engage in our Food System Between Elections Feb 06, 2017

We're back with Michele Merkel of Food & Water Watch to learn how we can engage our elected officials between elections to make food and water issues a priority.

CAFOs, Fracking & GMOs, Oh My! Jan 30, 2017

Food and Water Watch is working to shift control of our food and water systems away from industry corporations and back to communities. Today, Michele Merkel discusses the legal battles being waged around inhumane confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), hydraulic fracturing--or "fracking"--and the nasty business of GMOs and all the pesticides that go hand in hand with them.

Erika Allen on Creativity in Urban Agriculture Jan 23, 2017

Erika Allen, daughter of Growing Power's founder Will Allen, sees creativity as a necessary component of her work in urban agriculture and youth education. This inventive bent might be precisely why Growing Power is having such a huge impact in the Chicago area.

Food as the "Great Equalizer" with Malik Yakini Jan 16, 2017

Detroit food activist Malik Yakini views the good food revolution as one piece of the larger movement for freedom, justice and equality in agriculture, and beyond. He focuses his activism on food because "everyone eats, and everyone wants access to good food," and so his work tends to cut through divisions of race, religion, gender, and more. Malik and his team at the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network see food as a "great equalizer."

Rural Renewal with Robert Wolf Jan 09, 2017

The realization that many former fixtures of American life are vanishing led Robert Wolf to examine the concept of rural renewal in his latest book. Formerly a Chicago Tribune columnist, Robert currently serves as the director of Free River Press. He has written several books and is the producer of American Mosaic, a weekly half-hour radio program featuring stories written and read by men and women from all walks of life and all regions of the country.

Nutrition Talk with Ashley Koff, RD Jan 02, 2017

We talk with dietician and award-winning nutrition expert Ashley Koff, RD, about how the environment and our health are all connected. Find out which vegetable Ashley can't live without and why organic agriculture matters so much from her perspective as a dietitian.

Holistic Farming with Allan Savory Dec 27, 2016

Much of the work Allen is doing with holistic land management started with the desertification of land. Desertification is land degradation in a form so extreme that it creates desert. He noticed that the areas where the land was healthiest was where there was livestock grazing, contrary to the belief that heavily grazing livestock with cause the land degradation. The soil plant an animal life had to co-evolve, so it wasn't the animals ruining the land but poor land management. Allen, along with farmers and rancher in the area, began to experiment with grazing animals and came up with a plan for holistic land management. Since it was devised, his plan has helped farmers all over the world, and, as long as people follow the process exactly, he can almost guarantee the results they will see.

Mindful Cooking with Cynthia Lair Dec 20, 2016

Cynthia believes in being present in your cooking and reaping the benefits of being conscious of the food that you prepare. She says if you're more intentional and present with your cooking, it's going to taste better and it's going to be better for you. "When you're eating food that comes from nature," says Cynthia, "there's this immediate relationship that can happen if you take the time to stay in the moment."

Keefe Keeley and Perennial Agriculture Dec 13, 2016

Keefe says perennial agriculture is part of the answer to sustainable farming. Perennial agriculture does not require yearly plowing where much of the carbon in the soil is lost. Pasture farming is one of the most tried and true methods of raising food with perennial plants. Cattle are able to turn grass, which humans can't eat, into nutrient rich food for humans.

Maria Rodale on Living Well Dec 06, 2016

Maria believes in not only spreading knowledge on how to live a healthy life, but also how to live a good life. People can live a healthy life and still be sick, says Maria, while people who lead unhealthy lives might live a long life, "at the end of the day you can live a long life and leave damage behind you or you can live a short or long life and leave a lot of happiness behind you." And she believes that food is one of the answers to living a happier life, "People who are well fed and well-rounded tend to be happier than people who are starving or starving themselves."

Chris McCullum-A Different Kind of Dietitian Nov 29, 2016

Chris can be described as a different kind of dietitian. Instead of only focusing on a healthy diet, she also focuses on the environmental impact of the food we consume. Chris says, "Biodiversity is connected to both environmental and human health." She believes it is important to preserve and pass along the concepts of biodiversity and environmental health for generations to come.

Breeding for Taste with Lane Selman Nov 22, 2016

One of the major programs which Lane is working on is the Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC). NOVIC is a collaborative effort among researchers and educators from top universities who work together to grow all of the material and breeding lines for various vegetables to see how they perform in different environments. The breeders are looking for traits which specifically organic farmers need, since seeds bred for conventional farmers don't always hold up under organic conditions.

The Perfect French Fry Nov 15, 2016

The cost of living in an area which grows potatoes in vast quantities isn't just about money. Amy says that the people who live in the area of the RDO fields are being sprayed with pesticides by helicopter every week. Some people in the area are getting ill, the water is being contaminated throughout the United States, livestock is being affected and other crops (including organic crops) are also being hit with at least 35 different pesticides which are found on potatoes. Additionally, the growing of these potatoes requires over 13 billion gallons of water per year.

Cooperation Equals Happiness Nov 08, 2016

Most recently, Frances participated in Democracy Spring, a movement committed to taking money out of politics and putting more people in politics, enforcing voter rights, and the Supreme Court understanding that the right to speak must be driven by a meaningful right to be heard. "Hunger," she says, "is not caused by a scarcity of food but a scarcity of democracy." No one is hungry by choice, "hunger is the symptom of powerlessness," and powerlessness is the opposite of democracy.

A Little Non-Profit with a Big Reach Nov 01, 2016

Community GroundWorks aims to build the farm business in such a way that actually could end up being a somewhat of a social enterprise mostly through urban farming. They have over 300 community gardens and a five-acre organic farm in the Madison, Wisconsin, area and throughout Dane County. Ellen, through urban farming, is proving everyone can farm organically and sustain their own food needs on a small scale. In addition to teaching urban farming, Ellen teaches at risk youths how to garden and farm at the Goodman Youth Farm. She says by "teaching children how to eat and grow real food" she hopes they will go home to their parents and tell them that this is what they want.

The Science of Grass Oct 25, 2016

Kevin likes to think of his cows as athletes. And this means feeding them like athletes too. He says that "the better the diet they have, the more diverse their feed intake. It [a grass-based diet] gets a lot of the proper minerals from the soil into the cow and then into the milk." So not only does grazing translate to a herd of strapping, healthy cows, it also means delicious and nutritious milk. Kevin shares that scientists studying the effects of managed grass-based agriculture identify a distribution of fat on grazing cows that is visible in the hair patterns on their coats. And the name for this pattern? Happy lines.

Permaculture & Activism with Author Starhawk Oct 18, 2016

Permaculture, Starhawk explains, is "a whole system of ecological design that says if we work the way nature works, if we really observe and understand how nature is doing things, we can meet our human needs while actually regenerating the environment around us." This "art of designing beneficial relationships," as permaculture has been called, opens up the conversation to include the idea of social permaculture as well as its ecological counterpart.

Storytelling to Change the World Oct 11, 2016

Fred describes Haberman as playing the role of the "modern storyteller" because "a great story can truly change the world." And this world-changing philosophy applies especially to the stories of brands in the good food movement. More recently, Fred developed a hydroponic facility called Urban Organics in the old Hamm's brewery in Minneapolis. Urban Organics raises tilapia alongside chard, kale, basil, cilantro and parsley. In their closed-loop system, fish provide nutrients for the plants to grow while the roots of the plants provide clean water for the fish. This model of agriculture uses less than 2% of the water used by traditional farms.

An "Incredibly Good-Tasting Pork Chop" Oct 04, 2016

Barry says that his two books "Pig Tales" and "Tomatoland" are "rooted in this notion of commodity agriculture." And that, although our current agriculture industry leaves much to be desired, "there is something we can all do. And we can start doing it the next time we go to the supermarket." Barry's solution? Vote with your dollars. Choose the pasture-raised pork and the organic tomatoes. Be the change.

The Love, and Business, of Agriculture Sep 27, 2016

Hal Hamilton has a long list of accomplishments and advocacy that brings us to today, where his focus is on the Sustainable Food Lab. The organization's core purpose, he explains, is to "accelerate progress with sustainability in the mainstream." This critical and laudable goal stems from the recognition that "the production of food is an avocation and a love, but it's also a business" and the Sustainable Food Lab takes the business into account every bit as much as the passion, in order to maximize its positive impact.

The Path to Activism and Good Food Sep 20, 2016

Katherine's impressive experience in the organic sector stems from what she describes as a "compulsive need to work in nonprofits." She has been involved not only in the food movement, but in issues of peace, social justice, and alternative energy too. Today, she describes the Sustainable Food Trade Association as "a learning community of businesses who are sharing their best practices, their challenges, their initiatives and innovations to help each other really become sustainable business models." In this, they are doing crucial and amazing work.

Good Food in Research AND in Practice Sep 13, 2016

Dylan is a recent graduate of Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. He is passionate about organic food and agriculture as well as involving his own generation in the revitalization of our food system. While in school, Dylan worked with Occidental College to change the food options offered in their cafeterias, he was also involved in the college's participation in the Real Food Challenge, a movement that aims to shift university food budgets away from industrial farms and junk food and towards local, fair, ecologically sound and humane food sources.

Saving the World, Rotational Grazing Edition Sep 06, 2016

Not only is Vince Hundt invested in bio-diversity and farming the way his ancestors did "prior to pesticides, herbicides and antibiotics." They are also invested in the practice of grass-based agriculture and rotational grazing. Vince explains that the adoption of rotational grazing practices in the mainstream agriculture sector could very well be the catalyst to dramatic environmental overhaul, from mitigating harmful algal blooms in our waters, to neutralizing carbon emissions in the entire United States.

A Healthy and Sustainable Food System Aug 30, 2016

Kari Hamerschlag of Friends of the Earth talks about her work in making the food served at restaurants healthier and more sustainable. She says, "In order to move forward and to shift production practices on the ground and give consumers healthy, sustainable, humane food, we really need to focus on the market where people are getting their food." And this, she adds, is exactly what Friends of the Earth is doing right now.

The Lasting Impact of "Greenhouse to Kitchen" Aug 23, 2016

Sarah Tedeschi and her daughter Rose Bruce are both pursuing paths in food, nutrition and agriculture: Sara in her career and current work at the National Farm to School Network, and Rose in her studies in sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson College. Together, this mother-daughter duo is involved in the gardening and cooking program at Lake Valley Camp, a camp that teaches Milwaukee-area youth life and leadership skills in a value-based community.

The Multi-Faceted World of Farm to School Aug 08, 2016

Farm to School is more than just getting local foods into the cafeteria. Anupama Joshi, executive director of the National Farm to School Network shares what else goes into this important program, from the cafeteria to the classroom to the school garden!

"Connecting the Dots" with Farmer Charlene Stoller Jul 25, 2016

When Charlene and her husband Scott began farming organically it wasn't always easy, but using pesticides and antibiotics didn't sit quite right with the family. Today the Stollers have a thriving organic dairy that has won accolades at the county, state, and national levels. Charlene and Scott like to call their path to organic agriculture a simple, commonsense act of "connecting the dots."

Organic Food & Nutrition with Dr. Charles Benbrook May 30, 2016

In part two of our interview with agricultural economist and scientific researcher Dr. Charles Benbrook, we discuss some good news in the world of organic: two studies from the United Kingdom that deal with the impact of organic production on the nutritional quality of food.

GMOs, Pesticides and Bees with Dr. Charles Benbrook May 23, 2016

Bees, Dr. Benbrook explains today, are just one of many populations being disastrously affected by the pesticides that go hand-in-hand with the use of GMO crops. When asked if bees might be an indicator "like the canary in a coal mine" of what we should be paying attention to regarding the impact of our pesticide-intensive agriculture, Dr. Benbrook doesn't hesitate in his answer: "Absolutely." (Part 1 of 2)

"We Instead of Me": Adam Schwartz of The Cooperative Way May 16, 2016

For the past 23 years, Adam Schwartz has been serving cooperatives in different capacities, from public policy to in depth consulting with co-ops. As the founder of The Cooperative Way, Adam works to help co-ops succeed by using the co-op principles and values as a strategic advantage in the marketplace. Today he joins us to discuss the his work and U.S. cooperative movement.

Cooperatives Empowering Communities through Food May 09, 2016

Jan Rasikas, general manager of the Viroqua Food Co-op for 15 years and a founding board member of the Principle 6 Cooperative Trade Movement, works to empower her community through access to healthy food, economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. (Rebroadcast)

Earth Dinner: Making Earth Day Every Day Apr 22, 2016

In 2004, Organic Valley's Mission Executive Theresa Marquez had an idea: Earth Day deserved a meal. Enter Earth Dinner an Earth Day tradition that revolves around local, sustainable and organic food, paired with a meaningful discussion about our impact on the environment. Join Theresa as she discusses Earth Dinner's early beginnings, food traditions and Earth Day.

Let's Talk About Soil... Mar 28, 2016

While soil agronomist may be unique job, it's vital to maintaining the health of Organic Valley farms. As a soil agronomist Mark Kopecky aids Organic Valley farmers in creating a healthy ecosystem from the ground up. Today he joins us to discuss the differences between organic and conventional soil systems.

Organic Veterinarian Dr. Paul Dettloff Mar 21, 2016

With over 45 years experience in sustainable dairy production, Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM helps Organic Valley farmers harmonize the health of their animals with the soil. Joining us today, Dr. Paul discusses what's changed in organic animal care throughout the years.

Cow Nutrition and Us Mar 14, 2016

As Organic Valley's Ruminant Nutritionist Dr. Silvia Abel-Caines, DVM travels around the country helping Organic Valley farmers improve the nutrients available in their pastures. Today she joins Rootstock Radio to discuss why cow's nutrition is important to us humans.

Jeff Moyer of the Rodale Institute Mar 07, 2016

Jeff Moyer executive director of the Rodale Institute discusses Rodale's on-going 30-year study which has revealed that organic soils better retain water in times of drought. "We find so many exciting and fascinating results when we start looking at what happens when we change the health of the soil," said Moyer.

Organic Valley Veterinarian Dr. Guy Jodarski Feb 29, 2016

Dr. Guy Jodarski, one of Organic Valley's staff veterinarians joins us to discuss holistic and organic animal care. In addition to animal care, we speak with Dr. Guy about two recent studies released by Newcastle University that show organic milk and meat contain 50% higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Faye Jones of MOSES Organic Farming Conference Feb 22, 2016

For 27 years, the Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has offered farmers, consumers and the general public workshops, training and information about organic and sustainable farming. Executive Director Faye Jones joins us to discuss the upcoming 27th annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Organic Farmer & Grazing Specialist Dr. Rhonda Gildersleeve Feb 15, 2016

"We're not minimizing our [financial] risk, but we're maximizing quality in a lot of cases, and we're maximizing to me the creativeness that can come into farming." Hear University of Wisconsin-Extension grazing specialist and Organic Valley farmer member Dr. Rhonda Gildersleeve discuss the science and art behind organic farming.

Author & Food Activist Frances Moore Lappe (Part 2) Feb 08, 2016

Looking for more from Frances Moore Lappe? Listen to part 2 of her Rootstock Radio interview as she discusses her new book, "World Hunger: 12 Myths."

Author & Food Activist Frances Moore Lappe (Part 1) Feb 01, 2016

Frances Moore Lappe has been a thought leader in the good food movement since the 1970s. Today, she discusses her new book, "World Hunger: 12 Myths" and examines the world food situation by defining what hunger is and how much food we currently produce. She discusses nutritional stunting and its long term impact, the mythology and language around the idea that the U.S. can and must feed the world, and the false promise of new technologies such as GMOs.

Author Wendell Berry (Rebroadcast) Jan 25, 2016

Wendell Berry is the author of the now-famous quote that inspired Michael Pollan: "Eating is an agricultural act." Berry is an environmental activist, farmer, and author of more than 40 works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. One of his most famous books is The Unsettling of America, written in 1977. In this episode, he speaks candidly with us about his boyhood.

Jessica Shade of The Organic Center (Rebroadcast) Jan 18, 2016

Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center, Jessica Shade has a deep interest in the science supporting the environment and public health. Hear her review of recent research studies and their importance to organic food and farming in this rebroadcast interview.

What it takes to become Certified Organic Jan 11, 2016

In this week's episode, we speak with Cori Skoloski, executive director of the Midwest Organic Services Association, about what it takes for a farm to become certified organic. (Hint: It takes a lot!)

"Allergic Girl" Sloane Miller Jan 04, 2016

Author Sloane Miller also known as "Allergic Girl" discusses living with food allergies and counseling others to live safely, effectively and joyously with their food allergies.

Seed Talk with Bill Tracy of University of Wisconsin Dec 28, 2015

Professor and chair of the department of agronomy at the University of Wisconsin, Bill Tracy leads the largest public-sector sweet corn breeding program in the world. In this episode, he discusses traditional seed breeding techniques and how they are very different from genetic engineering. (Rebroadcast)

Melody Meyer of the UNFI Foundation Dec 21, 2015

Melody Meyer serves as Vice President of Policy and Industry Relations for United Natural Foods Incorporated (UNFI) and Executive Director of the UNFI Foundation. Today, she discusses the Foundation side of her work and new developments that will benefit organic farmers and our planet.

Thinking Like Bees with Terry Oxford of UrbanBeesSF Dec 14, 2015

Guest host Anne O'Connor speaks with Terry Oxford of UrbanBeeSF about creating safe urban environments for pollinators. Terry also uses her wealth of knowledge about bees and honey to create beautiful works of honeycomb art.

"Food Sleuth" Melinda Hemmelgarn (Part 2) Dec 07, 2015

Looking for Part 2? Hear more from registered dietitian and "Food Sleuth Radio" host Melinda Hemmelgarn as she investigates our food system, nutrition, research and the impact of food advertising.

"Food Sleuth" Melinda Hemmelgarn (Part 1) Nov 30, 2015

Melinda Hemmelgarn is a registered dietitian and host of "Food Sleuth Radio." This week she discusses the various topics she investigates on her radio show including organic nutrition, current research, and the scary way food is being marketed to us.

Local AND Affordable: Chef Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave Nov 23, 2015

Today we give you this conversation with Chef Michel Nischan, CEO and President of Wholesome Wave, a Connecticut-based organization that assists underserved urban and rural communities in 33 states and D.C. with connecting to local agriculture for equitable access to affordable, locally grown foods. He speaks about his philosophies around food, fireflies, and the inspiration of his elders.

"Embracing Complexity": Author Raj Patel & Organic Valley's Jerome McGeorge Nov 16, 2015

Award-winning author and academic Raj Patel and Organic Valley's own "Kickapoo scholar" Jerome McGeorge chat about some pretty deep issues - our broken food system and our broken democracy, and some solutions for these issues.

Continuing a Legacy of Food Activism: Anna Lappe, Small Planet Institute Nov 09, 2015

Today we're speaking with author and activist Anna Lappe of the Small Planet Institute about her work, her motivations, and the legacy of work that she has continued from her parents and her grandparents.

Creating Equitable & Sustainable Food Systems: Pamela Hess, Arcadia Center Nov 02, 2015

This week, we speak with Pamela Hess, executive director of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture. The nonprofit operates a farm, a mobile market, a food hub, and a farm to school program - all geared toward creating a more equitable and sustainable local food system in the D.C. area.

Andrew Kimbrell of Center for Food Safety (Part 2) Oct 26, 2015

In part 2 of our conversation with Andrew Kimbrell, we hear more about the new GMO labeling legislation called the DARK Act, which is making its way through Congress right now.

Andrew Kimbrell of Center for Food Safety (Part 1) Oct 19, 2015

Executive director and founder of Center for Food Safety, Andrew Kimbrell takes a break from court to discuss the GMOs and GMO labeling.

Organic Valley farmer Jon Bansen Oct 12, 2015

Organic Valley farmer Jon Bansen discusses how better grazing can help dairy farmers cope with drought and climate change.

Preserving Beauty and Bounty in the Mississippi Valley Oct 05, 2015

Mississippi Valley Conservancy executive director, Carol Abrahamzon speaks with us about the non-profit land trust that has permanently protected more than 16,000 acres of land and waterways in southwestern Wisconsin.

Austin Ashley of Wisco Pop Sep 28, 2015

Austin Ashley, co-founder of Wisco Pop, makes craft-brewed sodas using local and real ingredients in rural southwest Wisconsin. No high-fructose corn syrup here!

Seed Stories with Diane Ott Whealy of Seed Savers Exchange Sep 21, 2015

Guest host Anne O'Connor speaks with co-founder and vice president of Seed Savers Exchange, Diane Ott Whealy, about seed sovereignty, and the complexity around sourcing organic seeds. Open-pollinated, heirloom varieties of food crops are disappearing, so organizations like Seed Savers are on a mission to preserve them.

Carolyn Mugar and Glenda Yoder of Farm Aid (Rebroadcast) Sep 14, 2015

In celebration of Farm Aid's 30th annual benefit concert on Sep. 19th we bring you this rebroadcast of chat with Farm Aid directors Carolyn Mugar and Glenda Yoder

Molly Jahn of University of Wisconsin - Madsion Sep 07, 2015

Dr. Molly Jahn is professor of genetics at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Her work in traditional plant breeding has contributed to crop varieties that are grown on six continents, and she has worked extensively in developing countries to link crop breeding with improved human nutrition and welfare. She's leading a global alliance of research groups focused on "making the consequences of our failures to change visible to us." Systemic risks that originate from shortcomings in the food system are Molly's forte. "Can we, together, find ways of existing that steward our resources adequately?" she wonders (and it's clear that "no" is not an acceptable answer).

Miriam Grunes of REAP Food Group Aug 31, 2015

REAP Food Group is a food and farming advocacy group and was instrumental in bringing Farm to School to Madison, WI. REAP Food Group executive director Miriam Grunes speaks with us about Farm to School as well as growing strong communities through food. (Rebroadcast)

Margaret Krome of Michael Fields Ag Institute Aug 24, 2015

Margaret Krome, public policy program director for Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, speaks with us about sustainable agriculture initiatives and MFAI's fascinating corn breeding program.

Severine von Tscharner Fleming & the Young Farmer Movement Aug 17, 2015

Severine von Tscharner Fleming is a serial entrepreneur, farmer and activist. She is possibly best known for the film Greenhorns and the National Young Farmers Coalition. This woman is a force of nature for the Millennial generation.

Chef Mary Cleaver, NYC Farm to Table Pioneer Aug 10, 2015

Chef Mary Cleaver was one of the first people to bring local foods into Manhattan in the 1970s and has been working behind the scenes influencing New York City's local food movement in quiet but profound ways.

How is Climate Change Affecting Farmers? Aug 03, 2015

His degree may be in geology and climatology, but Jake Schmitz has spent most of his life working with farmers and has helped hundreds of farmers transition tens of thousands of acres to organic. He speaks with us about how climate change is impacting farmers nationwide.

Katy Kolker, Portland Fruit Tree Project Jul 27, 2015

The Portland (OR) Fruit Tree Project cares for urban fruit trees, then shares the harvest with community members who need it the most. Enjoy this interview with founder and executive director, Katy Kolker. (Rebroadcast)

Deborah Kane, USDA Farm to School Program Jul 20, 2015

Today's guest is Deborah Kane, who was appointed the USDA's National Director of Farm to School in January 2012. She oversees a new farm to school grant program and continues to look for creative ways to increase access to healthy, local foods for schools.

Kris Soebroto, Sisters of the Road Jul 13, 2015

Sisters of the Road is a collectively-run organization that's been working to alleviate hunger, homelessness and poverty in Portland, OR since 1979. We speak with the Sisters of the Road Cafe co-manager, Kris Soebroto, about the issues of poverty and homelessness and how the cafe is a bright spot in their community.

Chef Luke Zahm of Driftless Cafe Jul 06, 2015

Chef Luke Zahm has been called a sort of "Prodigal Chef." The Driftless Cafe had been a farm-to-table fixture in the Viroqua community for years, and when it came up for sale, Luke and his wife, Ruthie, didn't simply take ownership of the restaurant - they revitalized it.

Chef Monique Hooker, Culinary Pioneer Jun 29, 2015

Today we speak with culinary pioneer, Chef Monique Hooker, about her intriguing path to becoming a chef in the 60s and 70s, from France to rural Wisconsin. Chef Monique is an author, has hosted a TV show, and operated a cooking school, catering company and restaurant.

Kenny Ausubel of Bioneers Jun 22, 2015

Co-founder and CEO of the non-profit Bioneers, Kenny Ausubel speaks about his path to entrepreneurship, film-making and becoming an author.

Organic Valley Farmers Mark and Ernest Martin Jun 15, 2015

Today we hear from brothers Ernest and Mark Martin, both organic farmers in Richland County, Ohio, about how farming organically helped them feel good about their farming practices and see a brighter future for their children.

JJ Gonson of Cuisine en Locale on the Value of a Local Food System Jun 08, 2015

This week we speak with JJ Gonson, the creative force behind the Massachusetts-based Cuisine en Locale about the value of a local food system.

Carolyn Mugar and Glenda Yoder of Farm Aid Jun 01, 2015

First organized by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp back in 1985, Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on their land. Glenda and Carolyn direct the organization, which is perhaps best known for it's long-running annual benefit concert of the same name.

Author Wendell Berry May 25, 2015

We were honored to speak with author Wendell Berry, author of more than 40 works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, including the famous "The Unsettling of America," written in 1977.

Sloane Miller, "Allergic Girl" May 18, 2015

Sloane Miller is a food allergy advocate, author and life coach. She is allergic to tree nuts and salmon, and started Allergic Girl Resources, Inc. to help people with food allergies live safely, effectively and joyously. She speaks to us about what it's like to live with multiple food allergies.

Andrew Kimbrell of the Center for Food Safety May 11, 2015

Guest host, Missy Hughes and Center for Food Safety's Andrew Kimbrell talk about a wide range of topics, from biotechnology to his love of fly fishing.

Jessica Shade of The Organic Center May 04, 2015

Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center, Jessica Shade has a deep interest in the science supporting the environment and public health. Today she reviews recent research studies and their importance to organic food and farming.

Author Joan Gussow on "Death, Life & Vegetables" Apr 27, 2015

In 1978 Joan Gussow wrote a ground-breaking book tying nutrition to the health of our planet. Today she discusses her journey through the Good Food Movement and her memoir, "Growing Older: A Chronicle of Death, Life and Vegetables."

Chef Nora Pouillon Apr 20, 2015

Restaurant Nora in Washington, DC was the first certified organic restaurant in the nation. Organic pioneer, chef Nora Pouillon shares her insights from her 40 years as a chef and food activist. Her new book, "My Organic Life" hit shelves April 21, 2015.

Author Nina Teicholz Apr 13, 2015

Nina Teicholz, the "nutritional Sherlock Holmes," took nine years to craft her new book, "The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet." She speaks with Rootstock Radio host Theresa Marquez about what it took to create this enlightening account.

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