The Farmers Beet

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Episode 6: BeeWorthy Farms: Organic Flowers, Herbs, and a Collective Approach to Marketing Oct 08, 2026

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In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Cathryn Henning from BeeWorthy Farms, a certified organic cut flower and herb farm located in Encinitas, CA. At BeeWorthy Farms, they grow a diverse variety of cut flower products, as well as herbs, and currently market exclusively through the San Diego Flower Collective. In this episode, Brandon talks with Cathryn about BeeWorthy Farms, the San Diego Flower Collective, the challenges and opportunities of partnerships, and the joys of being a small business owner growing local flowers for your local community.

Comparing Certifications: Organic, Bee Better, Biodynamic, and Regenerative Organic in Lodi Sep 30, 2026

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Vino Farms manages about 3,500 acres of vineyards in Lodi, California and on 750 of those acres, they carry four different certifications: Organic, Biodynamic, Xerces Bee Friendly, and Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC). Viticulturist Daniel Meyers walks us through why a single farm management company ends up using multiple sustainability certifications at once, what each one actually requires…

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Oya Organic Farm: Marketing Lessons from a Diversified Central Coast Organic Farm Sep 17, 2026

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In this episode, we connect with Marsha Habib of Oya Organic Farm, a woman and immigrant owned organic family farm located in Hollister, California. We learn about the origin of Oya Organic Farm, what it means to be an organic farmer, and her successes and challenges with marketing organic produce especially, as it relates to small-scale highly diversified certified organic produce farmers on California's Central Coast. Throughout her farming journey, Marsha has learned that marketing looks different for small-scale diversified farmers. We learn more about Oya Organic Farm’s marketing journey in this episode!

Russian River Lavender: Growing Organic Lavender for Traditional Medicinals Sep 17, 2026

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In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Chris Holcomb from Russian River Lavender, a 33 acre farm based in Sebastopol, CA. At Russian River Lavender, they grow approximately 5 acres of organic lavender, primarily for Traditional Medicinals, an organic tea company. Russian River Lavender was recently certified organic by CCOF. Brandon recently connected with Chris inside of a restored Airstream trailer overlooking the old apple orchard on their farm. In this episode, Brandon talks with Chris about their organic certification process, their relationship with Traditional Medicinals, how they use sheep in their operation for rotational grazing and organic weed management, and how he ended up growing lavender.

Seas Greens: Growing and Marketing Organic Microgreens in San Diego Sep 10, 2026

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In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Alex Cummings from Seas Greens Farm, a small urban farm located in Vista, CA. Alex started the farm along with his wife Dana in 2018. At Seas Greens Farm, they grow a variety of microgreens products and sell them at local farmers markets and fine dining restaurants in the greater San Diego area. Seas Greens Farm was recently certified organic by Oregon Tilth. In this episode, Brandon talks with Alex about their organic certification process, their marketing strategies, and some of their growing practices.

Pleasant Grove Farms: Building Soil Health Through Seed Production and Crop Rotation Sep 03, 2026

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In this episode of The Farmer’s Beet Podcast, host Gisele Herren sits down with Ed Sills of Pleasant Grove Farms, a third-generation, family-owned certified organic grain and bean farm in the Sacramento Valley. Ed was one of the first grain farmers in California to transition to organic production, planting his first organic popcorn crop in 1985. The conversation covers the crop rotations that…

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The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 2 Jul 08, 2025

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In this episode we continue the conversation on the impact of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Linden, California. You’ll hear from the father and son duos of Colombini Ranch and Chinchiolo Farming Company about the impact BIOS had on the different generations of their farm, and why they continue to follow BIOS practices like cover cropping and integrated pest management.

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The Legacy of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Walnuts: Part 1 Jun 18, 2025

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The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project has brought together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. In this episode we head down to the Northern San Joaquin region to interview early BIOS collaborating growers, Chris and Christy Locke, and PCA, Jeannine Lowrimore…

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Urban Agriculture in Orange County: Gospel Swamp Farm and The Ecology Center Aug 16, 2024

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In this episode we travel to Southern California to meet with Samuel Guitron of Gospel Swamp Farm in Santa Ana and Johnny Wilson from The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano to talk all about Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, in urban farms. You’ll also hear about how soil health is monitored using potatoes at Gospel Swamp Farm, how wheat and rice bran are being used to manage soil-borne…

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EPISODE 3, SEASON 4: FUELS MANAGEMENT AND POLICY CONCERNS IN CA- A CONVERSATION WITH BETH REYNOLDS OF THE GOAT GIRLS, COLE BUSH OF GRAZING SCHOOL OF THE WEST, AND SENATOR MONIQUE LIMÓN Dec 09, 2023

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The Goat Girls Cal Poly Sheep Unit SB 675 AB 297 Paso Robles- Salinas River Vegetation Management Project CEQA and grazing resources Prescribed Herbivory White paper from the Rangeland Management Advisory Committee Regional Water Quality Control Board and Grazing tips Upper Salinas- Las Tablas Resources Conservation District CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program California Climate and Action Network: Wildfire Policy Resources Resources Legacy Fund- Wildfire Strategies PRODUCTION TEAM: Podcast hosted by Amber Schat and supported by Grizzly Corps Fellow, Joshua Harjes Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald Music by Blue Dot Sessions Release Date: 12/08/202

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