Talk Farm to Me

"One Bite is Everything" host Dana DiPrima introduces you to the universe where everyday food, fuel, fiber, and flowers (the 4 Fs) emanate from the center of your proverbial plate to its broader impact on health, the environment, community, and the economy. Here, with One Bite, you have to opportunity to explore the countless decisions involved in how our food reaches us and connect these choices to bigger, critical life issues. This unique approach sparks a broader conversation on the interplay between our choices and societal well-being.

Healthy food should not be a privilege, yet more than 23 million Americans don't have access to fresh food. Maura "Mac" Russell is working to change this statistic, all while balancing her career as a consultant, and being a mom of four. Through Ad Astra Farms, Mac takes on food justice in the community, healthy food production and education, and the persisting trauma that many Black Americans associate with farming. This first episode of One Bite is Everything takes on personal health, community well-being, the environment, and more. Tune in until the end for some funny surprises you will relate to! Follow/Subscribe to the show. Leave a review.

On today’s episode of Talk Farm To Me, we hear from first generation farmer Kelley Babbin, owner and operator of Howling Flats Farms in Canaan, Connecticut. Kelley has made it her mission to create an environment of sustainable agriculture, while nurturing the land she grows on. Using sustainable practices to give her animals the utmost love and care, making for happy animals that live harmoniously with the land, Kelley has created an online marketplace to sell her meat to consumers that are looking for healthier, environmentally friendly, options. In this episode, you will hear how Kelley became a farmer and started growing animals on pasture, the work and dedication it takes to run a farm with little help, the challenges for farmers to market their products to the masses, how Kelley created an online market for Howling Flat Farms, and why the need for convenience is hurting family farms. This story is all about strength and determination, you don’t want to miss it! Topics discussed in this episode: How Kelley started raising animals on pasture How Kelley runs her farm on her own The types of certifications Kelley’s farm has What Kelley’s customer base looks like Why it is difficult to market meat on social media How Kelley is expanding her customer base in creative ways The need for convenience is hurting small family farms How Kelley is improving the health of her soil

We believe in farmers being taken seriously. They are the backbone of our society after all, right? Then why are more and more farmers becoming silenced and marginalized? To answer this question and spread awareness about this topic, we have invited podcast host, author, and law and government teacher, Sharon McMahon, to shed light on how America is failing its farmers, and what we can do to change that. Sharon has a deep knowledge of the monster farmers are up against when it comes to legislation, farm bills, and the oligopoly of big ag phasing out small family farms. She brings the conversation back to the American government and law makers to enforce checks and balances so the farmers get the respect they deserve, with the health of the consumers in mind. This is an important conversation with tons of information about the way the government and laws are structured that will put the farming industry and the direction it is going into perspective. Something we all need to pay attention to, because after all, we all need to eat! This episode will surely empower you to stand up for your rights as a consumer and for the rights of farmers. Every time you make a purchase, you are voting with your dollar, and if keeping small family farms in business is a cause you believe in, make that dollar count! Make sure you tune in to this crucial discussion!

Sal Gilbertie has had some luck -- good luck and bad luck -- that catapulted him into a career in growing organic herbs. Sal’s love for healthy soil and organic farming shines through in this episode, where he details his experience of deciding to grow organically when it wasn’t as common or popular as it is now. Sal has a deep knowledge of what it takes to be 100% organic, in a world where pesticides are still very much being used as the easier, cheaper option, yet making people very sick. This is a story of persistence and passion you don’t want to miss! Tune in to hear how Sal took the twists and turns of each decade’s challenges and pivoted his business to be able to serve his customers better and create a successful organic business because of it. This year, Gilbertie Organics is celebrating its 100th year in business! This is a story of persistence and passion you don’t want to miss! Topics discussed in this episode: How Sal took over the family flower business The serendipitous meeting with an herbal pioneer How the ecology boom created a market for herbs Why Sal decided to grow organically Sal’s passion for soil and why Sal believes hydroponics should be avoided How a disaster in 1969 turned into a marketing opportunity Why buying organic could save your life Some sage advice from a seasoned grower