

The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained
Lady Farmer
Start living more sustainably. The Good Dirt podcast explores all aspects of a sustainable lifestyle with healthy soil as the touchpoint and metaphor for the healing of our relationship with the planet. Mother and daughter team Mary & Emma bring you weekly interviews with farmers, artists, authors, and leaders in the regenerative and sustainable living space.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 23, 2022 • 28min
Mary & Emma Chat: How to Make Back-to-School More Sustainable
What aspects of the back-to-school season are tapping into core memory making, and how much is just consumer hype? Listen in as Mary & Emma peel away the marketing from the emotion, and discuss ideas for reframing this season in a more sustainable way for kids AND parents.Things Mentioned:
Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food - An Eater's Manifesto
Lady Farmer Marketplace
Wool Lunchbox
Jute Sandwich Bag
Jackalo Clothing
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
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Aug 19, 2022 • 1h 2min
105. Quilting a Slow Life with Sara Buscaglia of Farm and Folk
Sara Buscaglia is the creator of Farm and Folk, which is a fusion of her work as both sustainable organic farmer and folk textile artist. Sara believes that the magic and alchemy of farming and art are one and the same, and her passion for transferring natural color to natural fibers is a fascination that only grows stronger as the years roll by.In this conversation we talk about how Sara came to be an organic farmer, her evolution as an artist, her quilting practice and shared thoughts on social media and consumerism. Join us to hear the inspiring story of Sara's slow living journey and the decisions that have influenced her family's intentional lifestyle.Topics Covered:
Finding farming as a lifestyle
Sara's evolution as a fabric artist
What is folk art?
The early years of CSA's
The intersection of farming and art
Their experience hemp farming
Sarah's quilting journey and practice
Sara's upcoming book project with Abrams
Sara's Instagram practice
Consumerism culture, and raising children within it
Resources Mentioned:
Indian Runner Ducks
Marlee Grace Interview
Cookie Washington Interview
Noco Hemp Expo
Farm and Folk Logo Design, @Untodust
Connect with Farm & Folk
On Instagram @farmandfolk
Sara's website and online shop: https://www.farmandfolk.com/
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 12, 2022 • 1h 8min
104. Linen: The Once and Future Crop for an American Textile Economy with Heidi Barr and Emma DeLong of the PA Flax Project
Today’s guests are Heidi Barr of Kitchen Garden Textiles and Emma de Long of Knee High Farm, who have joined forces in the Pennsylvania Flax Project, aiming to revitalize the flax for linen industry in their region for the benefit of both urban and rural communities. Their goals are to create an industry built on the principles of radical inclusion, environmental stewardship and social justice, and to create clean jobs across the industries of farming, milling, weaving, cut and sew manufacturing.Their story as a team begins on March 12, 2020 when the two met to have a conversation about a natural dye project. Their chat quickly turned into an enthusiastic musing about the possibilities of Pennsylvania grown linen and the Pa. Flax Project began. In this episode we chat about the history of linen in this country and the challenges of reinstating it as a viable domestic industry, creating connection in a globalized economy, and issues with product transparency and consumer awareness. Heidi and Emma are excited to expand their commitment to the local economy and textile supply chain, recognizing that local self reliance and choosing to produce natural fibers on regenerative farms is an important step towards a healthy future. Topics Covered:
The history of textile production in the US
Heidi and Emma's journey to growing flax domestically
The process of turning flax in to linen fiber
How linen compares to other natural fibers, particularly hemp, and the impacts on our soils
PA Flax Project's process to regionalize flax seed varieties
Rethinking the wedding industry, and the desire for domestically-grown and sewn gowns
Consumption culture and the influence of social media
The next steps for PA Flax, and their crowdfunding goals
Resources Mentioned:
Magic Fashion Trade Show
Chico Flax Episode
Amy DuFault Episode
Crowdfunding Campaign
Connect with the PA Flax Project:
Their Website: https://paflaxproject.com/
Square Yard Project
Heidi's Company, Kitchen Garden Textiles
Emma's Farm, Kneehigh Farm
@paflaxproject on Instagram
PA Flax Project on Go Fund Me
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 5, 2022 • 58min
103. Our Fermented Lives: Bridging the Gap Between Modern People and Historic Food with Julia Skinner of Root Kitchens
In this episode, Mary and Emma are talking to Julia Skinner of Root: Historic Food for the Modern World. Root was born from Julia's deep love for community and a belief in the power of food to tell stories, connect us to place and to each other, and to build a bridge to the past.Julia's work is all about food, history, food stories, where it comes from and the people behind it. She loves fostering connections with other people and with the earth around us. Julia is especially interested in learning and teaching about fermentation, demonstrating to people the ease and accessibility of preparing delicious and healthy food using this ancient and powerful food preservation technique.Topics Covered:
Exploring historic cookbooks
Julia’s discovery of historical cooking traditions
Types of fermentation she has explored
How to start fermenting
The growing popularity of traditional foods
Shifting food interests during the pandemic
Food Access
Milk Kefir
Food as medicine
Resources Mentioned:
Julia's website--Root Kitchens
Our Fermented Lives. by Julia Skinner
The English Housewife by Gervase Markham
The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz
Free99Fridge, Atlanta
Umi Feeds
Goodr
Sowans Celtic Porridge
The Fermentation School
Son-Mat --(Korean) Hand taste, the unique quality and taste food has from an individual's touch, care, and experience; the way food tastes different when made by different people, often used to describe the taste of mom's cooking.
Connect with Julia:
Root Kitchens Website: https://root-kitchens.com/
@rootkitchens on Instagram
Julia's Books, Classes and Courses
Root Kitchens Newsletter on Substack
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 29, 2022 • 1h 4min
102. Carbon Negative and Climate Beneficial: The Future of Sustainable Apparel with Edzard van der Wyck of Sheep Inc.
Edzard van der Wyck is the co-founder of Sheep Inc., a sustainable apparel company that creates carbon negative knitwear made from merino wool. Sheep Inc's revolutionary approach starts at the source - the farm! Their partnership with regenerative farms in New Zealand and innovative manufacturing processes allow them to maintain a carbon negative status from sheep to sweater.In this episode, we talk about the impact of the fashion industry on our climate, how Sheep Inc was born, why they chose to start at the raw materials, regenerative sheep wool farms and how they work, and why carbon neutral goals are not enough. We also discuss how we can collectively shift to a more sustainable economy as a whole, and Edzard's hope for what the future of purchasing looks like.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered:
The impact of the fashion industry on our climate
Sheep Inc's innovative manufacturing process
Regenerative sheep farming in New Zealand
Why carbon neutral goals are not enough
How Sheep Inc maintains its carbon negative status
Sustainably dyeing their garments
How Sheep Inc avoids waste or deadstock in their manufaturing
The future of transparency and shopping sustainably
How social pressure may have a role in a more sustainable future
The true cost of fashion, and our perceived value of apparel
The durability of natural fibers
Why transparency is important, but may not be enough in the future
Resources Mentioned:
Lady Farmer ALMANAC Membership
ZQ Merino
Connected Dot
Sheep Inc’s Website: https://sheepinc.com/
On Instagram @sheepinc
About Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 22, 2022 • 1h 9min
101. An Ecological Civilization for All with Andrew Schwartz of EcoCiv
What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about fundamental shifts in many of our most basic assumptions about our relationship with each other and the environment, and the role each of us plays in the way forward towards a worldwide, life-supporting community. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered:
How Andrew came to his interest in ecology through religion
How The Institute for Ecological Civilization came into being
Explanation of The Institute for Ecological Civilization and its mission
The Centrality of the Human Experience
Genesis as a directive for the human role in the web of creation
Deep Ecology
Are we fighting for human survival or earth's survival?
EcoCiv partners and programs
Where are the solutions? Does change happen from within the system, outside the system or from the top down?
Who is getting it right? Who do we support?
Resources Mentioned:
Rose of Sharon Sacred Harp Hymn 254
Don Shiva
David Corton
Jeremy Lent
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Aspen Institute
Philip Clayton
John Cobb
What is Ecological Civilization by Andrew Schwartz and Philip Clayton
Claremont School of Theology
Willamette University
Water for South Sudan
Wellbeing Economy Alliance
Connect with Andrew and the Institute for Ecological Civilization:
EcoCiv website: https://ecociv.org/
On Instagram @ecociv_
Listen to the EcoCiv Podcast
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 15, 2022 • 46min
100. 100th Episode Special! Thoughts, Reflections and Highlights from Past Episodes. What Does the Good Dirt Mean to You?
"What does the good dirt mean to you?" Join Mary and Emma as they celebrate this 100th episode milestone by reflecting on the two and a half years of their podcasting journey and by highlighting several of their past guests answering this question.Things Mentioned:
Our Episode with Sherri Powell
“4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman
Mary Oliver Poem - The Summer Day
Featured Guests
27:11 - Amy DuFault, Episode 1
27:28 - Liz Kimball, Episode 40
28:43 - Rebecca Burgess, Episode 38
29:28 - Lynn Cassells, Episode 79
30:54 - Justin West, Episode 72
31:28 - Julia Watkins, Episode 12 & 83
33:10 - Jason Fowler, Episode 84
35:01 - Eliza Greenman, Episode 86
35:33 - Amanda Agricola, Episode 87
36:14 - Ryan Mitchell, Episode 77
35:35 - Lisa Mitchell, Episode 91
36:54 - Bex Partridge, Episode 94
38:45 - Doug Phillips of Conscious Clothing, Episode 90
39:10 - Melissa K. Norris, Episode 99
39:40 - Jesse Golden, Episode 81
40:20 - Megan Borukhovsky of Sister Nettle, Episode 83
41:13 - Tony Cohen, Juneteenth Bonus Episode (June 19, 2021)
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 8, 2022 • 1h 3min
99. Modern Homesteading Made Accessible with Melissa K. Norris of Pioneering Today
Want small, attainable steps you can take to begin your homesteading journey?Melissa K. Norris is a fifth-generation homesteader who believes in keeping the old ways alive and that food shouldn't come from a box. She lives on a 15-acre farm in Washington state with her husband and two children, and together they raise 100% of their own meat and a majority of the fruits and vegetables they consume in a year. Melissa doubled-down on her homesteading journey after a chronic health issue caused her to look at the foods she was eating every day. She decided she could save money and be healthier if she grew and preserved her own food rather than purchasing pre-packaged food items. From this, she’s built a homesteading empire, with a podcast, multiple books, and an online education platform with over a thousand members. Melissa's passion is to teach others the skills of the homesteading and simple life movement, no matter where you live. In this conversation, we talk about the concept of convenience and how it is used against us - especially in the food industry - as well as small, attainable steps you can take to begin your homesteading journey. Join us for this inspiring conversation! Topics Covered:
How Melissa healed her chronic health issues with food
Food fads of the nineties
Reframing what "convenience" means to you
Small steps to start homesteading
How Melissa created the Pioneering Today Academy
Herbalism and Natural Medicines
Resources Mentioned:
Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe | Melissa K Norris Blog
Michael Pollan Books
Pioneer Today Academy
Sourdough Starter Tutorial
Homesteaders of America Conference
Connect with Melissa:
On Instagram @melissaknorris
On Facebook @melissaknorris
Melissa’s Youtube Channel
Melissa’s Website: https://melissaknorris.com/
Pioneering Today Podcast
Pioneer Today Academy
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 1, 2022 • 1h 8min
98. Clothing with Soul: The Plant Dye Vibe with Allie Feldman and Sarah Arch of Rooted Botanics
After observing the waste and unsustainable practices while working in the fashion industry, Sarah Arch and Allie Feldman decided to do something about it by starting Rooted Botanics, a fashion brand that gives ethically sourced vintage pieces new life through natural dyes. Both Sarah and Allie are dedicated to thoughtful sourcing, purposeful education about the history of natural dye, and creating beautiful garments while developing a business model designed to remain at a human scale. The relationships they have forged with plant dyes continue to advance a paradigm shift in the fashion industry - a shift that ultimately downplays harm and amplifies joy.Topics Covered:
Discovering Natural Dyes
Waste in the Fashion Industry
Greenwashing and Microplastics
Health Benefits of Natural Dyes and Fibers
Embracing the Beauty and Unpredictability of Natural Dye
Learning and Growing Into Slow Living
Resources Mentioned:
Christie Dawn Podcast Episode
Textiles 101: Fiber Content
Maiwa natural dyes
Connect with Rooted Botanics:
https://rootedbotanics.com/
Instagram: @rootedbotanics
About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 24, 2022 • 1h 7min
97. Bringing the Magic and Power of Plants Into Your Life with Herbalist and Chef Spencre McGowan
Herbalist, artist, and cookbook author Spencre McGowan tells us about her herbal allies and the ways that living in relationship with plants has shaped her slow living journey. After receiving informal training in cooking with herbs in Sweden and attending herb school in California, Spencre began exploring her own personal relationships to herbs through writing and creating zines, one of which became her first book (Blotto Botany, a guide to herbal infusions and cordials).Spencre is passionate about the accessibility of herbal medicine, and encourages listeners to get to know a few herbs personally, whether or not they have access to their own garden. She also advocates for the use of herbs within their cultural context. Her honesty about her slow living journey has gained her a large following on TikTok, where she works to share openly about the difficulties and joys of living closely with herbs and plants.Topics Covered:
Self-Expression Through Zines
Herbal Cordials and Infusions
The Beauty of Tulsi, or Holy Basil
Our Healing Relationships with Herbs
Getting to Know Our Herbal Allies
Cultural Responsibility In Herbalism
TikTok and Slow Living
Diverse Uses for Nettles
Resources Mentioned:
Blotto Botany
Forest + Home: Cultivating an Herbal Kitchen (Available for Pre-Order)
Verdant Feasts Workshop
Connect with Spencre McGowan:
https://www.gingertooth.com/
Instagram: @gingertooth
TikTok: @spencrelinnea
About Lady Farmer:
Our Website
@weareladyfarmer on Instagram
Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma!
Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com
Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy


