Common Ground Radio 7/1/16

Host: Holli Cederholm Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: In advance of MOFGA’s annual Seed Swap & Scion Exchange, held in Unity, Maine, the February 2024 episode of Common Ground Radio explores saving seeds and fruit tree grafting, both of which are useful skills for the garden, farm and homestead. With Will Bonsall, author of “Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical Self-Reliant Gardening,” we talk about the importance of saving seed, as well as seed saving basics for beginners. Later in the show, we are joined by C. J. Walke, MOFGA’s orchard program manager, to discuss fruit tree propagation via grafting, including bench grafting, top working, and bud grafting techniques. Guest/s: Will Bonsall C.J. Walke FMI: MOFGA’s Seed Swap & Scion Exchange — www.mofga.org/trainings/annual-events/seed-swap-and-scion-exchange “Will Bonsall’s Essential Guide to Radical Self-Reliant Gardening” by Will Bonsall — chelseagreen.com/product/will-bonsalls-essential-guide-to-radical-self-reliant-gardening “Seed to Seed” by Suzanne Ashworth — chelseagreen.com/product/seed-to-seed “Seed Saving: An Introduction” by Roberta Bailey — mofga.org/resources/seeds/saving-seed “A Spring Grafting Primer” by Roberta Bailey — mofga.org/resources/orcharding/grafting-primer Maine Heritage Orchard — mofga.org/our-community/the-maine-heritage-orchard MOFGA apple database — mofga.org/maineheritageorchard About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a lo0ng-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 2/8/24: Seed Saving and Fruit Tree Grafting first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Caitlyn Barker Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: Seasonal eating in Maine in the colder months, preparing local foods, preserving foods. Guest/s: Cheryl Wixson, local foods advocate and community health educator. www.rabbithillfarmmaine.com/ FMI Links: Healthy Island Project Maine Cooperative Extension About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 1/11/24: Seasonal Eating in Maine first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Holli Cederholm Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: The December 2023 episode of MOFGA’s Common Ground Radio explores seaweed, a source of food, fertilizer, and carbon sequestration off the coast of Maine. The majority of the episode is a panel discussion on seaweed — called “Is Seaweed the Solution to Climate Change?” — that was recorded at the 2023 Common Ground Country Fair in September. The panel was organized and facilitated by Bridget Huber from FERN, the Food and Environment Reporting Network. The guests were: Nichole Price, a benthic marine ecologist with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine; Aurora Burgess, seaweed aquaculture coordinator at Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford; and Severine von Tscharner Welcome, of Smithereen Farm in Pembroke, who is also a co-founder of Seaweed Commons. Guest/s: Aurora Burgess, seaweed aquaculture coordinator at Atlantic Sea Farms in Biddeford. Bridget Huber, a staff writer with FERN, the Food and Environment Reporting Network. Nichole Price, a benthic marine ecologist with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine. Severine von Tscharner Welcome, of the Greenhorns and Smithereen Farm in Pembroke. FMI Links: “A Precautionary Approach to Seaweed Aquaculture in North America: A Position Paper by the Seaweed Commons” — seaweedcommons.org Atlantic Sea Farms — atlanticseafarms.com Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences — bigelow.org “Climate savior or ‘Monsanto of the sea’?” by Bridget Huber — thefern.org/2023/06/climate-savior-or-monsanto-of-the-sea Food and Environment Reporting Network — thefern.org MOFGA Certification Services’ “Guidelines for Organic Sea Vegetables” — mofgacertification.org Running Tide — runningtide.com Seaweed Commons — seaweedcommons.org Smithereen Farm — smithereenfarm.com Tags: Seaweed cultivation and wild harvest Seaweed propagation/seed sourcing Seaweed for carbon sequestration Climate change Opportunities and challenges in cultivating seaweed for carbon storage Marine ecology PFAS/arsenic uptake of seaweed About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 12/14/23: Seaweed and Climate Change first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Caitlyn Barker Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: Beginner beekeeping strategies, winter beekeeping in cold climates, pest control, resources for beekeepers, climate change and how it impacts beekeeping. Guest/s: Peter Cowin Amy Nickerson FMI Links: Upcoming beekeeping workshop: www.beekeeping247.com/beginner-beekeeping-workshop-nov-2023 Beekeeping 24/7 website: www.beekeeping247.com/ The Bee Whisperer Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/thebeewhispererandthequeenbee About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 11/9/23: Beekeeping in Maine first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Holli Cederholm Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: The episode of MOFGA’s Common Ground Radio explores natural dyeing of fibers and textiles with plants and minerals with two Maine artists. With Jude Hsiang, a knitter, weaver and former shepherd, we talk about how to dye plant and animal fibers using plants, many of which she grows in her dye garden or forages for in the local landscape. Later in the show, we are joined by Samantha Verrone, an artist focused on regenerative design. Verrone discusses bundle dyeing, sustainability and experimenting with iron and rust in the dye pot. Guest/s: Jude Hsiang Samantha Verrone FMI Links: Versicolor, Jude Hsiang’s Facebook page with events and workshops Samantha Verrone Textiles “How to Bundle Dye Using Plant Materials” by Samantha Verrone About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 10/12/23: Natural Dyeing with Plants first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Caitlyn Barker Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: Farming while parenting, childcare, farm business planning, farming and stress, safety on farm, resources for farming families. Guest/s: Meg Mitchell, Southpaw Farm, Freedom, ME Sam Gerry, Ramble On Farm, Know, ME Polly Shyka, Villageside Farm, Freedom, ME FMI Links: Farm Coaching Maine Farmland Trust Mano en Mano Cultivating Community Childcare Infrastructure Grant Program MOFGA Farmer Resources About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 7/13/23: Farming and Parenting first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Host: Holli Cederholm Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: In the June 2023 episode of MOFGA's Common Ground Radio dives into plastic. A conversation with Erica Cirino, the author of “Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis” and communications manager for the Plastic Pollution Coalition, explores the impact of plastic on the environment, agriculture and rural communities. The show also touches upon plastic use in agriculture with Caleb Goossen, crop and conservation specialist with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), including alternatives to plastic, recycling for greenhouse plastic, and the need for more research. Guest/s: Erica Cirino Caleb Goossen FMI Links: “Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis” by Erica Cirino Greenhouse Plastic Recycling Program in Maine “Recycling Agricultural Plastic I” by David McDaniel, The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener “Recycling Agricultural Plastic Part II” by David McDaniel, The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener “Is Organic Farming Contributing to a Plastic Apocalypse?” by David McDaniel, The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 6/7/23: Plastic and the Environment first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producers/Hosts: Caitlyn Barker Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: Topics this episode include: – Herbalism, including herb growing techniques, harvesting and processing methods and uses. Guest/s: Emily Springer, Meeting House Farm, Scarborough, Maine. FMI Links: Meeting House Farm Instagram Meeting House Farm Facebook Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals Book- Making Plant Medicine About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 5/11/23: A Conversation About Herbalism with Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producers/Hosts: Holli Cederholm and Clare Boland Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: In the April 2023 episode of MOFGA’s Common Ground Radio, host Holli Cederholm discusses “Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists” with Leah Penniman, farm director/co-executive director of Soul Fire Farm and author of “Farming While Black,” and Rue Mapp, founder of Outdoor Afro and author of “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors.” “Black Earth Wisdom” is a newly released book of essays and interviews that explores Black people’s spiritual and scientific connection to the land, waters, and climate.  Topics this episode include: – “Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists” by Leah Penniman. – “Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land” by Leah Penniman. – “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” by Rue Mapp. – Contributions of Black people to environmental thought and agroecological practices. – The importance of representation to access and inclusion. – Why centering BIPOC voices is critical to environmentalism. Guest/s: Leah Penniman is a Black Kreyol farmer, mother, soil nerd, author, and food justice activist who co-founded Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York, in 2010, with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim our ancestral connection to land. Penniman is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs — including farmer training for Black and Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program for communities living under food apartheid, and domestic and international organizing toward equity in the food system. In addition to “Black Earth Wisdom,” she is the author of “Farming While Black.” Rue Mapp documents her personal experiences while pioneering and shifting a new visual representation of Black people in the outdoors. An outdoorswoman, she transformed her kitchen table blog into a national nature-inspired enterprise and movement, called Outdoor Afro: where Black people and nature meet. Mapp is the founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, and she is also the author of “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors,” which was published in 2022. Her words about nature and Black joy can also be found in conversation with other Black environmentalists in the newly released “Black Earth Wisdom.” FMI Links: “Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists” by Leah Penniman “Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm’s Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land” by Leah Penniman “Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” by Rue Mapp Outdoor Afro Soul Fire Farm About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 3/13/23: Black Earth Wisdom first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producers/Hosts: Holli Cederholm Editor: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: A panel discussion about food access and equity in the state of Maine. In this discussion we work to define food access and equity, explore the various resources available and discuss policies being decided now that shape how Mainers access food. -Food access -Food equity -Farmers’ Markets -Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -Farm Bill Guest/s: BrennaMae Thomas-Googins Jimmy DeBiasi, executive director, Maine Federation of Farmers Markets Hillary Barter, education programs coordinator at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association FMI Links: Maine Harvest Bucks Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets Waldo County Bounty MOFGA Market/CSA Search Tool Maine Senior FarmShare Program Mainers Feeding Mainers Bumper Crop Real Maine Farm Bill overview About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

The post Common Ground Radio 3/9/23: Food Access and Equity in Maine first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.