Fresh Growth

Maud Powell: Navigating Climate Stress and Grief

Send us a textIn this conversation, Maud Powell, Wolf Gulch Farm and Oregon State University shares her journey as a farmer and the challenges she faced due to a changing climate and lack of water. She and her husband Tom realized “we can’t really farm here anymore.” The leaving of one piece of land and starting over on another led to her exploration of climate grief. She discusses the agrarian imperative (farmers compelled to continue growing food even amid strong challenges), the emotional toll of farming in a changing climate, and the importance of community support. At Oregon State University, Maud organizes workshops and trainings that address climate stress and grief, helping producers recognize and cope with their emotions. She highlights the differences between climate grief and other types of grief, and the significance of community rituals in processing loss. The conversation concludes with practical steps for managing climate emotions and fostering resilience among farmers.  Her team interviewed 50 farmers and 100% of them said they are experiencing some level of climate stress and or climate grief. So, they're all experiencing it, but they don't have a name for it. The workshops validate and give people words and names for what they're experiencing.Find more information and tools on Oregon State University's website.____________Thanks for listening to Fresh Growth! To learn more about Western SARE and sustainable agriculture, visit our website or find us: · Instagram · Facebook · Twitter · YouTube Contact us at wsare@montana.edu

Watershed Ranch: Fungal Compost to Improve Soil Health in High Desert Colorado

Send us a textFormer Chicago science teacher, Rick Bieterman now farms in the Colorado High Desert, growing hay. Watershed Ranch has an annual precipitation of 11 inches and sits at 8,000 feet in elevation – providing about 90-100 frost free days per season. Add in poor soil quality, and farming becomes a challenge.Rick got involved in Colorado’s STAR program which focuses on soil health practices. When prices of synthetic fertilizers soared during the COVID pandemic, his goal was to figure out how to move away from their use and improve soil quality. He found compost to purchase and later received a Western SARE grant to learn how to make his own. Listen in to this conversation as Rick discusses the unique challenges of farming in a high alpine desert, the importance of community connections, and innovative practices he’s trialing. He also reflects on the learning process, embracing failures, and the continuous quest for improvement in farming. Also watch Rick's YouTube videos on fungal compost____________Thanks for listening to Fresh Growth! To learn more about Western SARE and sustainable agriculture, visit our website or find us: · Instagram · Facebook · Twitter · YouTube Contact us at wsare@montana.edu

Kate Brewster and Mary Mills: Generational Transition in Wyoming Ranching

Send us a textIn this episode of Fresh Growth podcast, we have a special guest host – owner of Dirtworks Wyoming, Caitlin Youngquist. Caitlin is also a Western SARE Administrative Council member. She speaks with first-generation Wyoming ranchers Mary Mills and Kate Brewster about their unique journeys into ranching, the challenges of generational transitions, and the innovative practices they are implementing to create sustainable and profitable operations. Their conversation touches on the importance of education, empathy, and clear communication in navigating family dynamics and the emotional aspects of transitioning ranch businesses. The conversation also highlights the integration of goats into traditional beef operations and the significance of adapting ranch management practices to modern challenges.Kate and Mary remind us, "Change is hard for everybody, especially in agriculture".... and "don't be afraid to try stuff because that's how we learn."____________Thanks for listening to Fresh Growth! To learn more about Western SARE and sustainable agriculture, visit our website or find us: · Instagram · Facebook · Twitter · YouTube Contact us at wsare@montana.edu

Lobato Farms & Mesa Conservation District: Innovations and Inventions to Improve Farmland

Send us a textJoin us as we talk with Michael Lobato, Lobato Farms, and Holly Stanley, Mesa Conservation District on Colorado’s Western slope about their innovations with applying biochar in a no-till system. Michael has worked to transform what was once part of a large sheep ranch into a thriving 5-acre farm. The 5 acres were split off from the sheep ranch with no infrastructure or irrigation and soil high in salts from manure.  “It was a lot of dirt and kochia…. but it looks much different today,” says Michael. Michael started working with biochar after his father told him about a local group looking for a small plot to research biochar and compost. The trial was done at Lobato Farms, and Michael was struck with water capacity improvements. He then put it in his market garden and says, “it was night and day.” Holly began working with Michael as an intern after learning about biochar from people interested in water conservation. She says, “I was super excited and immediately inclined to be Michael’s assistant.” Now with the Mesa Conservation District she’s working with Michael on new ways to apply biochar. The question before them was how to apply it in a native grass stand to make it more drought resilient. They tried one machine and have a patent on one that will work better for farmers. Holly and Michael have learned a lot and seen great improvements in water usage, soil health, forage quality, and more, and are working hard to overcome technological challenges.Holly and Michael would like to extend a special thank you to: Citizens for Clean Air, Colorado Ag Water Alliance, and the LOR Foundation for funding the trial. Also Professor Emeritus Gerald Nelson (University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne) and Dr. Perry Cabot (CSU Grand Valley Research Center) for providing their guidance and expertise.____________Thanks for listening to Fresh Growth! To learn more about Western SARE and sustainable agriculture, visit our website or find us: · Instagram · Facebook · Twitter · YouTube Contact us at wsare@montana.edu

Las Vegas Livestock: Community-based Solution to Organic Waste

Send us a textSarah Stallard is a 7th generation farmer who came to work with her uncles on a new farm near Las Vegas Nevada raising hogs. The farm is in partnership with the local waste and recycling company Republic Services. They lease the land from Republic Services and use food waste to feed the hogs. She says the partnership was formed “to help find a solution to organic waste." The family had always fed food scraps as pigs “are not picky about what food scraps” they eat.  Sarah describes the process of collecting, sorting, and feeding tons of mixed rations from casino kitchens and buffets, facilities such as an ice cream factory, and grocery stores. What the farm produces is marketed locally, and they do face challenges due to the lack of an USDA processing plant for meat in Nevada. The family’s dream is to “complete the circle” through having their locally produced food offered in the casinos. She also describes how the hogs are housed and raised sustainably and humanely. There is a lot of attention paid to what they are doing to reduce food waste, and they are “willing to help and network with other farmers,” including hosting many tours. About this work, Sarah says, “I can feel really good about what I’m doing; it’s good to know that I’m making a difference daily.”____________Thanks for listening to Fresh Growth! To learn more about Western SARE and sustainable agriculture, visit our website or find us: · Instagram · Facebook · Twitter · YouTube Contact us at wsare@montana.edu