Fresh Take
Florida Certified Organic Growers & Consumers, INC.
Fresh Take is your roundup of all things related to organic and sustainable living. Join Florida Organic Growers staff and guest experts as we discuss everything you need to know about sustainable living, organic agriculture, and how to make the best lifestyle choices that benefit you and the environment. So if you’re an eco-warrior, a dedicated farmer, or just someone looking to make more conscious decisions, tune in to get your Fresh Take.
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Top 10 Fresh Take Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Fresh Take episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Fresh Take for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Fresh Take episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
08/07/23 • 37 min
Mike Campbell, founder and lead farmer of South Florida’s first commercial aquaponic farm Bare Roots Organics, joins us to talk about how aquaponics fits into his vision for the future of sustainable farming.
Mike shares his journey and passion for building a sustainable world, driven by his background in film/television and love for nature and quality food. We will explore the importance of sustainable farming and the role of aquaponics in conserving resources compared to traditional agriculture. We will also discuss the cooperative relationship between plants and fish in aquaponics, highlighting the symbiotic environment involving three main players: fish, bacteria, and plants.
In this episode, learn about:
Mike Campbell and Bare Roots Organics
The basics of aquaponics
Resource conservation
Labor requirements to run an aquaponics farm
Learn more about Bare Roots Organics on the website: https://www.barerootsorganics.com/
For those interested in Mike’s products, he is a vendor on our Backyard Market, which is our virtual farmer’s market. Check out his variety of fresh greens at: https://backyardmarket.org/
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
01/31/22 • 21 min
Aaron and Derek, Founders and Owners of Handsome Harvest Farm, discuss their experience starting a farm and share thoughts on how to become more knowledgeable in organic and sustainable farming practices.
In this episode, hear about:
How Derek and Aaron got into sustainable agriculture
Ways to get started and develop experience in organic farming
Considerations when scaling up from a home garden to a for-profit farm
Thoughts on managing farm operations and systems on the farm
Learn more about Handsome Harvest Farm on their website: http://handsomeharvest.com/
Learn more about Red Hills Small Farm Alliance on their website: https://www.redhillsfarmalliance.com/
Learn more about WWOOF USA on their website: https://wwoofusa.org/
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
From Classroom to Cultivation: Lauren Daniels-Judge on Sustainable Farming and Plant Propagation
Fresh Take
10/21/24 • 28 min
Join us for an insightful episode with Lauren Daniels-Judge, Propagation Manager at ECHO, as she takes us through her journey from teaching in Chicago to promoting small-scale farming in North Fort Myers. Lauren shares how ECHO empowers communities with crucial resources and training to enhance food security and agricultural education. Dive into the world of plant propagation, where Lauren offers expert knowledge on seed saving, grafting, and other methods to help plants thrive in Florida’s challenging climate.
Key highlights:
- Lauren’s transition from education to small-scale farming advocacy.
- The importance of seed saving and propagation techniques
- Grafting to blend resilience with desirable plant traits for better growth in unpredictable weather.
- Understanding orthodox vs. recalcitrant seeds and the significance of true-to-seed knowledge.
- How ECHO supports communities with agricultural education and resources.
We hope you enjoyed the episode! Please help us continue to produce more valuable content by subscribing to our Fresh Take Podcast Series! Subscribe here
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers! Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here
05/04/20 • 23 min
Today, we welcome back Ram, CEO of Quality Certification Services (QCS) and an experienced Food Safety Auditor and trainer on various food safety topics. Join us to learn more about how to safely shop during unprecedented times!
COVID-19 is not a foodborne illness!
Sanitizers vs. Disinfectants:
- Sanitizer are substance that significantly reduces the germ population, but doesn't destroy or eliminate all the germs. Typically, sanitizers do not claim to reduce viruses.
Disinfectants are substances that destroy germs: bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Hand sanitizers vs. sanitizers used in food processing facilities:
Ram shares that "not all hand sanitizer are tested against virus and bacteria. FDA tests are usually directed to how safe he product is to be applied to hands/body, and not necessarily the product's efficacy"
Sanitizer used at food processing facility are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered and the label indicates the product's efficacy and what germs the product targets. Remember: Off label use of EPA approved sanitizes is a violation of US EPA regulation!
Alcohol based hand sanitizer vs. Alcohol-free hand sanitizer:
Accodrding to CDC, Alcohol-free hand sanitizers may are not work against many types of germs, including COVID-19. Ram shares "alcohol-free hand sanitizer is better than nothing."
Aalcohol based hand sanitizer is effective against COVID 19. CDC recommends a concentration greater than 60% if the active ingredient is ethanol or greater than 70% if the active ingredient is isopropanol.
Ram mentions, "The efficacy of hand sanitizer depends how dirty or oily your hands are, the type of germs you had contact with, and the alcohol content on the product applied"
Best practices while shopping!
- Maintain social distance
- Wash hands often and for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Limit the amount of products touched
- Wash produce to eliminate soil residues (COVID19 is no a foodborne illness)
- Wear a mask in public. Dispose gloves and mask in a safe way
- Wash the bags you bring to the store
- If feeling sick, do not leave the house and do not come in contact with others
- Follow the new store patterns and adapt "one way aisle"
Support you local farmers!
Use Florida Farmers' Market Association interactive map to find fresh healthy eats near you
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
COVID-19 and Food Safety in Farms
Fresh Take
03/01/21 • 21 min
Is the food we consume safe from COVID-19? How are farmers making sure it is safe to eat the fruits and vegetables they grow for all of us? Dr. Keith Schneider, food safety expert and a professor at the University of Florida’s Food Science and Human Nutrition Department answers these questions and provides more information about our food system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Schneider explains how farm and farmworkers are threatened by the COVID-19 and what is being done.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that there is no evidence that food or food packaging facilitates the transmission of COVID-19. However, Dr. Schneider reminds us that it is always important to follow good hygiene practices when handling or preparing foods
One of the biggest production and distribution challenges farmers must deal with is their farm workers getting sick. Many produce farms are small operations run by one or two managers and a minimal crew. Thus, the safety of our food system begins on the farm and it can potentially be compromised if the workforce is out sick and cannot adequately perform the required tasks to grow and harvest crops.
To protect workers and practice proper food safety at the farm level, Dr. Schneider recommends increasing the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc., as well as to emphasize the use of suitable handwashing, sanitation and personal hygiene. Other recommendations include more distance between workers, avoid clustering during breaktime, “quarantining” people that regularly work together, and the use of barriers like plexiglass so there is less transfer of respiratory droplets.
Dr. Schneider also gives strategies on how to improve farm food safety:
Put as much distance between workers as possible.
Workers should continue to wash hands as they did before.
Workers need to self-report illness and not go to work if they are sick.
Administer temperature checks, although this may be ineffective as the virus can be asymptomatic.
After COVID we see that keeping workers safe the top priority. Going forward, continuing with a high focus on sanitation is the best way to keep the workforce healthy, which will help businesses stay open longer.
If you would like to learn more about CDC recommendations on food safety during COVID-19, visit here.
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
Let's Protect Florida Together!
Fresh Take
11/01/19 • 26 min
A very special guest joins us in this week’s episode! Rights of Nature state wide coordinator, Chuck O'Neal, speaks about natural resources and wildlife conservation in the state of Florida. Tune in to learn about the most pressing issues threatening Florida’s ecosystem and what you and your community can do to fight back! It doesn’t matter if you are a kid or an adult, everyone is needed to keep Florida alive!
Fresh Take is your weekly roundup of all things related to organic and sustainable living. Join Florida Organic Growers staff and guest experts as we discuss everything you need to know about sustainable living, organic agriculture, and how to make the best lifestyle choices that benefit you and the environment. So, if you’re an eco-warrior, a dedicated farmer, or just someone looking to make more conscious decisions, tune in every Friday to get your Fresh Take.
Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 1987 as a grassroots organization, formed by those who believe in organic, sustainable, and regenerative agriculture. Our vision is to create a more sustainable and just food system that benefits both consumers and the environment.
Quality Certification Services (QCS) has been an industry leader in providing organic, food safety, and ethical certifications since 1989. As an accredited certifying agency, QCS has been meeting the demands of a growing food industry for more than 30 years. QCS is proud to offer organic and food safety certification for crop production, livestock, retail, restaurants, processing and handling, and importer and exporter operations of all sizes. As the largest US-based certification agency on the eastern seaboard, QCS and our staff of highly qualified and dedicated food and agricultural scientists, educators, and regulators, is capable of meeting all certification needs with expertise.
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
04/26/21 • 26 min
Gardening provides several health benefits. Among them, our guest speaker explains how designing and nurturing your garden can contribute to your self-care.
Ms. Marewski first became interested in sacred gardens through active meditation, which is a style of meditation that advocates movement followed by silence.
She explains that what we are doing physically transcends to what we are doing mentally, and that active meditation translates to the garden in a way of being totally present. “That dialogue is about the dialogue with the plants and what’s at hand. What does my garden need? What are the plants saying?”
Ms. Marewski explains her process for gardening and the meditation process that goes with each step of the nurturing process. Emphasizing that it’s not just feeding our bodies with good organic food but also about nurturing our soul.
There are many types of gardens that bring joy. Gardens can be created using raised beds or tucked into landscaping and various types of plants can be grown. What is most important is to focus on what resonates most for you—whether that be an edible garden, a medicinal garden, or a pollinator garden with lots of colorful annual and perennial flowers.
As flowers are the highest expression of a plant's energy, Ms. Marewski encourages letting plants go to flower and consuming edible flowers in your diet.
She also explains some of the unique uses for edible flowers:
- Begonia encourages letting go
- Borage brings courage and optimism
- Nasturtium brings balance from excess mental activity which is good for insomnia
- Sunnhemp is the energy of the sun so it brightens our day
For those who have issues with insomnia and sleep, she recommends Passionflower and St. Johns Wart which are both calming.
When starting your garden, she also notes the importance of using Organic soil, and explains the differences between Organic, Hybrid and GMO seeds.
Follow Gabriele’s adventures at StorySkyrts.com and learn more about Paradise Farms Organic, a showcase 5-acre certified organic farm specializing in micro-greens, baby greens, over 52 varieties of edible flowers, mushrooms, tropical fruits and vegetables located in Miami.
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
Asian Giant Hornet - Murder Hornet
Fresh Take
06/08/20 • 23 min
Welcome Amy Vu and Dr. JC Rodriguez! We discuss the Asian Giant Hornet “murder hornet” with Amy, Extension coordinator for the Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab (HBREL) @ UF, and Dr. JC Rodriguez, appreciated member of our staff.
Amy and JC are both passionate about bees, both started their bee keeping journey during college. JC shares with us his experience handling Africanized “killer” bees, and the bad reputation around these bees and any other bees named “killer” or “murder.”
It is important to emphasize that everyone will experience a different reaction to any insect. The safest is to keep your distance form any stinging insect.
Amy shares about two (2) types of Asian hornets
(1) Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia): Also known as “murder hornet”
(2) Asian hornet (Vespa velutina): NOT present in the USA
Asian giant hornet first appearance was at the end of 2019. A press release was issued to report on the findings on a small area of Washington State. During the moths of March/April, coming out of the winter, 2 species were found dead.
No one is 100% sure on how this specie reached the continental US, but it is believed that a queen bee was transported by a cargo ship.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has put compiled comprehensive material on the Giant Asian Hornet, how to identify it and its differences from other similar looking hornets.
The Asian Giant Hornet preys on more insects than just honey bees, this kind of hornet can cause harm to other pollinators as well.
Please, keep a safe distance form any stinging insect. Snap a picture if possible, that is the best proof to identify species.
Visit the Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab website to learn more about Amy Vu and the Research Lab!
Interested in bees and managed honey bees? Check out our episode SAVE THE BEES, with Dr. Jamie Ellis from the UF Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory!
Image Credits:By Alpsdake - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21275572
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
02/04/20 • 29 min
Dr. Taylor Clem from UF IFAS Alachua county extension services joins us to talk about the Florida Yard and Neighborhood program. Tune in to find out about the 9 principles of Florida Friendly Yards, and other best practices you can implement at home! How to introduce this practices to your HOA ... and more!
Check here The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Handbook!
What is the Florida Yard and Neighborhood program?
It is a program that compiles best management practices for homeowners to ensure water quality, water quantity, protect natural resources, flora and fauna.
If you are interested in transforming your yard to a Florida Friendly yard get started by calling your county extension agent and ask to speak to someone from the Master Gardener Program. Master gardeners are able to guide you on identifying diseases, pests, invasive species, and will provide advice on best practices to get started or continue the work on your yard.
How can I get my HOA involved in the program?
Dialogue between the two parties is the starting point to cultivate a relationship for change. Extension agent can help to push for change creating a custom plan to fulfill different needs, even the smallest changes can create the biggest impact.
9 Principles of the Florida Yards and Neighborhood Program
#1 Right plant, right place
Reduce the amount of work and inputs your plants need by choosing plants suited to your landscape conditions.
#2 Water Efficiently
By choosing to water your yard on an efficient way, you can lower down your water bill, prevent pests, and reduce the amount of maintenance your yard needs.
#3 Fertilize appropriately
Carefully follow instructions to fertilize, and only do so if needed. Limiting fertilizer use maximizes plant health and prevents runoff to water systems.
#4 Mulch
Mulch is one of your yard’s best friends! Mulch keeps soil moisture, help control weeds, and reduce water runoff. Be careful, too much mulch might play against you. Always prefer mulch from sustainable sources like pine. Cypress and cedar mulch are not sustainable sourced.
#5 Attract Wildlife
Provide water, food, and shelter in your backyard! Butterflies, birds, and other creatures will thank you. Suburban sprawl is fragmenting landscapes harming flora and fauna. By attracting wildlife, you can create an oasis and help preserve biodiversity!
#6 Manage Yard Pests Responsible
It is possible to manage pests using little chemicals! Smart planning is key to create an effective defense against pests while minimizing your impact on the environment!
#7 Recycle
It’s easy to recycle yard waste. Re-use your yard waste to save money and enrich soil.
#8 Reduce storm water runoff
The decisions you make in your lawn and garden directly influence the health of Florida’s water. Filter rain through your landscape to protect waterways and replenish the aquifer.
#9 Protect the waterfront
Surface water that leaves your yard as runoff (either due to rain or over-watering), together with any fertilizers and pestici
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
02/03/25 • 32 min
Sheila Gutierrez from Vizcaya Museum and Gardens shares her journey of connecting mental health and community engagement through urban agriculture. The episode highlights how food sustains us socially and physically, emphasizing Vizcaya's unique role in preserving agricultural legacy and fostering sustainable practices for a healthier community.
- Sheila discusses her background in healthcare and the link to mental health
- Overview of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens' history and agricultural significance
- Introduction to the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market and its role in community engagement
- Explanation of the upcoming Dinner for Farmers event in collaboration with FOG's Florida Local Food Project
- Discussion on educational programs offered at Vizcaya for diverse audiences
- Insights into sustainability practices and their importance for future generations
- Exploration of how individuals can engage with local food systems and support their community
To learn more about Vizcaya and stay updated on upcoming events, visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Support their agricultural initiatives and be a part of fostering a healthier, more sustainable community.
Due to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive!
Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!
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FAQ
How many episodes does Fresh Take have?
Fresh Take currently has 135 episodes available.
What topics does Fresh Take cover?
The podcast is about Organic, Society & Culture, Food Podcast, Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Podcasts, Education, Agriculture, Health, Sustainability and Food.
What is the most popular episode on Fresh Take?
The episode title 'Supporting Local and Organic Farmers: Carolina Farm Stewardship Association' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Fresh Take?
The average episode length on Fresh Take is 29 minutes.
How often are episodes of Fresh Take released?
Episodes of Fresh Take are typically released every 13 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of Fresh Take?
The first episode of Fresh Take was released on Aug 2, 2019.
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