The Farm Report
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Top 10 The Farm Report Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Farm Report episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Farm Report 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 The Farm Report episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Episode 219: How We Think About Sheep
The Farm Report
09/04/14 • 44 min
This week on The Farm Report, host Erin Fairbanks kicks off a multi-part series on the lamb and sheep industry, first welcoming John Wilkes, a US based livestock consultant, writer and speaker with a background as a UK sheep and beef producer and farmer to the program. Opening the show with a brief history of the sheep’s rise and fall, John explains the significance of sheep in the histories of both the United States and United Kingdom, as well as around the world. John also explains some basic terminology, talking the differences between lamb and sheep, the true definition of mutton, along with the differences between wool and meat breeds. After the break, Erin is joined by Keith Martin of Pure Bred Lamb and Elysian Fields Sheep Farm. Located on 200 acres of farmland in Greene County, Pennsylvania, Keith is the supplier of sheep to notable chefs, like Thomas Keller. Due to observing the natural lifecycle of sheep flocks and thus changing his initial style of farming, Keith goes into detail about his patented system, Safe Alternative, that describes this manner in which his sheep are raised. Tune in for an info-packed episode, ewe won’t be disappointed! This program was brought to you by Heritage Foods USA.
“In histories of both countries (US & UK) sheep have played a major part.” [6:57]
“Lamb is an animal that doesn’t see its first birthday... which means that they are killed at their prime when the meat is at its best. ” [11:20]
— John Wilkes on The Farm Report
“I had to make a change... I looked around me at that time and to those that I respected most... and they were all farmers.” [23:09]
“I began to notice, through observation, what their needs were. We call that today ‘the voice of the lamb.'” [27:52]
— Keith Martin on The Farm Report
"Glocal" Food and Community in Newark
The Farm Report
06/24/20 • 33 min
The Occupy Wall Street movement introduced Tobias Fox to different ways of thinking about the world and what he wanted to do with his life. He took that inspiration and started growing food in community gardens in Newark, New Jersey. Today, his organization, Newark Science and Sustainability, works on urban agriculture, renewable energy, nutrition and wellness, and much more—to help create self-sustaining and environmentally-friendly communities. In this episode, he talks to host Lisa Held about what urban agriculture in Newark looks like, his “glocal” philosophy, how his work has been affected by COVID-19, and how his work intersects with the current movement for racial justice.
In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly shows from our homes all around the country. It was hard work stepping away from our little recording studio, but we know that you rely on HRN to share resources and important stories from the world of food each week. It’s been a tough year for all of us, but right now HRN is asking for your help. Every dollar that listeners give to HRN provides essential support to keep our mics on. We've got some fresh new thank you gifts available, like our limited edition bandanas.
Keep The Farm Report on the air: become an HRN Member today! Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate.
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07/10/19 • 39 min
Meriwether Hardie is the chief of staff at Bio-Logical Capital, where her work focuses on developing new models for regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and climate-positive land use. In this episode, host Lisa Held talks to Hardie about how the company invests in farms and projects that “un-scale” the food system, how small farms and diversified, regenerative agriculture operations can compete for investment when up against commodity agriculture and ag-tech operations, and her upcoming participation in “The Innovative Farmer” summit at Slow Food Nations, the food and agriculture festival happening in Denver, Colorado July 19–21.
It's HRN's annual summer fund drive, this is when we turn to our listeners and ask that you make a donation to help ensure a bright future for food radio. Help us keep broadcasting the most thought provoking, entertaining, and educational conversations happening in the world of food and beverage. Become a member today! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have brand new member gifts available. So snag your favorite new pizza - themed tee shirt or enamel pin today and show the world how much you love HRN, just go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate
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Episode 312: From Grain to Grapes
The Farm Report
03/08/17 • 40 min
This week on The Farm Report, Erin and Challey are joined by Greg Wade and Will Travis.
Greg Wade is the Head Baker at Publican Quality Bread in Chicago, IL where he collaborates with chefs de cuisine, farmers and retail owners to develop breads. As Publican Quality Bread’s Head Baker, Greg oversees the bread program for all of One Off Hospitality Group, with a focus on whole grains and fermentation. Apart from his day-to-day leadership, Greg is an active member of the local, regional and national farming communities – every July, you can find him leading a two-day Bread Camp along with Marty and Will Travis at Spence Farm in Fairbury, IL.
Will Travis is an 8th generation farmer from Spence Farms in Fairbury, IL where he works the land with his father Marty Travis and his wife Kris. They raise a large variety of products on the farm, everything from fruits and vegetables to Dexter cattle for beef, as well as small grains that are milled onsite. In 2003, Spence Farms began marketing directly to restaurants and now market and deliver products for more than 50 small family farms in central Illinois.
Greg and Will's work are profiled in the documentary Sustainable available at http://sustainablefoodfilm.com/ and streaming on Netflix.
And in the second half of the show, Chad Hendrickson of Lakewood Vineyards is in studio to transition the conversation from grain to grapes!
Episode 234: Avoiding Waste on the Farm, on the Plate
The Farm Report
01/15/15 • 34 min
This week on The Farm Report, host Erin Fairbanks is taking a closer look at farming and waste with guests Leah Retherford of Queens Farm and Josh Treuhoft of Salvage Supperclub. Leah gives Erin the background of Queens Farm as well as her role in New York City’s largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. The farm encompasses a 47-acre parcel that is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State and includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard and herb garden. Josh explains the concept of the Salvage Supperclub, which includes serving past-prime food to diners inside a scrubbed down dumpster. Erin talks to Leah and Josh about how consumers should really be thinking about food waste all the way down the chain and trying to get past the mere appearance of a bruised apple or a misshapen tomato and realize that this produce can still go on to be made into something delicious. Leah shares how she plans for a decrease in waste on the agricultural side of things and how Queens Farm decides to grow particular crops to also prevent waste. Tune in for a great episode that is sure to make you think about ‘ugly’ produce in a new light. This program was brought to you by Whole Foods Market.
“[I thought] what if we could create exciting, interesting food experiences for people using food that would go to waste commonly to show people that there’s actually this world of food that’s still edible and can still be great.” [7:10]
—Josh Treuhoft on The Farm Report
“Something like turnips or radishes, we’ll harvest them for a market day, and inevitably there are roots or leaves that aren’t up to our standards of something that we are going to sell. But a lot of times those things are still completely edible.” [18:10]
—Leah Retherford on The Farm Report
11/20/14 • 34 min
This week on The Farm Report, host Erin Fairbanks welcomes Nicolette Hahn Niman, author of “Defending Beef: The Case for Sustainable Meat Production” to the show. Kicking off the show talking about Nicolette’s background and how she became involved with ranching cattle, she elaborates exactly why beef is in need of defending. Nicolette’s take is that for decades it has been nearly universal dogma among environmentalists and health advocates that cattle and beef are public enemy number one. She asks if the matter really so clear cut? In “Defending Beef,” Nicolette argues that cattle are not inherently bad for either the Earth or our own nutritional health. In fact, she discusses with Erin that properly managed livestock play an essential role in maintaining grassland ecosystems by functioning as surrogates for herds of wild ruminants that once covered the globe. Grass-fed, small-scale farms can and should become the basis for American food production, replacing the factory farms that harm animals and the environment. While no single book can definitively answer the thorny question of how to feed the Earth’s growing population, Nicolette explains that, whatever the world’s future food system looks like, cattle and beef can and must be part of the solution. Tune in for an interesting discussion! This program was brought to you by Whole Foods Market.
“There are many wonderful water intensive foods but that suggestion you hear over and over again that beef is some water guzzler and some outlier, that’s just not true.” [20:00]
“I think the reason why beef has been the favorite target of sensational journalism because it was the most consumed meat in the United States and considered the most desirable.” [23:00]
—Nicolette Hahn Niman on The Farm Report
Episode 284: Inside a Seed Company with Territorial Seed
The Farm Report
04/07/16 • 14 min
Most food starts with a seed tucked in the soil. But where do seeds come from? This week on The Farm Report is a special glimpse into part of the seed supply chain. Host Holli Cederholm takes listeners on a tour of Territorial Seed Company in Cottage Grove, Oregon, with stops at their packing facility and trial farm.
01/21/16 • 41 min
Deb Soule, herbalist and founder of Avena Botanicals in Midcoast Maine, joins The Farm Report to talk about her practice as an herbalist and biodynamic grower. Deb also delves into the challenges herbalists face in of complying with the FDA–which regulates herbs as part of a broad category of dietary supplements–including touching upon the tools necessary for helping future herbalists and small-scale herb producers navigate FDA regulation.
Episode 266: Exploring the Facts on Animal Fats
The Farm Report
10/29/15 • 66 min
This week on _ The Farm Report _, Erin Fairbanks kicks off another jam-packed show with guest Eric Gustafson, CEO of Coast Packing Company, the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings in the Western United States. Explaining how animal fat shortenings are all about making food taste better, Eric goes on to point out that animal fats need to be part of the diet of health-conscious. Proud to say that none of their products contain potentially toxic artificial trans fats, he shares that his family’s business is looking to keep the industry vibrant for the future of not only their company but also their consumers. After the break, Erin is on the line with Steve Rosenberg of The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, of which they discuss the protection of Hudson Valley lands for public enjoyment. Since joining the organization he has led the group in safeguarding thousands of acres of land and has helped create or improve many of Scenic Hudson’s numerous parks and preserves along nearly 200 miles of the Hudson River. In addition, the program converts neglected urban waterfront sites into more publicly beneficial uses, preserves productive farmland and protects views from historic sites. Stay tuned for the EscapeMaker segment featuring Ron Samascott from Samascott Orchard.
“The fat we render on the edible side can be used for food, cosmetics, soaps, oleochemical manufacture, biodiesels... there are a wide variety of uses.” [7:30] –Eric Gustafson on The Farm Report
Episode 161: Mary Berry
The Farm Report
03/21/13 • 34 min
In 1977, Wendell Berry published The Unsettling of America, a book that started a national and international conversation on the state of agriculture in our country. The Berry Center’s mission is to continue his work by bringing focus, knowledge, and cohesiveness to the work of changing our ruinous industrial agriculture system into a culture that uses nature as the standard, that accepts no permanent damage to the ecosphere, and that takes into consideration human health in local communities. Tune in to The Farm Report, as Erin Fairbanks is joined by Mary Berry who describes some of the work the center is focusing on and some of the problems we face as a nation made up of small communities in our quest to improve the agricultural landscape in this great country. This program was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards and Sons.
“I just read a speech my grandfathers gave to congress in the 1940s and with a few minor changes the same speech could be given today and be completely relevant.” [10:50]
“If I think about the whole world – I don’t matter all that much. If I think about America, what can I really do? I took it down to the state, to the county, to the town and then to the farm that I live. At that point, then you find out that everything you do matters. So you start there, you start on the ground.” [17:45]
“Too often the local food movement thinks only of fruits and vegetables. We’ve got to think about calories and grain is an essential piece of this.” [26:00]
“We need a flourishing rural America to make our food secure.” [31:40]
—May Berry on The Farm Report
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Farm Report have?
The Farm Report currently has 442 episodes available.
What topics does The Farm Report cover?
The podcast is about Conservation, Society & Culture, Podcasts, Agriculture, Farming, Arts, Talk Radio, Interviews, Sustainability and Food.
What is the most popular episode on The Farm Report?
The episode title 'Butter and Meat—from the Same Cows' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Farm Report?
The average episode length on The Farm Report is 38 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Farm Report released?
Episodes of The Farm Report are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Farm Report?
The first episode of The Farm Report was released on Apr 5, 2009.
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