The Poor Prole’s Almanac

In this episode, we're joined by Dan Kittredge to discuss the work his organization the Bionutrient Food Association is doing. The Bionutrient Institute team is a global collection of scientists, technicians, engineers, organizers, and others working toward our collective goal to define nutrient density. We chat at length about the surprising results of their studies, and how their testing allows us to better assess the claims of various farming methods, from permaculture, no-till, broad-forking, organic, all the way to conventional agriculture. How can we take this unique data to grow better food, and what are the implications of making food quality knowledge more democratic to consumers?

To check out Dan's work, visit:

https://www.bionutrientinstitute.org/

https://www.bionutrient.org/

https://www.youtube.com/@Bionutrient

and on instagram:

@Bionutrientfoodassociation

@Bionutrientinstitute

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Can our suburban lawns become thriving ecosystems that support wildlife and biodiversity? This week, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Doug Tallamy, a renowned entomologist, ecologist, and conservationist, who shares his groundbreaking insights on the vital importance of native plants in our landscapes. Dr. Tallamy passionately argues against the notion that humanity is separate from nature, instead advocating for the integration of ecological principles into our everyday environments. We discuss the unsustainable nature of unchecked development and the crucial role biodiversity plays in maintaining the planet's life-support systems.

Delving into the significant ecological contributions of oak trees, Dr. Tallamy reveals how these keystone species support a vast array of caterpillars and other wildlife. He explains how oaks excel in carbon sequestration and watershed management, making them indispensable to healthy ecosystems. However, their survival is threatened by over-harvesting and the suppression of natural fire cycles. We also tackle the misconceptions about non-native plants and their detrimental impact on local biodiversity, focusing on the ecological advantages of native plants like goldenrod.

We wrap up by exploring the Homegrown National Park initiative, a grassroots movement aiming to reduce lawn areas and replace them with native plants to restore ecological functions. Dr. Tallamy highlights the importance of community involvement and policy engagement in promoting sustainable landscaping practices. This inspiring conversation offers practical ways for individuals to contribute to conservation efforts and underscores the collective impact we can achieve. Tune in to learn how you can be part of the solution and create a more sustainable, beautiful environment in your own backyard.

Dr. Doug Tallamy is an American entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. He is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He has written and co-authored several books, as well as many papers. Tallamy advocates for home gardens and landscaping that bridge the gaps between parks and preserves in providing habitat for native species

You can check out Dr. Tallamy's work at:

https://www.homegrownnationalpark.org/

https://www.udel.edu/canr/departments/entomology-and-wildlife-ecology/faculty-staff/doug-tallamy/

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Key words:

Conservation, Sustainable Landscapes, Native Plants, Biodiversity, Ecological Principles, Keystone Species, Oaks, Caterpillars, Wildlife, Carbon Sequestration, Watershed Management, Invasive Species, Goldenrod, Homegrown National Park, Grassroots Movement, Community Engagement, Policy Engagement, Industrial Agriculture, Urban Development, Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Elliott & Matt are back to discuss the oak tree, acorns, whether or not Elliott works for the CIA, and the pecularities of processing acorns.

The Quercus genus is arguably the most important genus for all living things on earth, including humans. Spanning 55 million years, five continents, over six hundred species, including over ninety of which are here in North America, the oak tree is a central figure in folklore across the globe.

Found as both deciduous and evergreens, as massive keystone trees in forests, and as small shrubs, it’s no surprise that the ubiquitous oak is a foundational part of human existence. Oaks provide us with food, firewood, building materials, tannins for processing the leathers that shielded us from the elements, and feed for the animals and fungi we also consume. Our existence is predicated on their existence, and that’s clearly manifested in its cultural significance, from the names of places (such as Oakland) to its central role in religions (such as paganism).

Check out the substack article for sources cited and a more extensive review of the subjects discussed in this episode!

https://poorprolesalmanac.substack.com/p/oaks-and-acorns

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Join us in this engaging episode as we explore the fascinating world of flexible learning and sustainable agriculture with our special guest, Eliza Greenman. Known for her innovative research on tree crops and climate change, Eliza shares her inspiring journey from working with apples and pigs to her current focus on persimmons and oaks. Her dedication to discovering new possibilities in agriculture challenges conventional approaches and offers hope for adapting our diets to future climate changes. Eliza's work with the Savannah Institute and her blog, Eliza Apples, showcase her commitment to exploring the past to build a sustainable future.

Listen in as we trace Eliza's childhood passion for pigs and how it intersected with her professional pursuits in sustainable orchard management. Her travels to Central Asia and experiences in food forestry reveal the integration of animal management in fruit forests, sparking innovative ideas about using pigs for sustainable orchard care. We also discuss the potential of persimmons, particularly the Northern and Southern varieties, as a resilient fruit that could play a crucial role in adapting to climate change. The conversation highlights ongoing research efforts, including a persimmon breeding project, to unlock the genetic diversity and future potential of this underappreciated fruit.

Finally, explore the captivating world of acorns and their untapped potential as a food source. Eliza and I discuss traditional and innovative methods to process acorns, such as fermentation, which could make them more appealing for human consumption. The episode also touches on the importance of understanding native crop genetics and the historical selection by indigenous peoples, which influenced the distribution of persimmons across North America. As we look to the future, we consider the potential of silvopasture systems and nuts like hickories to diversify agriculture and provide sustainable alternatives to monocrop systems. This episode is filled with insights and inspiration for anyone interested in the intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Check out Eliza's work at https://elizapples.com/ , @elizapples on Instagram, and her work with the Savanna Institute!

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/

Key words:

Sustainable Agriculture, Tree Crops, Climate Resilience, Animal Management, Orchards, Genetic Diversity, Native Crops, Food Forestry, Ecosystem Management, Acorns, Persimmons, Oak Savannas, Genetic Preservation, Microlocations, Genetic Research, Indigenous Stewardship, Agroforestry, Monocrop Systems, Tannin Content, Fermentation Techniques, Personalized Learning

In this episode, we dive into the history of the forgotten chinquapin and what new research tells us about its diversity and actual range. For folks unfamiliar, the chinquapin is often considered the smaller cousin of the American Chestnut, despite the fact that research today suggests that isn't the whole story. We're talking about the Ozark, Allegheny, and the Alabama chinquapins and what role these trees can play in our climate-change driven future!

Check out the corresponding substack article for resources, citations, and more information! https://poorprolesalmanac.substack.com/p/chinquapins

To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac

For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org

For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com

For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com

For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org

To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/