In the first episode of Season 2, we talk with Deb Stansbery of Radix Farm about her transition to certified organic and delve into the importance of signage and labels in farm business marketing. Then we get the opportunity to chat with Colleen Donovan of the Washington State Farmers Market Association about all things farmers markets, including building trust and other reasons it’s important to make truthful claims.

In this episode of the Farm Walks Podcast, we have the pleasure of talking with Rachael Taylor-Tuller of Lost Peacock Creamery in Olympia, WA. Rachael shares her inspiring story of transition and transformation from an Air Force service member to being a full time farmer and how working with animals was her key to mental health and wellness. Later in the episode, we connect with Grant Weber of Vets on the Farm - a Veteran focused farm created by the Spokane Conservation District, aiming to support a new mission and a way for veterans to transition back into civilian life through careers in agriculture and farming.

David Bill and Faith Van De Putte of Midnight’s Farm on Lopez Island run a Department of Ecology “farm exempt" aerated static pile compost facility, raise pork and cattle, run a farm stay, and have a no-till market garden. We talk with them about their biochar research and elements of a safe on-farm compost system. Later in the episode, we check in with Nate Stacey, soil scientist and Farm Program Director at Tilth Alliance and delve into more things compost!

Bradley and Lisha Newhall run Windy N Ranch, a certified organic diversified livestock operation and an on-farm butcher shop. We get to talk to them about their reasoning for going certified organic and how slaughter and wrap and pack challenges pushed them to pursue processing their own meat. Later in the episode, we talk with Matthew Cox of Green Bow Farm where we learn more about the USDA FSIS exemption and how they are now processing and marketing their meats through their own farmstand.

In this episode, we are joined by Isaac Jahns of Big Sage Organics, Brian Estes of LINC Malt, and Matthew Hoffman of Westland Distillery and we follow the journey of a barley crop along the organic grain supply chain from farm to malthouse to distillery. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, discussing the formation of a valuable partnership, barley and its role in soil health, and elements that contribute to unique flavors in craft whiskey.

Bryan Mesa of De La Mesa Farms runs a 2.5 acre no-till, regenerative market garden in Tacoma, WA with his family. In this episode, we talk with Bryan about moving their farm all the way from Hawaii during the pandemic and the food safety factors he considered when setting up the farm on the new property. Later in the episode, we connect with Anita Adalja of Ashokra Farm who is a farmer and trained USDA GAP Auditor and also works on food safety trainings for small growers. Anita brings up important considerations for wash/pack spaces and tips for making farms more food safe.