Shine Springs Farm Shinecast

A conversation with Andrew Kesterson of Belle Meadow Farm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. More detailed show notes coming soon!

In this episode of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast®, I’m featuring a conversation with Dr. Scot Duncan, a professor of biology at Birmingham Southern College and the author of Southern Wonder, Alabama’s Surprising Biodiversity. Scot and I talk about ecosystem services and other benefits of nature. We recorded this conversation in a coffee shop, so you’ll notice a bit of background noise, despite the pro mics and mixer I set up on a table in the corner. My apologies for that. It's not too bad, but slightly distracting. It's been a while (understatement) but I'm very pleased to be back with the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast. Look for an explainer episode next to let you know why I've been away and what's coming for the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast. I think you're going to like it. You can get more information at http://shinecast.net and http://shereemartin.com In the meantime, I hope you'll check out the Shine Springs Farm Facebook page here: http:www.facebook.com/ShineSpringsFarm  

On Tuesday night, June 4, Sheree took the recorder outside and walked around the Farm to reflect and report on what's been happening at Shine Springs Farm in the past few weeks.

On May 26, two hives of bees arrived at Shine Springs Farm. Sheree shares some of the details about her first four days as a beekeeper.

In episode 019 of the Shine Spring's Farm Shinecast Sheree talks with Corie Pierce co-owner of Bread & Butter Farm near Burlington, Vermont.  Sheree also shares a brief story of George Jones' visit to Shine Springs Farm. Shownotes available here: http://benfranklinfollies.com

This Newsletter edition of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast features a discussion of Sheree's vision for the Shinecast and other related projects and how you can help guide the future of the Shinecast. Sheree also gives an in-depth look at the varieties of tomatoes growing this season at Shine Springs Farm (and in her backyard garden) and shares a Parsley Green Smoothie experience. 

David Snow of Snow's Bend Farm talks about how he and partner, Margaret Ann, chose sustainable farming as their life's vocation and the opportunities and challenges of sustainable farming. Sheree ponders whether it's irresponsible to put up bird houses if that makes it easier to snakes to trap and devour the baby birds. 

In this episode of the Shinecast Sheree talks with Skye Borden, a 28-year-old lawyer, who recently returned with her husband to live on family land in Central Alabama and grow their own food.

In Episode 015 of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast, Sheree emerges from the winter hibernation and explains what happened to the interview with Tim Zweber of Zweber Family Farms. And she gives an update on the farm dogs, Koda and Shine.

Happy New Year: Episode 014 of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast features Mitch Reid, program director for the Alabama Rivers Alliance, who talks about water policy, an overview of the history of water rights and water management and efforts in Alabama to develop a statewide water management plan. Mitch also talks about the economic development aspects of water and water policy. We're also joined by Adam Johnston, Alliance coordinator for the Alabama Rivers Alliance who talks about upcoming events where citizens can provide input into the water policy process and learn more about water policy, water rights and the importance of having a statewide water policy.

Episode 013 of the Shinecast features an update on Koda and Shine, news about what's growing at Shine Springs Farm and reflections from the Thanksgiving table. Back on a regular schedule starting December 11, when we'll feature a conversation with Tim Zweber of Zweber Family Farms in Minnesota.

In episode 012, Sheree interviews Jason Horn and Shaun Chavis, co-founders of FoodBlogSouth, one of the premier food blogging conferences around. Full show notes at www.benfranklinfollies.com.

This episode of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast includes a quick update on farm dog Koda. The rest of the podcast features an edited version of Sheree's presentation on Marketing Your Farm Through Social Media at the Farm and Food Forum, an event hosted in late October 2012 by the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network. Complete show notes available at www.benfranklinfollies.com, www.shinespringsfarm.com and www.teachsocialbusiness.com. The brief snippet of music heard in the first minutes of the podcast is from the Black Twig Pickers and used with attribution under a Creative Commons license.

Episode 010 of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast features: An update on Koda's injuries Shine the Dog Announcement of the Special Bonus Episode of the Shinecast Farm Update Music from the Wildwood Ruminators Complete shownotes will be available at www.benfranklinfollies.com and www.shinespringsfarm.com

This week's episode features: a brief conversation on bees and beekeeping with Dr. Jim Tew, ag extension beekeeping specialist and consulting professor a list of great books about the cultural history of bees and beekeeping an update from Shine Springs Farm, including injured farm dog, Koda news about a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics on importance of fruits and vegetables and limiting pesticide exposure in children the economics of local food systems Full show notes at www.benfranklinfollies.com and www.shinespringsfarm.com

Jan Hoadley of Slow Money Farm is the guest on episode 008 of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast. Jan raises heritage breed rabbits and poultry, along with vegetables at Slow Money Farm. In this episode, Jan shares her farming philosophy, the role of community in farming and gives tips for cooking rabbits. Sheree also gives 3 lessons learned so far in season 1 at Shine Springs Farm and tells the story behind Henry's Garden.

Episode 007 is not sponsored by James Bond. But we do talk green this week: Turnip greens, green cabbage worms, green building, green communities and green jobs. Our featured guest is Justinn Overton. Justin is the Green Workforce Program Director for the U.S. Green Building Council Alabama chapter. Justinn tells us about the U.S. Green Building Council, what it means to be a "green" building and how the green workforce program is retraining un-and-under-employed workers for jobs in the new economy. Full show notes are available at http://www.benfranklinfollies.com. Visit Shine Springs Farm on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShineSpringsFarm Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ShineSprings or www.twitter.com/RealSheree We're also on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ShineSpringsFarm

In this episode, you'll hear a detailed update about the fall vegetable crop at Shine Springs Farm, including the results of using buckwheat as a perimeter and trap crop, concerns about the appearance of blister beetles. John Obert Jr. shares the history and details about the sustainability practices of J3 Organics, a small, family-owned composting and commercial farming venture in Birmingham, Alabama. Detailed show notes are available at http://www.benfranklinfollies.com Check us out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShineSpringsFarm

This episode features an interview with Nashville recording artist Shane Tutmarc. Shane just finished his new album and was very gracious to let the Shinecast include several tracks as part of this week's podcast. Visit www.benfranklinfollies.com for complete show notes and links to Shane's website, Facebook page, and more. Sheree also rants about GMOs and why she thinks organic growing is important. 

Episode 004 of the Shine Springs Farm Shinecast features an interview with Jen Barnett, co-owner of Freshfully, a local foods market in Birmingham, Alabama. We also talk about what's growing at Shine Springs Farm. This episode features music by Shane Tutmarc, who will be our featured guest next week. Complete show notes are available at www.benfranklinfollies.com If you found the Shinecast on iTunes or Libsyn, I encourage you to check out the show notes at benfranklinfollies.com. And like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShineSpringsFarmI’d love to hear your comments on the Shinecast, as well as topics for future episodes, suggestions for guests. Even questions about Shine Springs Farm. Feedback is great and I want to make the Shinecast something that goes way beyond a chronicle of my experiences with Shine Springs Farm.