Fresh Take

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an inspiring conversation with Catt Fields White, founder of Farmers Market Pros and co-host of the Tent Talk podcast, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Farmers Market Week. Discover Catt’s journey from establishing the thriving Little Italy Mercato in San Diego to her ongoing efforts to support new markets. We explore the transformative impact of farmer...

Send us Fan Mail Can agriculture heal the invisible wounds of war? Join us as we talk with John Jackson, an Army Ranger with six tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, about his journey from enlistment after 9/11 to finding peace through farming. At Comfort Farms in Milledgeville, Georgia, John helps veterans cope with post-traumatic stress using farming as therapy. Discover how Comfort Farms combines beh...

Send us Fan Mail Are you aware of the hidden dangers lurking in your fruits and vegetables? Join us on Fresh Take for an eye-opening discussion with Juan Carlos Rodriguez, an Education and Outreach Specialist at Florida Organic Growers. We promise you’ll gain critical insights into the "Dirty Dozen," a list of produce most contaminated with pesticides, and understand the potential health...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how your daily cup of coffee can transform lives and support the planet! In this podcast, we sit down with Tripp Pomeroy, co-owner and CEO of Sweetwater Organic Coffee . Tripp shares his journey from working with Latin American landscapers to championing fair trade practices in the coffee industry. Learn how Sweetwater's ethical approach benefits small-scale farmers...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we chat with Hannah Wooten, a UF IFAS extension agent from Orange County, Florida, about how urban development and sustainable agriculture intersect in local food systems. Hannah's journey from Valencia Community College to her work in horticulture and ethnobotany shows us the deep connection between plants and people. We learn about innovative farmers who are...

Send us Fan Mail Can food recovery revolutionize our approach to food waste and sustainability? Find out as we sit down with Emily Grant, Director of Florida Operations for foodrecovery.org , who shares her incredible journey from urban planning to leading food recovery efforts. Emily’s story is rooted in community engagement, from her hands-on work in a Sarasota community garden to her strategic...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the potential of organic farming in the Southeast with guidance from experts Amanda Rose Newton and Emily Deruelle of Florida Organic Growers. Our enlightening conversation peels back the layers of the Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (SE-TOPP), and you'll gain invaluable insights into developing successful organic practices and connecting with a thr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Fresh Take, we welcome special guests Hank and Jessica from Allison Acres to discuss their journey into organic blueberry farming. Hank, a retired FBI agent, shares his inspiration for transitioning to farming, influenced by his background in law enforcement. Jessica, with a background in Environmental Science, talks about her start in agriculture and her role a...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine your palate embarking on a voyage where every flavor tells a story of community, sustainability, and creativity. That's exactly the kind of sensory adventure you're in for as Jeffrey Schlissel, the cuisine virtuoso and barbecue 'Kingpin,' joins us at the table. With nicknames like 'Bacon Cartel,' you know this conversation is going to sizzle w...

Send us Fan Mail Embark on a culinary journey with Hari Pulapaka, the force behind the Global Cooking School . Discover the importance of food transparency and traceability, where every bite tells a story. As a mathematician-turned-chef, Hari's passion for ingredients with a clear backstory has fostered collaborations between chefs and farmers, aiming for an honest food industry. Explore sust...

Send us Fan Mail How do we build a food system that supports farmers, strengthens communities, and protects our environment? In this episode, we sit down with Audrey Coldy of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) to explore the impactful programs and resources offered through ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture . Drawing on her farming background and passion for food equity, Audrey share...

Send us Fan Mail   Summary:   In this episode, Dr. Keith Schneider joins Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez for a discussion on FSMA’s produce safety rule and microbiology concepts related to food safety.  In this episode, Dr. Keith Schneider discusses microbiology concepts that help farmers better understand how to produce food safely.    Tune in to learn about:   The Produce Safety Rule   Problematic foo...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the transformative world of organic agriculture as Andi Emrich, programs manager of Florida Organic Growers, joins our host Lana Chehabeddine, in unraveling the wonders behind the upcoming Organic Food and Farming Summit April 18-19 in Tampa, FL ! Andi, brings her unique expertise to the table, guiding us through the Summit's inception and its mission to connect a di...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Catherine Campbell, PhD, MPH, and Jesse Haskins delve into the impact of the Florida Greenbelt Law on farm property taxes.  Catherine, an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, shares her expertise in community food systems, emphasizing research for health, sustainability, equity, and resilience. The discussion covers the law's background,...

Send us Fan Mail Lana and Andi invite Florida local food actors to join the Florida Local Food Network, and to get started by attending our virtual training event January 18th, " Platform Training & Kickoff !" Fresh Take host Lana Chehabeddine takes on the guest role to talk about the Florida Local Food Project, FOG’s USDA-funded initiative to connect local farmers with local food en...

Send us Fan Mail Join Lana and Joy for a conversation about sustainable baking practices.  Joy, a former pastry chef and current FOG Local Nutrition and Outreach Coordinator, introduces the concept of sustainable baking, emphasizing the importance of minimizing environmental impact, reducing waste, and supporting local communities. Practical tips include embracing sourdough for low-waste baking, o...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Javier Garces joins JC for a conversation about Certified Organic Farm Technician training (COFT), a comprehensive program designed to provide high school and post-secondary students with the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience they’ll need to enter the agricultural workforce.  Dr. Garces is currently serving as a Professor and Program Chair for the Plant Science and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, JC and Dr. Carlene Chase explore some of the biggest challenges facing farmers, discuss the potential of organic farming practices to address these issues, and delve into science-based solutions, highlighting the benefits of cover crops.   Dr. Chase is an associate professor at UF with a research focus on weed management, methyl bromide alternatives, and cover cro...

Send us Fan Mail FOG Board Vice President Logan Petrey joins us to discuss the benefits of organic farming practices and The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).   Logan Petrey is the Ranch Manager for Grimmway Farms’ organic farm in North Florida, as well as serving as the National Organic Standard Board member. Join us to learn about SE-TOPP, a USDA program that will provide transit...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a conversation with FOG’s own Andi Emrich about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program and how it helps current and future organic farmers.  In this episode, we are spreading the word about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Discover how OCCSP offers financial support to organic farmers, assisting them in obtaining or renewing their organic cer...

Send us Fan Mail Patrick Ferguson, Senior Organizing Representative for Sierra Club’s Stop Sugar Field Burning Campaign, joins us to discuss the environmental impact of pre-harvest sugar burning.   Beginning in 2015, the Stop the Burn campaign focuses on the environmental and public health consequences of pre-harvest sugar field burning. We will explore the success of green harvesting alternatives...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we dive into the world of food systems and community development with Kim Hines and discover how strategic planning and innovative tools are shaping a more resilient future.    Kim Hines is a Leadership Co-Chair of the North American Food Systems Network with an interest in following national trends in local and regional food systems employment. We will be discussing ch...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an informative discussion with Tom Wichman, an expert on eco-friendly landscaping with nearly 50 years’ experience in the industry.   A self-proclaimed plant nerd, Tom is currently the Assistant Director for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program and the statewide coordinator for the Green Industries Best Management Practices Program. Tom is also the radio host for F...

Send us Fan Mail Join FOG’s own Lana Chehabeddine and Juan Carlos Rodriguez for a conversation about the Florida Local Food Project.  We will delve into the Florida Local Food Project, a compelling initiative led by FOG, focused on enhancing local food systems across Florida. Through six key objectives, the project aims to bolster food security, sustainability, and community well-being. By driving...

Send us Fan Mail 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 i...