Recombination Nation

Shane talks to Michael Longfield about his extensive work developing syntropic agriculture systems in the central USA, tapping into an impressive range of local and introduced plant genetics. You can learn more about Michael's work at Interwoven Permaculture: https://interwovenpermaculture.com And get more regular updates and contact through: https://www.facebook.com/InterwovenPermaculture Check o...

Shane interviews Nikomiko about his involvement in the creation of Viossa, a pidgin language that was constructed in online chat rooms through playful interaction in any language except English and which has since grown into a thriving community. We discuss the wild world of constructed and evolving languages, and play with ways that new languages could help build new cultures in this volatile tim...

Shane talks to Richard Goerwitz about his remarkable role as head gardener for the East Wind Intentional Community. Richard's work occupies an unusual niche, somewhere between home gardener and market gardener in scale and that includes opportunities for crop breeding with an army of taste testers at his disposal. East Wind is one of the oldest intentional communities in the USA which also hosts a...

Shane talks to Dr Eugene McCarthy once more, delving into his astonishing theory about the possible hybrid origin of humans (and not the recent discoveries about mixing of modern humans with neanderthals and their kin). Eugene has assembled a compelling body of evidence that our chimp like ancestors may have hybridised with the humble pig, accounting for a long list of unusual human traits that ar...

Shane talks to Gregg about his long journey through breeding a wide range of crops in his challenging Mediterranean climate in southern Australia. We also compare notes on the challenges of creating local crop breeding groups and discuss fresh approaches. Check out Gregg's incredible range of seeds for sale: https://www.usefulseeds.com Join Gregg's local crop breeding group on Facebook: https://ww...

Shane talks to Fedor Steeman about the limits of evolving and engineering life itself. Check out more of Fedor's amazing videos on speculative biology at Phrenotopia- https://www.youtube.com/@Phrenotopia The origin of animal body plans - https://youtu.be/3Gql2iyY5Gw?si=lCEY3vtmibvfYaFG You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Tami...

Shane talks to Salvatore Ceccarelli about his incredible contribution to the preservation and reinvigoration of ancient landrace crop genetics in the Middle East and Europe, putting diverse mixes of ancient grains back into the hands of farmers and bakers throughout the region. You can read more about Salvatore's work at- https://salvatorececcarelli.wordpress.com (translation into English might be...

Shane revisits an old substack post reviewing Fukuoka's "One Straw Revolution", comparing his experiences as an experimental farmer to those of one of the founders of this philosophy. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/...

Shane talks to Dr Eugene McCarthy about his lifetime studying the importance of hybridisation in the creation of new forms of life (usually called speciation). This is part of a three episode series with Dr McCarthy, Part 2 will investigate his thought provoking pig-chimp hypothesis, and part 3 will cover implications and applications of hybrid speciation theory. Read all about Dr. McCarthy's work...

Shane reflects on his oldest vegetable landrace crop, the humble shallot or spring onion (Allium fistulosum), an indispensable fresh leafy vegetable that deserves a place in just about every warm climate garden. The general principles and steps in developing your own landraces are explored, plus the numerous long lasting benefits. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog:...

Shane talks to Jason about his extraordinary passion for breeding diverse, aromatic and hardy basil that goes so far beyond the common leafy green type most people know. Check out more of Jason's work at the links below The Basically About Basil main page where you can buy diverse basil seed and select plants https://basicallyaboutbasil.com The highly informative Basically About Basil Youtube chan...

Shane argues for the advantages of direct sowed seed over transplants, and outlines the key ingredients to achieve success sowing your own seed where it will grow. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/ Taming the Apocalyps...

Shane talks to Professor Ugo Bardi about his recent book "Exterminations: Preparing for the Unthinkable" about the limits to growth and social, cultural and political responses to civilisational collapse. Check out more of Professor Bardi's work. Exterminations: Preparing for the Unthinkable The Seneca Effect

This episode calculates the minimum area of land needed to provide water, calories, protein and vegetables to a perfectly efficient human being under industrial and preindustrial circumstances. What would such a society look like? Luckily we have a real life example to explore. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the A...

Shane chats with Evalisa McIllfaterick about her collaborative watermelon breeding project in chilly Canada. Evalisa's Market Farm- Root Cellar Gardens: rootcellargardens.com Superior Seed Producers (the local seed collective mentioned): https://superiorseedproducers.wordpress.com/ Lakehead University Sustainable Food Lab/ Breeding Diversity, Community, and Health: Mobilizing Landrace Seeding Bree...

This episode reviews the book "Agriculture of the Hidatsa" which can be read for free online . Rare first hand accounts of pre-industrial agriculture are a valuable resource for anyone contemplating the nitty gritty details that lie ahead for those forced to develop post-agricultural systems.

Shane interviews Professor Porcupine about the ways that young people without access to their own land can nevertheless get involved in crop breeding and low input agriculture. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/ Taming...

This is an audio version of a blog post from the Zero Input Agriculture substack. In it, Shane explores the deep history of life on Earth and the recurring imbalances in the biosphere that led to disasters that dwarf the current human impacts we worry so much about. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse eb...

Shane interviews Sam Bonney about his journey into low input agroforestry and the challenges of breeding slower growing crop species. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/dp/B0D2XCLJ85/ Taming the Apocalypse audiobook - https://www.kobo...

In this audio version of a blog post from the Zero Input Agriculture substack Shane explores the recurring pattern of robust staple crops being transformed into weak and inbred vegetable varieties. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-Shane-Simonsen-ebook/d...

Shane interviews David Holmgren, cofounder of permaculture and all-round inspiration, about the potential synergies between modern permaculture practice and the breeding of plants and livestock. Check out David’s recent articles mentioned in the show: A Table of Many Stories – an exploration of the true age of the largest Australian trees : https://holmgren.com.au/writing/a-table-of-many-stories/...

This is an audio version of a blog post from Zero Input Agriculture on January 3 2024. This episode explores the book by James C. Scott and applies its key findings to navigating the decline of industrial civilisation. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog - https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Apocalypse-...

Shane interviews Brian Reeder, life-long breeder of the beautiful and delicious daylilies (Hemerocallis) among many other obsessions. Check out Brian’s links mentioned in the show: Sun Dragon Daylilies- http://www.sundragondaylilies.com/ Sun Dragon Daylilies Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/SunDragonDaylilies Detailed Article on Daylily Breeding Program - https://daylilybreeder.blogspot.c...

Episode 1 – A Solitary Season This is an audio version of a blog post from Zero Input Agriculture on October 3 2024. This episode explores the thorny issue of managing events that happen only once in the life span of our planet. You can find more of Shane’s work at: Zero Input Agriculture blog: https://zeroinputagriculture.substack.com Taming the Apocalypse ebook - https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Ap...

Shane Simonsen, host of the Zero Input Agriculture podcast, introduces the structure of the show, his background, places you can read more of his work and his sincere hopes to inspire listeners to pursue crop and livestock breeding for low input agriculture to build a functional alternative to industrial civilisation. Read more and support Shane's work at his substack blog, Zero Input Agriculture...