Sustainable World Radio- Ecology and Permaculture Podcast

Episode 120: Seaweed is a superfood from the sea! Terry d’Selkie of Ocean Harvest Sea Vegetable Company tells us about the many benefits of seaweed. An algae, seaweed is high in vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and fiber. Terry introduces us to many different types of seaweed, including Kombu, Sweet Kombu, Ocean Ribbons, Sea Palm, Pacific Coast Wakame, Wild Nori, Fucus, and Turkish Towel. Terry te...

Episode 119: Eric Scott Bresselsmith is an herbalist, wildcrafter, and artisan distiller of essential oils. Owner of the House of Aromatics, Eric uses Conifers and Brushes native to the intermountain region of Southern Utah to create medicinal therapeutic grade oils.    Believing that "the medicine you need is always just a few steps away," Eric creates oils from local ethically wildcrafted materi...

Episode 118: Can plants learn? Do they have memory? Can they make decisions? In this episode, Monica Gagliano, Research Associate Professor of Evolutionary Ecology at the University of Western Australia, talks about her research with plants. Monica has pioneered the new field of plant bioacoustics and recently extended the concept of cognition to plants. Monica talks about her research exploring w...

Episode 117: How can a cook stove change the world? Three billion people burn traditional biomass and coal indoors in cook stoves. These stoves are having a tremendous impact on our environment and on the health of those who use them. Some of the health problems associated with non-improved cook stoves include increased rates of asthma, indoor air pollution, (CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide), and...

Episode 116: My guest for this episode is Josh Trought, author of The Community-Scale Permaculture Farm: The D Acres Model of Creating and Managing an Ecologically Designed Education Center.   Josh Trought  is the co-founder and current director of D Acres, a Community-Scale Permaculture Farm located in New Hampshire. D Acres is a hub of learning, an educational center that researches, applies, an...

In this episode, we talk about the weeds that surround us with forager, chef, writer, and plant lover Katrina Blair. Author of the book  The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival  Katrina talks about the wild integrity of weeds, their medicinal and nutritional value, and how to harvest and prepare them. Katrina shares recipes for their cosmetic and culinary use. Some of the...

Episode 113: Melanie and Jeff Carpenter are medicinal herb farmers. The co-owners of Zack Woods Farm, a 30 acre organic farm and botanical sanctuary located in the green mountains of Vermont, Jeff and Melanie grow over 50 species of medicinal plants.   In this episode, they share their passion and knowledge about herb growing, how they use Permaculture on the farm, and how they grow healthy plants...

Have you ever wanted to grow your own grains? In this episode, farmer and author Gene Logsdon tells you what you need to know about small-scale grain growing. Gene talks about the most resilient crop for beginning grain growers and shares his knowledge about corn, wheat, sorghum, and buckwheat. A longtime farmer, Gene explains why you want to alternate growing legumes with grains, how much space i...

Can taking a slow walk in nature improve your health? How can you cultivate a better relationship to the natural world? If forests are therapeutic, what effect does deforestation have on us? In this episode, I talk with wilderness guide and educator Amos Clifford about Forest Therapy or Shinrin-yoku. Also known as Forest Medicine or Forest Bathing, Shinrin-yoku is beneficial for your health  and h...

My guest for this episode is Zea mays, also known as Corn. In this exclusive interview Corn speaks about its long history, its beginning as a wild grass, and how humans and corn have influenced each other. Corn also talks about hybridization, propagation, and genetic modification. The interview includes a cameo appearance by Bt Corn, Zea Mays' genetically modified brother.  Bt who goes by the nick...

Growing Moringa oleifera is like growing a botanical apothecary. Most parts of the plant are edible, medicinal, and useful. In this Sustainable World Radio  Podcast episode, organic farmer and Moringa grower Mariko Gifford talks about the plant that has become her life work.  In this interview, we learn about Moringa's many benefits. Morniga leaves are delicious and highly nutritious. The seeds ca...

Learn how you can optimize plant and soil health with ecological agriculture.  John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture - a leading crop nutrition consulting company. An expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John Kempf teaches farmers how to grow healthier, more nutritious food. A lifelong farmer who grew up in and remains part of the Amish community, John Kempf...

Aquaponics is a food production system that is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. In this episode, Kevin Childerley, owner of Santa Barbara Aquaponics  gives us a tour of his thriving aquaponics system located in a parking lot! Kevin is growing a variety of leafy greens, tomatoes, and the prettiest heirloom lettuce  I've ever seen (called Grandpa Admires). His organically produced plant...

Renowned aromatherapist, archaeologist and author John Steele talks with Jill Cloutier about essential oils, plant wisdom and the world of scent. John Steele is an aromatic consultant and owner of Lifetree Aromatix, a select line of botanical essential oils and exotic floral absolutes.  In this interview, John speaks in depth about our sense of smell, using oils in self-empowered first aid, how in...

Courtney White is the author of the new book  Grass, Soil, Hope- A Journey through Carbon Country .  A former activist and archaeologist, Courtney co-founded the Quivira Coaltion , a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between ranchers, conservationists and environmentalists.  In this interview Courtney talks with Jill Cloutier about the soil beneath our feet and how soil, plants and the carbo...

Now in its forth year, the West Coast Women's Permaculture Gathering  is a weekend of discovery, skill-building and connection. With a focus on taking Permaculture beyond just an interest or hobby, this year's gathering focuses on finding right livelihood. The event takes place on September 18th-21, at Camp Hamilton  near Seattle, Washington. To learn more, I spoke with Delia Carroll, co-organizer...

Lloyd Kahn is a builder of books and homes. Editor-in-chief of Shelter Publications , Lloyd  is the author of many books about handbuilt shelter including Home Work, Tiny Homes , Builders of the Pacific Coast and the classic book  Shelter that documented handbuilt housing around the world.   Lloyd was the Shelter editor of the early  Whole Earth Catalogs  and has been writing about building and pe...

Ed Mendoza is a Permaculture designer, teacher and lifelong gardener and farmer. In this podcast episode with Jill Cloutier, Ed talks about his love of gardening, soil and why he sings to plants. Ed also tells us about a few of his favorite plants, including peaches and chiles.  

What can you do to ensure agro-biodiversity? How can you participate in creating a more secure food future?  In this Sustainable World Radio   episode, we speak with  Irina Stoenescu   food researcher and consultant, whose work focuses on healthy food, trade and nutrition issues.  Irina is also a coordinator for the National Heirloom Expo .   In this interview, Irina talks about how our food choic...

Have you ever wanted to turn your lawn into an edible oasis? Learn how in this interview with Michael Judd, author of the new book,  Edible Landscaping With A Permaculture Twist.    Michael talks with Jill Cloutier  about projects that you can do at home to increase your yard's yield of edible treats, including unusual fruit, gourmet mushrooms, culinary herbs and even botanical booze. Michael is t...

In this episode, Permaculture Designer Jeff Adams  talks about practical ways to design landscapes that conserve water. It doesn't matter if you live in an extremely wet or dry climate, design strategies exist that can save you water, resources and money! Jeff Adams has years of experience in regenerating watershed health and is a lead instructor for the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Associ...

The founder of Oak Tree Designs  based in Margaret River, Australia, Byron Joel has years of experience in Permaculture, land re-vegetation, horticulture and landscaping. In this conversation with Jill Cloutier , Byron speaks about his experiences working with plants, how plants are used in Permaculture Design to create resilient landscapes and why you should treat your garden like a "charming fri...

Permaculture and Ecological Designer Larry Santoyo talks with Jill Cloutier about why he feels the future is abundant, why everyone is needed, Permaculture crimes, how security is between your ears and why we should seek to be valuable, not rich. Larry Santoyo is a green business consultant and senior planner at EarthFlow Design Works. He has taught environmental design at colleges and universitie...

Roberto  Perez Rivero is a Permaculturist, educator and sustainability activist in Cuba. In this interview he speaks with Jill Cloutier about how his country faced "Peak Oil" in the 1990's when its petroleum and food supplies dwindled almost overnight. Perez talks about the resilience of Cuba, its transition to a mostly organic agriculture, Permaculture and the upcoming IPC11 to be held in Cuba in...

Christopher Shein is a Permaculture teacher, seed saver, gardener and activist. In this interview, Christopher explains the basics of Permaculture gardening. Christopher shares his knowledge about how Permaculture principles and ethics can be used in your garden to increase yields, improve plant and soil health and lessen your work load. Christopher is the author of the Vegetable Gardener's Guide...