Subtitle

In this Episode Christy Wilhelmy, founder of Garden Nerd and author of multiple gardening books, returns to discuss her upcoming novel Bolting to Seed. The book is the sequel to her debut garden novel Garden Variety and blends gardening education with a cozy mystery storyline set in a community garden. Christy shares how real-life community garden experiences inspired her fiction, how she structures a mystery novel, and why she chose to independently publish the sequel through Kickstarter. Along the way, she highlights how storytelling can inspire people to start gardening, even if they’ve never grown food before.

Our Guest: Christy is the founder of Garden Nerd, the ultimate resource for garden nerds, where she publishes newsletters, her popular blog. Top ranked podcast and YouTube videos. She also specializes in small space, organic vegetable garden design, consulting, and classes. Between 50 and 70% of her family's produce comes from her garden of less than 300 square feet. She is the author of High Yield Small Space Organic Gardening, 400 plus Tips for Organic Gardening Success, Grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden and her debut novel Garden variety.

Key Topics

1. Christy Wilhelmy
2. Garden Nerd
3. Bolting to Seed novel
4. Garden Variety novel
5. Community gardens as storytelling inspiration
6. Independent publishing and Kickstarter campaigns
7. Cozy mystery genre
8. Gardening education embedded in fiction
9. Small space organic vegetable gardening
10. Scrivener writing software
11. Thrips damage on citrus and nectarines
12. Beneficial insects and insectary plants
13. Lacewings and minute pirate bugs
14. Biological pest control in gardens

Key Questions Answered

How did Christy Wilhelmy move from gardening books into writing fiction?

Christy spent more than 27 years gardening in a community garden and realized the setting was full of unique personalities and stories. She began collecting ideas over time and eventually turned those experiences into her debut novel Garden Variety, a rom-com set in a Los Angeles community garden.

What is the new novel Bolting to Seed about?

The sequel takes place a year after Garden Variety and focuses on late spring and summer in the same community garden. The story blends gardening lessons with a cozy mystery: a murder occurs, and the characters must solve the case while navigating community garden life.

Why did Christy decide to self-publish the new book?

After her agent shopped the manuscript to traditional publishers for nearly a year, she learned that publishers were hesitant to buy sequels unless the first book was a major bestseller. Rather than wait indefinitely, she chose independent publishing to maintain creative control and move the project forward.

How does Christy structure a mystery novel?

She approaches writing as a “planner.” She outlines the story in advance, maps out character arcs, and lists key scenes that must happen to move the plot forward. Using Scrivener, she writes scenes separately and rearranges them until the structure works, filling in gaps and transitions as the story develops.

How are gardening lessons included in the novel?

Christy intentionally makes a list of gardening topics she wants to teach—usually around ten lessons—and integrates them naturally into the storyline. At the end of the book, readers will also find a growing guide summarizing the key gardening takeaways.

What is the Kickstarter campaign supporting?

The Kickstarter helps cover the expenses of independent publishing, including editing, cover design, layout, printing, and marketing. Supporters can pledge at different levels to receive rewards like signed books, custom seed packets, tote bags, virtual launch party tickets, and even cameo appearances in future novels.

How can beneficial insects help manage thrips damage?

Thrips can scar citrus and other fruit during the flowering stage. Encouraging beneficial insects like lacewings and minute pirate bugs through insectary plantings can help control thrips populations naturally.

Episode Highlights

1. Christy shares how decades in a community garden inspired her first novel.
2. Bolting to Seed shifts genres from romantic comedy to a cozy mystery.
3. The sequel introduces new characters and a detective investigating a garden-related murder.
4. Readers can learn gardening techniques while following the story.
5. Christy explains the difference between “planner” and “pantser” writing styles.
6. Independent publishing allows her to design the book exactly how she wants.
7. The Kickstarter campaign includes creative rewards such as appearing in a future novel.
8. Beneficial insect habitats can naturally manage pests like thrips.

Resources

1. Garden Nerd — https://gardennerd.com
2. Kickstarter campaign for Bolting to Seed — https://gardennerd.com
3. Podcast show notes — https://urbanfarm.org/BoltingTwoSeed

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Subtitle

In this Episode Enoch Graham shares practical strategies for growing abundant food in small urban spaces. Drawing on 15 years of gardening in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, Enoch explains how to maximize production in patios, rooftops, and compact yards. He outlines his Nine Keys to Small Space Gardening, covering water systems, sunlight management, container growing, vertical gardening, soil health, and creative use of limited space. The conversation also explores soil biology, organic practices, and why patience, especially during the first year, is essential for long-term garden success.

Our Guest: Enoch Graham is the host of the weekend Gardening Talk YouTube show 'Let's Get Growing'. He has interviewed hundreds of the world's top gardening communicators and shares his small space gardening practices on his YouTube channel, the Urban Gardener. He has been growing his urban food garden for 15 years in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley, utilizing many different spaces from a cemented back patio and to a carport rooftop to grow peppers. He has learned a lot over the years and truly loves sharing his experience with other passionate growers in the gardening community.

Key Topics

1. Enoch Graham
2. Small space urban gardening
3. Container gardening
4. Drip irrigation and drip tape
5. Rainwater capture and alternative water sources
6. Sunlight management in urban environments
7. Vertical gardening and trellising
8. Layered planting systems
9. Soil health and organic soil building
10. Compost and organic matter
11. Biochar in soil mixes
12. OMRI-certified organic soil products
13. No-till container gardening
14. Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon

Questions Answered

What are the most important factors for growing food in small urban spaces?

Enoch outlines nine key principles that guide successful small-space gardening: reliable water access, adequate sunlight, containers, vertical growing, layered planting, soil management, and creative use of available spaces.

How can urban gardeners secure a reliable water supply?

Gardeners should start by identifying nearby water sources such as hose spigots, rain barrels, gray water systems, condensation capture, or stormwater runoff. Consistent watering is essential, especially in container gardens where soil dries quickly.

What irrigation methods work best for small gardens?

Hand watering allows gardeners to observe plant health closely. However, automated drip irrigation systems or drip tape with timers are helpful when gardeners are away or during hot summer months.

How do buildings and urban structures affect sunlight?

Walls, fences, and tall buildings can create heavy shade. Gardeners should observe how sunlight moves through the space during the day and select shade-tolerant crops when necessary.

Why are containers essential in urban gardens?

Containers allow gardening on patios, rooftops, and paved surfaces. Larger containers—typically five gallons or more—help maintain moisture and support stronger plant growth compared to smaller pots.

How can vertical growing increase productivity?

Trellising vining crops like tomatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, and even melons allows gardeners to grow upward instead of outward, maximizing limited square footage.

What does layering mean in a garden system?

Layering involves growing plants at different heights—similar to a food forest—so taller plants capture sunlight above while shade-tolerant plants grow beneath them.

Why is soil management especially important in container gardening?

Container soil must provide structure, drainage, nutrients, and living biology. Good mixes often include compost, coco coir, vermiculite or perlite, and organic amendments.

Why might a container garden struggle in its first year?

New soil takes time to develop microbial life and balance. Gardeners should expect improvement in subsequent seasons as soil biology develops.

How can gardeners maintain healthy container soil long-term?

Instead of replacing soil each year, gardeners can treat containers like no-till systems by simply adding compost annually to replenish organic matter and nutrients.

Episode Highlights

1. Successful small-space gardening starts with reliable water access and consistent irrigation.
2. Urban shade patterns require careful observation before choosing crops.
3. Five-gallon containers or larger help stabilize moisture and support plant growth.
4. Vertical trellising dramatically increases yield per square foot.
5. Layering plants mimics natural ecosystems and maximizes sunlight use.
6. Healthy soil contains dirt, air space, water, organic matter, and living organisms.
7. OMRI-certified products help maintain organic growing practices.
8. Container soil improves over time as microbial life develops and compost is added annually.

Calls to Action & Resources

Drip Tape Class — Learn irrigation techniques taught each March by Urban Farm

Urban Gardener YouTube Channel — Enoch Graham shares small-space gardening practices - https://www.youtube.com/@theUrbanGardener

OMRI Organic Certification — https://www.omri.org

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/TreasureYourGarden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

With Shannan Perciballi A Rosie On The House Replay

This episode explores Arizona’s local food community through a conversation with Shannon Perciballi, publisher and editor of Edible Phoenix. Shannon shares the story behind the magazine’s evolution, her transition from a 35-year restaurant career into publishing, and why “slow media” matters. The discussion highlights mesquite as an underrated desert food, the importance of supporting local restaurants and farmers, and how storytelling strengthens resilient regional food systems.

Shannan Perciballi is the publisher and editor of Edible Phoenix, a quarterly magazine celebrating Arizona’s local food culture. A longtime Phoenix resident, she brings decades of experience in restaurants, wine, and hospitality to her work. Perciballi holds an English degree from Arizona State University and advanced wine certifications, and is deeply involved in supporting farmers, artisans, and regional food systems through storytelling, community partnerships, and advocacy for resilient local economies.

Episode Highlights

• Shannon’s leap from restaurant executive to magazine publisher
• “We are never going to scoop a story—we are the slow story.”
• Mesquite flour and its sweet, caramel-like flavor in sourdough bread
• The power of seed swaps to spark food-growing conversations
• How summer restaurant slowdowns ripple through the local farm economy
• The tactile experience of holding a seasonal, intentionally crafted magazine

Key Topics

• Edible Phoenix
• Shannon Perceval
• Pamela Hamilton
• Slow media and quarterly publishing
• Arizona local food culture
• Mesquite as a desert superfood
• Local First Arizona
• Uptown Farmers Market
• North Phoenix Baptist Church
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Seed swaps and community events
• Supporting independent restaurants and farmers
• Culinary education through Careers through Culinary Arts Program

What is Edible Phoenix and why does it exist?

Edible Phoenix is a quarterly magazine celebrating Arizona’s local food culture. It tells the “slow stories” of farmers, ranchers, bakers, gardeners, and artisans whose work often goes unnoticed in mainstream media. Its mission is to strengthen community through storytelling and support resilient local economies.

How did Shannon Perceval become the publisher?

After a 35-year career in Arizona’s restaurant and hospitality industry, Shannon purchased the magazine in 2023 when founder Pamela Hamilton retired. A longtime subscriber, she stepped into ownership to preserve and grow a publication she deeply valued.

What makes “slow media” different?

Unlike fast-breaking news, Edible Phoenix publishes quarterly and focuses on depth over speed. It explores how food is grown, prepared, and shared—embracing seasonality and intentional storytelling rather than headlines.

Why is mesquite important to Arizona’s food system?

Mesquite trees produce sweet, protein-rich pods that can be milled into flour. Despite being abundant in the desert, they’re often overlooked. Featuring local foragers and educators helps reintroduce this native, climate-adapted food into the regional diet.

Why is supporting local restaurants and farmers critical?

Local restaurants often source from local farms, creating a circular food economy. When independent restaurants struggle—especially during summer slowdowns—farmers and ranchers feel the impact. Spending locally keeps money circulating in the community and sustains family-owned businesses.

How can consumers discover truly local food businesses?

Visit farmers markets and ask vendors where their products are served. Farmers often supply independent restaurants directly. Markets like Uptown Farmers Market are hubs for discovering both producers and chefs committed to local sourcing.

What role do community events play?

Events like seed swaps, cookbook exchanges, and food festivals foster relationships and food literacy. Celebrations such as Devoured at Desert Botanical Garden and Local First Arizona’s Fall Festival connect eaters directly with growers, chefs, and artisans.

Resources

• Edible Phoenix — https://ediblephoenix.ediblecommunities.com
• Subscribe to the magazine — https://ediblephoenix.ediblecommunities.com/subscribe
• Uptown Farmers Market — https://uptownmarketaz.com
• Local First Arizona — https://localfirstaz.com
• Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/971 for the show notes and links on this episode!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

How to Revolutionize Local Food

In this Episode Dana Choquette, the Executive Director of the Western North Carolina Food Coalition, shares how a first-generation regenerative livestock farmer became a regional leader in local food system infrastructure. From backyard sheep during COVID to coordinating 12 food hubs and 9 food councils, Dana explains how small farms can transform local economies, reduce food insecurity, and strengthen community resilience. This episode explores food hubs, policy innovation, hunger relief, and why collaboration—not competition—is the future of regional food systems.

Our Guest:  Dana Choquette is the executive director of a 19 county community coalition that works to strengthen the local food system in western North Carolina. She mobilizes projects to help people in all corners of the food system from those experiencing hunger to those building viable small farms. All while building local food distribution infrastructure. She's a first generation regenerative livestock farmer, and particularly loves working with sheep and cattle.

Key Topics & Entities

• Western North Carolina Food Coalition (WNC Food Coalition)
• Dana Choquette’s transition from urban life to regenerative livestock farming
• Western North Carolina’s 19-county food system
• Food hubs as aggregation and distribution infrastructure
• WNC Food Hub Collaborative (12 independent hubs collaborating regionally)
• Grow Where You Live Policy (community gardens in high-density housing)
• Food councils (9 hyper-local councils across WNC)
• Community-based food pantries and 24/7 open-access pantries
• Manna FoodBank partnership
• Warehouse aggregation and distribution model
• Institutional food purchasing vs. national distributors
• Carbon footprint and local food sourcing
• Farmer viability and consistent market outlets
• Chris Smith’s book The Whole Okra

Key Questions Answered

How did Dana transition from urban living to farming and food systems leadership?

Dana had no farming experience until nearly age 30. After relocating from Colorado to Western North Carolina during COVID, she and her husband started with backyard sheep. What began as a trial experiment quickly evolved into expanded livestock, leased land, and a deep commitment to producing food for their community. That hands-on experience led her into food systems work and ultimately to leading the WNC Food Coalition.

What is a food coalition and how does it function regionally?

A food coalition coordinates local stakeholders across the food system—from hunger relief to farmer support to policy advocacy. In Western North Carolina, the coalition serves 19 counties through 9 hyper-local food councils, each responding to the specific needs of its community.

What is a food hub and why is it important?

Food hubs are brick-and-mortar aggregation and distribution centers that purchase food from local farmers and redistribute it to consumers, institutions, CSAs, retail outlets, and food pantries. They create consistent market outlets for farmers, reduce distribution gaps, and help keep food dollars circulating locally.

How do food hubs differ from national distributors?

National distributors aggregate global food at scale, often prioritizing cost efficiency. Food hubs prioritize local sourcing, fair farmer compensation, shorter supply chains, and lower carbon footprints. They also strengthen local economies and improve freshness and nutritional value.

How is the WNC region addressing hunger right now?

The coalition partners with Manna FoodBank and operates 24/7 open-access community pantries, direct home delivery, and snack bag programs for unhoused individuals. Their approach blends immediate relief with long-term systems change.

What is the Grow Where You Live Policy?

A proposed Asheville policy requiring new high-density housing developments to include at least 5,000 square feet of community growing space, along with long-term maintenance support.

What was the coalition’s biggest failure and lesson learned?

Early on, the organization tried to solve too many food system challenges at once. They narrowed their focus, strengthened core programs, and built capacity before expanding again.

What is the coalition’s biggest success?

Bringing 12 independent food hubs together into a collaborative network focused on regional impact rather than competition.

Episode Highlights

• Dana began farming with Craigslist sheep and YouTube tutorials during COVID.
• Western North Carolina’s terrain forces farmers to be scrappy and innovative.
• Food hubs offer consistent year-round markets for small farmers.
• The region supports 12 collaborating food hubs and 9 food councils.
• The coalition operates a central warehouse to aggregate donations and distribute food across multiple counties.
• 24/7 open-access pantries remove barriers to food access.
• Local food improves freshness, nutrition, and taste.
• Dana’s driving motivation: building a resilient food system for her daughter’s future.

Resources

Western North Carolina Food Coalition — https://www.wncfoodcoalition.org

Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/wncfoodcoalition

Become a Member — https://www.wncfoodcoalition.org (Join for as little as $1)

Show Notes — https://urbanfarm.org/WNCFoodCoalition

Book Recommendation — The Whole Okra by Chris Smith

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. 

You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Honoring a soil building hero

In this rebroadcast of Episode 185, Greg honors the late Dr. Elaine Ingham, a global leader in soil biology and founder of Soil Food Web Inc. Dr. Ingham shares her journey from childhood microbiology lessons to groundbreaking research on the soil food web. The episode explores composting, soil biology, succession, and how restoring microbial life can regenerate ecosystems and dramatically increase yields.

Our Guest: Dr. Elaine Ingham is the Founder, President and Director of Research for Soil Foodweb Inc., a business that grew out of her Oregon State University research program. Behind her user-friendly approach to soil lies a wealth of knowledge gained from years of research into the organisms which make up the soil food web. Her goal is to translate this knowledge into actions that ensure a healthy food web that promotes plant growth and reduces reliance on inorganic chemicals. Elaine also offers a pioneering vision for sustainable farming, improving our current soils to a healthier state, without damaging any other ecosystem. In her spare time, Elaine publishes scientific papers, writes book chapters and gives talks at symposia around the world.

Key Topics

1. Elaine Ingham
2. Soil Food Web Inc
3. Oregon State University
4. Environmental Protection Agency
5. University of Georgia
6. Colorado State University
7. United Nations
8. Monsanto
9. Soil food web (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, microarthropods)
10. Genetically engineered Klebsiella planticola
11. Biosafety protocol debate
12. Ecological succession and weeds
13. Composting (thermal, vermicomposting, static)
14. Soil microbiome and human health connection

Key Questions Answered

How did Dr. Elaine Ingham begin her journey into soil microbiology?

Introduced to microscopes at age six by her veterinarian father, she developed early scientific curiosity. After deciding against medical school, she pursued microbiology, earning graduate degrees at Colorado State University and building foundational methodologies for quantifying soil organisms.

What is the soil food web, and why does it matter?

The soil food web is the complex community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods that cycle nutrients, protect plants, and build soil structure. Without this biology, plants cannot thrive, and chemical dependency increases.

What happened in the EPA experiment involving genetically engineered bacteria?

Dr. Ingham and her graduate student tested a genetically engineered strain of Klebsiella planticola designed to produce alcohol from crop residues. In controlled soil experiments, the engineered bacteria killed all terrestrial plants by producing toxic alcohol concentrations at root zones.

Why was this discovery globally significant?

If released, the bacterium could have spread 10–11 miles per year, potentially eliminating terrestrial plant life. Dr. Ingham presented the findings at the United Nations, contributing to the approval of a biosafety protocol governing genetically engineered organisms.

Why did Dr. Ingham leave Oregon State University?

After presenting research that challenged biotechnology interests, including major corporate funders, her methodology was questioned. She ultimately left and founded Soil Food Web Inc. in 1996 to continue her work independently.

How can growers restore soil health?

By rebuilding biology through properly made compost containing diverse organic matter and maintaining aerobic conditions. Composting must be managed intentionally—monitoring temperature, oxygen, and ingredient diversity.

Why are weeds part of soil succession?

Weeds are early successional plants that establish when soil biology is degraded. As microbial diversity increases, ecosystems move toward more productive crops and perennials.

What is the connection between soil microbes and human health?

Beneficial microbes on plant surfaces originate in healthy soil and contribute to the human gut microbiome. Chemical inputs disrupt this protective biological layer.

Episode Highlights

1. Dr. Ingham’s childhood learning microbiology at age six.
2. Transition from marine microbiology to soil systems research.
3. First published documentation (1985) proving soil biology improves yields and suppresses disease.
4. The EPA microcosm experiment: engineered bacteria killed wheat seedlings in seven days.
5. Presentation at the United Nations biosafety meeting in Madrid.
6. Conflict with university funding tied to agricultural biotechnology.
7. Founding Soil Food Web Inc. to bring soil biology to growers.
8. Compost as the gateway to restoring microbial life.

Resources

Soil Food Web — https://www.soilfoodweb.com

Urban Farm Podcast — https://www.urbanfarm.org/podcast

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/LifeInTheSoil for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Garden Chat with Don Titmus

In This Episode: Noel Ruiz shares his journey from urban Southern California to rural Southern Oregon, where he and his family run Homestead Culture. What began as a struggling backyard garden evolved into a life centered on permaculture, seed saving, perennial crops, and heart-centered homesteading. Noel explains grexes, seed diversity, and multi-generational thinking—while reflecting on failure, renewal, and cultivating culture from the inside out. This episode explores how growing seeds can also grow resilience, connection, and joy.

Our Guest: Noel is a gardener, homesteader, seed saver, lover of plants and a proud father. Together, he and his sweetheart offer homestead grown seeds of perennial vegetables, flowers, herbs in diverse mixes and grexes, through their family business Homestead Culture. Noel shares free resources and online education around seed saving through HomesteadCulture.com. He enjoys writing articles that explore changing culture, personal transformation, gardening and seeds all while blurring the lines between work and life, as he practices homesteading from the heart.

Key Topics

• Homestead Culture (family-run seed and education business)
• Permaculture design & soil regeneration
• WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
• Seed saving on a homestead scale
• Grex breeding & genetic diversity
• Landrace adaptation
• Perennial vegetables, herbs, and flowers
• Multi-generational thinking in homesteading
• Homesteading from the heart
• Cultural transformation through gardening
• Protecting fruit and nut trees from deer and rodents
• Landrace Gardening by Joseph Lofthouse
• One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka

Key Questions

What happens when your garden fails—and what can it teach you?

Noel’s first larger garden struggled due to depleted, scraped topsoil. A permaculture consultation revealed the real issue: soil health, not personal failure. That shift reframed his mindset and launched his journey into regenerative practices.

What is WWOOF, and how can it accelerate learning?

WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) connects learners with farms and homesteads in exchange for room, board, and hands-on education. Noel spent two years immersed in diverse homesteads, gaining practical skills and mentorship.

What does “homestead culture” mean?

For Noel, “home” extends beyond a house to watershed and region. “Stead” means to stand firm. “Culture” means to cultivate. Together, it represents rooting deeply in place and tending life in ways that foster abundance, cooperation, and multi-generational resilience.

Why plant trees from seed instead of grafted stock?

While grafted trees fruit faster, seed-grown trees offer deep relationship and long-term legacy. Noel values the joy of growing plants from infancy and stewarding trees that may outlive him.

What is a grex—and why grow one?

A grex allows multiple varieties to cross-pollinate, saving seeds from diverse offspring. This increases adaptation, resilience, and joy in diversity. It’s both a practical breeding strategy and a celebration of natural cross-pollination.

What is the difference between a seed farmer and a seed producer?

Noel distinguishes himself as a homestead-scale seed producer, honoring full-time seed farmers who grow at commercial scale. His focus is small-batch perennial vegetables, flowers, herbs, and grexes.

How can personal failure become transformation?

After divorce and job loss, Noel entered a period of growth through volunteering and WWOOFing. The journey led to emotional maturity, reconnection with his former spouse, and the foundation of their current homesteading life together.

What book is essential for seed savers?

Landrace Gardening by Joseph Lofthouse reframed Noel’s approach to seed purity and adaptation. He sees it as required reading for both new and experienced seed savers.

Episode Highlights

• Noel’s first 300-square-foot garden sparked a lifelong passion.
• Soil failure became the gateway to permaculture.
• A paid farm job paid little—but delivered deep purpose.
• Two years of WWOOFing replaced career confusion with clarity.
• Homestead Culture emerged as a family-centered, heart-driven brand.
• Growing trees from seed is about relationship, not speed.
• Grexes increase resilience and garden-level adaptation.
• “We are all in it together”—multi-generational problems require multi-generational thinking.

Resources

• Homestead Culture — https://homesteadculture.com/
• 8 Freebies for Gardeners & Homesteaders — https://homesteadculture.com/freebies/
• Best Seed Saving Online Courses & Classes — https://homesteadculture.com/seed-saving-online-courses-classes/
• Seed Resources (Free Articles) — https://homesteadculture.com/seed-resources/
• Seed Catalog — https://homesteadculture.com/shop/
• Coupon Code (15% off seeds & courses for two weeks): URBANFARM
• Recommended Reading
• Landrace Gardening by Joseph Lofthouse
• One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka

Sponsors

• Homestead Culture — Family-grown perennial vegetable, flower, herb, and grex seeds, plus online seed-saving education.
• https://homesteadculture.com/

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/HomesteadCulture for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. 

You can chat with Greg or choose one of the senior members of our Urban Farm team to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Gigi shares how permaculture extends far beyond gardening into communication, community resilience, and social systems change. From EcoVillage living and military service to composting toilets after Hurricane Helene, Gigi explores earth care, people care, and fair share as a lived philosophy. This conversation dives into resource-based economies, repair culture, and the power of collective action. It’s a joyful, grounded exploration of how permaculture shapes both land and relationships..

Our Guest:  Gigi White was introduced to permaculture and foraging in college at Ithaca, New York in 2007 while studying acting and living at the Eco Village Ithaca. Which launched the rocket ship of figuring out how we can begin to work together in groups to live sustainably. After serving as an officer in the US Air Force with a tour in Iraq, she became a lifelong student of connecting nature to people sustainable. And joyful living through Improvisational music and acting.

Key Topics & Entities

1. Permaculture principles: Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share
2. EcoVillage at Ithaca
3. United States Air Force service and sustainability
4. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
5. Transition Towns movement
6. The Humanure Handbook by Joseph Jenkins
7. Humanure and composting toilet systems
8. Hurricane Helene disaster response in Asheville
9. Tool libraries and repair cafés
10. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in permaculture
11. Resource-based vs. capitalistic economies
12. Rocket mass heaters and appropriate technology
13. Grafting fruit trees and perennial agriculture

Key Questions Answered

What is permaculture beyond gardening?

Permaculture is a philosophy and design framework rooted in Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share. It includes communication styles, economic systems, animal husbandry, energy design, and community-building—not just food production.

How can communities respond sustainably during disasters?

After Hurricane Helene disrupted water systems in Asheville, Gigi organized education sessions and materials for composting toilets. By mobilizing volunteers, sourcing buckets and sawdust, and partnering with a local tool library, she helped residents create safe, low-resource sanitation systems.

What is humanure and why does it matter?

Humanure is composted human waste managed safely through carbon layering (like sawdust) and proper aeration. When done correctly, it becomes soil after about a year in temperate climates, reducing strain on water systems and rebuilding topsoil.

How does permaculture apply to social systems?

Permaculture extends into communication (including Nonviolent Communication), collective decision-making, barter systems, repair culture, and resource-sharing networks. It asks, “Why are we doing what we’re doing?” and challenges systems like planned obsolescence.

What lessons come from failure in sustainable design?

After a rocket mass heater installation led to a house fire, Gigi learned the importance of risk assessment, thorough research, and asking difficult questions—especially in high-stakes projects involving heat and combustion.

What drives long-term sustainability work?

A deep love of the natural world. For Gigi, the magic of witnessing transformation—like a moth emerging from a chrysalis—fuels her dedication to ecological living and education.

Episode Highlights

1. Permaculture is “a word for everything”—a philosophy of being, thinking, and relating.
2. Living at EcoVillage at Ithaca revealed that sustainability can mean thriving—not surviving.
3. Local food challenges in Alaska sparked deeper community connection and dietary awareness.
4. Barter systems and lending exchanges offer alternatives to money-centered economies.
5. Post-disaster “Poop Fairy” organizing helped Asheville residents regain sanitation independence.
6. Tool libraries and repair cafés push back against planned obsolescence.
7. A rocket mass heater fire became a powerful lesson in risk management and self-trust.
8. Humor, humility, and joy are essential tools in sustainable living.

Calls to Action & Resources

The Humanure Handbook — The Humanure Handbook

Intentional Communities Directory — https://www.ic.org

Transition Movement — Transition Towns

Show Notes — https://urbanfarm.org/gigisgarden

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with us to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

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In This Podcast: In this episode, Greg chats with sourdough baker, teacher, and cookbook author Amy Coyne of Amy Bakes Breadto demystify sourdough from starter to slice. Amy shares her personal journey into sourdough, explains the science and simplicity behind naturally fermented bread, and offers practical guidance for beginners and experienced bakers alike. The conversation covers fermentation, hydration, common mistakes, discard recipes, and how to make sourdough fit into busy family life. Throughout, Amy emphasizes patience, experimentation, and joy in the process.

Our Guest:  Amy Coyne is a sourdough baker, teacher and creator behind Amy Bakes Bread, where she shares tried and true sourdough recipes that are approachable, reliable, and fun to make. She's been baking for as long as she can remember, and sourdough has been part of her kitchen for over 13 years. Amy is the author of The Beginner's Guide to Sourdough, A cookbook made to help every home baker feel confident creating incredible sourdough bread from scratch.

Key Topics & Entities

1. Amy Coyne
2. Sourdough starter
3. Natural fermentation
4. Wild yeast and bacteria
5. Hydration levels in bread
6. Dutch oven baking
7. Sourdough discard
8. Inclusion loaves
9. Family-friendly sourdough
10. The Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough
11. Amy Bakes Bread
12. Home baking science

Key Questions Answered

What makes sourdough different from conventional bread?

Sourdough relies on natural fermentation rather than commercial yeast, resulting in improved digestibility, lower glycemic response, and better nutrient absorption due to reduced phytic acid.

How do you create and maintain a sourdough starter?

A starter is made by culturing wild yeast and bacteria from flour and water through regular feedings, watching for predictable rise-and-fall cycles, and adjusting temperature and ratios for consistency.

How does temperature affect sourdough fermentation?

Warmer temperatures speed fermentation while cooler conditions slow it down, meaning timelines must shift with seasons and kitchen conditions.

What is hydration, and why does it matter?

Hydration refers to the ratio of water to flour; higher hydration creates a more open, airy crumb, while lower hydration produces a tighter, more structured loaf.

What are the most common mistakes new sourdough bakers make?

Unrealistic expectations, discomfort with wet doughs, and misunderstanding fermentation timing are common early hurdles.

What can you do with sourdough discard instead of throwing it away?

Discard can be used in crackers, pancakes, biscuits, cookies, gravies, and more—adding flavor, texture, and reducing waste.

How can sourdough be adapted for busy schedules and families?

Using refrigeration, adjusting starter ratios, and choosing approachable recipes makes sourdough manageable and sustainable long-term.

Episode Highlights

1. Sourdough bread uses just four core ingredients: flour, water, salt, and starter
2. Fermentation improves both flavor and nutritional availability
3. Starters can be refrigerated to fit modern lifestyles
4. Hydration and flour choice dramatically affect loaf structure
5. Dutch ovens help home bakers replicate professional steam baking
6. Inclusion loaves (cheese, fruit, nuts, butter) expand sourdough’s versatility
7. Discard recipes turn “waste” into some of the most flavorful bakes

Calls to Action & Resources

1. Amy Bakes Bread — https://amybakesbread.com
2. The Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough — Available at local bookstores, libraries, and major retailers
3. Explore sourdough discard recipes and free guides on Amy’s website
4. Visit UrbanFarm.org/AmyBakesBread for the show notes and links on this episode!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with us to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Edmund Williams returns to discuss the LEHR Garden system and a breakthrough soil product emerging from it: LEHR Soil Amplifier. By combining ecological soil biology with engineered water flow, the LEHR system grows plants in primarily woody materials while composting beneath living roots. The resulting extracted soil behaves as a powerful biostimulant, dramatically improving plant growth, resilience, and heat tolerance. This episode explores living soil, stable carbon, and how feeding soil organisms transforms plant health.

Our Guest: Edmund is a civil engineer and innovator in the urban and sustainable agriculture arena. He has been working with various municipalities and nonprofits to transform the ways our society feeds itself. The Lear Garden was designed to be a low maintenance system using biology as a part of the automation. To do this, Edmond created a compost bin as the core technology, and like any compost bin, it needs to be emptied periodically, The finished compost that comes out is unlike anything on the market having some very surprising and beneficial properties.

Key Topics

• LEHR Garden (Linking Ecosystem and Hardware for Regeneration)
• LEHR Soil Amplifier
• Biostimulants in agriculture
• Living soil biology
• Stable soil carbon
• Glomalin and mycorrhizal fungi
• Biochar as nutrient buffer
• Urban waste stream composting
• Flood-and-drain raised bed systems
• Heat resilience in desert gardening
• Soil food web
• Tall pot tree propagation method

What makes a LEHR Garden different from hydroponics or permaculture alone?

It integrates both ecology and hardware, using a raised flood-and-drain system filled mostly with wood chips and organic waste, allowing plants to grow in living soil biology rather than inert media.

Why does the garden soil need to be removed and reset?

As woody materials break down, water flow slows, causing anaerobic conditions. Removing and resetting the soil restores oxygen flow and system performance.

What is LEHR Soil Amplifier?

It is the sifted, biologically rich soil produced inside the system, containing earthworm castings, biochar, microbial life, and multiple known biostimulant compounds.

How is this different from regular compost?

Unlike compost made separately, this material forms beneath living roots, encouraging creation of stable soil carbon compounds such as glomalin, which are critical to true topsoil structure.

How much is needed to see results?

Very small amounts are effective — about one gallon can treat roughly 1,000 square feet of garden space.

What plant responses have been observed?

Reports include greener lawns, higher vegetable productivity, improved pest and disease resistance, thicker rose petals, and rapid recovery of stressed trees.

Can it improve heat tolerance?

Gardeners observed lush summer growth during record heat, with plants surviving and producing through extreme desert temperatures.

What is the underlying mechanism?

The product stimulates soil biology, increases mycorrhizal activity, provides mineral buffering through biochar, and enhances nutrient cycling.

Episode Highlights

• LEHR stands for Linking Ecosystem and Hardware for Regeneration
• Gardens grow food in mostly wood chips enriched by composting beneath roots
• Soil removal became the “problem that was the solution”
• Sifted soil behaves as a high-density biological stimulant
• Stable soil carbon forms directly through plant–fungal interactions
• One gallon treats approximately 1,000 square feet
• Gardeners report dramatic improvements during extreme heat
• Trees in tall pots showed accelerated growth using the amplifier

Calls to Action & Resources

LEHR Garden System — https://lehrgarden.com

Contact Edmund Williams — mailto:[email protected]

For Episode Show Notes Visit — UrbanFarm.org/SoilAmplifier

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

With Beatrice Nathan...Curious permaculture story

In This Podcast: Beatrice Nathan joins the podcast to explore how permaculture principles can be applied to family life, childcare, and community resilience. She shares her journey from home gardening to teaching permaculture, and launching a Village Roots childcare co-op. The conversation weaves together food production, social permaculture, and mutual aid as practical responses to modern parenting and systemic stress. This episode highlights slow, small solutions that build trust, connection, and long-term community health.

Our Guest:  Beatrice Nathan is a home gardener, permaculture teacher, turmeric farmer, and mom to two boys. She is passionate about reweaving the web of social support, empowering ordinary people to grow food and teaching practical design principles. She believes that we all have a part to play in creating a better future.

Key Topics & Entities

• Beatrice Nathan
• Permaculture ethics (Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share)
• Social permaculture
• Village Roots Childcare Co-op
• Babysitting co-ops / time-based exchange
• Front-yard food gardens
• Community resilience
• Parenting and childcare affordability
• Permaculture zones applied to time and energy
• Degrowth philosophy
• Permaculture Design Course (PDC)
• Ruby Ranch (Asheville, NC)

Key Questions Answered

What is permaculture beyond gardening?

Permaculture is a framework for living a good life, offering ethics and principles that can be applied to land stewardship, relationships, parenting, and community design—not just gardens.

How does a childcare co-op work without money?

Families exchange babysitting hours using a shared spreadsheet. Hours earned caring for one family’s children can be used with any family in the co-op, building trust and flexibility without cash.

Why is childcare so challenging for families today?

High costs, limited availability, misaligned schedules, and the emotional toll on young children make conventional childcare inaccessible or unsustainable for many families.

How does the Village Roots Childcare Co-op embody permaculture?

The co-op applies permaculture ethics and principles like slow and small solutions, stacking functions, feedback loops, and people care to meet real childcare and community needs.

How can permaculture help parents—especially mothers—avoid burnout?

By reframing priorities through concepts like zones of time and energy, permaculture helps parents let go of nonessential commitments and focus on connection during demanding life seasons.

What’s the value of front-yard food gardens?

Front-yard gardens invite conversation, sharing, and relationship-building with neighbors, turning food production into a social connector.

How can someone start a similar co-op in their community?

Start small, set a geographic boundary, clearly communicate expectations, onboard families personally, and use existing guides and templates to reduce friction.

Why is community-building increasingly important?

As larger systems become more fragile, hyper-local, trust-based networks like co-ops, time banks, and tool libraries help meet needs when institutions fall short.

Episode Highlights

• Permaculture as a life framework, not just a land design tool
• Applying permaculture ethics to childcare and family systems
• Designing a babysitting co-op using time instead of money
• Front-yard gardens as hubs for neighborhood connection
• Reframing permaculture zones around time, energy, and life seasons
• Degrowth, relocalization, and mutual aid as practical responses to system stress
• Teaching permaculture through lived, community-based examples

Calls to Action & Resources

• Village Roots show notes — urbanfarm.org/villageroots
• Grow & Harvest Asheville — https://growandharvestasheville.com
• Permaculture at Ruby Ranch (PDC) — https://growandharvestasheville.com
• Substack: Collapsing Into Permaculture — Collapsing Into Permaculture
• Substack guide referenced: Cramming for the Apocalypse
• Instagram: Grow & Harvest AVL — Grow_Harvest_AVL

Visit UrbanFarm.org/VillageRoots for the show notes and links on this episode!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with us to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Journey in Holistic Wellness

In This Podcast: Clinical herbalist Kimberly Kling returns to discuss regenerative health in a highly toxic modern world. Drawing from personal experience, clinical practice, and ecological awareness, she explains how petrochemicals, industrial agriculture, and environmental toxins disrupt human health—especially the gut microbiome, mitochondria, and detox pathways. The conversation moves from root causes to practical, accessible steps people can take, including food choices, herbs, lifestyle shifts, and community action. Throughout, the focus remains on empowerment, resilience, and reconnecting with plant wisdom rather than fear.

Our Guest: Kimberly is a clinical herbalist and the guiding force behind joyful roots in Southern Arizona where she helps her community locally and beyond cultivate inner wellness through earth centered herbal care, rooted in a deep reverence for the healing power of plants. Kimberly's journey began in childhood, crafting magical plant stews and foraging connections with Michigan's native flora. Her background in landscape architecture and engineering provided a foundation for understanding the intricate relationships between plants, people, and the land. However, it was motherhood and a personal health crisis that led to her clinical herbalism deepening her passion for holistic wellness. Now, Kimberly integrates traditional wisdom with modern herbal practices, empowering others to reconnect with plant wisdom for vibrant health and wellbeing.

Medical Disclaimer: In today's episode we are talking about our health. The information provided in this podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We are not medical doctors and no medical doctor/patient relationship is formed. Always seek advice from your qualified medical doctor regarding questions you may have about your medical condition.

Key Topics & Entities

1. Kimberly Kling
2. Joyful Roots
3. Clinical herbalism
4. Environmental toxins
5. Petrochemicals
6. Haber-Bosch Process
7. Glyphosate, Diquat, Paraquat
8. Gut microbiome
9. Mitochondrial health
10. Autoimmune illness (lupus)
11. Antioxidants
12. Liver detoxification
13. Regenerative agriculture
14. Food forests

Key Questions Answered

Why are modern humans experiencing chronic illness earlier than previous generations?

Because exposure to synthetic chemicals, petrochemicals, pesticides, plastics, and food additives has rapidly increased over the last ~150 years, overwhelming biological systems that evolved alongside natural substances.

How do pesticides and herbicides affect the body if they’re “safe for humans”?

They often harm microbial cells rather than human cells directly, disrupting the gut microbiome, increasing oxidative stress, damaging mitochondria, and contributing to inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, and chronic disease.

What role does the microbiome play in detoxification and health?

Humans host more microbial cells than human cells, with vastly more genetic material; toxins that disrupt these microbes can cascade into immune dysfunction, autoimmunity, and neurological issues.

What personal steps can people take without becoming overwhelmed?

Start small: filter water, improve indoor air quality, reduce chemical cleaners, prioritize rest and sleep, and make gradual food upgrades rather than trying to change everything at once.

How can food and herbs support detox and mitochondrial health?

Antioxidant-rich foods and herbs reduce oxidative stress, while fiber, minerals, and liver-supportive plants help the body process and eliminate toxins more effectively.

Which foods are most important to buy organic?

Grains like wheat and oats, which are commonly sprayed with glyphosate as a desiccant, along with legumes such as garbanzo beans.

Why are bitter and “weedy” plants like dandelion so valuable?

They support liver function, digestion, detoxification, pollinators, and biodiversity—demonstrating how cultural perceptions often obscure ecological and medicinal value.

What does working with a clinical herbalist look like?

A deep intake, personalized care plan, herbal and lifestyle guidance, and follow-up sessions that address the whole person across multiple roots of wellness.

Episode Highlights

1. Environmental toxicity has accelerated dramatically since the mid-1800s with synthetic chemicals and industrial agriculture.
2. Most toxin exposure is cumulative and synergistic, not acute, quietly stressing the body over decades.
3. Mitochondrial damage links toxins to fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and chronic illness.
4. Antioxidants from colorful plants and herbs are a frontline defense against oxidative stress.
5. Soluble fiber and mucilaginous plants may help bind and eliminate toxins and microplastics.
6. Liver-supportive foods like beets, dandelion, milk thistle, and burdock are foundational to detox.
7. Small, consistent lifestyle changes matter more than perfection or fear-based responses.

Calls to Action & Resources

1. Joyful Roots — https://www.joyfulroots.com
2. Work with Kimberly — https://www.joyfulroots.com
3. Remedy & Rhyme Podcast — Available on all podcast platforms
4. YUKA App — Food and product ingredient scanner

Visit UrbanFarm.org/JoyfulRoots for the show notes and links on this episode!

Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?

The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.

You can chat with us to get permaculture based feedback.

Click HERE to learn more!

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.