In this special episode, we're bringing back two cherished holiday-themed recordings from our archives. Whether it’s the miracle of light, the birth of a Holy Child, or the warmth of family traditions, December celebrations connect us to a shared human experience rooted in vulnerability to nature’s rhythms.

First, in this excerpt from the December episode of Mary's Slow Living Through the Seasons series from 2023, Mary reflects on the winter solstice and its significance across cultures, exploring what we share with our ancestors during the darkest days of the year. Discover the deeper meaning behind festive traditions and how modern celebrations can sometimes pull us away from the natural cycle of the seasons.

Then, we revisit a delightful musical performance from the Lady Farmer Archives. Recorded in Seneca, Maryland, in November 2020, this casual fireside set by the Missing Sister Band warms the soul with soulful harmonies.

Topics Covered:

• The winter solstice as a universal human experience, excerpted from Slow Living Through the Seasons
• Yuletide reflections and our connection to ancient traditions
• The story behind holiday symbols like the wreath
• A soulful musical set featuring holiday-inspired covers

Music Setlist:

• "White Flag" by Joseph
• "Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
• "Strangers" by The Kinks
• "Baby Where You Are" by Ted Lucas
• "Dogs Laying Around Playing" by My Bubba
• "Long Time Traveller" by Sacred Harp

Performed by the Missing Sister Band:

• Vocals: Anna Glenn, Charlotte Henderson, Shannon Beston (guitar), Caitlin Robinson, Emma Kingsley
• Guitar: Cameron Palmer
• Audio/Visuals: David Smith, Emma Kingsley, Mary Kingsley
• Editing: Emma Kingsley

Tune in for an episode that celebrates the beauty of gathering, the wonder of the solstice, and the joy of shared music. Happy Holidays! 🎶✨

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Melissa and Jaci from Pinetree Garden Seeds, a family owned and operated business since 1979. Pinetree Garden Seeds was founded with the simple mission of offering low prices on quality seeds to the home gardener. Over the years offerings have expanded to include over 1300 varieties of seeds, including many heirlooms & organics, a huge assortment of tools and gardening gear, books, and live plants. Located in rural Maine, they operate out of a 300 year old farmhouse and strive to offer the best service and products with a personal touch. In 2011, the company was passed down from its founder, Dick Meiners, to his stepdaughter Melissa. She and her family are excited to continue the mission of supporting the home gardener by offering affordable, high quality seeds and goods. In this conversation we delve into the story of Pinetree Garden Seeds, the complexities of GMO's, heirloom seeds and the practices of the company. Melissa and Jaci share their passion for helping others succeed in gardening, emphasizing the simplicity and joy of growing food that promotes the health of humans and the planet.

🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com !

Topics

• Introduction to Pinetree Garden Seeds
• History of the company
• Seed Selection and Catalog Creation
• Work environment at Pinetree
• Seed Packing technology
• Seed Sourcing
• Gardening Practices and Trials
• Understanding the Safe Seed Pledge
• Understanding the types of seeds: heirloom, hybrid and GMO
• The value of heirloom seeds
• Seed longevity and germination
• The seasonal flow and Pinetree Garden Seeds
• The value of gardening in community and connection

03:20 Meet the Pine Tree Team

04:11 The History and Evolution of Pine Tree Seeds

05:53 Learning the Business of Seeds

08:47 The Art of Seed Catalogs

11:06 Gardening Experiments and Trials

17:49 Understanding Seed Types and Safety

20:31 Understanding GMO vs. Hybrid

22:15 Heirloom Seeds: Stories and Significance

25:00 Seed Longevity and Germination

28:38 A Day at Pine Tree Seeds

31:31 The Concept of Slow Living

34:29 The Good Dirt: Meaning and Metaphor

36:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

🌿 Podcast listeners can use the code DIRTPGS20 for 20% their seed order at superseeds.com !

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Mary Kingsley and her daughter Emma talk with Florence Reed, founder of Sustainable Harvest International, a nonprofit that has worked with smallholder farmers in Central America for over 27 years in adopting regenerative farming practices. Florence tells the story of how Sustainable Harvest International got its start, and highlights the importance of healthy soil, biodiversity, and the role of local technical assistance in fostering long-term agricultural transformation. She points out how these practices alone applied to small farms the world over could significantly contribute to the United Nations' goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Florence tells us that there are many inspiring success stories, including one that she shares about a farmerl who restored his land and sent both of his daughters to college as a result of his farming success following the SHI program. The conversation offers a hopeful message about the potential for individual and collective action in combating climate change.

,00:00 Introduction

00:31 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast

00:57 Guest Introduction: Florence Reed

03:25 Florence Reed's Background and Motivation

06:04 Early Challenges and Realizations

08:05 Founding Sustainable Harvest International

11:52 Initial Steps and Early Support

14:22 Challenges of Slash and Burn Farming

20:40 Sustainable and Regenerative Practices

27:42 Community Engagement and Program Implementation

30:48 Deciding Where to Work

31:32 Challenges and Demand

32:17 Global Impact of Small-Scale Farmers

33:40 Resistance to Change in Farming Practices

39:59 Success Stories and Long-Term Impact

46:02 Personal Reflections and Slow Living

49:16 Future Plans and Getting Involved

LINKS

Sustainable Harvest International

Roots of Renewal: A Film on Farming for a Hopeful Future

Eliot Coleman: The New Organic Grower

Barbara Damrosch: The Garden Primer

The Good Life: Helen and Scot Nearing's Sixty Years of Self Sufficient Living

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

In celebration of the holiday this week, and upcoming "Black Friday", we're re-airing our favorite slow-living take on the matter...Slow Friday!

RE-AIR FROM 11/26/21

You're in for something a little different this Friday...it's a solo show with Mary and Emma!

At Lady Farmer, we're always thinking about ways to shift our thinking to live into a more slow and sustainable lifestyle, and today is a great opportunity to do just that. What if Black Friday became Slow Friday, and what would that look like?

Join us on this week’s episode of The Good Dirt as we share a bit about our own Christmas memories and experiences with gift-giving as well as how we're thinking about being more mindful with our consumer habits during the holiday season.

Enjoy this week's episode, let us know what you think, and we'll be back with another interview next week!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• The negative impacts of consumerism and how to think differently about our consumer habits
• The importance that we have placed on gift-giving and receiving during the holiday season
• Slow Friday Challenge

Resources:

• Unplug the Christmas Tree
• Christmas by Peter Spier

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray



In this episode, Zandra Zuraw, founder of Slow Style Home, shares her insights on interior design. Slow Style Home is an interior design coaching platform for people looking to create a beautiful, meaningful home without breaking the bank, hiring a designer, or hurting the planet to get one. Zandra discusses her step-by-step framework, the importance of a vision for your space, and offers tips for decluttering and balancing aesthetics with functionality. Zandra also touches on the broader concept of slow living. She encourages everyone to find a personal and meaningful approach to home decoration and stresses the emotional satisfaction that comes from using and transforming what we already have. Listeners are inspired to appreciate and design their living spaces mindfully, focusing on beauty and personal expression.She's currently writing a book about her Slow Style approach to design, to be released in Spring 2025 .and is also the host of the popular podcast, Slow Style Home.

00:00 Introduction to Slow Style Home

01:23 Zandra Zuraw's Personal Journey

02:17 The Concept of Slow Style

02:54 Navigating Interior Design Challenges

06:37 Creating a Vision for Your Space

19:25 Balancing Sentimentality and Practicality

22:09 The Impact of Disposable Decor

26:18 The Emotional Weight of Objects

26:51 Struggles with Waste and Disposal

30:29 Decluttering Strategies and Challenges

37:18 The Concept of a Slow Home

40:04 Balancing Organization and Livability

46:56 The Importance of Good Dirt

49:17 Final Thoughts and Resources

• Zandra's Website
• Slow Style Home Podcast
• Peter Walsh: Let it Go
• Tracy McCubbin: Making Space, Clutter Free
• Monica Leed: Simply Spaced

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• 
  
• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

In this conversation, Casey and Brooke Oberg from Detroit Mulch Company share their journey of transforming tree waste into mulch in the urban landscape of Detroit. They discuss their backgrounds, how they came to the project, various types of mulch, the significance of topsoil and the role of composting in community engagement. The conversation highlights the community impact of their work repurposing organic materials into beneficial mulch, a product that provides environmental sustainability and circularity into the local economy. The discussion also touches on the concept of slow living and how it relates to their work, culminating in a reflection on the meaning of good dirt and its impact on the environment and local communities.

Topics Discussed:

・The beginnings of Detroit Mulch Company

・Sustainable practices in Mulching

・Benefits of Mulch Gardening

・Addressing concerns about tree waste

・Community Impact

・The role of mulch in urban revitalization

・The future of tree waste management

・Encouraging sustainable practices beyond Detroit

・The importance of mulch and compost for top soil

・Composting practices and community engagement

・Embracing slow living and the idea of 'the good dirt'

Connect with Brooke and Casey:

Detroit Mulch Company Website

Instagram: @detroitmulch

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

In this episode of The Good Dirt, Mary & Emma explore sustainability in the spirits industry with Harrison Holditch of Half Shell Vodka. At just 33 years old, Harrison has pioneered innovative sustainable practices in producing vodka, including using recycled materials and local partnerships. Among Half Shell Vodka's noteworthy achievements is its revolutionary 100% recyclable cardboard bottle made from 94% recycled materials. The discussion covers Harrison's journey, the company’s sustainable practices, and innovations like their unique filtration system using oyster shells and coconut carbon. The episode also highlights the challenges and benefits of adopting sustainable methods in distilling.

00:00 Welcome to The Good Dirt

01:34 Introducing Half Shell Vodka

03:21 Harrison Holditch's Journey

09:11 Sustainability Practices at Half Shell Vodka

17:26 The Innovation of the Paper Bottle

26:05 Sustainability and Glass: A Complex Relationship

27:07 The Global Supply Chain and Carbon Footprint

29:43 Exploring Alternatives: Paper Bottles and Beyond

32:40 Challenges and Innovations in the Spirits Industry

37:48 Living the Slow Life: A Personal Perspective

39:57 Navigating Natural Disasters: Life on the Gulf Coast

41:55 The Good Dirt: What It Means to Us

42:58 Where to Find Half Shell Vodka

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

· Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community

· Visit Our Website

· Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

· Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail!

Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

· Wendy Gray

What are more sustainable death practices that we can can consider as alternatives to the expensive and consumptive services offered in the modern funeral industry? CEO of Endswell Cremation Hunter Beattie is our guest today, here to discuss the green burial movement, the problems with our current death rituals and practices and how the process of aquamation offered by his company is another choice over cremation or burial. Hunter shares his honest emotional personal journey with death, the founding of Endswell and the philosophy behind providing thoughtful, compassionate end-of-life services.

Topics Discussed

· The Good Death Movement

· The Green Burial Movement

· Misconceptions About Cremation

· The Deal with Spreading Ashes

· Death Cafe, Death Doulas, and Death Conferences

· End of Life Care with Your Parents

· Living with Grief

· Neurodegenerative Conditions

· The Predatory Nature of the Funeral Industry

· The History of the Modern Funeral Industry

· Working with Hospice Workers

· Understanding Aquamation

· Green Burial Movement

· Community Involvement

· Burying On Your Own Land

· Reclaiming Death Rituals Rituals and Eco-Friendly Death Care

· Eco-Friendly Death Care

Episode Resources:

· Listen to The Good Dirt “Episode 65 | Where Nature is Enough: Rethinking Death Practices with Heidi Hannapel of Bluestem Conservation Cemetery

· Listen to The Good Dirt “Creating Sustainability in the Death Care Industry with Tom Harries of Earth Funeral”

· WorkAway

· Final Exit

· Read Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond

· NPR Article “A plain pine coffin and eco-friendly cremation are the last acts of Desmond Tutu” on Desmond Tutu’s Aquamation

· Order of the Good Death

Connect with Hunter Beattie:

· Website: https://endswellcremation.com

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endswellaquamationandgallery/

· Farewell Earth Network: https://farewellearth.org

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

· Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community

· Visit Our Website

· Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

· Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail!

Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

· Wendy Gray

Join Mary and Emma as they discuss a slow living Halloween, the second largest consumer season in the US. From the ancient traditions of the Celtic Samhain celebrations, to the modern day spook fest that dominates this time of year, you'll hear how you can embrace the special beauty and magic of nature during this time, letting go of much of the waste and frenzy but keeping all of the fun!

Things Mentioned:

• Zero Waste Candy Alternatives
• The Scariest Thing About Halloween is the Plastic Waste
• National Retail Federation Prediction for Halloween Spending in 2022

About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website
• @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC
• Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!
• Email us at [email protected]

Original music by John Kingsley. The Good Dirt is a part of the Connectd Podcasts Network.

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

In this episode, Mary welcomes back Krista Arias and her daughter, Fia, from Tierra Soul, a homestead and learning space in Magdalena, New Mexico. They catch up on their conversation from a year ago, discussing ongoing and new projects at Tierra Soul, such as the community cafe project and plans for their first holistic homesteading festival. They also discuss their signature 8 week holistic homesteading online program,"Lazy Lady Living," which provides an overview of multiple topics such as soulful permaculture, sustainable economy, biodynamics, traditional food, cultivated ecology and more. Tierra Soul is now offering "Lazy Lady Living" at a reduced price. Enroll HERE during their fall sale beginning October 15th!

Tierra Soul Website

Enroll in Lazy Lady Living for $500 off

00:36 Welcoming Krista and Fia from Tierra Soul

04:34 Updates from Tierra Soul Homestead

09:25 The Evolution of Tierra Soul's Cafe

12:34 Challenges and Philosophies of Running a Cafe

25:50 The Future of Tierra Soul: Events and Gatherings

28:52 Bridging the Gap Between Presenters and Attendees

29:51 Influence of Indigenous Ceremonies

32:10 Holistic Homesteading Festival: Gather and Give

32:22 Introduction to Lazy Lady Living

37:11 The Philosophy Behind Lazy Lady Living

40:59 The Importance of Connection in Farming

45:22 The Feminine Perspective in Permaculture

50:15 The Adaptive Nature of Plants and Earth

53:43 Concluding Thoughts on Slow Living

🌻 About Lady Farmer:

· Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community

· Visit Our Website

· Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

· Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail!

Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

· Wendy Gray

In this episode, Mary & Emma begin their discussion on consumerism by reflecting on a recent social media trend dubbed "underconsumption', and how that idea overlaps with the fundamentals of slow living. They ask the questions, are we drawn to the true ideals of a lifestyle or the visual aesthetics as represented on social media, and how likely are we to feel compelled to "buy" into it due to feelings of lack in our own lives? Mary and Emma also discuss personal vulnerabilities in consumer habits, referencing their own experiences with fashion, skincare, and digital consumption. The conversation addresses the impact of social media on consumer behavior, emphasizing awareness and conscious decision-making in a consumer-driven society. They conclude by encouraging listeners to balance needs and desires within the context of appropriate consumption as part of a slow living lifestyle.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Living

00:51 Life Updates and New Beginnings

02:01 Exploring Conscious Consumerism

02:48 The Trend of Underconsumption

03:56 Media Influence on Consumption

14:37 Personal Vulnerabilities in Consumerism

23:54 Navigating Consumer Habits

27:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray