The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained – Détails, épisodes et analyse

This episode was originally aired on May 13th, 2022. Visit A Fiber Life for shop and updates!

Fiber farmer Lisa Mitchell encourages listeners to embrace a beginner’s mindset and connect to the earth through handwork and making as she tells us the story of her major life shift, from striving for success as an art therapist in the suburbs, to slow living on a guanaco farm in the Pacific Northwest. Guanacos, the undomesticated ancestors of the alpaca, produce a unique and high-quality wool, but are often challenging to work with, and are not commonly farmed in the United States. In the absence of mentors and educational resources, Lisa and her husband set about spending significant time learning how to care for these special animals through experience, trial, and error, resulting in a fiber farm producing the highest quality wool on the market. Lisa seeks to “live with her hands” as she creates, and to practice making as an act of love - for the animals she lives alongside, for other people, and for the earth.

Topics Covered:

• Seeking a different life
• Guanacos and Guanaco Wool
• Learning to Work with Natural Fibers
• Working with Natural Dye
• Embracing Beginner’s Mind
• Creating as an Act of Love
• Connecting with Reality Through Hand Work
• 
  

Guest Info:

Lisa Mitchell's Website and Online Store/ A Fiber Life

Instagram: @afiberlife

Podcast

Follow Us:

Our Website: ladyfarmer.com

@weareladyfarmer on Instagram

The Lady Farmer ALMANAC on Substack

Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

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.

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In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss Fashion Revolution Week and its significance, referencing the Rana Plaza disaster as a catalyst for the movement.

The episode features Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who discusses the impact of fast fashion on the environment, her advocacy for slow fashion, and the creation of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus. Chellie delves into her personal journey from local government to Congress, highlighting her efforts in sustainable and organic farming. The conversation explores bipartisan efforts to address environmental issues, the importance of soil health, and Pingree’s ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable practices in fashion and agriculture.

00:00 Introduction to Fashion Waste

01:30 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast

01:35 Fashion Revolution Week

02:33 Lady Farmer's Journey

03:49 Introducing Shelly Pingree

06:40 Shelly Pingree’s Background

15:08 The Slow Fashion Movement

22:03 The Role of Congressional Caucuses

28:30 Bipartisanship in Sustainable Policies

34:05 Shelly Pingree’s Farm and Regenerative Practices

37:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Foxfire

The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing

DC Climate Week-April 28th-May 2nd, 2025

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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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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 Mary & Emma Kingsley

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

Mary & Emma are on a brief hiatus and plan to return next spring. Please enjoy this episode that was originally aired in June, 2023

Emma and Mary are back from Emma's wedding, and they are spreading the joy with The Good Dirt. This episode features Maureen "Mo" Moutoux of Moutoux Orchards in Purcellville, VA. Mo has a Masters Degree in Anthropology, and farms with her husband Rob Moutoux, a 3rd generation farmer at Moutoux Orchards. They currently live on the family farmland with their two children, continuing the over 50 year legacy of the Moutoux family. In 2011, they opened their first CSA program, growing vegetables for dozens of family members (including Mary's household), and it has continued to grow each year. Their mission is to feed wholesome and nutrient-dense farm food to their community, because good food comes from good dirt. Mo shares her journey to becoming a farmer and reclaiming food from field to kitchen. She also discusses what a CSA is, how it has evolved over the years to reduce waste while providing a living wage for her family and team members, and the benefits of eating locally for both nutritional value and the environment as a whole.

Topics Discussed

• Slow Living Consult

• Journey to Becoming a Farmer

• Anthropology & Farming

• Creating a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Program

• Investing in Your Local Farmers

• Sustainable & Regenerative Growing Methods

• How Systems Favor Multinational Corporations over Local Growers

• Romanticization of Farm Life vs. Reality of Running an Farm

• Commodity Farming vs. Sustainable Farming

• Reclaiming Food from Field to Kitchen

• The Food Offered in a CSA

• The Exploitation Behind the Cost of Affordability at Supermarkets

• Removing Guilt Around “Perfect” Sustainable Practices

• Food and Livestock Throughout the Seasons

• Reducing Waste in a CSA Program

• Transparency of Cost 

• Pesticides, Choosing Not to Be USDA Organic Certified, and Outsourcing For Specific Products 

• Preservation of Soil Throughout Every Harvest

• The Economics of Running a Farm

• Knowing Your Food Comes From

• A Farmer's Good Dirt

• Social Justice & Farming

• Maintaining Optimism as a Farmer 

Episode Resources:

• Mo's Interview with "Grounded Women: Stories of Women who Farm"

• Moutoux Farm's Whole Diet CSA Membership

• Rob and Mo's Story & the History of Moutoux Farm

• Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

• Food, Inc. (2008)

• Arcadia Center for Sustainable Agriculture

• The Rodale Institute

• Essex Farm

• CSA Directory

Connect with Maureen "Mo" Moutoux:

• Website: https://www.moutouxorchard.com/

• Instagram: @moutouxorchard

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Today’s guests are Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano, co-authors of The Green Witch's Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers: 26 Love Spells from Apples to Zinnias, a practical guide on how to bring more love and contentment into your life using elements of nature. In this book, the authors help you unlock the secrets hiding in your garden, transforming everyday flowers, fruits, and plants into delightful foods, bath salts, herbal infusions, soaps, sachets, tinctures, and more. Chris, a lifelong gardener, shares his belief that all plants are magical, while Susan, a chef, artist and performer, tells us how to bring plant magic into the kitchen. Join Mary and Emma as they uncover the secrets hidden in gardens and discover how everyday flowers, fruits, and plants can be transformed into powerful tools for self-care and enchantment.

This episode is brought to you by Dirty Labs: Use code "GOODDIRT" for 20% off your order!

Topics Discussed

• Welcoming Autumn

• Fall Flowers Including: Goldenrods, Calendula Marigold, Black-Eyed Susans, and Zinnias

• Lifetime Love of Plants

• Magical Herbalism

• Recipes for Oils, Candles, Soaps, Tinctures, and Sachets

• Imbuing Magic into the Food We Eat

• The Magical Properties of Apples & Basil

• Strawberry Vodka Recipe

• Strawberry-Basil-Lemon Water Recipe

• Aroniaberries (Chokeberries)

• Plant Potency

• How Acid changes Flavor

• Being a Food Stylist

• Habitat Gardens & Pollinator Stations

• Milkweed & Monarch Butterflies

• Being a Green Witch in New York City

• Green Spaces in a Big City

• The Love Food Movement

Episode Resources:

• "The Green Witch's Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers: 26 Love Spells from Apples to Zinnias" by Chris Young and Susan Ottaviano

• Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

• Salt Falt Acid Heat

• The Theodore Payne Foundation

• Listen to The Good Dirt: 151. "Lawns into Meadows" with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Agriculture 

• Listen to The Good Dirt: 138. The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds

• "Picture This" Plant Identification App

• Doug Tallamy & the Homegrown National Park

• "Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard" by Douglas W. Tallamy

• The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living

Connect with Chris Young & Susan Ottaviano:

• Susan's Website: https://www.susanottaviano.com/

• Chris's IG @plantymcflowers https://www.instagram.com/plantymcflowers/

• IG @2greenwitches : https://www.instagram.com/2greenwitches/

• Links: https://linktr.ee/2greenwitches

• TikTok @2greenwitches : https://www.tiktok.com/@2greenwitches

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

In this episode, Mary talks about her personal associations with the splendor of October, Planting By the Signs as the growing season wanes, the Zodiac signs and their rulership, growing garlic, preserving herbs and a chocolate cake with a surprise ingredient!

Support this podcast and get your own downloadable planting by the moon calendar by becoming a member of The Good Dirt Supporters!

Topics Discussed*:

• Planting By The Signs: Part Three Blog

• Of Time and the River by Thomas Wolfe

• Halloween/Origins and Cultural Significance

• Link to Halloween Bonus podcast episode (October '22)

• The October Garden

• Hunter's Moon

• Garlic

• Planting By the Signs/the Zodiac signs, their symbols and rulership

• Harvesting and Preserving Herbs

• Chocolate Beet Cake

• How to Make Stevia Extract by Jill Winger from The Prairie Homestead

Episode Resources*:

• Raising With the Moon -- The Complete Guide to Gardening--and Living--by the Signs of the Moon by Taylor Reese and Jack Pyle

• How to process and preserve fresh herbs - For Members of the Lady Farmer ALMANAC*

*Some of the linked articles will only be available to current members of The ALMANAC. If you are not currently a member and are interested in subscribing, check out this page for more information.

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

Our Website

Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

Email Mary at production@lady-farmer.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a story about slow living through the seasons!

When it comes to reducing waste in our daily lives, there are several steps we can take, like curbing our consumerism, composting our food waste, and recycling. But what about our cleaning products? Have you ever thought about the impact of your laundry detergent or hand wash and what actually goes down the drain? If you're curious about cleaning up your own cleaning routine and learning about the ingredients in your household products you'll want to hear today's episode with David Watkins, the co-founder of Dirty Labs.

David, an award-winning product designer and entrepreneur, has seen firsthand the staggering amount of manufacturing waste generated by consumer products. That's why he decided to start Dirty Labs, a company dedicated to providing eco-friendly alternatives to conventional cleaners and detergents. In this episode, Emma and Mary sit down with David, and he shares his insights on conscious consumerism and how working with Dirty Labs has influenced his own shopping habits.

If you're curious about cleaning up your own cleaning routine and learning about the ingredients in your household products Tune in to this episode and discover how Dirty Labs is making a difference in the world of sustainable consumer goods.

This episode is brought to you by Dirty Labs: Use code "TGD20" for 20% off your order!

Topics Discussed

• Petrochemicals & Harsh Synthetic Compounds

• The Role of Chemistry in Environmentalism

• The Origins of Dirty Labs

• Cleaning Innovations Lab

• Laundry, Laundry Sheets, and Tide Pods

• Greenwashing

• Incorporating Sustainability into Business Practices

• The Perceived Value of Something

• Why Use Silicone

• Re-learning the Proper Quantity to Use

• How Businesses Get Us to Consume More and More Product

• California Prop 65 Chemical of Concern

• Laundry Scents

• Regional Ingredient Bans

• 1, 4-Dioxane

Episode Resources:

• Join Us in The ALMANAC 

Connect with David Watkins:

• Website: https://dirtylabs.com/

• About: https://dirtylabs.com/pages/about

• IG @dirty_labs : https://www.instagram.com/dirty_labs/

• Links: https://linktr.ee/dirty_labs/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpwatkins/

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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 foundation of all life on the planet is the soil beneath our feet. But that soil isn't indestructible and if scientists are right, we may only have a few dozen harvests left before the good dirt is depleted. So what can we do? We're glad you asked. In this episode, Mary and Emma discuss how everyone can contribute to soil regeneration, even without access to a farm or garden. They explore various methods, including composting food waste, sourcing food from local growers, and adding organic matter to the soil. They also share tips on minimizing digging, leaving leaves to create natural mulch, and starting a worm bin to make the soil of your dreams. If you want to start cultivating with intention by taking small steps towards creating a healthier planet, this episode on The Good Dirt about the good dirt is sure to inspire you.

Topics Discussed

• Encouraging Kids to love good dirt.

• Individual Responsibility

• The Biology of Soil

• Harvest Cycles

• Soil Degradation & Regeneration

• Limited Resource Depletion

• Composting Your Food Waste

• Local Food Sources

• Intention, not Guilt

• Good Dirt in Small Spaces

• Herbicides and Pesticides

• The Dealing with Raking Your Leaves

• Leave Your Garden Alone in the Fall

• Vermiculture

• Actionable Steps to Take This Season

Episode Resources:

• Only 60 Years of Farming Left if Soil Degradation Continues by Chris Arsenault in The Scientific American

• Old Farmers Almanac: How To Compost At Home

• Home composting resource and free composting consult

• Find a Composter

• Compost Manufacturing Alliance

• Vermiculture Blog

• The Nation’s Corn Belt Has Lost a Third of Its Topsoil by Becca Dzombak in the Smithsonian Magazine

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

We often have this misconception about homesteading; that we need 40+ acres in order to start growing our own food. But that's not the case. There's so much we can do with where we are. Master Gardener Michelle Bruhn and Master Preserver Stephanie Thurow sought to change this mindset by co-authoring "Small-Scale Homesteading: A Sustainable Guide to Gardening, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, Preserving the Harvest, and More". Join the conversation as they cover a range of topics related to small scale homesteading, including the joy of preserving and growing food, finding balance in a busy schedule, and the importance of inspiring others. Emma and Mary also ask Michelle and Stephanie about their greatest challenges and joys in their work, making for a lively and informative conversation that will leave you feeling motivated to try your hand at homesteading, no matter how small your space may be.

This episode is brought to you by Dirty Labs: Use code "TGD20" for 20% off your order!

Topics Discussed

• The Fall Equinox

• Finding a Business Partner

• From Online Connection to In-Person Collaboration

• Pushing the Seasons

• Chickens, Eggs, and Silver Maple Trees

• Food Preservation

• Feeding the Soil

• Dealing with Foxes

• Vertical Gardening in the Suburban Space

• Hügelkultur Gardening and Lasagna Gardening

• Working with Your Local Government

• Yearning

• Doing What You Can Where You're At

• Why We All Need Community

• Fostering Relationships with other Farmers

• Farmer's Markets & Sourcing Products You Can't Grow On Your Own

• The Lone Star Tick

• Farm to School Food

• Favorite Foods to Can

• Raspberries

Episode Resources:

• Listen to The Good Dirt "Slow Living Through the Seasons | 02 | September"

• Find Mary's Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe here

• Join Us in The ALMANAC

• "Small-Scale Homesteading: A Sustainable Guide to Gardening, Keeping Chickens, Maple Sugaring, Preserving the Harvest, and More" by Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn

• "Weck Home Preserving: Made-From-Scratch Recipes for Water-Bath Canning, Fermenting, Pickling, and More" by Stephanie Thurow

• "Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables for Maximum Flavor and Versatility" by Crystal Schmidt

• The Northern Gardener Magazine

Connect with Michelle Bruhn:

• Forks in the Dirt: https://forksinthedirt.com/

• IG @forksinthedirt : https://www.instagram.com/ForksintheDirt/

• Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/forksinthedirt

Connect with Stephanie Thurow:

• Minnesota from Scratch: https://minnesotafromscratch.com/

• IG @minnesotafromscratch : https://www.instagram.com/minnesotafromscratch/

• Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/MinnesotafromScratch

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

Our guest today is Andi Eaton Alleman, Founder of Oui, We Studio, a platform dedicated to new school approaches to radiant living. She also hosts the top-ranked wellness podcast Your Woo Woo Best Friend, which features practical conversations for attainable transformation. Andi is known for her no nonsense approach to spiritual wellness and practical advice for living a high-vibe life. Her latest book, Elemental: Nature Inspired Rituals to Nourish Your Life is for wellness enthusiasts interested in disconnecting from the digital and reconnecting with the natural world for better health and inner peace. She’s also the Founder and Creative Director of the clean beauty brand Casa Noon.

In this conversation, we discuss numerous topics, including some of the ideas in Andi's book about nature and ritual, Ayurveda, the practice of manifestation, the system of Human Design, and how to bring soul and spirit into our work. Tune in for a fresh and accessible approach to creating the life you want!

This episode is brought to you by Dirty Labs: Use code "TGD20" for 20% off your order!

Topics Discussed

• Manifestation

• Ayurveda & Ayurvedic Beauty Brand

• Rituals

• Astrology

• Living with Intentionality

• Disconnecting from the Digital World

• The Difference Between Ritual and Habit

• Believing in What is Meant for You

• Detaching from the Outcome

• Human Design

• Defining a Manifesting Generator

• Connecting to Your Intuition

• The Incarnation Cross

• Being a Conscious CEO

• What Success Means

• Breaking the Hustle Culture Cycle

Episode Resources:

• "Elemental: Nature-Inspired Rituals to Nourish Your Life" by Andi Eaton Alleman 

• The Artist's Way with Lady Farmer

Connect with Andy Eaton Alleman:

• "Oui, We" Website: https://www.ouiwegirl.com/

• IG @ouiwestudio: https://www.instagram.com/ouiwestudio

• IG @ouiwegirl: https://www.instagram.com/ouiwegirl/

• TikTok @ouiwegirl: https://www.tiktok.com/@ouiwegirl

• Listen to Your Woo Woo Best Friend: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-woo-woo-best-friend/id1555589799

• Casa Noon Beaty @casanoonbeauty: https://www.instagram.com/casanoonbeauty/

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Our Website

• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

• Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.

36:46

Liv Olsen, owner of the secondhand fabric shop A Thrifty Notion in Ogden, Kansas, has a passion for textiles and ecology. She is on a mission to prevent deadstock and destashed fabrics from ending up in landfills, while promoting sustainability in the textile industry. In this episode, Emma, Mary, and Liv discuss the challenges of sourcing quality secondhand textiles, ways to promote mindful consumption, and the intersection of textiles and sustainability. Liv's message will inspire you to reconsider your own practices and adopt a more sustainable approach to your clothing.

This episode is brought to you by Farmer’s Friend: Use code “good dirt” for $10 off your first order of Quick-Plant Fabric for the month of September. One use per customer. Offer valid exclusively for new customers, expires 10/1/23 at 12:00 am. 

Topics Discussed

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

• Creating an Online Business

• Leaving Quilting for the Secondhand Store

• Why Thrifting Has Risen in Popularity

• Goodwill's Rising Prices

• Checking Clothes for Plastic Content: The Burn Test

• The Permanence of Plastics in Fabrics

• Overconsumption & Abundance of Clothing

• Growing Up in a Homestead

• Each Generation Dealing with More and More Stuff

• How Marketing Might Be the Potential Solution in America

• Secondhand Quality Control

• Tough Fabrics to Maintain

• Balancing Sustainability with Running a Business

• Funding the Creative Process

• Cotton

• Linen, Flax, and Hemp

• Waiting Before Consuming

Episode Resources:

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

• "The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living: Cultivating Sustainable Simplicity Close to Home" by Mary E. Kingsley

• Crispina ffrench

• Listen to The Good Dirt. "The Chico Flax Project"

• Listen to The Good Dirt, "The PA Flax Project"

• Mr. Money Mustache

Connect with Liv Olsen:

• A Thrifty Notion Website: https://athriftynotion.com/

• Instagram @athriftynotion: https://www.instagram.com/athriftynotion/

• Blog: https://athriftynotion.com/a/blog

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC__MBy85k6bHejXAl4NLNPA?sub_confirmation=1

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.

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

Our Website

Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram

Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com 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.