Nov 5: Dan O’Connell and Scott Peters, “In the Struggle”

Dan O’Connell and Scott Peters’ newly published In the Struggle chronicles the stories of eight scholar-activists who, over nearly a century, have championed the cause of agrarian democracy against industrial-scale agribusiness in our San Joaquin Valley. Join “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey in conversation with authors O’Connell and Peters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Oct 1: John Diener, Five Points Red Rock Ranch

John Diener’s Five Points Red Rock Ranch is recognized among the most innovative farming enterprises in California’s Central Valley. Red Rock grows nearly 1,000 acres of certified organic processing tomatoes, pioneers vastly reduced tillage, dials water use efficiency to the gallon over 4,000 acres, and innovates on-farm drainage issues common to westside saline soils. Join “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey and John Diener in conversation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Sept 3: Gina Colfer, Organics Agronomist at Wilbur-Ellis

Raised on a Santa Cruz County apple orchard that great-grandfather Bella planted around 1900, Gina Colfer’s passion for agriculture burns unabated. Agronomist Colfer’s career witnessed Central Coast organic vegetables scale-up from hundred-acre farms to operations of thousands. “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey and Gina discuss what industrial-scale organic operations do well, and where they fall short of the biological systems management Colfer advocates at agribusiness supplier Wilbur-Ellis.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

August 6: Matt Angell, Madera Pump Co. discuss plunging water table

Matt Angell fixes ailing wells for a living. His Madera Pump Co. chases a plunging water table to depths of a thousand feet trying to keep desperate farmers’ orchards and vineyards alive. Matt warns that end days are near if agriculture doesn’t drastically mend its ways. Is anybody listening? Join Matt Angell and “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey in conversation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

July 2: Monte Bottens self-independent crop and animal diversity

Monte Bottens, a Central Illinois generational family farmer, is throwing off industrial corn and soybean shackles to reembrace self-independent crop and animal diversity common to his recent ancestors. During a stint selling tractors in our San Joaquin Valley, Monte imagined that farmers hereabouts might benefit from some midwestern regenerative knowhow. Join farmer Bottens and “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey to learn how he’s doing just that.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS