March 3: 2023 Park Farming Organics with Scott Park

Park Farming Organics might be the most well-known, least well-known organic farm in California. Scott and Brian Park’s 1,500 acres of rich black loam beside the Sacramento River grow tomatoes and grains that organic processors compete for. Scott’s straightforward organic soil management approach employs cover crops, compost, minimum tillage, then “getting out of nature’s way”. Join “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey and farmer Scott Park in conversation.

> Learn More About Scott & Brian Park’s Farm

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Feb 3: 2023 Culture in Agriculture highlights Wendell Berry with John Moses

Among the pantheon of living philosophers who nourish our modern organic movement, novelist-poet-essayist Wendell Berry presides atop Mount Olympus. “Down on the Farm’s” 2023 Culture in Agriculture celebration will delve into the Kentucky bard’s extensive cannon of agrarian literature. Join Fresno City College emeritus professor of English John Moses and host Tom Willey tomorrow at 5PM, on Free Speech Radio KFCF 88.1FM to rekindle Wendell Berry love or to discover an extraordinary author for the first time.

> Learn More About Wendell Berry

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January 6: UC Merced Climatologist Dr. John Abatzoglou

UC Merced climatologist Dr. John Abatzoglou researches the impact of climate change on our American West. The water use efficiency of irrigators has often been exaggerated by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies here in the Central Valley. Dr. Abatzoglou demonstrates that, since 1980, a warming and drying atmosphere has caused all Western crops and forests to consume ever more water, and will continue doing so. Join “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey and climatologist John Abatzoglou in conversation.

> Learn More About Evaporative Demand

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December 2: Pete Goodell PhD, UC Integrated Pest Management Specialist

A focus on chemical-free pest management, once centered at UC’s famed Division of Biological Control, spawned a cadre of independent advisors on California’s farms, most of whom are now retired. Pete Goodell PhD, UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist and former president of the Association of Applied Insect Ecologists, recently ended a 35-year career in the field. “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey and Pete Goodell discuss the present state and future of pest management under a new generation of practitioners.

> Learn More About Integrated Pest Management

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November 4: Easton farmer, Kenny Lucero

A featured reward of “self-independent” farmers is durable associations made with fellow cultivators. Just out of high school, Easton farmer Kenny Lucero soon mastered the rare art of growing Japanese eggplant. He also loved greenhouse work, making T&D Willey Farm’s annual vegetable transplants over three decades. Plant management skill ushered Kenny into his second career as a table grape grower. Join “Down on the Farm” host Tom Willey in conversation with Kenny Lucero.

> Learn More About Table Grape Flavors

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