agri-Culture agri-Culture

Goats were brought over to this country almost exactly five centuries ago.  For something that has been around so long, it’s amazing that this animal has flown under the radar of popular consumer taste for most of its residency here in North America.  But goats have a lot to offer to the agricultural universe, as the rest of the world has known for thousands of years.  That realization is finally hitting our production markets, and it’s due to the efforts of people like our guest today.
Randy Dusek, President of the American Goat Federation, was gracious enough to sit down with us (okay, so we stood in the goat pasture) to talk about the amazing animal that is the goat.  On The Lazy S-T Ranch in the San Angelo area of Texas, Randy raises the powerhouse meat producer known as the American Boer Goat.  He also has about 100 head of Hereford’s – the bovine type – and is busy helping to create The Cattleman’s Guide to Raising Goats, which outlines the benefits of having these two non-competitive critters pastured together.  Randy is tireless in his efforts to help people to learn about these amazing animals, and about as patient a guy as we’ve met.  We’ll be speaking with him again in the future about not only the American Boer Goat, but about all of the breeds of goat that he faithfully represents.
Just a note here:  We know there are dairy goats, and fiber goats, and meat goats, and even brush control goats, but pack goats?  That was a new one to us.  Future podcasts are on our radar for something as interesting as that sounds.  Randy, we’re coming back to test your patience again soon.
Links:
www.americangoatfederation.org
www.abga.org
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)

It’s that time of year again, and we can hardly wait.  The super extravaganza known as The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is back in 2021.  Okay, so we just call “Rhinebeck” because, after all, it’s tons easier than remembering the acronym.  But it’s here!  
Running up and down the aisles of the livestock barns was one of the joys of our filming lives, and the people we spoke with were fascinating.  One of those moments was our conversation with Kim and Jack Mastrianni from Maple Frost Farm in Langdon, New Hampshire.  Not only was Jack wearing a deliciously chunky sweater (do not touch the personal textiles, Elara), but Kim has a history connection that is truly something to speak about.  And, of course, there was that gorgeously soft and fluffy Leicester Longwool sheep standing there.  That one was safe to pet, even if the sweater wasn’t.
We’re whetting your appetite by bringing you a podcast that will help tide you over until October 16th and 17th, when Rhinebeck comes alive in the virtual realm - and in-person.  You bet your sheep it does.
Links:
https://www.virtual.sheepandwool.com/41
https://www.leicesterlongwool.org/new-page-1
http://www.maplefrostfarm.com
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)

Everything starts with a kernel of something – whether it’s an idea, a business, an organism or hope.  And sharing?  Well that can make it truly powerful.  In today’s podcast, the seed is all of those things, both literally and metaphorically.  Ken Greene of Hudson Valley Seed Company has germinated a little packet of seeds into something truly wonderful. 
Maybe it was Ken’s experience as a librarian; Maybe it was because he sees the representation of culture and history and art and people in the seeds he shares.  But no matter why, this man has brought knowledge and beauty and history and stories of the life around us to others, all encapsulated in a little brightly-decorated packet of seeds.  They’re perfect for planting, or for sharing with someone you love.  
Or someone you don’t love.  Sharing is good, people.  Please pass it on.
Links:
https://theheirloomexpo.com/
https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/
https://hudsonvalleyseed.com/pages/history
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)

If you put power in a small package, sometimes you can get incredibly efficient output.  We’re bringing you a conversation today that’s all about that idea, straight from Mt. Hope, Ohio - Horse Progress Days 2021.
Bob Erickson brought his team in from Westview, Wisconsin, and he was a constant sight at this fantastic event in the midst of Amish farm country.  He was everywhere with his (somewhat) little pair of donkeys, plowing away right next to the big boys.  They chugged along at a good clip up and down the rows, showing everyone that sometimes efficiency is just as important as mass in getting things done.  And both Bob and his donkeys had character to boot.
Links:
https://www.ruralheritage.com/messageboard/frontporch/14741.htm
https://horseprogressdays.com/
https://www.ctlr.org/
https://abga.org/
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)

It’s hot.  How hot?  Damn hot.  And we’re on the road again, so staying cool and calm can be a challenge sometimes.  But our favorite weapon in the war on bakewear is -  cotton  (Ha – get it?  Yes, we do amuse ourselves sometimes.) 

Cotton is not only a clothing staple (Ha – we did it again!), but it is a certified spa moment to some of us.  There’s nothing like the feel of real cotton to make you feel cool, relaxed, and calm.  What most people don’t realize is that how you grow it and manufacture it can make the difference between a sustainable fabric and one that is on the “bad” list. 
At our 2019 visit to the Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa, California, we stopped by the Harvest & Mill Organic Clothing booth for a quick conversation with Natalie.  She explained why cotton is not always just cotton, and why sustainability is not just a touchy-feely thing – it’s good for you, too.  She was also very patient with Elara’s distraction, with all of those richly-colored and beautifully soft socks laid out on the table.
If you were lucky enough to have inherited a set of old-style cotton percale sheets from someone born before 1950, then you, too, will understand the allure of one of the most perfect fibers in all creation.  Bliss.
Links:
https://www.harvestandmill.com/
https://theheirloomexpo.com/
https://www.rei.com/
https://www.columbia.com/
https://www.eddiebauer.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_fiber
https://ejfoundation.org/news-media/clothes-and-climate-is-cotton-best
https://worldcottonday.com/
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/wcd2020_e.htm
https://cottonusa.org/events
https://www.icac.org/Home/ProtectingCotton?MenuId=70
https://thefabricofourlives.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001072/?ref_=ttls_li_st_1
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)

To the best chicken ever! RIP Flipper

Links:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/
https://cartershay.com/ 
https://www.bhwt.org.uk/hen-health/health-problems/lash-eggs-salpingitis/#:~:text=Causes%201%20Lash%20eggs%20result%20from%20an%20infection,lash%20egg%2C%20and%20she%20may%20or%20may%20
https://the-chicken-chick.com/illustrated-glossary-of-essentia/
Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)