The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained Lady Farmer

Deep-dive into one brand's process in sourcing & developing responsible fashion. This week, Mary & Emma are chatting with Elisabeth de Gramont, Chief Brand Officer and Head of Impact at Frank And Oak.
Combining style, design and technology since it was founded in Montreal in 2012, Frank And Oak offers collections of sustainable, durable clothing and accessories for men and women that are thoughtfully designed and well suited to the lifestyles of its customers. Inspired by responsible thinking and with an eye to the future, Frank And Oak believes that dressing with intention can inspire a more conscious lifestyle for all.
They strive to inspire better living through thoughtfully designed products that care about you and the planet. Above all, they believe in helping communities to build a diverse and inclusive world that enriches our society, sustainably.
Topics Discussed:

Elisabeth's background and journey to FAO


Unified Commerce Group  

History of FAO brand started with the idea of community and collaboration

2017 FAO took a strong turn towards sustainability

Elisabeth's current role with FAO

What's the relationship between scalability and sustainability? How can sustainable brands scale up?

Seawool

How FAO screens and selects suppliers

FAO's 100% Responsible Product announcement

FAO denim


SeaCell

FAO's other sustainable product innovations

Kapok


Yak Wool as an alternative to cashmere

Problems with cashmere

 How Elisabeth's own experience and evolution with sustainable fashion, and how covid shifted her perspective 

Consumer culture in the US is different than other cultures in its prioritization of price and appearance over source

Guppy Friend washing bag for microplastic pollution

Frank and Oak's updated progress report

FOA's focus on end -of-life options for garments

Consumer education on the issues with the recycled PET microplastics

FOA has eliminated all virgin polyester from their production


Connect with Frank And Oak:

Website: Frank And Oak



Instagram @frankandoak




This Episode is Sponsored by Ettitude: ettitude.com/thegooddirt


^Use code THEGOODDIRT for $25 off your first order!

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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com


Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. 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.

Phoebe Yu and Kat Dey are the cofounders of ettitude, an award-winning material science and lifestyle company innovating eco-textiles to fight climate change. Why does this matter? Listen to this conversation to hear why eco-textiles are so important, and what to look for when looking to purchase textiles for your home. With its proprietary technologies, ettitude offers sustainable bedding, bath essentials, apparel and a variety of textiles made with CleanBamboo. 
Topics Discussed:

The Old Farmer's Almanac

Phoebe Yu and Kat Dey introduce themselves and their company ettitude, and describe their "aha" moments in getting behind sustainable textiles.

The problems with plant-based textiles and the toxic processes used in their production

A discussion of the different types of plant-based fibers, such as viscose, lyocell, Tencel, cotton, and bamboo

Bamboo as a high-performance textile and it's advantages over cotton

How does bamboo measure up to organic cotton? 

The beneficial aspects of bamboo in regards to climate


Eutrophication: a term to explain how many toxic chemicals are being released into the atmosphere or into the environment.

Kiss the Ground


Connect with ettitude:

Website: ettitude



Instagram @ettitudestore



This Episode is Sponsored by Frank and Oak: Frank & Oak

Use our code "gooddirt30" for $30 off orders over $99 on frankandoak.com!

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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com


Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. 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.

Have you ever wondered where the ingredients for your bread come from...like really wondered? And why should you care? Today's guest is here to tell us all about how a local grain supply supports local economies, a more resilient supply chain, better quality staple foods for the consumer and better soil health for the region. Heather Coiner is a plant physiological ecologist and co-founder of the Common Grain Alliance, an organization striving for a more connected grain economy in the Mid-Atlantic.
The Common Grain Alliance envisions an integrated grain economy of local and regional businesses that produce nutritious, flavorful and consistent regional grain products for the communities they serve, and helps drive regional interest in— and demand for — regional grain through events, workshops and marketing
Heather, holds a PhD in plant physiological ecology from the University of Toronto and co-owns Little Hat Creek Farm, an ecological vegetable farm and wood fired bakery in central Virginia where she lives with her husband and two children. 
Topics discussed:

Heather's background as an academic and a bread baker

How the Common Grain Alliance came to be

Michael Grantz of Great Day Gardens


How does the CGA operate as a membership organization?


Carolina Ground (a similar grain operation out of Asheville)

Jennifer Laps

Why should we care about local grain?

Nutrition

Supply

Local economies

Soil improvement

Challenges in creating a local grain economy

Some solutions to the issue of accessibility

sliding scale prices

equipment pools for farmers

businesses that provide traveling services for planting and processing

Creating an awareness of the importance of local grains

Little Hat Creek Farm

The idea of horizontal vs vertical integration


Significant accomplishments of CGA 


Foggy Mountain Pasta 

Next Step Produce

Migrash Farms

Purple Mountain


Moutoux Orchards CSA

The Grain Stand pilot program

What are the alternatives if you can't access local grain? 


King Arthur Organic Flour is a good alternative to locally grown grain

Restaurants in the Area that support the local grain economy

Albemarle Baking Co 

Seylou Bakery

Slice Versa

MarieBette Cafe and Bakery


Connect with Heather Coiner:

Website: Common Grain Alliance



Instagram @commongrainalliance



This Episode is Sponsored by Frank and Oak: Frank & Oak

Use our code "gooddirt30" for $30 off orders over $99 on frankandoak.com!

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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com


Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. 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.

This week we are talking to writer, creator and self proclaimed life-long learner, Hillarie Maddox, founder of Black Girl, Country Living. Hillarie preaches the idea that slow living in a lifestyle anyone can live, and focuses her encouragement specifically on the BIPOC community. She climbed the big tech corporate ladder, then ditched the city for slow living and finding her love of nature, and she found herself in the process.
Topics discussed

How Hillarie and her family went from city to rural living

What was the new way of being that Hillarie discovered?

When you live in an urban environment, many things are made "invisible"

A feeling of disconnection might lead to excess consumerism

Seeking a slower and more sustainable lifestyle is like peeling an onion

How a vision board helped Hillarie and her husband make the shift

The shift to slow living does not always mean a move to the country

Hillarie speaks to her intention and mission on the land, beginning with gardening

Hillarie's gardening experience and desire to share the knowledge

Rewilding workshops launching next year, helping particularly bipoc people develop a relationship with nature

Hillarie talks about the slow living movement and what that means for people of color 

The value of mentors and community in this lifestyle

Hillarie's family connection to the original Homesteading Act


The changes of agriculture in America in the last century

Wendall Berry, The Unsettling of America


Hillarie explains what "rewilding" means to her

The indigenous people of the region where Hillarie now lives

The biggest challenges and rewards of this lifestyle shift for Hillarie's family


Connect with Hillarie Maddox

Website: Black Girl Country Living


Instagram


This Episode is Sponsored by Frank and Oak: Frank & Oak
Use our code "gooddirt30" for $30 off orders over $99 on frankandoak.com!

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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com


Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. 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.

Our guest today is someone who began her plastic-free journey in her kitchen, and has now become the renowned Zero Waste Chef, Anne-Marie Bonneau! Starting as a Zero Plastic Chef, she took the next step in her sustainability journey and became the Zero Waste Chef working towards producing zero waste in her own kitchen and inspiring others to do the same. She talks about how to shop differently, buy differently, and cook differently to reduce waste in the kitchen!
Topics Discussed:

Hugelkultur

Anne Marie’s transition to plastic free

Beginning tips for zero waste

Zero Waste as a goal

Anne Marie’s rhythm with food prep

Fighting Food waste

The idea of convenience contributing to waste

Zero waste can be simple

The attention economy informs our perception of what we can do


Thneeds (from The Lorax by Dr. Suess)

The Good Ancestor

Is there hope for conscious consumerism? 

Greta Thunberg

The slow food movement began in Italy

Alton Brown baked beans



Connect with Anne-Marie Bonneau

Instagram: @zerowastechef


Website

Anne-Marie's Book, The Zero Waste Chef



This Episode is Sponsored by Frank and Oak: Frank & Oak
Use our code "gooddirt30" for $30 off orders over $99 on frankandoak.com!

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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com


Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. 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.

Meet Dina Falconi, herbalist, teacher, and author, of Feasting and Foraging. In this episode, we hear about her journey toward leading a meaningful, healthy life and finding natural medicine through food. Specializing in permaculture and herbal healing, Dina explores about how we can make changes in our everyday lives to improve our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Topics discussed:

Dina's journey with plants beginning at age 11 in the East Village of NYC

Micky Carter, Dina's early mentor

Worked and studied at an herb company with Pam Montgomery, https://www.wakeuptonature.com/about/



William Lassasier--herbal teacher

Earthy Bodies and Heavenly Hair

Dina's work in the Hudson River Valley, NY creating virtual teachings with her son and filmmaker Sam Falconi

How Dina shares content on digital media without a cellphone

Dina talks about living without a cellphone

Claire Dunn Episode

Dina's clinical herbalist is connected to food activism and foraging

How do city dwellers experience wild foods?

Ecosystem stewardship and land care are big themes for foragers

A discussion about invasives

Mugwort

The process of creating Foraging and Feasting



Wendy Hollender / illustrator for Foraging and Feasting


Plant foraging and healing with herbs as a growing topic of interest/ the "hipster wave"

Knowledgeable foraging can create more biodiversity and abundance in the landscape

Slow living as plant literacy, observing nature's processes

Botanical Arts Press

Dina Falconi's YouTube Channel


In the Wild Kitchen


Connect with Dina Falconi 


Instagram @foragingandfeasting


Facebook @ForagingFeasting

Dina's Website, www.botanicalartspress.com



Foraging and Feasting by Dina Falconi, Illustrated by Wendy Hollender


This Episode is Sponsored by Ettitude: ettitude.com/thegooddirt
^Use code THEGOODDIRT for $25 off your first order!

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 thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com


Original music by John Kingsley. Our technical partner for this series is CitizenRacecar, Post-Production by Alex Brouwer and José Miguel Baez, Coordinated by Gabriela Montequin and Mary Ball. 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.