Did you know every farm, bread, and soil has a story? Chef Kathryn "Kat" Jiang of Seylou Bakery and Mill joins Jeff Ishee, Summer Thomas, and Eric Bendfeldt to talk about their working relationships with farmers, millers, and soils as part of the Mid-Atlantic grain economy. Chef Kat is the head pastry chef and discusses the bakery's commitment to year-round support of farmers, the care of the soil, and whole-farm procurement practices that includes not only purchasing grains but also meats, eggs, vegetables, and milk that is in-season and available on the farm. Einkorn wheat, an ancient wheat that is close to corn, and buckwheat are two cash and cover crops that Seylou Bakery and Mill sources from farms in the Mid-Atlantic region and freshly mill on-site each week as part of their sourdough long-fermentation process. In working closely with farmers, they see and experience how soil health impacts the taste and flavor of the wheat and grains they bake with and shapes the story of their breads and business. Master Baker Jonathan Bethony and his wife started the whole grain, locally sourced, fresh milled sourdough bakery in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. in 2017 and have centered their menu on a soil-building model of crop rotations and cover crops by purchasing from farmers as much of the 'whole-farm' as possible. Seylou Bakery and Mill is a member of Common Grain Alliance, a nonprofit that connects and supports farmers, millers, bakers, and grain artisans to build a vibrant, integrated, equitable and regenerative grain economy in the Mid-Atlantic. Tune in, like, and subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts or 4thesoil.org/podcast As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning. We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Be gentle, take it easy; 3) Maximize living roots year-round -- Keep roots growing; and 4) Energize with diversity -- Thrive with diversity. If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters. Additionally, 4 The Soil gear and swag is available for purchase at https://4-the-soil.printify.me/ If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, or soil health principles, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Partners include USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and other members of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition. Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest. To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia State University, and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
