Sustainable World Radio- Ecology And Permaculture Podcast

Growing Moringa oleifera is like growing a botanical apothecary. Most parts of the plant are edible, medicinal, and useful. In this Sustainable World Radio Podcast episode, organic farmer and Moringa grower Mariko Gifford talks about the plant that has become her life work.  In this interview, we learn about Moringa's many benefits. Morniga leaves are delicious and highly nutritious. The seeds can be pressed into an oil that is used on the skin and in industry. The seed cake can clarify water. Moringa is also an excellent animal fodder and can be made into a nitrogen-rich foliar spray. Tune in to learn how to plant Moringa and why it's such an important plant to grow at this time. Although Moringa is a tropical plant, Mariko speaks about how to grow it in colder climates.   For more about Mariko's trainings, farm tours and moringa products, visit her website at: http://moringaforlife.com

Learn how you can optimize plant and soil health with ecological agriculture. John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture- a leading crop nutrition consulting company. An expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John Kempf teaches farmers how to grow healthier, more nutritious food. A lifelong farmer who grew up in and remains part of the Amish community, John Kempf received his Pesticide Applicators License at age 16. In this interview with Jill Cloutier, he talks about his journey from conventional to ecological farmer, the fastest way to rebuild soil and plant health, and how agriculture is the foundation of health care.   

Aquaponics is a food production system that is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. In this episode, Kevin Childerley, owner of Santa Barbara Aquaponics gives us a tour of his thriving aquaponics system located in a parking lot! Kevin is growing a variety of leafy greens, tomatoes, and the prettiest heirloom lettuce I've ever seen (called Grandpa Admires). His organically produced plants grow in water that is fertilized by Channel Catfish.   The promise of Aquaponics is that a lot of food can be grown in urban areas or in places with little or no soil.  Since the interview, Kevin has made some changes at Santa Barbara Aquaponics. He's making his own compost tea and is well on the way to making his own fish food. He's capturing rainwater onsite to use in the system and he's expanded his operation by building more grow beds and a much larger pool for his beloved catfish.    

Renowned aromatherapist, archaeologist and author John Steele talks with Jill Cloutier about essential oils, plant wisdom and the world of scent. John Steele is an aromatic consultant and owner of Lifetree Aromatix, a select line of botanical essential oils and exotic floral absolutes.  In this interview, John speaks in depth about our sense of smell, using oils in self-empowered first aid, how incense was the "aromatic email of early civilization" and floral/plant communication. John talks about the terroir of essential oils, why he calls Lavender the "Swiss Army Knife of Oils" and the important differences between authentic essential oils and "natural" synthetic oils. John Steele also shares his knowledge about the sacred use of fragrance and perfumeros- shamans who heal with scent.     

Courtney White is the author of the new book Grass, Soil, Hope- A Journey through Carbon Country. A former activist and archaeologist, Courtney co-founded the Quivira Coaltion, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between ranchers, conservationists and environmentalists.  In this interview Courtney talks with Jill Cloutier about the soil beneath our feet and how soil, plants and the carbon cycle may be the most viable solution to climate change that we have. Courtney talks about land management strategies that create the conditions  for longterm atmospheric CO2 sequestration in our soils. Climate-friendly agriculture and grazing will create a healthier planet for all, with more nutritious food, improved ecosystem services, habitat protection, increased food production, water conservation and a remineralization of our soils and bodies. Learn about how you can become a carbon caretaker. Let's all work together to create healthy soil! After listening to this episode you will gain a new appreciation for wetl

Now in its forth year, the West Coast Women's Permaculture Gathering is a weekend of discovery, skill-building and connection. With a focus on taking Permaculture beyond just an interest or hobby, this year's gathering focuses on finding right livelihood. The event takes place on September 18th-21, at Camp Hamilton near Seattle, Washington. To learn more, I spoke with Delia Carroll, co-organizer of the event along with Jeanine Carlson and Karen Taylor.  With a stellar lineup of presenters, including Permaculture teachers, designers, ehtnobotanists, herbalists and farmers, this year's Permaculture Gathering promises to be the best yet! For tickets visit their website: WestCoastWomensPC.weebly.com

Lloyd Kahn is a builder of books and homes. Editor-in-chief of Shelter Publications, Lloyd  is the author of many books about handbuilt shelter including Home Work, Tiny Homes, Builders of the Pacific Coast and the classic book Shelter that documented handbuilt housing around the world. Lloyd was the Shelter editor of the early Whole Earth Catalogs and has been writing about building and people who build for much of his life. In this interview with Jill Cloutier, Lloyd talks about why he became interested in in the art and craft of shelter, the benefits of creating your own home, the resurgence of interest in handbuilt homes and his new book Tiny Homes On The Move:Wheels and Water. Read more about Lloyd Kahn at his personal blog. Read more about handmade homes at the Shelter Publication blog.

Ed Mendoza is a Permaculture designer, teacher and lifelong gardener and farmer. In this podcast episode with Jill Cloutier, Ed talks about his love of gardening, soil and why he sings to plants. Ed also tells us about a few of his favorite plants, including peaches and chiles.  

What can you do to ensure agro-biodiversity? How can you participate in creating a more secure food future?  In this Sustainable World Radio episode, we speak with Irina Stoenescu food researcher and consultant, whose work focuses on healthy food, trade and nutrition issues. Irina is also a coordinator for the National Heirloom Expo.  In this interview, Irina talks about how our food choices affect food security, the importance of heirloom plants and the upcoming Heirloom Expo. Held annually in Santa Rosa, California, the Expo is a cornucopia of pure, non-GMO and heirloom plants and seeds. For more information about the Expo, click here.  I've also included an episode from The Plant Report , my new podcast. Recorded at last year's Heirloom Expo, botanical researcher John Glavis of BoTierra Biodiversity Research Gardens talks about Ashitaba, a medicinal and nutritious plant.

Have you ever wanted to turn your lawn into an edible oasis? Learn how in this interview with Michael Judd, author of the new book, Edible Landscaping With A Permaculture Twist.  Michael talks with Jill Cloutier about projects that you can do at home to increase your yard's yield of edible treats, including unusual fruit, gourmet mushrooms, culinary herbs and even botanical booze. Michael is the founder of Ecologia, Edible and Ecological Landscape Design and Project Bona Fide, an international nonprofit supporting agro-ecology research. 

In this episode, Permaculture Designer Jeff Adams talks about practical ways to design landscapes that conserve water. It doesn't matter if you live in an extremely wet or dry climate, design strategies exist that can save you water, resources and money! Jeff Adams has years of experience in regenerating watershed health and is a lead instructor for the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association's Accredited Professional Training. Owner of Terra Sophia, Ecological Design Consulting and Education Firm, Jeff says that soil is the largest and cheapest water tank that we have. In this podcast Jeff talks about rain gardens, purposeful and purposeless turf, green infrastructure and why it's time for us to pay attention to the water cycle. 

The founder of Oak Tree Designs based in Margaret River, Australia, Byron Joel has years of experience in Permaculture, land re-vegetation, horticulture and landscaping. In this conversation with Jill Cloutier, Byron speaks about his experiences working with plants, how plants are used in Permaculture Design to create resilient landscapes and why you should treat your garden like a "charming friend." Byron also discusses the sacred uses of plants, the Vegetable Queendom and how you can begin an experiential relationship with the plants in your life.  

Permaculture and Ecological Designer Larry Santoyo talks with Jill Cloutier about why he feels the future is abundant, why everyone is needed, Permaculture crimes, how security is between your ears and why we should seek to be valuable, not rich. Larry Santoyo is a green business consultant and senior planner at EarthFlow Design Works. He has taught environmental design at colleges and universities nationwide. Larry is also on the faculty at the Menlo Lab in Los Angeles. You can find Larry online here and at City of Angels Permaculture.

Roberto Perez Rivero is a Permaculturist, educator and sustainability activist in Cuba. In this interview he speaks with Jill Cloutier about how his country faced "Peak Oil" in the 1990's when its petroleum and food supplies dwindled almost overnight. Perez talks about the resilience of Cuba, its transition to a mostly organic agriculture, Permaculture and the upcoming IPC11 to be held in Cuba in November 2013. 

Christopher Shein is a Permaculture teacher, seed saver, gardener and activist. In this interview, Christopher explains the basics of Permaculture gardening. Christopher shares his knowledge about how Permaculture principles and ethics can be used in your garden to increase yields, improve plant and soil health and lessen your work load. Christopher is the author of the Vegetable Gardener's Guide To Permaculture: Creating An Edible Ecosystem. 

From the Sustainable World Radio archives, a lecture by the late Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop and human rights activist and educator. Anita was the author of Troubled Water: Saints, Sinners, Truths and Lies About The Global Water Crisis. Ms. Roddick's lecture was part of the Santa Barbara City College Student Sustainability Coalitions Lecture Series and was first aired on Sustainable World on KCSB Radio. 

African forests need elephants. Elephants are vital forest gardeners, spreading seeds, clearing trails and keeping forests healthy. We talk with Dr. Samantha Strindberg, a conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and co-author of a new study about the devastating decline of African Forest Elephants. Suffering from a population decrease of 62%, these elephants are being poached for their tusks. To learn more read Dr. Strindberg's article in the New York Times here. 

Imagine completing your Permaculture Design Certification Course, planting a food forest and building a cob oven- at your high school. Sounds like a dream come true? Thanks to teacher Kevin Gleason students at Dos Pueblos High School (DP) in Goleta, CA have the opportunity to learn Permaculture and get high school credit. In this episode, Jill Cloutier talks with some of the students inspired by the course, Avery Hardy, a senior at DP and a budding Permaculture designer and advocate and Kevin Gleason, an artist, teacher and Permaculture Designer. Kevin is the instructor of the new Permaculture course at DP. For more information contact Kevin Gleason at kgleason@dphs.org 

Justin Huhn is an organic farmer and an impassioned seed grower and plant lover. Certified in Permaculture Design, Justin cares deeply about organic farming, sustainability and subsistence. Co-creator of Mano Farm and All Good Things Organic Seeds Justin provides organic food and seeds locally and abroad. In this conversation with Jill Cloutier, Justin shares his knowledge about plants, medicinal herbs, and seed saving.   

Julious Piti is a Permaculture designer and teacher, organic farmer, and conflict facilitator based in Zimbabwe.  Julious has been using Permaculture in Africa to restore the health of both land and community. A founding member of the Chikukwa Ecological Land Trust (CELUCT) and now the Director of PORET (Participatory Organic Research Extension and Training), Julious' work shows that degraded land can be transformed.  PORET supports farmers in dry-land areas and works to address hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.  In 2007, PORET won the Zimbabwe National Environmental Award.