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It’s not every day we see an agriculture professional turned banker! Today we will meet one!
Many of us bank at some of the large banking institutions with branding we are very familiar with. If not one of the large banks, some bank with credit unions or invest in local and regional banking institutions. But do you think about how your money is used and invested after it is deposited into your current bank? In all honesty, I didn’t…until I learned about Walden Mutual Bank and had a conversation with CEO, Charley Cummings, agriculture business owner turned banking professional. If you care about agriculture, farming, healthy food, sustainability, and our Earth, then why wouldn’t you consider investing your money in a banking institution that cares about the same things…where your deposits are invested back into agriculture, farming, food, sustainability and our Earth? And if you are a growing company in any of these industries and are located in New England and NY, Walden Mutual has financial options for you to consider.
Enjoy my conversation with Charley Cummings from Walden Mutual Bank. And even if you don’t move your money right away, research how your bank is investing its funds and whether it is in alignment with how you would want your money to be invested.
Walden Mutual Bank
The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love
Walden LocalThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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“It is never too late to take the first step toward our dreams, no matter how big or impractical - or seemingly outrageous.” This is a quote from Jane Lee Rankin from her compelling memoir called Farm Family. This is a book about the adventure that created Apple Hill Farm in North Carolina. It’s all about how a solo mom with a broken heart and no farming or livestock experience created a renowned agritourism destination and thriving mountaintop farm.
A chance encounter with an alpaca in the year 2000 at the Kentucky State Fair planted a seed for Jane (aka Lee) that grew into a big and life defining dream of wanting to raise alpacas. I have to admit that I know very little about alpacas but after reading Farm Family and interviewing Jane, I want to drive down to her farm and meet these animals that Jane describes as having a deep “spiritual knowing.”
To quote Jane - “A farm was the perfect environment to raise a young son. Through the challenges that arose on the journey it was Will and my faith that provided the strength to get up and keep moving forward. Somewhere along the way, I became a farmer, a lover of land, animals and plants, and a memoir writer….”
Jane recognized the importance of being in the moments with her son Will and, throughout the memoir, we had the opportunity to experience those important, memorable moments of love and learning. Jane’s connection to her son Will, the land, the animals, and the people she attracted to share in her journey, are truly compelling.
Apple Hill Farm is open year round for guided walking tours to meet and learn about the animals. In summer they offer experiences such as:
Barn quilt paintingGoat yogaKnitting with the alpacasAnd moreThey also have an Apple Hill Farm Store that sells all sorts of amazing items such as yarn, alpaca socks, gloves, apparel, and honey.
And, in addition, Jane helps other farmers and entrepreneurs by offering classes on agritourism and educates people about farming, animals and where food comes from. Enjoy my conversation with Jane Lee Rankin from Apple Hill Farm.
Apple Hill Farm
Farm Family Book
Cook Book - Cookin up a Storm
Apple Hill Farm Store
Alpaca Dryer Balls
Agritourism ConsultingThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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There is nothing like the taste of a real, authentic New England maple syrup. This one is not located in Vermont - it’s located right in the Berkshires! And I even had the chance to spend a few hours touring and tasting my way through this amazing farm.
Justamere Tree Farm is located in the town of Worthington MA. The land was purchased in 1982 and owned by JP and Marian. They fell in love with a 26-acre wooded lot with a brook and hunting cabin and farmed the land for 38 years. The woods became their livelihood, the earth their roots, and the trees their grounding.
The farm is newly owned by three inspirational women - Kelly, Kim and Deb. It is now an all women-owned maple business that runs on clean, renewable energy. And it is situated on 60 acres of rolling hills filled with maples and birch.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Deb who spent most of her career as a biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and lived in many places including Connecticut, Maine, and Alaska. She believes that private landowners and sustainable agriculture play an integral role in conservation. That is why she fell in love with Justamere Tree Farm and the ethic behind the business.
Her business partner Kelly grew up outdoors as a competitive ski and mountain bike racer who is passionate about a life focused on nature and the environment. After spending time in her childhood on a farm in Ohio, Kelly has now returned to her roots.
And Kim grew up riding horses through the fields and forests of rural Alabama. She lived in Alaska for over 20 years where, among other things, she did backcountry search and rescue with her dog. Her lifelong passion for the outdoors, and the beauty of New England drew her to this new adventure.
Join me in learning about this special maple forest in the heart of the Berkshires and learn all about Justamere’s authentic and unique maple products, some favorites being the maple seasoning, maple hot cocoa, cinnamon maple sugar, and so much more.
Enjoy my conversation with Deb, of the owners of Just- A- Mere Tree Farm.
Justamere Tree Farm
Berkshire Grown
Berkshares
Great Barrington Farmers Market
Harold Grinspoon FoundationThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Today we are chatting with Donna Del Rey, owner of Relish Culinary Adventures.
Relish Culinary Adventures (love the name!) is a culinary program that brings together talented chefs and fabulous cuisine at a variety of captivating rural locations including farms and orchards, to create one-of-a-kind authentic cooking classes, culinary tours and excursions, and catering services.
Based in Healdsburg, California, in the heart of the Sonoma County wine country, Relish offers culinary events on a wide range of topics from wine country cuisine to ethnic specialties, cheese making to wild mushroom foraging - the mushroom foraging is one of my favorites! . In addition, Relish hosts activities that bring people together in the kitchen, such as private cooking parties and corporate team-building events.
Donna has such an authentic and transparent nature. Owning your own business is hard and requires a lot of resiliency, risk, leaps of faith, and strategic thinking and planning. But it sometimes requires you to react and do things that are not aligned with the initial vision and plan. And when you need to do this, you sometimes feel a sense of desperation, that you are doing everything to make your business survive, even if it doesn’t completely align with the vision. However, I believe that pivoting and diversifying is sometimes necessary in order to survive and eventually thrive. And that is what happened to Donna. She pivoted, she diversified her income streams…she survived…and now she is thriving once again. That is the real journey of an entrepreneur.
And, although Relish Culinary and its mission to connect people to where their food comes from is at the forefront of our discussion, I think Donna’s openness about her business challenges and ability to be flexible, are truly at the heart of our discussion and is such an important story to be told.
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Donna!
Relish Culinary Adventures
Relish Culinary Calendar of Events
Culinary Tours
Relish Culinary Instagram
Relish Culinary Facebook
Dry Creek PeachThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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I have been doing a lot of local traveling, really digging into the northeast US where my agriculture focus seems to be currently taking me. I visited a bean festival at a farm in Sheffield, Massachusetts (MA), located in the southern part of the Berkshires. The Berkshires or Berkshire County is located in Western Massachusetts, with New York State very close to the west, Connecticut to the south, and Vermont to the north.
Before going to the festival I met a friend for lunch at the Berkshire Food Coop and explored the downtown area of Great Barrington, MA. Kind of fell in love with the vibe of the whole area - the energy, the outdoor air, the agriculture focus….everything about it. Of course I grabbed a few brochures related to farming and local businesses and came across something called Berkshares…a local Currency Program. BerkShares is the best-known contemporary example of a place-based currency. They have over 300 participating locally-owned and community-minded businesses that support Berkshares to keep money circulating in the region, thereby contributing to a greater local multiplier effect. My marketing and business development mind immediately recognized what a brilliant marketing and loyalty program that this currency program really is.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Jared Spears, the Marketing Director of Berkshares. Berkshares is a program that came out of the Schumacher Center for a New Economics. They work to envision the elements of a just and regenerative global economy, undertake to apply these elements in the Berkshires; and develop the educational programs to share the results more broadly, thus encouraging replication.
Stay tuned for an interesting history on how the Berkshares local currency initiative got started and transformed out of some previous programs including Deli Dollars and Berkshire Farm Preserve Notes. Jared provided me with a good understanding of the local economics that contributed to the launch of this local currency. Enjoy my conversation with Jared Spears.
Berkshares
Berkshire Community Land Trust
Farmstead for Farmers Initiative
Schumacher Center for new economicsThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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We left New York and it was 27 degrees Fahrenheit and mild. We arrived in Grenada a little over four hours later and it was 78 degrees, partly sunny and fairly humid. Earl, our driver, was awaiting our arrival. He drove us in his car to the ‘countryside’ on the north west side of Grenada. The roads were thin and very windy with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. Houses were located on both sides of the road – some on stilts overlooking the water and others embedded in the mountainside of green vegetation. This was the beginning of our agriculture adventure in Grenada…
An hour later, we arrived at Crayfish Bay Organics, a 200-year old, 15-acre cacao farm. We met Kim and Lylette Russell – owners of the estate and Crayfish Bay Chocolate. Kim, a very entertaining, determined, and hard working man of English descent, lived most of his life on the water in the Caribbean and most recently settled down in Grenada. Lylette was originally from Guyana, South America and lived a good part of her life in St. Lucia. Kim and Lylette connected online and live and work their estate at Crayfish Bay.
Their land produces cacao, bananas, plantains, oranges, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, guava, mango, passion fruit, grapefruit, avocado, star fruit, and so much more.
This trip to Grenada was truly an agricultural immersion and adventure…which included cacao growing, chocolate making, tree and farm to table food, spice tours, hiking, tons of exploring….and, most importantly, connecting with such dedicated people. These are the things that keep people coming back and visiting Crayfish Bay year after year.
Enjoy my conversation with Lylette Russell from Crayfish Bay Organics.
Crayfish Bay Organics
The Little House, Crayfish Bay Airbnb
The Tree House, Crayfish Bay AirbnbThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Brian Sullivan, Gayle Okumura Sullivan and son Patrick Sullivan purchased Dry Creek Peach in 2000 and are approaching 25 years with the farm. Dry Creek Peach, located in the heart of Dry Creek Valley of Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California is surrounded by wine country. They are the last remaining fruit farm in the valley with 1000 peach trees. They are the only dedicated, certified organic peach farm in the county.
The farm produces about 30 varieties of peaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day, some of which will make your mouth water as Gayle describes them in our podcast interview.
Gayle and Brian knew very little about farming and specifically peach farming when entering this business. But they quickly recognized the unique beauty and bounty of the farm, and they took the leap of faith.
Well, almost 25 years later, they have fine-tuned and expanded the business, learning and adjusting as they go, tackling new and unique challenges every farm season, and leading with a focus and dedication to producing the highest quality peaches. This focus has opened up unique marketing and distribution opportunities. It’s easy to see why their fruit is savored by famous chefs and food entrepreneurs.
Picture yourself in Sonoma County, CA among the peach trees and enjoy my chat with Gayle and Brian.
Dry Creek Peach
Russian River Brewing
Alley 6 - Peach Brandy
Relish Culinary
Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Wine Country
Outstanding in the FieldThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Steve and Sandy are the inspiring founders of East Tennessee Homestead Alliance. Sandy reached out to me about the podcast a few months ago. We ended up speaking on the phone about homesteading and what it really is all about. Many people, including myself who is close to farming and all about sustainability, have this impression of homesteading as a far reaching goal that we would not be capable of doing or achieving in our current environments… that you need to be living out in the boonies without electricity to be even considered a homesteader. Well, Sandy’s description of homesteading is not that at all. She basically broke homesteading down to a simple definition - homesteading is all about keeping a steady home. That anyone can homestead and integrate homesteading regardless of their living situation and environment. I thought that her definition was brilliant and creates a sense of “I can do this.”
So Steve and Sandy are doing just that…they are teaching people how to homestead through their own life learnings and mastery and through the network they have formed in East Tennessee.
And how does this tie into Agritourism? Well it ties in in many ways, but most importantly through education… through programs, retreats, alliance events, and, most importantly, through how Steve and Sandy live their own lives. Steve and Sandy each have inspiring and humbling stories about how they came together and have spent over 39 years making each day count.
I hope you are left with a feeling of inspiration and exhilaration after listening to my chat with Steve and Sandy!
Steve and Sandy
Wildbody School of Wellness
East Tennessee Homestead AllianceThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Rachael Callahan is currently California’s Statewide Agritourism Coordinator focused on the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program through UC Davis. Originally from Delaware, Rachael stumbled into sustainable agriculture from her graduate studies and has focused on local and regional food systems. She spent time in Belize working on a demonstration agroforestry farm looking at and modeling indigenous land stewardship and farming. She then spent time in Nantucket working for a non profit focused on bolstering the local food economy. She eventually moved to Washington DC to work on an urban farm. Her experiences working in very different and unique communities aligned with her education allowed her to expand her scope of work and take on a challenging role as statewide agritourism opportunity in California.
In her role, Rachael provides training to farmers and ranchers interested in diversifying their income via agritourism. She examines trends, impacts, challenges, and barriers and identifies solutions. She also focuses on capacity and network building by connecting farmers throughout the state. Rachael is constantly inspired by the resilience, determination, creativity and innovation of California’s agricultural producers and is very grateful for being in a role that supports them. Enjoy my conversation with Rachael Callahan.
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program
Agritourism in California
Maya Mountain Research Farm, BelizeThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Before she turned 10 years old, she already knew all about zucchini, white eggplant, garlic scapes, heirloom tomatoes, how to tell basil vs. mint vs. oregano, when to plant garlic, and what to pair lavender honey with. My daughter Anna just turned 20-years old in September 2024 and is pursuing a college major in Economics and minor in Sustainability. She also just finished a summer of 70 hour workweeks and an amazing internship with Moka Origins.
Our very first podcast episode was with one of the founders of Moka Origins, Jeff Abella. Moka Origins is working to make cacao and coffee a sustainable source of income for farmers around the world. 165 million people depend on cacao or coffee for their livelihood, however many aren’t paid a living wage and are stuck in poverty. To end this poverty cycle, Moka Origins pays more to farmers for their beans which they use to craft healthier, better tasting chocolate and coffee.
Moka offers Origin Adventures…incredible adventures to connect people with their global cacao and coffee sourcing partners. My daughter Anna had the opportunity to spend a week at the Moka Origins headquarters in Honesdale, PA and to participate in their Origin Adventure in Mexico. In our podcast episode with Jeff Abella, we took a deep dive into all his current origin adventures, but Anna took us a bit deeper and we explored details about her personal experiences on her trip to Mexico.
Hearing about this trip through the eyes and inspiration of a 20-year old, is a unique perspective and one that I truly enjoyed. I am really excited for everyone to virtually meet my daughter Anna and very humbled to have the opportunity to interview her so early in her career journey. Maybe one day when she has advanced in her career path, she will reflect fondly on this interview. Enjoy my conversation with Anna Morrongiello.
Cocoa Economy - Crisis or Opportunity?
Moka Origin Mexico Adventure Trip
Riding the Donkey to the Organic Cacao Farm in DR
Women Chocolate Makers Breaking Boundaries in DR
Agri-Tourist Podcast Episode 1 - Jeff Abella, Moka OriginsThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Laurelee Blanchard, Founder and President of Leilani Farm Sanctuary, and author of “Finding Paradise”, left a lucrative career at a Commercial Real Estate Firm to devote her life to animal protection and humane education. In 1999, she cashed out her life savings and moved from Orange County, California, to Hawaii to the island of Maui. Laurelee acquired an eight-acre parcel of land, on which she created a farm sanctuary—a refuge where animals would be protected from neglect, abuse, and slaughter.
Leilani Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit organization, home to nearly three hundred rescued animals. They include goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, a donkey, geese, deer, cats, pigs, sheep, turkeys, guinea pigs and tortoises. The Sanctuary provides educational programs for school groups and special-needs visitors and offers tours and humane education to the general public. They now host weddings at this majestic sanctuary in Maui. What better way to start a life with someone special…by giving back and supporting animals from neglect, abuse and slaughter.
I want to add that I read Laurelee’s book Finding Paradise after I did this interview. Laurelee overcame so many intense personal and financial struggles to maintain and keep her animals at the sanctuary. She gave everything of herself to stay aligned with her mission and to help these animals thrive. During our conversation many of these struggles were not evident in the way that her book discusses them so I highly recommend you read her book. I am humbled by Laurelee and all that she stands for…. She is humanely human.
Leilani Farm Sanctuary
Finding Paradise BookThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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Apple picking season probably generates fun memories for many people; it does for me. Apple picking definitely embodies agritourism. And Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont is an eco-certified heirloom apple oasis. The farm is rich in history - it was settled in 1791 and the orchards were planted in 1911 and now bear over 130 varieties of apples, many of which are heirloom. Scott Farm is a for-profit working farm which is owned by The Landmark Trust USA, a nonprofit historic preservation organization which was gifted the 571 acre property in 1995.
Today, Scott Farm is led by General Manager Simon Renault and Orchardist Erin Robinson. The orchard is a living, breathing ecosystem that is managed with biological and cultural methods which produce healthy, high quality fruits. The community can visit the farm, enjoy their beautiful grounds, pick apples, shop at the farmers market, eat at their outdoor cafe, drink cidars produced at their cider mill, tour the property, enjoy community events, and celebrate their own events.
Although I definitely understand the hard work involved in farming, I never really understood much about apples - even after all the years of visiting orchards and apple picking. I feel like there was a missed opportunity to educate me about apples during all of those apple picking adventures. This presents a significant opportunity for apple orchards to embrace agritourism in an even more immersive way. My inspiring conversation with Simon and Erin gave me a whole new appreciation for the intricacies involved in apple growing and a renewed interest in learning more about apples. The next time you go apple picking, talk to the farmers and orchardists or take a tour if available, and learn more about what it takes to grow these gorgeous, healthy fruits.
Enjoy my conversation with Simon and Erin!Scott Farm Orchard
Red Tomato
UVM Extension ResourcesThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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This is our WWOOF Part 2 podcast with Pattie Baker. Pattie is the author of "Round America with a Duck" where she traveled across America right before her 60th birthday via bike, buses, trains and WWOOFing! If you want to learn more about WWOOFING catch Episode 19 from last week.
Pattie’s Book moved me. Her adventure was full of lots of learning, inspiring moments, such interesting people and places, and a few exciting and very SCARY experiences. But, most of all, Pattie’s journey was full of powerful life lessons. Pattie is about to embark on a new WWOOFing journey Round Ireland. Can't wait to hear about this new exciting journey.
Before we launch into my meaningful conversation with Pattie, I will start with an important quote from her book: “My journey Round America with a Duck was hard. It took a certain kind of person and a certain kind of attitude, plus a willingness to change. To pivot. To trust the journey. Believing I can do this was the bare minimum for achieving it, and anyone who says they can’t, really truly can’t. If you’re thinking well maybe I can then it's for you. It’s that maybe where the magic lives.”
Enjoy my conversation with Pattie Baker...
Round America with a Duck
Pattie Baker on Instagram
Round Ireland with a Duck - Instagram
Pattie Baker on Tik Tok
Pattie Baker's Blog
WWOOF USA
WWOOF Ireland
WWOOF - main global websiteThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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When I was visiting Crayfish Bay Organics, an organic cacao farm on the island of Grenada, there was an open air cabin filled with ‘WWOOFers. I had no clue what that term WWOOFer meant at the time. WWOOF stands for WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Basically a WWOOFer is a person who is working/volunteering on an organic farm and in return gets free room, board, and food. What an amazing opportunity to learn, travel, experience the world, and support organic. I filed that knowledge away at the time, and, as I began my agritourism journey, WWOOF came across my Instagram. All I could think about was what an amazing agritourism opportunity that WWOOF provides. Traditionally, the younger generation has embraced WWOOFing. In Grenada the cabin was filled with much younger adults. However, I think WWOOFing could be an amazing experience for someone at any age - especially someone trying to reinvent, learn, grow, connect, (or disconnect), and travel.
Part 1 of this podcast is an interview with Jenna Pollard, the Membership Program Manager of WWOOF USA. But Part 2 was something that came out of my interview with Jenna. When I told Jenna I was interested in WWOOFIng after my daughter graduates, she mentioned Pattie Baker, at the time an almost 60- year old woman who WWOOFed across America. Pattie wrote a book about her experience called 'Round America with a Duck'. Patti describes herself as a 1960s child that was about to turn 60 who traveled solo 10,000 miles via bike, buses, trains and WWOOFing in search of hope in a country at a crossroads and world in crisis during the hottest year on earth.
So, I had to read Pattie's book and Part 2 of this podcast is with Pattie Baker who will tell us all about her WWOOFing adventure across America. Join me for the next 2 episodes of The Agri-Tourist podcast and let’s go WWOOFing!
WWOOF USA
WWOOF FOWO (Federation of WWOOF Organizations)
Round America with a DuckThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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I have always had an interest in growing herbs and learning more about the medicinal qualities of different herbs and plants. This topic fascinates me. I know the power of mint and ginger in solving digestive issues and I know that there are so many other natural remedies. So, I was really looking forward to my interview with Linda Shanahan, Herbalist and Registered Nurse, from Bluestem Botanicals.
Linda did extensive education in herbalism on the west coast. She is a registered nurse, a farmer, and her company has transitioned from doing a CSA and farmers markets to herbal education, medicinal herb CSAs, and wholesale herbs, syrups and bitters. COVID forced their farm to pivot into a slightly new and very profitable direction, offering cocktail and mocktail kits for consumers and, most recently, opening a local herb store in their hometown.
Linda and her husband Eric have allowed their farm to evolve and adjust based on the changing times and needs of their target markets. They are very astute and creative business people who remain dedicated to their mission around herbs and herbalism. Their journey has inspired me to continue learning and also to allow more room for growth, change, and the occasional hard pivot!Bluestem Botanicals
Herbal Education & Workshops
Mocktail Kits
Cocktail Kits
David Winston Herbal TherapeuticsThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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I had the pleasure of interviewing Suzie Spahr, the Executive Director of NAFDMA - The North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association. NAFDMA was founded in 1986 and is a membership based non profit trade association solely focused on advancing the farm direct marketing and agritourism industries.
NAFDMA is made up of entrepreneurial farm families who invite customers to visit their farms and experience the food and the fun they create, in order to sustain their livelihood. They work to advance agritourism including on-farm retail, pick your own, consumer-supported agriculture, direct delivery, and farmers' markets. They put together events, resources, communications, and peer-to-peer exchanges that bring together new relationships and opportunities for their members.I have to admit, I had not heard of NAFDMA before I began to focus on agritourism and this podcast. After I entered this arena, the acronym NAFDMA has been mentioned in many of my US conversations as an organization I should get to know and get involved in.
Suzi provides some insights into her vision for the organization, how they continue to help farmers and the importance that agritourism brings to farms, especially during tough economic times. I hope you enjoy my chat with Suzie Spahr.
NAFDMA
NAFDMA EventsThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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We are headed to Tassie today….that’s Tasmania for those who are not familiar. And we are chatting with Tim Parsons. Tim and his wife Jane are 6th generation Tasmanian Farmers who own Curringa Farm, Tassie's favorite farmstay with national award winning cottages, farm tours, and group bbq meals.
Curringa Farm is a 750-acre farm focused on raising sheep, growing crops for seeds, and growing opium for pharmaceutical medicine. I am sure I got your attention there! The farm is a favorite farmstay with several cottages on the property and is expanding as we speak.
Tim tells us how he worked to revitalize and grow his farm. In my opinion he is a master marketer who understands the real value of building relationships, sometimes in a very grassroots way, something I think he learned from his mom.
Upon entering this conversation, I knew very little about Tasmania, but now I feel like I have a great connection in Tassie and look forward to one day visiting Curringa Farm.
Curringa Farm
The Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
Agri-Tourist.com HeartBeet Farms Instagram About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host Global Agritourism Network -
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We all know that things happen for reasons. And many times, those reasons do not reveal themselves until years later. Kim & Chuck Goodling moved their family from Vermont to Pennsylvania, in order to eventually make their way back to Vermont and find their current historic farm property, Grand View Farm, in Washington, VT.
Grand View Farm is a diversified Gotland sheep farm, family homestead, and farmstay bed and breakfast. Kim and Chuck focus on restoring and reclaiming old pastures and rebuilding soil health. They raise their animals in the most natural and environmentally sustainable manner possible and passionately mentor one-on-one with other farmers looking to raise sheep.
Their focus is on the land, livestock, & building local community…Kim describes that these are the 3 ingredients for a thriving farm. I definitely agree with her that community is vital on both a personal and business level and that local interconnections are required in order for any farm to thrive.
Kim produces stunning high quality wool products and also offers private fiber art classes and retreats. One theme that I hear from many of the farm families I interview is how integrated their children become in the farm…not by force…but by their own curiosity. Kim’s desire is to leave her children with a lifetime love of learning.
Enjoy my conversation with Kim Gooding from Grand View Farm.
Grand View Farm, VT
Online Farm Store
Grand View Farm FarmstayThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
Agri-Tourist.com HeartBeet Farms Instagram About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host Global Agritourism Network -
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In this episode of The Agri-tourist Podcast, we are headed all the way to New Zealand with my guest Marijke Dunselman from Agritourism New Zealand.
Originally from the Netherlands, Marijke has lived in many countries and speaks 4 languages, but decided to build her roots in New Zealand, another country I did not know much about until now!
Marijke’s journey starts in marketing, transitions to tourism, and then she takes the leap of faith and launches her own tourism and eventually agritourism business. She is the founder of Agritourism.NZ and the Agritourism Academy. Over the past 26 years, she has worked with hundreds of agritourism operators. Her business is focused on helping farmers to diversify their business through agritourism and helping them market their farms within the tourism industry.
In addition, she established the ‘ Agritourism Academy & Community ’ in 2024, a first of its kind. The Academy is an interactive online community helping farmers and landowners start and grow successful agritourism businesses. It includes all training, planners, resources, networking opportunities, and live sessions.You can tell, based on her enthusiastic nature and knowledge, Marijke is doing what she loves and is fulfilled when she hears success stories from her farmers.
Agritourism.NZ
Agritourism AcademyThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
Agri-Tourist.com HeartBeet Farms Instagram About Jen Ross, The Agri-Tourist Podcast Host Global Agritourism Network -
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My inspiring guest is Dr. Valeria Klitsounova from Belarus. Yes, Belarus! That might sound surprising to many, especially during the current times. But, when given the introduction, I thought this was a very important opportunity to listen and learn. Obviously my conversation is focused on agritourism. However, the bigger issues of today are at the core of our discussion. Dr. Valeria’s story is truly inspiring and made me stop and reflect on what it means to be an American and how I have access to so many opportunities, especially in business, that I may take for granted at times.
Raised by her aunt and grandmother, Dr. Valeria grew up thinking critically and developed her independence and leadership skills at a young age. She and her husband founded and owned a museum of history and rural culture in Belarus. The Museum allowed her to share Belarusian history, one of her passions. After selling the museum, she looked for other opportunities to bring information about Belarus to the world. In 2002, Dr. Valeria introduced the idea of agritourism to Belarus. Her focus was to provide more income opportunities to rural communities throughout the country. She founded the Belarusian Association of Rural and Ecotourism, also known as “Country Escape,” a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Belarus as a tourist destination. Through her incredible dedication and hard work, Belarus was selected as the Best Agritourism destination in 2016 and 2018 by National Geographic.
When she started Country Escape there were very few farmsteads that supported rural tourism. Her influence and leadership dubbed her as the mother of agritourism in Belarus. A few years ago, after 20 years leading Country Escape, the Belarus government required her to close her company, leaving 3000 farmsteads without her support. Now, a few years after closing her company, the tourism industry has under 1000 active farmsteads practicing rural tourism.
Dr. Valeria is now focused on her senior lecturer position at Belarus State University where she instructs students in marketing, advertising, public relations and ecotourism. In addition, she is on the Board of the Global Agritourism Network. So, although her company was forced to close, she has continued to pursue what is near and dear to her heart through diverse and impactful means.
Student travel website
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Mother of Agritourism in BelarusThe Global Agritourism Network (GAN) was created to support agritourism worldwide through education, research, and advocacy. Everyone with an interest in agritourism is welcome to join for free by completing the form online at Global Agritourism Network (GAN) Registration (google.com).
Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.
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