Fresh Take

Join us for an informative discussion with Tom Wichman, an expert on eco-friendly landscaping with nearly 50 years’ experience in the industry.  

A self-proclaimed plant nerd, Tom is currently the Assistant Director for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program and the statewide coordinator for the Green Industries Best Management Practices Program. Tom is also the radio host for Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a Minute rad...

Join FOG’s own Lana Chehabeddine and Juan Carlos Rodriguez for a conversation about the Florida Local Food Project. 

We will delve into the Florida Local Food Project, a compelling initiative led by FOG, focused on enhancing local food systems across Florida. Through six key objectives, the project aims to bolster food security, sustainability, and community well-being. By driving engagement, empowering local producers, and hosting ...

Mike Campbell, founder and lead farmer of South Florida’s first commercial aquaponic farm Bare Roots Organics, joins us to talk about how aquaponics fits into his vision for the future of sustainable farming. 

Mike shares his journey and passion for building a sustainable world, driven by his background in film/television and love for nature and quality food. We will explore the importance of sustainable farming and the ro...

Continue our conversation about food sovereignty with the University of South Florida’s Nicole Brand and Will Schanbacher. 

Nicole Brand is the Director of the Environmental Conservation Outreach, Research, and Education (ECORE) System at USF, overseeing the USF Forest Preserve, the USF Botanical Gardens and a geological park. Will Schanbacher is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida with a r...

Dell deChant joins us for a discussion about food sovereignty and its aim to challenge existing food structures and place power back into the people’s hands.  

Dell deChant is an Instructor at the University of South Florida, specializing in religion and contemporary cultures. deChant's current research focuses on Agrarianism in American popular culture, with an emphasis on religion, literature, and ecology. He holds various po...

Join us today as Kabir Parker discusses everything you need to know about seaweed and its contribution to sustainable agriculture. Learn what makes seaweed, “The Secret Sauce”.  

Kabir Parker is a passionate ocean entrepreneur. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut and raised in New Delhi, India, he developed a vast knowledge of global oceanic issues. Kabir studied marine science and microbiology at the University of Miami and went on to p...

Join us today as Melissa Desa speaks with us about how the organization Working Food is involved in growing resilient local food systems.  

With over a decade of experience, Melissa Desa is a seed steward, artist, educator, and ecologist living in Gainesville, Florida. She is a co-founder of the non-profit Working Food based in Gainesville, Florida which focuses on regional seed biodiversity, and lends itself to research, stewardshi...

Monica Hampton, Ph.D, national and international agriculture consultant for TerraNutri, converses with Lana Chehabeddine on the topic of nutrient and weed management techniques.  

Monica Hampton, Ph.D., brings 20 years of research on agriculture and crop production. She serves on the board of trustees at the Compost Research and Education Foundation at the US Compost Council and shares with FOG her extensive knowledge on organic soi...

We are thrilled to have Anne Yasalonis with us today, as she discusses Spring Gardening for residents in Florida. 

Anne Yasalonis is the residential horticulture agent and master gardener volunteer coordinator at UF/IFAS in Polk County. The residential horticulture program focuses on providing research-based education to Polk County residents on topics of Florida-Friendly Landscaping and best management practices for the h...

Join us for a chat with one of FOG’s very own Board of Directors, Teresa Pemberton-Jouany, as she gives us a rundown of Earth Day and organics’ role in this celebratory day. 

Teresa Pemberton-Jouany is a Florida native from generations of cattle ranchers and citrus growers. After leaving the farm and working around the globe through her career in fashion and advertising, she returned to her roots to follow her passion for organic gr...

Join us for a conversation with our Virtual Market Manager, Courtney Ward, to learn about the Backyard Market Initiative and the exciting updates for local consumers and vendors!

Get ready to join a new wave of local food shopping, through the Backyard Market—a virtual farmers market platform developed by Florida Organic Growers that enables producers and consumers to sell and purchase food with flexibility and efficiency....

Get the inside scoop with Ira Wallace, also known as “the Godmother of Southern Seeds,” as she sheds light on all things seeds and its importance in the food industry. 

Ira Wallace is an organic grower, author, speaker, and one of the original pioneers behind organic seed saving. For the last 25 years, Ira has been a worker/owner of the cooperatively managed Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, which offers over 700 varieties ...

Leslie Touzeau, Organic Policy Manager at QCS (Quality Certification Services), chats with Juan Carlos Rodriguez about how she came across this career path, experiences that contributed to her current role, and places to look further to launch oneself into the organic food industry.  

Tune in to learn about: 

- Leslie’s background and pathway to her current role 

- Applicable skills and experiences to get started in organics...

Anna Cesarotti, Associate Director of Organic Certification at QCS (Quality Certification Services), speaks with Juan Carlos Rodriguez about career opportunities in the growing industry of organics. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- How Anna came to work in organics 

- Types of careers in the organic industry 

- Why the organic industry is growing  

- How to find careers in organics
 

 Learn more about QCS on their website:...

Organic Materials Research Institute (OMRI) is an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that reviews and lists allowed materials that organic producers can use. 

In this episode, learn about:

• How OMRI began  
• OMRI’s mission and role in the industry today 
• What it means to be "OMRI Listed®"   
• Technical support and training opportunities for professionals in the organic industry  

Learn more OMRI...

Interest in growing and buying local flowers has grown immensely over the past few years, helping consumers embrace local agriculture, support local farmers, and access even more varieties of local grown flowers. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- Floriculture and why it’s becoming an increasingly popular industry today 

- The Slow Flower Movement 

- How consumers can support local flower farmers 

- Opportunities and profitability for ne...

With the holiday season right around the corner, now is the time for recipe planning! By incorporating locally grown foods into your holiday recipes, you can make tasty dishes and feel good about supporting your local farmer. 

In this episode, hear about: 

- What crops are in season in Florida 

- Unique recipes using local ingredients 

- Where to purchase local foods 

- How SNAP/EBT users can double their money at farmers markets 

Links...

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) is a farmer-driven, membership-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps people in North and South Carolina grow and enjoy local, organic food. Founded in 1979, the organization advocates, educates, and builds connections to create sustainable food systems in the Carolinas centered on local and organic agriculture. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- CFSA’s history and mission 

- CFS...

Georgia Organics has been rooted in providing direct support to small and organic farmers across Georgia since the 1970s, before formally incorporating as a 501(c)(3) in 1997. Michael Wall, Director of Farmer Advocacy, highlights some of the organization’s programs and farmer advocacy initiatives. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- Georgia Organics’ new mission and vision 

- Preliminary results of Georgia Organic’s recent farmer sur...