In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, hosts Mary Kingsley and her daughter Emma talk with Florence Reed, founder of Sustainable Harvest International, a nonprofit that has worked with smallholder farmers in Central America for over 27 years in adopting regenerative farming practices. Florence tells the story of how Sustainable Harvest International got its start, and highlights the importance of healthy soil, biodiversity, and the role of local technical assistance in fostering long-term agricultural transformation. She points out how these practices alone applied to small farms the world over could significantly contribute to the United Nations' goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Florence tells us that there are many inspiring success stories, including one that she shares about a farmer who restored his land and sent both of his daughters to college as a result of his farming success following the SHI program. The conversation offers a hopeful message about the potential for individual and collective action in combating climate change.
,00:00 Introduction
00:31 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast
00:57 Guest Introduction: Florence Reed
03:25 Florence Reed's Background and Motivation
06:04 Early Challenges and Realizations
08:05 Founding Sustainable Harvest International
11:52 Initial Steps and Early Support
14:22 Challenges of Slash and Burn Farming
20:40 Sustainable and Regenerative Practices
27:42 Community Engagement and Program Implementation
30:48 Deciding Where to Work
31:32 Challenges and Demand
32:17 Global Impact of Small-Scale Farmers
33:40 Resistance to Change in Farming Practices
39:59 Success Stories and Long-Term Impact
46:02 Personal Reflections and Slow Living
49:16 Future Plans and Getting Involved
LINKS
Sustainable Harvest International
Roots of Renewal: A Film on Farming for a Hopeful Future
Eliot Coleman: The New Organic Grower
Barbara Damrosch: The Garden Primer
The Good Life: Helen and Scot Nearing's Sixty Years of Self Sufficient Living
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Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
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