Common Ground Radio

Producers/Hosts: Caitlyn Barker, Holli Cederholm
Editing: Clare Boland

Common Ground Radio: A monthly hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond.

The May 2022 episode of Common Ground Radio explores homesteading in Maine in conversation with homesteaders of varying levels and lengths of experience. Host Caitlyn Barker spoke with Sikwani and Nathan Dana of The Dana Homestead about living off the land in Solon, Maine, and how they use social media to share their homesteading journey. Later in the show, Barker is joined by Angela DeRosa who has been homesteading for decades in Wellington, Maine.

-Homesteading in Maine
-TikTok
-Beginning homesteading experiences

Guests:
Sikwani Dana, The Dana Homestead, Solon, ME
Nathan Dana, The Dana Homestead, Solon, ME
The Dana Homestead TikTok
Angela DeRosa, homesteader, Wellington, ME

FMI
Down East article about The Dana Homestead

About the hosts:

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.

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Producer/Host: Holli Cederholm

The April 2022 episode of Common Ground Radio celebrates spring, and all the delicious foods of spring. Host Holli Cederholm spoke with local food enthusiasts about what seasonal foods they’re cooking up in their kitchens. Roberta Bailey of Seven Tree Farm in Vassalboro, Frank Giglio, kitchen production manager at Ararat Farms in Lincolnville, and Wendy Watson, kitchen manager at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) in Unity, shared their favorite spring foods and recipes, from nettle tea to salt-cured goose eggs. They also dished on their favorite methods for food preservation, with tips for those new to putting by the harvest.

-Seasonal eating
-Spring foods
-Native and invasive wild edible plants
-Cooking and recipes
-Food preservation methods (fermenting, drying, salting, vinegar)
-Gardening

Guests:

Roberta Bailey, Seven Tree Farm in Vassalboro, Maine; recipe columnist for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, the quarterly publication of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)

Frank Giglio, kitchen production manager at Ararat Farms in Lincolnville, Maine

Wendy Watson, MOFGA kitchen manager and food liaison for the Common Ground Country Fair

FMI links:

“Wild Spring: Recipes for Foraged Greens and Roots” by Roberta Bailey, Harvest Kitchen columnist

“How to Plan Your Harvests for Food Preservation” by Roberta Bailey, Harvest Kitchen columnist

The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener
Ararat Farms recipes: araratfarmslincolnville.com/recipes

MOFGA recipes

Seasonal eating guides

Click here to sign up for MOFGA’s monthly Local and Organic Kitchen Newsletter

About the host:

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

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Producer/Host: C.J. Walke

Organic Food and Farming in Maine: ReTreeUs – Growing Trees of Fruit and Seeds of Thought

-Planting school gardens and orchards
-Aligning school gardens with curriculum and learning standards
-Inspiring the next generation of ecological stewards

Guests:
Richard Hodges, Founder and Program Director, ReTreeUS
Shelley Kruszewski, Program Coordinator, ReTreeUS

About the hosts:

C.J. Walke has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

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Producer/Host: C.J. Walke

Organic Food and Farming in Maine: Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership (NOFFP)

-Organic dairy production in the Northeast
-Danone/Horizon’s contract cancellations with 89 organic dairy farms in the Northeast
-Efforts to support the Northeast organic dairy farms

FMI: www.saveorganicfamilyfarms.org

Guests:
Annie Watson, Sheepscot Valley Farm, Whitefield, ME
Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and former CEO of Stoneyfield Farm
Claire Eaton, Director of Natural Resource Markets and Economic Development, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF)

About the hosts:

C.J. Walke has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

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Producer/Host: C.J. Walke

Organic Food and Farming in Maine: Soil Carbon Farming

-Carbon sequestration on organic farms
-Linking soil health to crop health and human health
-Ecological benefits of carbon sequestration

Guest: Dr. Gladis Zinati, Director of Vegetable Systems Trial, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA

About the hosts:

C.J. Walke has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. Since 2012, C.J. has worked as farm manager for College of the Atlantic’s Peggy Rockefeller Farms in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he works with students to grow organic fruits, vegetables and livestock products. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

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Producer/Host: C.J. Walke

-PFAS “forever chemicals” and their historic use in industry
-How PFAS moves through, soils, crops and livestock
-Current testing efforts and attempts at remediation in Maine

MOFGA’s PFAS Maine Farmer Information and Support

Guests:
Ryan Dennett, Farmer Programs Director, MOFGA, Unity, ME
Jacki Martinez Perkins, Organic Dairy and Livestock Specialist, MOFGA, Unity, ME
Caleb Goossen, Organic Crops and Conservation Specialist, MOFGA, Unity, ME

About the hosts:

C.J. Walke has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. Since 2012, C.J. has worked as farm manager for College of the Atlantic’s Peggy Rockefeller Farms in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he works with students to grow organic fruits, vegetables and livestock products. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke

Keynote Address from the 2021 MOFGA Farmer to Farmer Conference – Dr. Gladis Zinati – Rodale Institute

-Gladis Zinati – “Linking Soil Health to Plant Health: Connecting the Dots”
-Linking soil health to crop health and human health
-Nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration

Speaker: Dr. Gladis Zinati, Director of Vegetable Systems Trial, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA

About the hosts:

C.J. Walke has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. Since 2012, C.J. has worked as farm manager for College of the Atlantic’s Peggy Rockefeller Farms in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he works with students to grow organic fruits, vegetables and livestock products. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

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Producer/Host: C.J. Walke

-Karen Washington – “Food Justice is More Than Growing Food and Feeding People”
-Stacy Brenner – Farm Viability Through Land Justice and Farmworker Rights
-2021 CGCF Keynote addresses

Speakers:
Karen Washington, Rise & Root Farm, Black Urban Growers
Stacy Brenner, Broadturn Farm, Scarborough, ME

About the hosts:

C.J. Walke has been involved in Maine agriculture for over 20 years and has worked in numerous capacities for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) starting in 2006. Since 2012, C.J. has worked as farm manager for College of the Atlantic’s Peggy Rockefeller Farms in Bar Harbor, Maine, where he works with students to grow organic fruits, vegetables and livestock products. He holds degrees in park management/environment education and library science. Common Ground Radio debuted in June of 2010 and C.J. has been the show’s host since 2014.

Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download