Common Ground Radio 9/9/21: Traditional Foodways

Producer/Host: Holli Cederholm, MOFGA

On this episode of Common Ground Radio, we discuss traditional food systems with Barry Dana. Barry is a former Penobscot Nation chief and an advocate for Penobscot values, traditional foodways, language revitalization and education, and environmental protection along the Penobscot River. Growing up on a Wabanaki reservation on the Penobscot River, he learned canoeing, basket making, snowshoe making, hunting, gathering, and other Native traditions from his elders. Barry studied forestry and education at the University of Maine – Orono.

FMI links:

Barry Dana’s essay, titled “Sovereignty for Native People” — referenced in this episode — is included in MOFGA’s book, “The Organic Revolution.” Copies of the book are available here

Read an article about Barry Dana and traditional foodways here

Learn about Barry Dana’s baskets at the Abbe Museum

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.