Homer Grown

On this final episode of the first season, we talk with Aryn Young and Beau Burgess of Blood Sweat and Food Farm about the benefits of pasture-raised meats, caring for animals during winter and ethical butchering. We discuss the big picture: how their integrated approach to agriculture presents numerous benefits to the quality of life of the animals, the consumer, the community and the farmer.

On this special Halloween episode, Desiree talks with Carolyn Westbrook of Woda Botanicals and Yarrow Hinnant about various local plants, the lore and significance of plant names, and how these plants can be processed to use medicinally. The interview ran a little long so we included a bonus segment with more details on processing herbs that was not included in the original episode. 

In addition, Homer Soil and Waters' Kyra Wagner provides our 'tech minute' and Nicole Arevalo has our weekly roundup of oppurtunities in local Ag.

In the latest episode of Homer Grown:

We talk to Saskia Esslinger about putting garden beds to bed, permaculture, the new, local seed library and teaching gardening.

Kyra Wagner provides our tech minute and addresses water concerns going into the winter months.

And Nicole Arevalo has our weekly roundup of events and opportunities in local Ag.

Hosted by Desiree Hagen and produced in collaboration with Homer Soil & Water. Airing every other Saturday at 11 AM.

This episode first aired October 17, 2020.

In this episode we talk with Jon Kee of Spruce Top Farm, Linda Gorman on overwintering bees, Katherine Schake and Nicole Arevalo on Reed Canary Grass and Brad Casar on fall soil sampling. 
 

Hosted by Desiree Hagen and produced in collaboration with Homer Soil & Water. Airing every other Saturday at 11 AM.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

We talk with Dave Schroer and Dave Erickson about apple cultivation and orchard maintanance.

Kyra Wagner addresses cold and hot compost for our 'Tech Minute'.

And, Nicole Arevalo has our weekly roundup of current events and opportunites in local Ag.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

We take a field trip to Ninilchik and talk with Shawn Jackinsky of Green Cannon farms about perennial vegetables, heritage plants, seed saving and learn a little about the history of Ninilchik. 

We visit with Marsha Rouggly of Sweet Berries, and learn about jams, preserving the harvest, pigs in heat and farm life in general.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

We visit Chris Rainwater at his family homestead near the head of Kachemak Bay and talk about hay, grazing animals, and the history and future of haying on the Southern Kenai Peninsula.

Invasive species specialist Katherine Schake from Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, talks weed-free hay, straw and gravel and addresses mitigation and prevention resources for land and buisness owners, contractors, hayers and recreationists. 

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

We talk to Lori and Wayne Jenkins of Synergy Gardens and Brad Casar of Homer Soil and Water Conservation District about cover cropping, succession planting and the importance and value of the famer within sustainable agriculture.

Homer Soil and Waters' Katherine Schake and Kyra Wagner perform a skit regarding invasive species mitigation questions.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

This week we talk about local hydrology and tactics for saving water.

We speak with Don McNamara co-owner and operator of Oceanside Farm about rain catchment systems for high tunnels and methods to better utilize water in your garden or farm.

Local hydrologist Mike Gracz outlines how to construct an extensive rain catchment system for your home or farm operation and talks about local wetland hydrology.

On this latest episode of Homer Grown hosted by Desiree Hagen: the topic is peonies.

We talk about the past, present and future of peony cultivation on the Southern Kenai Pennisula

Our Guests are:

Allison Gaylord, of Willow Drive Gardens and founding member of the Alaska Beauty Peony Co-Op

Beth Van Sandt of Scenic Place Peonies

and Rita Jo Shoultz of Alaska Perfect Peonies

and Kyra Wagner introduces a tool used by both peony growers and farmers to aid in their cold storage systems

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

Master Gardener, author and owner of Gardens by Design Brenda Adams talks pollinator gardens.

Kenai National Wildlife Refuge entomologist Matt Bowser discusses Native Pollinators and Alaskan insects.

Kyra Wagner provides our tech minute introducing a common household item that can be repurposed into a tool for pollination.

Homer Soil and Water Conservation District's Katherine Schake addresses the relationship between pollinators and invasive plants.

For the latest episode of Homer Grown, hosted by Desiree Hagen:

Emily Garrity of Twitter Creek Gardens talks about bio-intensive agriculture and the benefits of minimal till gardening.

Soil Scientist Doug Van Patton and Homer Soil and Water's Brad Casar dig deep into the soils of Kachemek Bay. 

Kyra Wagner introduces useful tools to help work your soil.

Homer Grown focuses on  farming, agriculture, and everything that grows locally.
This week:
Carey Restino of Homer Hilltop Farm on seed starting and transplanting,
a Tech Minute with Brad Casar about the merits of Soil Blockers
and a chat about Invasive European Bird Cherries and Chokecherries with Katherine Shake and Nicole Arevelo from Homer Soil and Water.