Best CROP Organization Podcasts (2025)

1
High Tunnels & Field Crops, the Farming Journey of Kagan & Elise of Blackbird Organics: EP29 1:18:50

19d ago1:18:50

1:18:50

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Plainfield Vermont where we visit with Kagen Dewey and Elise Magnant of Blackbird Organics. They’ve been farming since 2018 and have set their roots on their own farm with high tunnels and field production. We start off the visit with a tour of the greenhouses, walk around the fields, then circle…

1
Ep. 527 - A Deep Dive on Medinilla 57:04

35m ago57:04

57:04

Understanding the relationships among plants can reveal so much about the history of our planet and the mechanisms of evolution. This is why Dr. Peter Quakenbush has spent so much time trying to understand the genus Medinilla. You might be most familiar with Medinilla magnifica as a popular houseplant, this it is only the tip of the iceberg when it…

1
153: Setting a Place for Recipes of Displacement & Community with Hawa Hassan 32:47

20m ago32:47

32:47

As season 9 of the podcast draws to a close, it’s feeling like a full circle moment thematically. The conversations began this season around what it means to value labour, specifically whose labour is and isn’t valued to power a global food supply, and an exposé of the cruel treatment of migrant workers coming to the U.S. But the process of migrati…

1
Ep. 526 - Biodiversity & Ecosystem Function 1:00:45

1d ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Changes in biodiversity are happening all over the globe. From losses to homogenization, understanding the affects of biodiversity change are paramount to understanding how ecosystems function. Nowhere is this more apparent than with plants. Join me and ecologist Dr. Jake Grossman as we explore the links between tree diversity and ecosystem functio…

1
Ep. 525 - Lessons from Ancient Grasslands 1:04:11

8d ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Say "old growth" and we all too often picture ancient forests with large, gnarly trees. However, forests aren't the only habitat types that can reach old growth status. Prairies, savannas, and woodlands can be old growth too and it is vital that we both protect and learn from them as they are one of the rarest habitat types on Earth. Join me and ec…

1
152: Documenting the Undocumented through Food with Jill Damatac 30:27

13d ago30:27

30:27

The idea of a pristine kitchen with clean countertops feels distinctively American, or an all-American idealist. However, the concept of the American ideal, or the American dream, desperately needs to be challenged. How better to do that than through food? My guest this week, author and filmmaker Jill Damatac, does just that in her new memoir, Dirt…

1
Ep. 524 - Tackling the Oval Sedges 59:04

15d ago59:04

59:04

Sedges (genus Carex) can be an intimidating group of plants to get your head wrapped around, but it doesn't have to be that way. One key element to understanding them is knowing what to look for, which is why I am so excited to talk about a new book/key to the oval sedges - “Carex of Illinois and Surrounding States”. Join me and authors Michael Mur…

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151: What Can Local and Seasonal Food Networks Look Like? with Colin Fontaine 28:53

20d ago28:53

28:53

Perhaps now more than ever, there’s renewed appreciation for the intricacies of our food systems' deep dependence on a global supply chain. However, that also raises challenges around our relationships with producers and understanding of food value. My guest today, Colin Fontaine, is here to discuss how to reorient American concepts of food and cul…

1
Ep. 523 - Prickly Pear Cacti Are Wonderfully Complex 1:01:14

22d ago1:01:14

1:01:14

The odds of encountering a prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp.) in your lifetime is high no matter where you live. That is how abundant, diverse, and charismatic these cacti truly are. For all of their intrigue, so much about these spiny succulents remains a mystery. Trying to understand their diversity is fraught with challenges, both physical and a…

1
150: Italian Pasta Nights with an American Accent with Renato Poliafito 31:27

27d ago31:27

31:27

Throughout this season, we’ve been exploring immigrant narratives around food: roles in food systems, labour, and diasporic food stories. Part of this is making sense of the “ish” elements to identities through food, which my guest this week, Renato Poliafito, does beautifully. Renato is a James Beard-nominated restaurateur, pastry chef, cookbook a…

1
Ep. 522 - Shocking Relationships Between Trees & Lightning 57:22

1M ago57:22

57:22

Getting struck by lightning is always thought of as a bad thing, but what if it wasn't? Trees can't get up and escape when storms roll in and the chances of one getting struck by lightning increases as they grow taller. For at least one species of tropical tree, getting struck could actually be beneficial not only to individuals but also population…

1
149: Unbottling the Problems of Bottled Water with Daniel Jaffee 57:41

1M ago57:41

57:41

A plastic bottle of water powerfully represents the state of our current environmental and health priorities. That water can become commodified while being an essential public service means that who gets access to water can be deeply challenged. How is water justice reached when plastic water privatization has become so embedded in our systems? My …

1
Ep. 521 - Plant Conservation from the Sky 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

Go looking for information on rare plant population health and it can be surprisingly hard to come by. Plant monitoring, especially over the long term, is a challenge and data have not always kept up with the need. Dr. Michelle DePrenger-Levin and her colleagues at the Denver Botanic Gardens are doing their part to fix this and using some cool tech…

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Bob Gray Reflects on His Life Being a Farmer at 4 Corners Farm: EP28 1:22:19

2M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Newbury Vermont, where we visit with Bob Gray of 4 Corners Farm. He and his wife Kim purchased the farm in the late 1970’s after finding success selling their abundance of vegetables at a farmers market and overtime built a highly diversified farm that supports them and their children. Bob shares…

1
Ep. 520 - Saving Orchids! 53:40

1M ago53:40

53:40

What does it take to save orchids from extinction? Saving Orchids by Dr's Philip Seaton and Larry Zettler showcase the dedicated folks who are making it happen across the world. From why orchids need our help to cultivating in the lab and returning them to the wild, Saving Orchids is an inspirational read for anyone with even the slightest interest…

1
148: Masala, Maíz, and Movement - Ingredients for Decolonizing Plates with Norma Listman and Saqib Keval 38:16

2M ago38:16

38:16

On the show today are Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, looking at the solutions and communities that can be built when activism and ethical values are at the forefront of food creation. Norma and Saqib are the chefs and restauranteurs behind Masala y Maíz, which TIME Magazine named as one of the top destinations to visit worldwide, and its slightly m…

1
Ep. 519 - Sonoran Desert, Past & Future 53:53

2M ago53:53

53:53

Visit the Sonoran Desert and you too will fall in love with its beauty and diversity. It is truly one of the most incredible places on earth. Dr. Ben Wilder agrees which is why he has dedicated his life to understanding the history of the Sonoran flora and using that knowledge to help ensure it has a future. Join us for a celebration of all things …

1
Ep. 518 - The Complexities of Plant Reproduction 57:43

2M ago57:43

57:43

What does it mean to be a successful plant? Reproduction? Population growth? What factors influence these important events and which contribute more to a population through time? The answers to these questions are very complex and climate change is only making things harder to understand. Dr. Amy Iler and her colleagues are not afraid to try and ta…

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147: What Canada Ate - The Role of Cookbooks in Culinary History with Dr. Rebecca Beausaert 34:20

2M ago34:20

34:20

As most historians will tell you, the past can help make sense of a lot of the present, but maybe in unexpected or novel ways—like through cookbooks! We’re living in an intense period (I probably always say this, but it feels particularly challenging right now). With the new Trump presidency, shifts to Canada’s economic stability and food security …

1
Ep. 517 - Demystifying the Woolly Devil 55:11

2M ago55:11

55:11

The woolly devil (Ovicula biradiata) is a fascinating and unique member of the daisy family (Asteraceae) that was only recently described to science. It was first found in Big Bend National Park in Texas and serves as an important reminder of not only the need for protecting wild places but also how little we still know about the natural world. Joi…

1
Starting up a Diverse & Collaborative Farm with Spencer & Jake from The Farm Upstream: EP27 1:08:09

2M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Jericho Vermont where we visit with Spencer Hardy and Jake Kornfeld of The Farm Upstream (https://www.thefarmupstream.com). They are friends who are just setting roots on this new farm and share how they've structured their business to grow collaboratively to support multiple households. Support …

1
146: Flavour's Role in Food System Fixes with Franco Fubini 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

The idea of industrial food systems is flat, heavy, and feels complex to access. It brings up connotations of very bland, hyper-processed foods made to reach a large number of people at a low cost. There are important consequences to these food systems choices, though some are louder ones than others. My guest today, Franco Fubini, tackles an often…

1
Ep. 516 - Plants in the Afterlife 47:54

3M ago47:54

47:54

Plants ARE habitat and that doesn't stop when they die. Countless species of microbes, fungi, arthropods, and more not only take up residence in dead plant material but also require it to complete their lifecycle. My guest today is Dr. Amy Zanne and she spends a lot of time thinking about the things that live in dead wood and their impacts on the w…

1
145: Exploring the Biodiversity of Climate-Smart Crops with Shreema Mehta 25:39

3M ago25:39

25:39

Industrial food systems tend to use mono-crop and unilinear approaches to supplying the Global North with food. But what happens when we consider more diverse crops? My guest today, Shreema Mehta, will discuss the traditional, climate-smart crops that are overlooked by the industrial food system. She started Climate Cookery selling tamarind hot sau…

1
Ep. 515 - Phenology is Important 50:17

3M ago50:17

50:17

The emergence of leaves, the blooming of flowers, the arrival of pollinators... these are all biological events that are closely tied to the changing seasons. The study of this linkage is called Phenology and my guest today wants to share her passion for this wonderful world of inquiry. Join me and Dr. Theresa Crimmins as we discuss the USA Nationa…

1
144: The Rich History of Georgian Wines with Sarah May Grunwald 53:55

3M ago53:55

53:55

When it comes to wine, I have a tendency to retreat and panic: I don’t know anything, and I certainly don’t feel like I have the means to access the knowledge. I often wonder if that’s a common experience for people, based on the connotations that come with its consumption. My guest this week, Sarah May Grunwald, is someone I find quite admirable f…

1
Ep. 514 - Parent/Offspring Conflicts in Moss 56:37

3M ago56:37

56:37

Parents and children don't always get along. Sometimes they can even be competitors. Conflicts often lead to interesting evolutionary adaptations and mosses are no stranger to this. Join me and Dr. Jessica Budke as we explore a familial tug of war going on all around us. This episode was produced in part by Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, S…

1
143: Unpacking the Absent Food Citizen in Policy with Isabela Bonnevera 39:21

3M ago39:21

39:21

This week, we’re exploring the idea of the food citizen, or perhaps more accurately, the absent food citizen, with Isabela Bonnevera. Isabela is a doctoral researcher at ICTA-UAB, and engages with participatory methods to explore how immigrants are shaping sustainable food transitions in cities. She also examines how sustainable food policies impac…

1
Ep. 513 - The Enigma of the Galax Genome 45:08

3M ago45:08

45:08

Spend any time in the southern Appalachian Mountains and you are bound to cross paths with Galax urceolata. This wonderful little evergreen herb seems to be at home in a variety of habitats from forest streams to granite outcrops and everywhere in between. It is also culturally significant and even suffers from poaching in some areas. Despite its p…

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30 Years of Farming with Andrew Knafel of Clear Brook Farm: EP26 1:24:54

3M ago1:24:54

1:24:54

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Shaftsbury Vermont where we visit with Andrew Knafel of Clear Brook Farm. As he just farmed for the 30th season we reflect on how they grows on about 30 acres and in 11 greenhouses. He markets mixed vegetables and bedding plants mostly all sold from his retail farmstand. We start off the episode …

1
Ep. 512 - The Complexity of Mangrove Ecosystems 48:11

3M ago48:11

48:11

Mangrove forests are dynamic places and so too are the people that study them. From carbon capture and peat formation, to restoration and hydrology, these coastal habitats offer curious minds plenty to ponder. Join me and Dr. Luke Lamb-Wotton as we explore the wonderfully complex world of these coastal ecosystems. This episode was produced in part …

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Ep. 511 - Paw Paw Randomness 55:42

4M ago55:42

55:42

Paw paw (Asimina triloba) is a charismatic and special species. It is the most northerly growing member of a mostly tropical family. It also has considerable influence on its herbaceous neighbors. Join me and PhD student Anna Wassel as we explore the random world of pawpaw and understory herb community assembly. This episode was produced in part by…

1
Ep. 510 - Epiphytes & Phorophytes 58:42

4M ago58:42

58:42

Mosses, liverworts, and lichens live in a world of their own. Not unlike the trees they grow on, these tiny organisms must play out the dramas of obtaining the water, nutrients, and light they need to survive, they are just doing so on a much smaller scale. At the same time, they are supporting their own food webs that scale far bigger than their o…

1
Ep. 509 - The Power of Biotic Resistance 51:48

4M ago51:48

51:48

Invasive species reduce native biodiversity and hinder an ecosystem's ability to support life, including our own. Managing invasive species can be very challenging, but that doesn't intimidate people like Dr. Mike Schuster. Learn how he and his colleagues are using the ecological principal of biotic resistance to study how some native plants such a…

1
Ep. 508 - The Cashew Family Revisited 50:04

4M ago50:04

50:04

What do cashews (Anacardium spp.), mangoes (Mangifera spp.), pistachios (Pistacia spp.), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron spp.) have in common? They are all members of the family Anacardiaceae! Revisit this conversation with Executive Director at the United States Botanic Garden, Dr. Susan Pell, who has devoted her career to understanding this incredi…

1
Ep. 507 - The Beginning Revisited 14:26

5M ago14:26

14:26

January 2025 marks the 10 year anniversary (!!!) of the In Defense of Plants Podcast. To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to revisit the first episode of the podcast. Travel back a decade to a tiny, old Buffalo NY apartment where a young and naive Matt waxes poetic about his love for jewel orchids (Ludisia discolor) as a blizzard rages outside.…

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Completely Flooded 3 Times in 2 Seasons | Foote Brook Farm: EP25 1:34:49

5M ago1:34:49

1:34:49

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Johnson Vermont where we visit with Tony and Joie Lehouillier of Foote Brook Farm. They grow sod, and 35 acres of vegetables for both wholesale markets and their on-farm store. We start off the episode seeing what’s growing in one of the greenhouses in early December, take a look in the farm stan…

1
Looking to Ecology to Build a Cooperative Farm Future with Andrew Adamski of Full Circle Community Farm 43:22

5M ago43:22

43:22

Andrew Adamski, or walkie talkie callsign gopher, is one of the farmer owners of Full Circle Community Farm in Wisconsin, the land of coops in the US. He came back to his generations old family farm in 2017 after college, along with his now wife heather, to not only continue the family farming tradition, but diversify both its production and member…

1
Ep. 506 - The Digital Future of Herbaria

5M ago

—

The herbarium world is a fascinating one. These botanical repositories are goldmines of data and help us understand the present by looking at the past. But what kind of future questions can herbaria help solve? Experts say the opportunities are endless, but we will need new technologies to take full advantage. Join me and Curator and Director of th…

1
Ep. 505 - Leave the Dang Leaves! 48:56

5M ago48:56

48:56

Leave the leaves! It is a phrase you hear a lot these days, but why is it so important to keep leaves and other plant debris on your landscape? These are the questions that drive Dr. Max Ferlato. Leaf litter and other plant debris provides vitally important habitat for myriad organisms including species important for pollination and pest control. M…

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Ep. 504 - The Genetic Mysteries of Creosote Bush 59:18

5M ago59:18

59:18

What is a species? On the surface, this seems like an easy question to answer. Get a bunch of biologists in the room together and you will quickly see it can be a bit of a loaded question. Questions like this are what drive scientists like Dr. Robert Laport. By looking at genome duplication events in plants like creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), h…

1
Practical Tools & Advice When Starting a Co-op w/ Kelly Maynard of UW Center for Co-op Development 59:28

5M ago59:28

59:28

Kelly Maynard is a cooperative development specialist at the university of Wisconsin center for cooperative development and we're going to get into some practical advice and tools you can use when thinking about going into cooperative farming, yourself, or yourselves, as it were. This is the second coop development person, or forth depending on how…

1
Ep. 503 - Pollen Specialization

6M ago

—

Bees run the gamut from generalists to specialists. Whereas the generalists visit a variety of plants for the resources they need, many specialists exist on a single species. Such is the case for at least 20 different bees living in Southwestern North America who specialize on the pollen of the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). In geologic terms, …

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Spencer Blackwell of Elmer Farm: EP24 1:44:30

6M ago1:44:30

1:44:30

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Middlebury Vermont where we visit with Spencer Blackwell of Elmer Farm. He’s been growing for 30 years and built this property up from a homestead to a CSA & wholesale vegetable farming growing crops on over 7 acres. We start off with a tour checking out the wash and pack area, then hop in the tr…

1
Ep. 502 - Unearthing the Mysteries of Underground Storage Organs

6M ago

—

Tubers, corms, taproots, bulbs... There are many different kinds of underground storage organs in the plant world. Moreover, they form from many different kinds of plant tissues. This begs the question, why are there so many variations on the theme of energy storage? Join me and Dr. Carrie Tribble as we explore phylogenetic and trait-based approach…

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Looking to the past to move decentralized regional food systems forward with Lexi close of Appalachia regional cooperative development 57:21

6M ago57:21

57:21

Welcome back to Collab Farm, the podcast where we talk about all the ways small- and mid-scale farmers can work together, even in big $10 million food system rebuilding kinds of ways. Like this conversation that I had with Lexi Close from Appalachia Regional Cooperative Development and the Appalachia Producers Co-op. Now, Lexi is involved with much…

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142: What Role Does Food Play in Fiction Writing? with Margaux Vialleron 32:23

6M ago32:23

32:23

One of the most frustrating parts of watching Gossip Girl growing up was witnessing the elaborate breakfast spreads that the families had each morning, only for the main characters to grab a piece of toast and run away with anguish. When we think about fiction, food isn’t always central to how a story is told. But what happens when it is? My guest …

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Ep. 501 - Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives 59:49

6M ago59:49

59:49

Domestication is a spectrum, especially for botanical crops. Regardless of where a plant is on that spectrum, it nevertheless has a wild origin. Understanding those origins can not only help us understand the plants better, but also our history as a species as well as open the door to future possibilities. Sadly, many of the wild relatives of crops…

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Building a Farm & Retiring to Hike & Ski - Tim & Janet Taylor of Crossroad Farm: EP23 1:53:24

6M ago1:53:24

1:53:24

Text me a message! Today's episode comes to you from Post Mills Vermont where we visit with Tim and Janet Taylor of Crossroad Farm. They are recently retired from a 40+year farming career growing over 50 acres and 20 greenhouses of diversified vegetables. What started out as a garden turned into a business that was able to be sold and retired off f…

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141: Uncovering Medieval Pictish Foodways through Paleobotany with Dr. Shalen Prado 33:10

6M ago33:10

33:10

Oftentimes, when we think about plant-human relationships, we’re thinking about our contemporary lives and how plants factor into it – be it North American plant-based diets or what we’re growing in our apartments. But our relationship with plants goes back for millennia, and accessing this historical and prehistoric knowledge is a glimpse into wha…

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CROP Organization Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen