Humboldt County Grown

Earthly Edibles with Ed Cohen

What does it take to build a successful organic farm that feeds both a local community and sends produce to the Bay Area? For over two decades, Ed Cohen of Earthly Edibles has been answering that question, and he sat down with us to share his journey. Starting as a farmhand for an OG organic legend, Paul Gintoli, Ed learned the ropes in an era when "organic by default" was the local norm. Now, with over 20 years of his own certification, he’s a cornerstone of our local food system. In this episode, we dive deep into: 🌿 The roots of organic certification in Humboldt and why Ed believes in Organic farming practices. 🚜 The transition from worker to owner – and why advocating for fair farm labor is non-negotiable. 📦 Navigating wholesale & distribution – how to build relationships with companies like Veritable Vegetables and when it makes sense for a small farm in Humboldt County. 🏫 The game-changing power of local markets – especially the role of the Harvest Hub and Farm-to-School programs in keeping food and dollars in our community. 🔮 The future of Humboldt agriculture – Why Ed is optimistic, the impact of shifting cannabis land, and the enduring importance of growing food for your neighbors. This is a masterclass in building a resilient, values-driven farm business from someone who’s been in the soil, the office, and everywhere in between. 👉 Listen now! Perfect for aspiring farmers, local food advocates, and anyone who wants to understand the backbone of our regional food system. #HumboldtCountyGrown #OrganicFarming #EarthlyEdibles #FarmToSchool #LocalFood #HumboldtCounty #SustainableAgriculture #FarmLife #Podcast #HarvestHub

Farm Co-ops and Conservation! Redwood Roots Farm Cooperative and Humboldt County Conservation District

How can a women-owned farm cooperative and a conservation agency team up to build a more resilient and productive farm? Find out in our latest episode! We’re sitting down with Jasmine from the inspiring Redwood Roots Farm—a worker-owned cooperative—and Megan & Petra from the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (RCD). They unpack their powerful partnership, which started with the creation of a comprehensive Carbon Farm Plan. Listen in to learn: 🍃 What a Carbon Farm Plan really is and how it goes beyond paperwork to map out whole-farm health. 🤝 How cooperative structure fosters collaboration and creates the perfect conditions to implement big conservation dreams. 💰 How the RCD helps navigate grants and funding (like for compost and hedgerows!), turning plans into action. 🌿 The tangible benefits they’ve already seen: from boosted production and healthier plants to stronger climate resilience. 🎪 Bonus: Hear about community events like Worm Fest and farm potlucks that root this work in joy and connection. This is a story about good timing, shared goals, and how building the right partnerships can help farmers not just sustain their land, but help it thrive. 👉 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts! Links to the RCD’s programs, Redwood Roots Farm, and all the resources mentioned are in the show notes. Listen now! #HumboldtCountyGrown #CarbonFarming #FarmCooperative #Conservation #SustainableAg #HealthySoil #HumboldtCounty #LocalFood #WomenInAg #ClimateResilience #Podcast

Jared Zystro and Molly Travis from Organic Seed Alliance

What if the secret to climate-resilient crops is already hidden in our seeds? This week, we dive deep with researchers Molly Travis and Jared Zystro from the Organic Seed Alliance to explore the critical link between organic seed production and dry farming. Discover how their on-the-ground research in Humboldt County is breeding seeds specifically adapted to thrive in organic systems and with less water. They explain how selecting plants under the stress of dry farming doesn't just create drought-tolerant varieties—it builds all-around tougher crops that are better at resisting disease and weather fluctuations. Learn how this research helps local farmers today and contributes to a more resilient food system for everyone. If you've ever wondered how the seeds we save today can secure our harvests tomorrow, this conversation is for you. Hashtags: #SeedSaving #DryFarming #OrganicSeeds #PlantBreeding #ClimateResilience #SustainableAg #HumboldtCounty #FutureOfFood #OrganicResearch #SeedSovereignty

Lichen Land Farm with Nicole Brown and Mike Vitiello

From chefs and teachers to cultivators! On this episode of Humboldt County Grown, we chat with Nicole Brown and Mike Vitiello of @LichenLandFarm about their incredible journey from working in schools and restaurants to starting a blueberry farm in Humboldt County. They share how they’re building a life centered around family, community, and working with the land—not against it. From getting signs from the universe (and local farming legends) to navigating grant writing with a newborn and a toddler, their story is raw, real, and deeply inspiring. Tune in to hear about balancing parenting with perennial crops, learning through @NCGA.agriculturalprograms Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program, and their vision for a future filled with berry patches, farmer’s markets, and a legacy built on good food. Listen now at the link in our bio! And remember: supporting local farms is an investment in your health, your community, and the land. #HumboldtCountyGrown #NewFarmers #BlueberryFarm #SustainableAg #FarmLife #HumboldtLocal #SupportLocalFarms #ClimateResilience"

Aquilli Metzli: Indigenous Farming & Food Sovereignty in Humboldt County

🌽✨ Aquilli Metzli: Indigenous Farming & Food Sovereignty in Humboldt ✨🌱 Tune into the latest Humboldt County Grown episode with Octavio, Adriana & Oscar of Aquilli Metzli Masa Co-op—a farmer/artisan collective reviving the ancestral milpa system (think Three Sisters + 500 cousins!). 🔴 Why "Aquilli Metzli"? Red = indigenous resilience + labor justice 🌾 Moon = rising tide of land-back movements 🌕 Corn = cultural rebirth & food sovereignty 🌽 🌿 More Than Farming: • Co-op model = horizontal power, living wages, and keeping $$ local 💸 • Work parties = communal land-tending + feasting (because farming shouldn’t be lonely!) 👩🌾🎉 • Milpa magic = biodiversity, medicine, and kids playing in pesticide-free fields 🌻 🚜 Join the Movement: • Volunteer at a work party (follow @aquillimetzli) • Support local masa • Help fill gaps: cold storage, cal production, land access 💬 "The land is our culture. When we grow food together, we grow community." #AquilliMetzli #LandBack #FoodSovereignty #HumboldtGrown