In This Podcast: Mike Clow, a homesteader, engineer, and co-founder of Desert Life Ranch, discusses his journey from suburban life to sustainable living in the Arizona desert. He emphasizes the importance of integrating technology like solar power and aquaponics to enhance self-reliance and sustainability. Mike introduces his innovative project 'Homestead Electronics,' which uses affordable, custom-built sensors to monitor various homestead parameters, aiming to simplify and improve homestead management. Mike also touches on the challenges and continuous learning involved in homesteading and the importance of perseverance. He offers practical advice for those interested in merging technology with homesteading for more efficient and resilient living.

Our Guest: Mike Clow is a homesteader, engineer and entrepreneur. He and his wife Peggy Sue are founders of the Desert Life Ranch, which they are developing into a center for sustainable and self reliant living in central Arizona. Mike enjoys homesteading, foraging, living in nature, and working with various forms of technology including solar power and aquaponics while spreading the word about sustainable living.

Mike's Recommended Book - Folks, This Ain't Normal by Joel Salatin

Visit UrbanFarm.org/HomesteadElectronics for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Changing the way we stock our pantries.

In This Podcast: David Stelzer, founder and CEO of Azure Standard, discusses the evolution of his company from selling organic grain out of his pickup truck to building a nationwide organic food distribution network.

David shares his personal journey into organic farming, inspired by his parents' commitment to a healthy diet after his own health issues as a child. He describes the creation of Community Drops, a unique delivery system that spans 50 states, enabling Azure Standard to serve over 3 million families. David also talks about the importance of healthy diets, sustainable farming practices, and Azure Standard's mission to provide high-quality, affordable organic food. The podcast delves into the company's development, the challenges faced, and the impact on local food systems.

Our Guest: David Stelzer is a pioneer in organic food and healthy soil practices. He is the founder and CEO of Azure Farm and Azure Standard, a leading producer and distributor of natural, organic, and non-GMO foods across the nation.

David began his journey into organic farming as a teenager in the 1970s, driven by a passion for providing nourishing, healthful foods cultivated in chemical-free, healthy soil. At just 21, he started selling grain from the family farm out of his pickup truck, which laid the foundation for Azure Standard in 1987.

Under his leadership, Azure Standard developed a unique delivery system known as Community Drops, creating a robust organic food distribution network that spans 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, with over 4,000 local drop points. To date, Azure has delivered organic produce and foods to more than 3 million families across the U.S.

His vision is to meet the world’s growing demand for truly healthful food, all while staying at the forefront of agricultural innovation.

David's Book Recommendation - Science in Agriculture: Advanced Methods for Sustainable Farming by Arden Anderson

Visit UrbanFarm.org/AZURE for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is...

Living Energy Farm's Renewable Journey Explained.

In This Podcast: Debbie Piesen from Living Energy Farm discusses sustainable energy systems and microgrids. Debbie explains her journey and the challenges of living off-grid without fossil fuels. She shares the benefits and challenges of DC microgrids over AC systems and the importance of good design and decentralized energy production. Additionally, Debbie highlights various sustainable practices and projects, including solar ovens and battery storage, that are being implemented at Living Energy Farm and in the Caribbean. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of communal effort and education in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Our Guest: Debbie is one of the founders of Living Energy Farm (LEF), an organic farm and intentional community in Louisa, Virginia that is off-the-grid and uses no fossil fuels. When she is not working on the farm, Debbie teaches others about sustainable energy systems and installs DC Microgrids, an innovative solar energy system design developed at the farm. She has two children who are both named after persimmon varieties..

Visit UrbanFarm.org/LivingEnergyFarm for the show notes and links on this episode!

Debbie's Recommended Book - Green Illusions by Ozzie Zehner

Debbie's website - Living Energy Farm - LivingEnergyFarm.org

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.