Farm Talk with Paul Ward

Organic & Sustainable Hop Farming in Fillmore, CA with Mollie Engelhart

In Fillmore, CA, Mollie Engelhart learned how to grow hops organically and brew beer - completely by winging it. As chef of a small chain of restaurants, she discovered food waste is a problem - and she did something about it. Mollie shifted all the food waste from her restaurants and turned it into soil for her organic and sustainable farm, Sow A Heart Farm. 

 

Follow Mollie’s journey into regenerative agriculture and discover why sequestering carbon in the ground is an important business strategy. In this episode, you’ll also learn how she halved her water bill all while increasing crop yields. Mollie consistently pushes the limits of what she can grow and farmers markets and patrons of Sage: Plant Based Bistro & Brewery reap the delicious benefits.

Experiencing Coffee Locally Cultivated in Ventura County

In this episode of Farm Talk, Paul is on location with Lisa Tate, founder of the California Coffee Collective at Rancho Faso outside of Santa Paula, California. Not only is California Coffee Collective one of the first of five farms to grow coffee in California, their crop just went into commercial production last year! Lisa may be new to growing a coffee crop, but her family have been farmers since the 1800’s. In just under 30 minutes, Lisa discusses how an expertise in growing avocados led to a giant revelation. Listeners will also discover how an all women crew and volunteers do all of the harvesting - and the tricks they have up their sleeve. One method Lisa devised is painting the women’s nails the exact color of a ripened coffee cherry. The harvesters then only picked perfectly ripened coffee cherries which is a critically important part of the process. You’ll have to listen to the full episode to find out what happens to the leaves from the coffee bush! Lisa and the Coffee Collective have proven coffee can be grown right here in Ventura County, but is the cuppa joe any good? (Spoiler - it’s really great.)

This episode has gone to the dogs with Russ Avison of All Dogs Rule in Fillmore, CA.

In this episode of Farm Talk with Paul Ward, Ventura County Realtor/Broker Paul Ward chats with Russ Avison, co-owner of All Dogs Rule. Located on nearly 20 acres in Fillmore, California - with a converted barn and 2000 Valencia orange trees - All Dogs Rule provides the perfect location for dog day camp, boarding and training. In addition to co-owning the dog day camp and boarding ranch, Russ has been a dog trainer for over 25 years. In this interview. he provides a unique professional insight into the canine psyche that only someone immersed in canine culture for decades can provide. 

In this 27 minute interview, discover why Russ and his wife took over the property on a whim and everything they have accomplished since then. Is there one breed Russ recommends for first time owners? What special place do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels hold in Russ’s heart? Does he have a stance on Pit Bulls? You’ll have to listen to find out!

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Farm Talk with Paul Ward would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, May Alcala from Escrow Hub and Karly Rosalez from The Money Store. Supporting our sponsors ensures Farm Talk can provide listeners with the best possible episodes.

Horse, Heart & Connection- Equine Facilitated Learning

Paul meets with Andrea Gaines of Horse, Heart & Connection. The two talk about the emerging discipline of Equine Facilitated Learning, and how people can learn more about themselves by spending time with horses.

Bonito Coffee- Ojai’s Farm to Cup Coffee

Paul meets with Carlos Ramirez of Bonito Coffee to talk about "farm to cup coffee", his Central American family traditions that started his passion for coffee roasting, and his love for the Ojai community.

Tomatomania!- A Celebration Event of America’s Favorite Garden Vegetable

Paul meets with Scott Daigre from Tomatomania to talk about their 150+ hybrid and heirloom tomato varieties, how the seasonal celebration events came to be, and tips for growing your own favorite garden vegetable.

The Superior Flavor of Fresh Thai Coconuts and Artisan Products you Can Purchase at Southern California Farmers Markets with Mingle’s Coconuts

Paul meets with Mingle’s Coconuts in Ojai, California to talk about their handcrafted fresh Thai coconuts, how the family got started in the coconut business, what it's been like operating at many Southern California Farmers Markets during COVID and the many artisan products they sell. 

Interview with Tami Chu of Edible of Ojai & Ventura County

Paul meets with Tami Chu who is the editor, publisher and owner of Edible of Ojai & Ventura County magazine. Edible is a local food magazine that is published quarterly with the seasons. They celebrate the stories of local farmers, artisans and people who bring food to the table, they feature seasonal recipes and focus on celebrating the culture around the food on the table and the people who bring it.

Interview with Suzannah Underwood of Underwood Family Farms

Paul and Suzannah discuss her family's five generations of family farming in Ventura County, from growing  tomatoes and other vegetables to operating a year-round public events calendar at the 200 acre Underwood Farm Center in Moorpark.  Fall Harvest on the Farm is currently in full swing, with weekends dedicated to antique tractors, the wild west and pumpkin picking.  

Farm Talk Podcast: Interview with President of Sierra Pacific Farms, Doug O’Hara

In this episode of Farm Talk, Paul interviews the President of Sierra Pacific Farms, Doug O’Hara. They discuss how a grove management company manages different crops, such as lemons and avocados, the cost benefit of redeveloping an orchard and what it takes to start from bare dirt and turn it into a high production orchard. 

 

Farm Talk is sponsored by The Escrow Hub and The Money Store. Be sure to check out next month’s episode!