Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley

Episode 97: What is GardenFit

GardenFit is the hit national public television series with co-hosts and executive producers Madeline Hooper and Jeff Hughes. A first-of-its-kind series, GardenFit is a fusion of destination, gardening, and self-care, teaching viewers how to take care of their body while taking care of their garden. On the television show, you can tour gardens across America and learn gardening tips and techniques to avoid stress and injury.

Madeline Hooper, who lives in Columbia County in New York State, joins the Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley podcast with tips on how to garden safely by using your body correctly. Before devoting herself wholeheartedly to gardening, she forged an extensive career in public relations, specializing in marketing. But her talents extend to many forms of physical activity including tennis, ballroom dancing and gardening. In her spare time, she also volunteers at the Berkshire Botanical Garden where she is also a Vice-Chair.

As we all know, gardening is a great activity for both the mind and the body. Madeline offers many suggestions to garden safely. She suggests dividing garden tasks into 30-minute chunks to avoid exhausting any one muscle group. She also advises that we all learn to be ambidextrous so that we work both sides of our bodies equally- not just our dominant side. Putting one foot in the direction you are bending will help with balance and protect your knees. Squatting when bending down also protects the knees as long as you don’t let your knees go beyond your toes. To protect your back, make sure to use your hips to lift items. Posture is also very important in and out of the garden. She encourages everyone to move your shoulder blades downward towards the pockets of your jeans. This raises the chest and puts you into a more aligned posture.

There is a lot to absorb in this episode while you also get a sneak preview of what’s coming in Season Two of the television series, Garden Fit. Enjoy!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Madeline Hooper

Photo from: Madeline Hooper

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 96: Farming Trends

Have you wondered about the state of agriculture in the Hudson Valley? Or what New York farmers are focused on now? Or how they manage for regenerative and/or climate smart farming? If so, we have a great episode for you!

Join Christian Malsatski, CCE Agricultural Program Leader for Columbia, Greene and Ulster Counties on a wide-ranging discussion on Farming Trends in the Hudson Valley. Christian has over 15 years of experience in agricultural research and education roles in Texas, Florida and Wisconsin with a focus on field crops, soil science, beef cattle/livestock and urban agriculture. He designs, organizes and delivers programs serving agricultural producers/practioners and State/County officials and workers in many facets or agricultural endeavors.

Christian talks about the growing interest in agri-tourism and the diversification of many farm operations to include both crops and livestock. He explores the local grain economy as a community of farmers, millers & processors, distributors, bakers, maltsters, chefs, livestock owners, and others who eat and use grains. They communicate and interact together to provide and consume local grains, facilitating each other’s success and good health. This includes relationship of many farmers to New York craft breweries.

Farmers today face ongoing threats from deer damage as well as from invasive pests like the spotted lantern fly. Learn why soil health is so important to the future of productive farms and how rotational schedules help.

This episode provides insight into the challenges faced by today’s farmers and how they are adapting to thrive in today’s economy.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Christian Malsatski

Photo By: Jean Thomas

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Xandra Powers, and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 95: Regenerative Agriculture

Did you know that half of the world’s agricultural land is degraded? According to the World Economic Forum, this leads to farm productivity losses and is a risk to food security in the future. They define Regenerative Agriculture as a focus on improving the health of the soil that has been degraded by the use of heavy machinery, fertilizers, and can restore agricultural land and pesticides used in intensive farming. When soil is healthy, it produces more food and nutrition, stores more carbon and increases biodiversity – the variety of species. Healthy soil supports water, land and air environments and ecosystems through natural processes including the fertilization of plants.

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, located in Tarrytown (Westchester County), NY is a nonprofit farm, education and research center with a mission to catalyze an ecological food culture in the Northeast. Since 2004, they have been working to innovate ecological farming practices and mindful food choices that benefit human health, strengthen communities, and protect the environment. Their Hudson Valley campus, shared with restaurant partner Blue Hill at Stone Barns, is a living laboratory for interdisciplinary research experiments where farmers, chefs, diners, educators, and artisans come together to push the boundaries of sustainable farming and eating.

Laura Perkins is horticulturalist at Stone Barns Center where she tends the formal gardens and develops and maintains the surrounding landscape while supplying Blue Hill with foraged edible foods, giving visitors opportunities for sensory immersion in the landscape, and enhancing wildlife habitat and the ecological resilience of the land. She joins the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, with fascinating insights into the work performed at the Stone Barns Center and how it is helping farmers and residents better understand successful ways to regenerate soils and farming practices.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Laura Perkins

Photo by:

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 94: Brassicas, Viburnums and Shovels

Dig into this podcast episode that includes comfort food cooking with brassica vegetables, insights into both native and non-native viburnums, and helpful information on various types of garden shovels,

Annie Scibienski, a Master Gardener Volunteer, starts us off with a new From Patch to Plate segment about cooking with cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. Awaken your taste buds with her descriptions of recipes involving these popular vegetable varieties.

Viburnums are a very admired and fast-growing flowering landscape shrubs or small trees with a large number of cultivars available. Bloom times span from early spring through June, followed by attractive fruit and great fall foliage. However, not all viburnums are created equal. Learn about the differences between the native and non-native species from Master Gardener Tim Kennelty on Good Plant/Bad Plant.

Have you ever stopped to think about what a groundbreaking invention the shovel is?  Annie Scibienski returns with a discussion about different types of shovels on The Grateful Shed. The shovel, spade, and trowel are featured with descriptions of the benefits of each type and their uses in the garden.

We hope you find some interesting bits of new knowledge on this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Tim Kennelty and Annie Scibienski

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 93: Backyard Ducks

Many people have thought about raising chickens and most of them have been successful doing so. But have you given any thought to raising ducks?

All ducks belong to the Anseriformes order, a biological group that contains ducks, geese and swans. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than either swans or geese. They have many economic uses, being farmed for their meat, eggs, and feathers (particularly their down).

The head and wing feathers of drakes (males) are more colorful than in females, with male ducks typically having larger heads. Ducks generally only have one partner at a time, although the partnership may only last one year. Ducks don't use nesting boxes or roosting bars. They are perfectly content to bed down in straw on the floor of a chicken coop or shed or other secure structure and then will make their own nest in a corner to lay their eggs in.

Ducks do have predators. Nests and ducklings can be raided by land-based predators such as foxes, or large birds, such as hawks or owls. While people may allow them to free range during the day, they really need to be locked into a coop or other strong structure at night.

Backyard Ducks don’t need a pond and can be perfectly happy with a kiddie pool. They do need a water source deep enough to submerge their heads into to help them swallow their food. Ducks eat grasses, aquatic plants, fish, insects, small amphibians, and worms. Ducklings should only be fed un-medicated feed. But bear in mind that ducks can be messy. They tend to make a water mess around their tub, as they go back and forth from the feed to the water, wetting the feed in their mouth with the water to help them swallow it.

Ducks can be wonderful backyard birds to raise as you enjoy their eggs as well as their personalities. Join Cathy Bruce on Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley to learn more!

Hosts:  Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest:  Cathy Bruce

Photo by:  Cathy Bruce

Production Support:  Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 92: Natural Dyes

Join us in this fascinating chat with Bonnie Warwick, a lifelong resident of Red Hook, NY and a key member of the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association and the Elmendorph Hand Spinners Guild. Known for her magical touch in natural dyeing, Bonnie takes us through her lifelong journey from learning to knit at five years old, her stint in Panama, and her endless experiments with natural dyes in New York’s Hudson Valley. Bonnie’s family had a farm stand and introduced her to plants. Since then, her diverse experiences included her early exposure to knitting, working with indigenous people in Panama, becoming a nurse, delving into the world of sheep breeds, and transitioning from synthetic dyes to natural ones. This all fueled her passion for fiber arts and natural dyes, driven by sustainability and uniqueness. Get a peek into her dye kitchen at the Dutchess County Fair and learn about her unique techniques in working with different types of metals, waters and plants to achieve the desired colors.

Bonnie also touches on her experiments with natural dyes, highlighting the challenges of achieving consistent colors due to factors like water quality and mordants. Bonnie also mentions her cotton cultivation project and the various cotton varieties she grows, which come in brown, green, and white (who knew!) and her extensive dyeing garden, which features around 80 different plants used for natural dyeing. She discusses the challenges of growing certain plants and the need to rotate beds due to soil nutrient depletion. Bonnie shares tips for those interested in natural dyeing, including online resources, books, and the use of simple jars to start experimenting.

Bonnie doesn't hold back in sharing her wealth of knowledge about natural dyeing and crafting techniques. Listen as she guides us on how to duplicate a fabric color, manage a dyeing garden and the intricacies of dyeing natural fibers. She touches on her experiments with natural dyes, highlighting the challenges of achieving consistent colors due to factors like water quality and mordants. Bonnie also mentions her cotton cultivation project and the various cotton varieties she grows, which come in brown, green, and white (who knew!). She talks about spinning wool, the different tools used, and the importance of this skill in our everyday life. Bonnie also discusses the challenges of growing certain plants and the need to rotate beds due to soil nutrient depletion. She shares tips for those interested in natural dyeing, including online resources, books, and the use of simple jars to start experimenting.

You’ll be inspired by her stories and pick up some great advice if you're looking to get started in natural dyeing or spinning. So tune in to Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, get comfy, and let Bonnie take you on a journey through the wonderful world of natural dyes and handcrafts.

Hosts: Jean Thomas and Annie Scibienski 

Guest: Bonnie Warwick 

Photo by: Teresa Golden 

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, and Annie Scibienski 

Resources

Episode 91: Meet Lisa Gallina, CCE Executive Director

In this episode of Nature Calls, we're delighted to sit down with Lisa Gallina, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), Columbia and Greene Counties. Lisa's journey to CCE started with her early involvement in Cornell's Extension programs through 4-H in Dutchess County, New York. Her career path is a unique blend of environmental management, high-tech recruiting, and a return to her true passion for environmental education. Throughout our conversation, Lisa's unwavering commitment to youth programs and educational initiatives shines through, reflecting her experiences across colleges, nonprofits, and CCE programs.

As the Executive Director, Lisa's role encompasses a multitude of responsibilities. She describes herself as a catalyst for positive change, emphasizing her focus on nurturing a vibrant organizational culture within CCE, ensuring financial stability, and fostering professional growth among the staff. Lisa also delves into the historical significance of Cooperative Extension programs, rooted in the Morrill Act of 1862, highlighting their pivotal role in bridging the gap between research-based knowledge and local communities.

Our discussion with Lisa offers a glimpse into the diverse array of programs provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension. From youth-oriented endeavors like 4-H to comprehensive master programs for adults, including Master Gardeners and Master Forest Owners, these initiatives have a profound impact on individuals and communities alike. Lisa's passion for community engagement and her vision for a future where people unite to learn and collaborate shine through, making this episode a source of inspiration and hope for a more interconnected and informed society. Tune in to this insightful conversation for a compelling exploration of education, community building, and positive change.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Lisa Gallina, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Columbia and Greene Counties

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, and Annie Scibienski

Resources 

Episode 90: Food, Plants, and Forks

Join us in this exciting podcast triple-feature!

In Patch to Plate: Peppers and Tomatoes, Master Gardener Volunteer Annie Scibienski shares her expertise on growing and savoring these flavorful Hudson Valley garden favorites. Discover the joys of growing and enjoying tomatoes and peppers and how these garden favorites can be the stars of your menu planning as she discusses their unique qualities and offers valuable insights into incorporating them into your meals. If you're looking for inspiration or are looking for a simple, under-30-minute dinner ideas, Annie has you covered with delicious recipes you won't want to miss.

Then, in Good Plant, Bad Plant: Asters and Tree of Heaven, Tim Kennelty explores the ecological impact of these distinct plants, from native asters to the invasive Tree of Heaven. Asters, once known as New World asters, are now classified under a different genera, particularly Symphyotrichum. These native plants offer vibrant colors in purple, pink and white while also supporting late-season pollinators, making them an excellent addition to your garden. On the flip side, the invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), is a non-native plant that has wreaked havoc in many ecosystems, including New York’s. As he describes, it’s critical to manage this troublesome plant, which also serves as the primary host for the destructive spotted lanternfly. Listen and learn how to identify, control, and support your local ecosystem.

Lastly, on the inaugural episode of The Grateful Shed: Garden Forks, Annie comes back to introduce you to the essential garden fork and its versatile uses, along with other fork types. Dive into the world of garden tools and elevate your gardening skills. As a new addition to the Nature Calls line-up, this segment of The Grateful Shed, introduces you to the world of garden tools. The garden fork, also known as a spading or digging fork, has many versatile uses, from loosening soil to mixing compost. Learn why choosing a fork with an ash or hickory handle is essential for long-lasting performance. She also dives into other types of forks, including the pitchfork, broad fork (or u-fork), and hand fork, explaining their specific purposes and benefits. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, understanding these tools will help you maintain a successful garden.

Don't miss out on this informative episode to help you elevate your gardening knowledge and skills!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Annie Scibienski and Tim Kennelty

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 89: Gardening with Native Perennials

Prepare to embark on a captivating journey into the realm of native perennials in this engaging episode of "Nature Calls Conversations from the Hudson Valley." Co-host Tim Kennelty, our resident expert, is your guide as we explore these remarkable, sustainable garden wonders. Whether you're a gardening novice or a seasoned pro, this episode promises valuable insights into the world of native perennials, their resilience, and their magnetic allure to pollinators.

Our exploration spans the seasons, from the early whispers of spring to the full bloom of summer and beyond. Tim generously shares his wealth of knowledge, highlighting how these hardy plants are not only easy to cultivate but also require less water and fertilizer. The ecological significance of native perennials in supporting vital pollinators like butterflies and bees becomes abundantly clear.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on how to cultivate native perennials in your own green space. Tim's passion and expertise shines through as he provides guidance on choosing the right plants and understanding their unique characteristics. By tuning in, you'll gain the know-how to create a thriving garden that not only enhances your surroundings but also contributes positively to the local ecosystem.

Don't miss this opportunity to nurture your gardening skills and connect with the natural world. Hit that play button, and let's embark on this exciting journey together, discovering the magic of native perennials and their role in sustaining our environment.

Host:  Jean Thomas

Guest:  Tim Kennelty

Production Support:  Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Annie Scibienski

Resources

Photo by Jay Williams

Episode 88: Library of Local

In this episode of "Nature Calls Conversations from the Hudson Valley", Annie and Jean sit down with Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, the Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System (MHLS), to embark on an inspiring journey through the Library of Local, a remarkable initiative born from a partnership between Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley and the Mid-Hudson Library System. This innovative project is changing the way local communities interact with climate change and ecological repair by providing library patrons with a diverse collection of resources. From books and films to seeds and shovels, the Library of Local (LOL) equips individuals with the tools they need to take meaningful action in addressing the climate crisis and fostering a harmonious relationship with nature.

At the heart of the LOL project are the 15 hand-built architectural displays created by local artist Johnny Poux. Each of these installations houses nearly 200 locally sourced books, forming a vital knowledge repository for those eager to learn about sustainable living and environmental stewardship. The seed library, essential gardening tools, and AV equipment make it even more accessible for community members to embark on their ecological journeys.

What sets the Library of Local apart is its commitment to community education and engagement. The LOL team organizes a dynamic monthly schedule of in-person and virtual events, along with community meetings. These gatherings provide a platform for individuals to learn from experts, exchange ideas, and collectively work towards a greener, more sustainable future.

Don't miss out! Join us on this eco-adventure and discover how libraries are becoming hubs for sustainability and environmental action. Whether you're a seasoned environmentalist or just starting on your journey, the Library of Local has something to offer everyone!

Hosts: Annie Scibienski and Jean Thomas

Guest: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich

Photo: Used with permission from Laura Crisci, MHLS Library Sustainability Coordinator

Production Support:  Linda Aydett, Teresa Golden, Annie Scibienski

Resources