Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley

Episode 53: Community Supported Agriculture

Keri-Sue Lewis from Common Hands Farm, located in Philmont, NY, joins the podcast to talk about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Their mission is to provide healthy, affordable food access by way of bringing small farming into the future. Using Certified Naturally Grown methods, they provide their CSA members with weekly boxes (between June and November) of their bountiful harvests of 100+ varieties of vegetable, herbs and micro-greens grown on their 25-acre farm. Having grown up in the Hudson Valley, Keri is passionate about changing the food systems in this area, providing seasonal crops, and bringing access to healthy food to the community while helping others connect with nature. The farm also offers delicious value-added products with their crops, inspired by preserving the bounty of the season. These can be found at local farmer’s markets as well as at local stores and wholesale buyers.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Keri-Sue Lewis

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Episode 52: Wild Hudson Valley and Winter Sowing

Learn about the rich history of New York’s Hudson Valley in a unique new way. Join Anna Plattner and Justin Wexler from Wild Hudson Valley, located in Cairo, NY. They own a 95-acre farm and sanctuary consisting of forest, meadow and wetlands. There they offer walks, workshops, forest farmed products and camping to help inspire others to become better stewards of our planet. Listen as Anna and Justin talk about their eco-camp which offers an immersive experience with furnished tents, engaging activities and nature trails enabling you to truly enjoy the natural beauty of the Catskill Mountains. Hey also offer monthly wild harvest boxes which consist of native foods such as veggies, nuts, berries, and mushrooms, that are wild-gathered, wild-stewarded, and grown on their farm.

Then Robin Stapley joins the podcast to talk about permaculture and winter sowing. Permaculture is all about applying a set of design principles to gardening taking into consideration the overall ecosystem of the site. Robin specifically talks about how she used permaculture to address some water issues on her property. She also then talks about the advantages of winter sowing to get a head start on seed starting.

Another episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley that has something for everyone!

Hosts: Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, and Jean Thomas

Guests: Anna Plattner and Justin Wexler

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 51: Climate Change

Climate change is all over the news but what exactly are the implications of higher carbon dioxide levels for the Hudson Valley? While New York State is at the forefront of climate leadership and environmental stewardship, what should we expect relative to extreme temperature and rainfall events?

Join Jenna and Zach, two CCE climate resiliency experts, to learn about potential climate hazards in New York State including an increase in insect, disease, invasive plant pressure as well as potential changes to USDA plant hardiness zones.

While gardeners can look forward to the potential of longer growing seasons, learn what you can do to minimize and adapt to these future climate changes.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Zach Spangler and Jenna Walzack

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Episode 50: Birds of Prey

Do you know the difference between a red-tailed hawk and a Cooper’s Hawk. What’s the difference between a bird of prey and a scavenger? Which birds prey on fish versus rodents versus carrion?

Our favorite birder and author of Birding the Hudson Valley is back once again, this time to talk about Birds of Prey. Among other things, Kathryn Schneider explains about the importance of ‘feet’ for the survival of these feathered friends. Eagles, hawks, falcons, harriers, owls, ospreys and vultures are all topics of discussion. Knowing which birds of prey are nocturnal versus diurnal can help with their identification. Find out where in the Hudson Valley you can participate in a hawk watch, where to find bald eagles or owls and the difference between a black vulture and a turkey vulture. This podcast episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley has something for everyone.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Kathryn Schneider

Photo by: Stock Photo

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski

Resources

Episode 49: Agroforestry and Biochar

David Newman from Arthur’s Point Farm in Ghent, NY, joins the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley to talk about ecological restoration and soil health using agroforestry and biochar.

Agroforestry is a land management approach that combines with agriculture and trees. Planting trees, shrubs and hedges on farms can give Hudson Valley farmers healthier soil and higher yields – not to mention creating vital homes for wildlife. As well as having a massive positive impact on the soil, the environment and wildlife, agroforestry also boosts productivity as diverse systems are more productive than monocultures. Integrating trees into the landscape also helps to enhance biodiversity and foster climate resilience.

Applying biochar may also increase the fertility and health of acidic soils and also increase agricultural productivity. Biochar is a lightweight black residue, made of carbon and ashes, remaining after the pyrolysis of biomass. Biochar carbon remains in the ground for centuries, slowing the growth in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. Simultaneously, its presence in the earth can improve water quality, increase soil fertility, raise agricultural productivity, and reduce pressure on old-growth forests. Its porous nature is effective at retaining both water and water-soluble nutrients.

Learn how you these techniques can be applied to improve the health of your land.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: David Newman

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Annie Scibienski

Episode 48: Raising Goats

Goats are amazing animals. They are tough, versatile and have many uses. Related to sheep, goats are lighter in build and have horns that arch backward, shorter tails, and straighter hair. Goats can survive and thrive just about anywhere. They are browsers and valued for eating inexpensive nutrient sources, such as woody plant and weeds that other livestock typically won’t consume. Goats have been used for milk, meat, fur, and skins across much of the world. Milk from goats is often turned into goat cheese.

On this fascinating episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, learn from Peter and Charlene Padin as they talk about their goat farm located in Columbia County. They explain their journey to becoming goat farmers and the joys and challenges of raising an Alpine goat herd. Did you know that goats dance? Charlene also describes the many kinds of cheese that can be made from goat’s milk.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Peter and Charlene Padin

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

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

Resources

Episode 47: Garden Maintenance, Online resources and Dutch Terms

This episode of the podcast, Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley, contains a potpourri of interesting topics.

Jean Thomas (It’s All Greek to Me) returns with a discussion of the Dutch influence on the Hudson Valley, including the wide variety of terms we use today that find their origins to the Netherlands. We all know that bulbs come from Holland, but are you aware of other common vocabulary terms like gherkin, coleslaw and cookie are derived from the Dutch? The Dutch influence on the Hudson Valley continues today.

Plant trials are the focus on Tools of the Trade with Tim Kennelty. Have you wondered how botanists evaluate which plant varieties perform best under certain conditions? Which cultivars are pollinator favorites? What one are the most disease resistant? Which native plant species will work best in your garden? On-line resources from the Mount Cuba Center in Delaware and the Chicago Botanic Garden are discussed which provides the answers.

Garden maintenance is the focus of this latest episode of the Veggie Patch with Teresa Golden. Watering, weeding and fertilizing are discussed as key elements to keep a vegetable garden thriving. Get answers to: How much water is needed? Does mulch really help to suppress weeds? What’s the value of fertilizer? In addition, she’ll cover some common garden tools that will make caring for your veggie patch easier.

Thanks for listening to Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Jean Thomas, Time Kennelty and Teresa Golden

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

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

Resources

Episode 46: Hydrangeas and Holiday Plants

Hydrangeas are a very popular landscape shrub and the topic of this podcast episode on Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley. 

What’s the difference between a lace cap and a mophead hydrangea? Why isn’t my hydrangea flowering? Where should a hydrangea be planted? How do I figure out what kind of hydrangea I have in my yard? When should hydrangeas be pruned? How do I get my white hydrangea flowers to turn blue? Or pink? What are other landscape plants to consider that offer similar ‘showy’ flower displays? Why don’t the hydrangea plants I receive as gifts overwinter? Join podcast founders and Master Gardener Volunteers (Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas) in a round table discussion about hydrangeas and get your questions answered.

Then, Linda Levitt joins us with a new Flower Power segment to talk about Holiday plants including how to care for them. Amaryllis, Holiday Cactus and Poinsettias are all discussed.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty, Jean Thomas, Teresa Golden and Linda Aydlett

Guest:  Linda Levitt

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Resources

Episode 45: Shade Gardening

Barbara Bravo, Master Gardener Volunteer from CCE of Ulster County, joins this Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley podcast episode to enlighten us about a variety of things to consider with shady landscapes. Understanding different levels of shade, setting appropriate plant expectations, and focusing on foliage, are just a few topics covered. Once established, shade gardens require less watering and maintenance, making them a favorite for many New Yorkers.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Barbara Bravo

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Resources

Episode 44: Mums, Sedums, Annual Vines and Season Extenders

This podcast episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley is perfect for the autumnal season. Extending the growing season, mums, asters, sedums and annual vines are all topics of conversation during the fall in New York.

The Veggie Patch with Teresa Golden covers a wide range of options to help extend the gardening season, including cloches, row covers and hoop houses. These tips and tools may allow your garden to keep producing for a few weeks longer than if left to Mother Nature’s own devices.

The Cover Up with Jean Thomas and Tim Kennelty is also quite timely. Morning Glories are the featured annual vines, but this category extends to gourd and mini-pumpkin vines, scarlet running beans, and more. Sedums and Hens and Chicks are featured ground covers (and succulents) in this episode. These herbaceous perennials, commonly known as stonecrops, are great options for rock gardens and other areas that are drought prone.  Both of these vines and ground covers are low maintenance and relatively easy to grow.

Linda Levitt returns with Flower Power. She discusses how to grow popular fall flowers that include Mums, Asters and Montauk Daisies. Including these beautiful plants in your flower gardens will bring lots of fall color to your landscape.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Teresa Golden and Linda Levitt

Photo By: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett and Teresa Golden

Resources