This episode was originally published on June 2, 2022

Despite her life being as busy as ever, Bex Partridge tells us about the ways it feels full of better, more fulfilling things since she made the shift from a corporate job to working as a full-time flower farmer and floral designer. Bex is the founder of Botanical Tales, a dried flower installation business based in Devon, England, where she provides beautiful, low-waste floral designs to her community from her own garden. Since moving to Devon, her family has enjoyed being part of a close-knit community which supports local makers and growers. She encourages listeners to trust the process as they seek to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, and to remember that we are not separate from nature - we all come from the good dirt.

Topics Covered:

• Planting by the Moon
• The Winding Road of the Lady Farmer Lifestyle
• Floral Artistry and Dried Flowers
• The Benefits of Local Flowers
• Floral Design and the Wedding Industry
• World Events as Catalysts for Paradigm Shifts
• Rethinking Slow Living as “Full Living”
• Our Interconnectedness with Nature

Resources Mentioned:

• Bex’s First Book: Everlastings
• Bex’s Upcoming Book (Available for Pre-Order): Flowers Forever
• Wilding by Isabella Tree

Guest Info:

• Bex's Instagram: @botanical_tales
• Botanicaltales.com
• Patreon

Follow Us:

• Our Website
• @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.

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This episode delves into the journey of Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. Paula discusses her transformation from a nature enthusiast to a dedicated ecological restorer. The conversation touches on the diverse challenges and rewarding experiences of managing invasive species, the necessity of well-considered ecological interventions, and the intricate balance required to support native plants and wildlife. Through her personal anecdotes and expert insights, Paula illustrates the importance of connecting with nature right where you are and the impact of slow, deliberate efforts in ecological restoration.

00:00 Discovering Nature Close to Home

01:30 Traveling with a Baby: Tips and Experiences

04:19 Gardening Adventures and Native Landscaping

05:29 The Irony of Mowing Less

07:54 Introducing Paula Wyman and Her Book

09:35 Paula Whyman's Journey to Becoming a 'Bad Naturalist'

10:34 Challenges and Rewards of Land Restoration

24:46 The Importance of Native Plants and Ecological Balance

33:55 Invasive Species Statistics

35:09 Tree of Heaven: A Persistent Problem

39:10 Spotted Lantern Fly Invasion

40:15 The Origin and Spread of Tree of Heaven

42:49 Autumn Olive: A Regrettable Introduction

45:45 Challenges with Multiflora Rose

48:20 The Importance of Native Plants

50:13 Creating Habitats for Declining Bird Species

52:07 The Concept of Slow Living

01:00:08 The Good Dirt: Restoring Soil Health

01:01:04 Ongoing Projects and Future Plans

01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources:

Paula Whyman's Website

Bad Naturalist

Wilding by Isabella Tree

Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy

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🌻 About Lady Farmer:

• Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community
• Visit Our Website
• Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!

Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.

The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.

🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:

• Wendy Gray

This episode was originally published on May 6, 2022

Learn about individual actions you can take to mitigate climate change and make sustainability attainable for everyone, with Stephanie Miller, author of Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way and founder of Zero Waste in DC. Stephanie left her job as a climate change specialist for the World Bank in order to simplify her own life, confront the disconnect she felt between her life and her work, and to take personal steps toward sustainability. She now empowers others in her community to examine their waste practices and connect with local resources for low-waste living.

Stephanie recognizes how paralyzing it can be to think about climate change, and encourages listeners to focus on what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, ditching plastic, and recycling right, growing more confident and conscious with each choice. The joy and connection that result from low-waste living are paradigm shifting in themselves.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• The 80/20 Way - Perfection is not the answer
• Sustainability in Food Choices
• The greenwashing of “plant-based.”
• Sustainable meat production vs standard industrial CAFO operations
• The problem of food waste
• Purge Plastic / Easy Alternatives
• Recycle Right/ the problem of “Wish-Cycling”
• The community-building aspect of cultivating a more sustainable lifestyle
• Finding joy in sustainable living

Resources Mentioned:

• Stephanie’s Book: Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way
• Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises

Connect with Stephanie Miller:

• Zero Waste in DC
• Instagram @zerowasteindc

Follow Lady Farmer:

• Our Website
• @weareladyfarmer on Instagram
• The Lady Farmer ALMANAC

Original music by John Kingsley, @jkingsley1026

Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.