Desiree Carlson and her husband Forrest are reviving a family farm that started under the Homestead Act around 1900. The story of its namesake -- Esther, now emblazoned on Esther's Acres -- reflects the heartiness that is required for a farm to survive.

Why does this matter to YOU? With less than 30% of farms making it from generation to generation, we all need to understand what it takes to make it. We need farms. We need farmland. We need hearty people like Esther and now Desiree to persevere. And they can, if we help.

Don't forget to shop local and if you'd really like to help a farmer -- locally or otherwise -- make sure you nominate one for a grant. Find out more here: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/farmer-grants

Find out more about Esther's Acres and Desiree's journey h ere.

Don't forget to give One Bite is Everything a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and a review that invites others to listen. Or, if you don't have Apple, you can leave one here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nominate a Farmer

Please support your local farm by nominating them for a For Farmers grant at forfarmersmovement.com/nominate.

All across the country, small farms connect the critical elements of our health and communities and uplift the environment and our economy. What impact do you think a small farm has that hosts a 1000-person community farm festival?

Travel with me to just outside of Boise, Idaho to Vista Farms where all this is happening PLUS its farmer, Valerie Timm, sees beyond her own farm to advocate for bigger issues facing farms all over and is doing her part to speak up about what we should all care about -- our farmland.

Find Vista Farms here: https://www.instagram.com/vistafarmsidaho/

Mentioned in this episode:

Nominate a Farmer

Please support your local farm by nominating them for a For Farmers grant at forfarmersmovement.com/nominate.

Small farms have an extended impact beyond their own communities. Did you know that? We get into it -- the land, meat animal genetics, certifications, and standards that set a higher bar for industrial ag. When you shop with a small farmer in your own community, you are helping the whole dot-to-dot of small farmers across the country. Meet Crystal Criswell of Melwood Farm in Ohio, just off the West Virginia border.

Remember to give One Bite is Everything a 5-star rating on Apple podcasts and add a written review to compel others to listen, too. If you don't have Apple, you can always leave an easy review here, too.

Farmer Rachel Opio of Little Lighthouse Farm exists to fight for the people who don't have access to fresh food. To do that, she focuses on the health of her soil in the heat of central Phoenix. It's a labor of love that started under her mother's wing in her own backyard experiment. Find out how Farmer Rachel addresses food deserts through education, accepting SNAP benefits, and more.

Other urban farmers have also been featured on this podcast. Food deserts are a common thread that they address. Check out the other episodes: Giving One Tenth in Newark and Ad Astra Farms in Maryland.

I am pretty sure you don't eat caviar every day, but when you do, you will want to know HOW you know it's raised sustainably and that it IS actually what they say it is! This episode is your guide.

Beyond that, the caviar business and the prehistoric fish that delivers the most prized shiny little eggs are fascinating. Dive in!

Many thanks to Chef David DiSalvo of Bowery Meats for the introduction to Matteo Pozzi of Adamas Caviar, as well as Jordan Beeman of HeartBrand Beef featured in this episode about Akaushi wagyu.

You can find Adamas Caviar here: https://www.adamasusa.com/

And you can indulge in this caviar at Bowery Meat Co: https://www.bowerymeatcompany.com/ If you go make sure you tell Chef David that you heard this episode! ;)

Small farms are super close to the margins. So, if you want the most delicious food that is tended personally to ensure excellent quality, a strong environmental ethos, community connection, and economic viability, you need to know the challenges that lurk behind those farmstand smiles.

Five farmers from five states -- WV, ND, WI, AL and IL -- tell the truth about the all-powerful dollar. Take note here: every dollar you spend with a small farm can make (or if you don't spend it there) or break a small farm.

Have a listen. 11 minutes.

Chef Paul Hargrove of the highly-anticipated Seahorse restaurant found farmer Diane Saleh of Halal Pastures Farm at the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City. The tomatillos lured him in. And he's not the only chef connected to Diane and her farm. Some of the most elite kitchens feature Diane's diverse organic vegetables on their menus. She's become a muse, a role she relishes because she uses her creativity to develop crops that inspire chefs and home cooks alike.

Join us in this episode to dive into:

• Halal farming.
• Why did Diane go beyond halal when growing her food?
• What inspired her to become a farmer?
• Food as medicine.
• A look into the farmer's market culture and community.
• The plans for her legacy.
• The cost of real food.
• Food labeling.

Here is the fascinating GrowNYC episode that I mentioned. Gotta listen.