Join me, Kara Kroeger, and one of my favorite chefs and mentors, Jesse Griffiths, as we embark on a fascinating exploration of Central Texas' vibrant wild and domesticated meat scene with a man who knows it like no other. Our rich dialogue interweaves Jesse's commitment to utilizing and supporting his local food system at a level few other chefs achieve, with stories from Dai Due Butcher Shop and Supper Club, to his educational wild game hunting and cooking  pursuits at the New School of Traditional Cookery. Jesse's passion shines as we unravel his journey from chef to celebrity huntsman to James Beard award-winning author of The Hog Book.

Our conversation weaves through the cultural and ecological landscapes of ethical hunting and meat consumption, and the art of respecting the entire animal. We delve into stories from Jesse's hunting school, the management of Texas's feral hog populations, and the challenges of integrating truly wild game into restaurant menus.

This episode is  a celebration of our many local food sources through the lens of a truly thoughtful chef, from the meticulous joys of preparing small game to the evolving appreciation of grass-fed beef among Texan diners. We also highlight the untapped potential of unique domesticated beef varieties and his commitment to cooking with natural fats and steering clear of seed oils to preserve our health.

The podcast peaks with a discussion of Jesse's upcoming book, called The Turkey Book. Join us for an episode that promises to nourish your curiosity and deepen your appreciation for the roots of what you eat.

Show Notes:
https://www.daidue.com
https://www.newschooloftraditionalcookery.com
https://www.thewildbooks.com
https://www.zeroacre.com/

Embark on a journey exploring regenerative farmscapes with myself, Kara Kroger, and the insightful Peter Brezny of Psycho Chicken Eco Farm. Together, we traverse the evolution from conventional to regenerative agriculture, uncovering the power of holistic farming practices. We promise a journey of enlightenment; from the role of energy efficiency and biological fertility to the perils of chemical dependencies, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone passionate about the future of farming, food, and our planet.

As we chart the course through our discussions, we honor the legacies of visionaries like Charles Walters  of Acres USA and Rachel Carson author of Silent Spring, who've sparked a community eager for change. We examine the pivotal moments and conferences that have stitched together a tapestry of knowledge, encouraging soil-centric farming that mirrors the robustness of nature itself. The heartrending tales of bees decimated by insecticides and aquatic devastation serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions, while the success stories of farmers like Jimmy Emmons in Oklahoma illuminate the path toward a regenerative horizon.

Concluding the episode, we celebrate the microscopic marvels beneath our feet – the soil bacteria. These tiny but mighty organisms are the unsung heroes of plant growth and nutrition, shaping the health of our soil and, ultimately, the food on our plates. The conversation surges with passion, emphasizing the importance of consumer choices and the interconnectedness of our well-being with that of the earth. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and above all, equipped with knowledge that transcends the boundaries of conventional agriculture.

Can you imagine sitting down to chat with a plant, asking it to share its innate wisdom with you, and then taking the nourishing messages of its flavors into your body as food and medicine? Well, guess what, whether you know it or not we all do this to some degree everyday.

Tune in for an enriching conversation with  renowned Range Scientist, Dr. Fred Provenza and myself, your Land Food Life Podcast host Kara Kroeger.  In this conversation Fred beautifully weaves his journey, from uncovering the remarkable functions of plants as food for livestock to appreciating their profound role in our social constructs, health, and spirituality.  Together, we explore the powerful lessons that can be learned by recognizing the threads that weave all beings - humans, plants, insects, animals, land, and water - together and how anchoring ourselves with nature can regenerate our frazzled nervous systems and  ecosystems. 

Fred also shares about a time period  when life pulled the rug out from under his feet, which opened the door to an ineffable feeling of oneness with the universe. Drawing inspiration from Fred and I's personal experiences, we explore the transcendental peace that can emerge from facing life-altering situations, like a health crisis.  Through our personal anecdotes,  we offer a unique perspective on cultivating  an eco-centric vs. an ego-centric lifestyle through  tethering ourselves to nature as a means of deepening our relationship with self and all that surrounds us.

Books Referenced:

Nourishment by Fred Provenza
The Art of Sheepherding by Fred Provenza
Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
The Power of Now by Echart Tolle
The Soul of the Indian by Charles Eastman
The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell