In this episode of Hands in the Soil, we speak with Claire Groebner, Associate Director at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, about the intersection of food justice, environmental realities, and grassroots solutions. Based in National City, California, Claire brings over a decade of experience in food systems work, resource organizing, and community-led advocacy.

Claire shares her journey from volunteer to organizational leadership and how Olivewood Gardens has become a hub for health education, environmental stewardship, and systemic change. The conversation explores food apartheid and the structural forces that shape access to nourishment, the impact of environmental and policy decisions on food equity, and how gardens can act as catalysts for empowerment.

We also dive into the transformative model of Community-Centric Fundraising, which reframes charity into justice and reimagines what sustainable, relational, and values-aligned fundraising can look like.

Tune in to learn more about:

• The difference between food justice and food charity

• Claire's personal journey into food systems and advocacy

• The history and ongoing impact of food apartheid

• How Olivewood Gardens integrates education, policy, and collective action

• Community-Centric Fundraising as a tool for equity and accountability

• The role of community voice and leadership in program design

• Why systemic change begins with collective care

… And so much more!

Guest Resources & Links:

• Visit Olivewood Gardens: olivewoodgardens.org
• Learn about Community-Centric Fundraising: communitycentricfundraising.org
• Follow Claire & Olivewood: @olivewoodgardens

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Connect with Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahkeitel

In this episode of Hands in the Soil, we sit down with flower farmer and community visionary Cathryn Henning of Bee Worthy Farms for a deeply honest and hopeful conversation about what it really takes to make small-scale farming viable in today’s world. Now in her third year in business, and with nearly a decade of experience in non-profit farming, Cathryn is all about adapting her work in a shifting culture and climate, while growing community alongside crops.

We unpack the layers of burnout, joy, beauty, and strategy that go into running a land-based business that is both regenerative and financially sustainable. Cathryn shares her journey from milking goats to running a flower farm in San Diego, and how she’s redefined success through practices of reciprocity, seasonal alignment, and community care.

We explore how ease can be cultivated not by chasing external markers of success, but by building internal and relational systems that support longevity, on the land and within ourselves. You’ll also hear the origin story of Bloom Club, Cathryn’s newest community-supported model that invites people into direct, reciprocal relationship with her farm.

Whether you're a land steward, aspiring grower, or someone dreaming of a more connected way of living, this episode is a beautiful exploration of farming as lifestyle, livelihood, and love letter to the Earth.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Why Cathryn pivoted from vegetables to flowers, and the hidden hustle of each

• How reciprocity shows up in land stewardship and business decisions

• The myth of the “struggling farmer” and how to reframe it

• Building community into your business without losing yourself

• Aligning your farm operations with the seasons (and your nervous system)

• The vision behind Bloom Club and reimagining agritourism

• Practical ways farmers can invite support, set boundaries, and avoid burnout

Resources & Links:

• Bee Worthy Farms Website

• Follow Cathryn: @beeworthyfarms

• Bloom Club: Member-only access pass to the farm to reconnect—with nature, creativity, learning, and the quiet magic of seasonal rhythms

• Connect with Hannah: @hannahkeitel
  

In this solo episode of Hands in the Soil, we return to a commonly misunderstood topic in the food system: does certified organic mean pesticide-free? Building on a previous episode released a year ago, I dive deeper into the nuances of pesticide use in organic agriculture to clarify what the organic label really means—and what it doesn’t.

I explain the difference between organic and synthetic pesticides, how regulations work under organic certification, and why it's still essential to ask questions about where your food comes from. I also explore how integrated pest management and regenerative practices can help farms reduce or even eliminate pesticide use altogether.

Tune in to learn more about:

• Why certified organic doesn’t mean pesticide-free
• The difference between synthetic and organic pesticides
• How some synthetic pesticides are still allowed in organic certification (and why that matters)
• The loophole of EPA conditional registration and toxicity testing gaps
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternatives to pesticide use
• How farm scale, soil health, and biodiversity impact pest control
• Critiques of organic certification and the difference between small regenerative farms and large-scale organic monocultures
• Why knowing your farmer is often more valuable than any label
  

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Hannah: @hannahkeitel