A Rosie On The House Replay

In this episode of 'Rosie on the House,' hosted by Romey Romero, Farmer Greg is joined by Erin Erickson and her mother Elise Pitterle, who run a small urban farm in South Tempe called Tempe Garden Girls. Motivated by food scarcity during the COVID era, they expanded their gardening efforts into a full-fledged urban farm, growing various vegetables, flowers, and maintaining fruit trees and poultry. Greg & Romey chat about their journey, the challenges faced, and the learning process of adapting to Arizona's unique climate. They also highlight the importance of community, educational outreach, and providing season-appropriate plant starts to help others succeed in urban farming. The episode underscores the critical role of local farmers in creating a sustainable and self-sufficient food system.

Erin and her husband, Todd raise their three daughters, maintain a thousand square foot garden, and care for various poultry. Erin grew up on a vineyard in Oregon, and loves passing on her passion for gardening to her kids and community. Her mother, Elise, is a certified master gardener with decades of experience dedicated to growing food and teaching others. Together, they sell produce at the Uptown Farmer's Market and are launching a region specific veggie start box to help local gardeners thrive In Arizona's unique climate.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/882-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

Find them at TempeGardenGirls.com

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

In This Podcast: Greg Peterson from Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program and Tom Spellman, a seasoned nursery expert with Dave Wilson Nursery, discuss the intricacies of managing fruit trees in a changing climate. They provide an educational overview of effective fruit tree planting and maintenance techniques. Key topics include the importance of proper planting mix, establishing adequate basins with woody mulch, painting trunks for heat protection, and using cover crops like cow peas and sweet potatoes to maintain soil health. They also emphasize supplemental irrigation during high heat periods, the significance of rootstocks, and managing wind stress with natural windbreaks. The session includes practical advice on insect management, the benefits of companion planting, and ensuring optimal nutrient supply tailored to tree growth stages. The wrap with announcing the launch of Tom's new YouTube channel, 'Growing with Tom Spellman,' and a motivational note on personalizing one's garden space.

Sign up for our monthly Tree Chat at FruitTreeChat.org

Visit UrbanFarm.org/881tree for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Little Lighthouse Farm's Big Impact

In This Podcast: In this heartfelt interview, Rachel Opio shares her journey from a career in HR tech to becoming the founder of Little Lighthouse Farm, an urban farm in Phoenix. She discusses her background in data analytics, her mother's inspiring legacy as an educator and gardener, and how her mother's battle with cancer spurred her shift to farming. Rachel details the challenges of urban farming, the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and her commitment to providing nutrient-dense food to her community. She talks about the importance of accessibility, community engagement, and her future plans for expanding her farming efforts across Phoenix. Rachel also opens up about her recent struggles and successes with beekeeping and shares her love for educating children about gardening. Her story highlights the transformative power of connecting with the land and nurturing a sense of community..

Our Guest: Rachel Opio is a regenerative urban farmer, educator, and advocate based in Phoenix, Arizona. As the founder of Little Lighthouse Farm, she grows nutrient-dense, accessible food for her community, including pasture-raised eggs, produce, and specialty goods like tea blends and cookies. Born and raised in Phoenix, she lives and farms on the same property where she grew up. She is a Master Gardener, Master Beekeeper, and passionate community teacher, helping others connect with the land through sustainable practices. Her work is rooted in food equity, soil health, and empowering others to grow real food in urban spaces..

Visit UrbanFarm.org/LittleLighthouseFarm for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.