28. Understanding Organic: What You Need to Know About Food Sustainability with Ellen Polishuk

In this special live episode, Mary and Emma talk with Ellen Polishuk, an organic vegetable farmer for 25 years and now a teacher and consultant for those in the farming business. Ellen speaks from years of experience as both a grower and a consumer on food sustainability, including topics such as organic certification, composting, GMO's, soil basics, eating locally, community supported agriculture and the potential for a world in which everyone is well fed and farmers can earn a living. This episode is full of great information for anyone who grows or eats food! 

Let’s get into the interview!

8:40 - Ellen introduces herself

13:50 - Changes in the organic agricultural industry 

18:40 - What is organic certification?

29:00 - What is non GMO, what is GMO?

33:00 - Importance of healthy soil

42:00 - Local or Organic?

45:30 - Growing your own food and Composting

51:50 - Are animals worth the cost for labor on your farm?

01:02:00 - Advice for aspiring farmers

Things Mentioned:

• The Almanac
• Potomac Vegetable Farms
• Correction @ 25:45 - Glyphosate was patented as an antibiotic in 2010, not 2014
• Start Your Farm by Ellen Polishuk
• Plant To Profit website
• Ellen’s Instagram
• Growing for Market magazine