In this transformative episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon reconnects with Dale Overton, founder of Overton Environmental Enterprises Inc., for a deep dive into the future of soil health, microbial science, and climate-smart agriculture. Broadcasting live from the Heritage headquarters in downtown Phoenix during a sustainability conference, this episode is filled with practical insights and inspiring stories from the front lines of environmental innovation.

Dale shares his journey from quantitative ecology and reclamation projects to becoming a global pioneer in biologically-based farming products. With over a million acres impacted and clients ranging from major food processors to high-profile urban landscapes like Google’s San Jose campus and YouTube headquarters, Overton’s story exemplifies how ecological expertise and entrepreneurial strategy can create massive change.

Listeners will learn how Dale developed Eco Tea®, a suite of biologically engineered soil amendments designed to boost plant resilience, nutrient uptake, and soil microbiology. From liquid seed coatings that replace fungicides to precision in-furrow applications, Dale breaks down how microbes are changing the game in modern agriculture.

Why Listen?
🌱 At Harvesting Wisdom, we believe "We have all taken a bite out of the apple"—we’re all part of the sustainability story. This episode is a masterclass in “closing the gap between information and action”, showing how one man's mission to regenerate soil has become a scalable, international movement that leaves a lasting social footprint.

Key Highlights:

01:00 – Dale’s journey into reclamation and microbial research

03:40 – Composting with J.R. Simplot & food industry waste diversion

07:20 – From worm bins to bioengineered seed coatings

08:43 – Eco Tea®'s expansion into Europe and partnerships with global fertilizer companies

10:00 – Launching Seed Success, a retail-ready microbial coating for home gardeners

13:08 – Real-time data on cold germination and drought resilience

15:57 – Strategic pivot from bulk composting to precision microbial products

17:46 – Ecological dexterity: creating regionally adaptable microbial blends

20:30 – Metagenome profiling and soil benchmarking in long-term trials

23:47 – Business insights: tipping fees, scaling, and product distribution

26:51 – Industrial-scale worm farming and automation for 20 million+ acres

27:53 – Precision application metrics: 10 gallons per acre, or a $10 seed pack per acre

30:54 – Compatibility with regenerative and industrial agriculture alike

Links:
https://overtonenvironmental.ca/
www.harvestingwisdompodcast.com
www.weareufe.org

#EcoTea #SoilHealth #CompostingInnovation #MicrobialFarming #SustainableAgriculture #UrbanFarmingEducation #HarvestingWisdom #ClimateSmartFarming #SeedSuccess #DaleOverton

Episode Summary – Harvesting Wisdom Podcast
In the final installment of the La Crema Sustainability Series, host Mike McMahon brings together themes of regenerative agriculture, community collaboration, and innovation at the intersection of business and environmental stewardship. Recorded live from the newly inaugurated Heritage Headquarters in downtown Phoenix, this episode captures the spirit of transformation and purpose-driven action.

Mike begins by exploring practical solutions for global cooking challenges using hemp-based biomass, advocating for sustainable alternatives that address both environmental degradation and local resource needs. This leads into a broader conversation about composting practices and carbon sequestration at La Crema Winery, where vegan and animal-based compost blends, enhanced with biosolids, support vineyard health and resilience.

Listeners are taken on a tour of La Crema's forward-thinking farming methods—from groundwater recharge experiments to rotating livestock like Dorper sheep and chickens for soil health and pest control. The team’s dedication to creating holistic systems, such as using winery waste for compost and integrating closed-loop water systems, exemplifies the regenerative mindset that defines the La Crema approach.

The episode then pivots to a Business Spotlight on Heritage Headquarters, a dynamic cultural hub and collaborative space co-founded by Caroline and Jose Torres. Caroline shares her journey from the Dominican Republic to becoming a visionary leader in real estate and entrepreneurship. Heritage Headquarters serves as a multicultural connector, offering flexible facilities for podcasts, networking events, and community-led education—perfectly aligning with the mission of Urban Farming Education (UFE).

Caroline and Mike reflect on how Heritage is not just a space, but a movement that encourages people to “Connect, Cultivate, and Grow.” This echoes UFE’s core value: “We have all taken a bite out of the apple,” recognizing shared responsibility for sustainability and inviting listeners to take meaningful action in their own communities.

🌱 Why Listen?

This episode closes the La Crema Series by showcasing the tangible steps leaders are taking—from soil to society—to “close the gap between information and action.” It’s a compelling blend of ecological insight, community-building, and business innovation, reminding us all that sustainability is not a solo journey but a shared responsibility. You’ll walk away inspired to create your own lasting social footprint.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Hemp as a sustainable cooking and compost solution
02:42 – Biochar, composting, and soil carbon strategies at La Crema
04:46 – Animal-based compost: ducks, chickens, and biosolids
06:03 – Water systems and vineyard reservoirs
07:21 – Groundwater recharge with vineyard flooding
08:54 – Compost tea systems and thermophilic processing
09:45 – Vineyard chickens: egg production and pest management
11:54 – Dorper sheep as vineyard grazers and natural lawnmowers
14:04 – Business Spotlight: Welcome to Heritage Headquarters
15:15 – Caroline Torres shares her journey from banking to real estate
17:26 – Heritage’s mission: Connect, Cultivate, Grow
19:26 – U.S. Compost Council AZ branch and community collaboration
21:29 – Building stage and podcast space at Heritage
23:11 – Warehouse District history and Phoenix revitalization
25:32 – Amphitheater, event hosting, and ASU art gallery neighbors
27:34 – Heritage as a bridge for sustainability and culture
28:44 – Co-founder Jose Torres and community education
30:08 – Outro: Future collaborations, education, and innovation

In this refreshing and thought-provoking episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with filmmaker Kelly Salloway to explore how storytelling, sustainability, and even beer can shape a better world. Kelly, co-founder of Perennial Films, brings a vibrant background in unscripted media and shares the journey behind two of her powerful documentaries: Prairie Prophecy and the newly released short film, Beer Saves the World.

Kelly unpacks the origins of Kernza, a perennial grain with climate-resilient properties, and how it became the foundation for Patagonia Provisions’ sustainable beer initiative. With deep roots (literally up to 12 feet!), Kernza is revolutionizing the future of agriculture by requiring less tillage, improving soil health, and sequestering carbon. Through humor, heritage, and hops, Kelly’s film demonstrates how even the smallest shifts—like choosing the right beer—can contribute to solving the world’s biggest problems.

The episode weaves through climate resilience, agricultural innovation, and the powerful role of media in shaping collective action. From working with Wes Jackson and The Land Institute to collaborating with breweries like Arizona Wilderness and Deschutes, Kelly shares how storytelling becomes a tool to “leave a social footprint.”

Why Listen?
This episode reminds us that sustainability isn’t only about sacrifice—it can be fun, flavorful, and full of impact. By highlighting real-world solutions like Kernza beer, Mike and Kelly illustrate how we can all "close the gap between information and action" and empower communities for a climate-smart future. Whether you’re a film lover, foodie, farmer, or future change-maker, this one’s for you.

Key Highlights & Timely Moments:
00:01:12 – Kelly’s unconventional journey into documentary film

00:03:27 – Transitioning to battery-powered equipment in landscaping

00:06:15 – Launching Prairie Prophecy, a film on Wes Jackson and natural systems agriculture

00:13:01 – Introduction to Kernza: perennial grain that keeps on giving

00:16:53 – The Patagonia connection: from grain sack to national beer production

00:17:48 – Only 50 of 9,000+ U.S. brewers are fully organic

00:18:53 – How Kernza beer can “save the world”

00:21:33 – Perennial roots and drought resistance

00:26:57 – Premiering Beer Saves the World at Climate Week NYC

00:29:44 – Connecting environmental education to youth via UFE

00:30:47 – The golden age of documentaries and democratized storytelling

Quotes to Remember:
“We have all taken a bite out of the apple—and we all have a role in saving it.”
— Mike McMahon

“Beer might not save the world on its own, but it sure gets the conversation started.”
— Kelly Salloway

Links:
www.weareufe.org
www.harvestingwisdompodcast.com
www.prairieprophecy.com/beer-saves-the-world


#BeerSavesTheWorld #SustainableAgriculture #Kernza #PatagoniaProvisions #DocumentaryFilm #PerennialGrains #ClimateResilience #ArizonaWilderness #UrbanFarmingEducation #HarvestingWisdom

Let’s raise a glass to climate action—and remember, knowledge is only the first sip. Action is what leaves a lasting social footprint. 🍻

In this enlightening episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon visits the heart of California wine country for an in-depth conversation with the team at La Crema Winery. Together, they explore how one of the nation’s leading wine producers is championing regenerative agriculture while balancing tradition, innovation, and profitability.

The discussion dives deep into long-term field trials funded by CDFA and USDA grants, focused on soil carbon sequestration, compost use, no-till strategies, and cover crops like daikon radish and crimson clover. You'll learn how La Crema’s partnership with institutions like UC Davis and UC Berkeley is not only reshaping vineyard soil health, but also improving water infiltration, microbial networks, and ultimately, wine quality.

From experimenting with hemp for soil remediation to leveraging satellite evapotranspiration models and real-time vineyard sensors, La Crema exemplifies what it means to "close the gap between information and action." Winemaker Craig and the vineyard team offer unique insights on how regenerative practices must also meet the high standards of winemaking consistency — blending tradition with sustainability.

Whether you’re a wine lover, a sustainability advocate, or someone passionate about climate-smart agriculture, this episode serves up a compelling mix of science, business, and ecological wisdom straight from the vines.

Why Listen?
At Harvesting Wisdom, we believe that "We have all taken a bite out of the apple." This conversation exemplifies how shared responsibility and scientific rigor can transform age-old practices. La Crema’s story encourages listeners to leave a social footprint by integrating sustainable methods that respect both the earth and the economy.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:24 – CDFA “Filthy Soils” Grant and 10-Year Carbon Sequestration Trial
• 02:12 – Mycorrhizal studies with UC Davis and Oregon labs
• 03:08 – Foundation for Food & Ag Research (FAR) Trial explained
• 05:17 – Cover crops vs. tillage: real-world comparison
• 06:40 – Composting methods and herbicide-free farming
• 11:05 – Winemaking trials and consistency amid change
• 14:12 – Climate adaptation: managing vines through drought and heat
• 16:21 – Real-time vineyard sensors and evapotranspiration modeling
• 24:26 – Oregon Chardonnay's unexpected rise

#LaCremaWinery #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #CoverCrops #WineSustainability #ClimateSmartFarming #HarvestingWisdom #CompostTea #PinotNoir #Evapotranspiration #UCDavisWine

In this two-part episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon dives deep into the intersection of regenerative agriculture, forest restoration, and urban sustainability. He is joined by two inspiring guests who are transforming waste into solutions for both rural and urban environments:

Tyson from SW Biochar

Tyson shares how his family’s wood product business evolved into a climate-smart biochar production company. Based in northeastern Arizona, SW Biochar uses excess wood from forest thinning projects to create biochar—a powerful carbon-based soil amendment that improves water retention, boosts microbial life, and sequesters carbon for hundreds to thousands of years.

Tyson breaks down the pyrolysis process, the versatility of feedstocks, and how this ancient technique is now being leveraged for clean energy, soil health, and even cookstove fuel in energy-scarce regions like Africa.

Alexa Dargis from Greenworks

Later in the episode, Mike welcomes Alexa Dargis, who shares exciting updates on Greenworks' Earth Month initiatives. Alexa, who comes from a background in tech and PR, discusses their “Green Takeover” events happening nationwide—including one at Grand Canyon University. These activations feature electric landscaping equipment and sustainable construction demonstrations that showcase what a zero-waste city could look like in action.

Alexa gives us a behind-the-scenes preview of Earth Day plans, including simultaneous podcasting across locations and sustainability collaborations with schools, municipalities, and changemakers like Chip Wade.

Why Listen?

This episode blends ancient agricultural wisdom with cutting-edge clean tech to show how communities—rural and urban alike—can build resilience through circular systems. Whether you're a farmer, educator, city planner, or eco-conscious citizen, this episode will inspire you to close the gap between information and action.

Timely Highlights

• 00:55 — Tyson’s backstory: wood products to biochar innovation
• 03:48 — Forest thinning and wildfire prevention in the Southwest
• 07:32 — What is pyrolysis? Turning forest waste into pure carbon
• 10:50 — Biochar as microbial housing & water-saving tool
• 12:19 — Amazonian Dark Earth and ancient biochar wisdom
• 15:29 — Yields, feedstock efficiency, and scalability
• 21:18 — Using waste heat: biochar kilns & future energy plans
• 22:49 — Biochar’s wide-ranging applications
• 25:07 — Transition to Alexa Dargis of Greenworks
• 26:45 — Earth Month rollouts and sustainability events
• 28:22 — Demo Day at Grand Canyon University
• 29:34 — Earth Day “Green Takeover” and national activations
• 30:17 — Podcasting Earth Day live across the country
• 31:38 — Closing thoughts: building the future, one tool at a time

Links

• 🌿 SW Biochar Products
• ⚡ Greenworks Commercial
• 🌱 Urban Farming Education
• 🎥 Watch on YouTube

#RegenerativeAgriculture #Biochar #GreenTechnology #ZeroWaste #ClimateSmartFarming #EarthDay2025 #SustainableLandscaping #HarvestingWisdom #SoilHealth #ForestRestoration #GreenworksTools

In this compelling Part 1 of "Harvesting Wisdom," host Mike McMahon explores the power of regenerative agriculture and sustainable urban innovation. The first half of the episode features Asher Wright, Farm Director at Caney Fork Farms in Tennessee (on Al Gore’s Caney Fork property), who shares his journey from environmental studies student to pioneering regenerative land manager. Asher offers deep insights into how Caney Fork is practicing climate-smart farming: from soil health, carbon sequestration, and rotational grazing to growing heirloom grains and developing diversified farm business models.

Transitioning into the second half, Mike welcomes Jeff Whitlock, Zero Waste Analyst for the City of Phoenix. Jeff discusses the city's groundbreaking sustainability programs, including their composting systems, landscape green waste certifications, and organic waste diversion initiatives. He shares lessons learned in scaling urban zero-waste efforts while maintaining efficiency and public engagement — critical knowledge for any city aiming to build resilience in the face of climate change.

Together, Asher and Jeff offer a rare and practical view of how rural regenerative farming and urban sustainability systems are two essential pillars for building a climate-smart, socially responsible future — fully aligned with Urban Farming Education’s mission to "close the gap between information and action."

Why Listen?
At "Harvesting Wisdom," we believe "We have all taken a bite out of the apple." In this episode, rural landscapes meet urban innovation. If you care about regenerative farming, zero waste practices, or simply building a stronger, climate-resilient future — you’ll find powerful, actionable insights here.

Important Timeliness:
1:02 – Asher’s journey into sustainable agriculture
6:22 – Farm diversification: livestock, heirloom grains, market gardens
11:26 – Caney Fork’s Research & Outreach Program
14:12 – Carbon sequestration practices and results
20:11 – Composting, amendments, and building a closed-loop system
30:06 – Climate change impacts on farm water cycles
34:06 – Transitioning to electric and solar technologies
37:11 – National farm entrepreneurship leadership program
41:50 – Collaborations with Dr. Bruno Basso on carbon modeling
44:04 – Jeff Whitlock’s story: From Public Works to Sustainability Leadership
46:27 – City of Phoenix Green Organics and Compost Programs
48:26 – Landscape certification efforts for cleaner urban compost
49:40 – Managing household green bins vs. commercial landscape waste
51:22 – Strategies for scaling zero-waste programs responsibly

Links:
Caney Fork Farms- https://www.caneyforkfarms.com/
City of Phoenix Public Works Sustainability Division- https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/publicworks/education-programs/zero-waste-team.html
Urban Farming Education- https://www.weareufe.org/
Harvesting Wisdom Podcast- https://www.harvestingwisdompodcast.com/

Sustainable Agriculture, Regenerative Farming, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Soil Health, Carbon Sequestration, Diversified Farming, Direct-to-Consumer Farming, Sustainable Land Management, Climate Change, Resilient Farming Systems, Urban Sustainability, Zero Waste, Composting, Green Waste Management, Biochar, Waste Diversion, Urban Farming Education, Asher Wright, Jeff Whitlock, Caney Fork Farms, City of Phoenix, Mike McMahon, Harvesting Wisdom

#RegenerativeAgriculture #ClimateSmartFarming #SustainableFarming #SoilHealth #CarbonSequestration #UrbanSustainability #ZeroWaste #Composting #HarvestingWisdom #UrbanFarmingEducation #CityOfPhoenix #AsherWright #JeffWhitlock

Baking Change, Powering Progress: Women Leading the Way in Sustainability | Harvesting Wisdom Podcast

In this powerful episode of Harvesting Wisdom, we bring together three inspiring voices driving sustainability from the ground up:
🧁 Myesha Harris founder of Red Velvet Recipes,
⚡Susan Spalding from Greenworks, and
🌍 Dori Morales, publisher of Green Living Magazine.

Hosted by Dr. Joe Roselle of Urban Farming Education, this conversation dives deep into how small businesses, innovative technologies, and media platforms are building a collective movement toward a more climate-smart, resilient future.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

How a bakery became a sustainability hub and community space

The power of electric landscaping tools to transform urban spaces

Why Green Living Magazine is turning Earth Day into Earth Month

How UFE, Greenworks, Green Living, Red Velvet Bakery, are closing the gap between information and action

🌿 Whether you’re a student, educator, entrepreneur, or community leader—this episode will inspire you to take part in building a greener, more connected world.

🔗 Links & Resources 👉 Red Velvet Bakery: Amazon Book – Red Recipes
👉 Greenworks Commercial: greenworkstools.com
👉 Green Living Magazine: greenlivingmag.com
👉 Urban Farming Education: weareufe.org
👉 Harvesting Wisdom Podcast: Watch More Episodes

📌 Timestamps 00:28 – Red Velvet Bakery’s community journey
04:09 – Sustainability in small business
17:06 – Greenworks’ Optimus Crew & clean equipment
29:45 – Earth Day preview with Green Living Magazine
30:50 – Collaborating for long-term impact

🎙️ Subscribe for more stories of sustainable innovation, grassroots change, and climate-smart education.
🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode!

#HarvestingWisdom #RedVelvetBakery #Greenworks #GreenLivingMagazine #SustainableBusiness #UrbanFarmingEducation #ElectricLandscaping #ClimateSmartFuture #EarthDayEveryDay #WomenInSustainability #CommunityDrivenChange

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon takes listeners to the grand opening of Greenworks’ new facility in Valencia, California. The conversation unfolds in an innovative Greenworks trailer equipped with solar panels, specialty racks, and advanced tools. Mike is joined by Toli McGettigan from Horizon Distributors and Dan Sumner, Regional Manager for Greenworks Commercial Tools, for an engaging discussion about sustainable transitions in landscaping.

Why Listen?

Discover how sustainability is reshaping the landscaping and agricultural industries, with practical insights into adopting green technology. Learn how Greenworks and Horizon are leading the charge in providing cost-effective, environmentally friendly solutions for professionals and communities alike.

Call to Action:

• Explore Greenworks’ tools and trailers at their website.
• Engage with Urban Farming Education programs for hands-on sustainability practices.
• Donate to support educational initiatives in climate-smart agriculture.

Links:

• Greenworks Commercial: greenworkscommercial.com
• Urban Farming Education: weareufe.org
• Explore More Episodes: Harvesting Wisdom Podcast YouTube Channel