Episode 157 – The six-legged livestock: Bees

by Lynne Whitbeck | Jan 9, 2024 | Down to Earth

The six-legged livestock: Bees Beehives take up little space on the land, but, like other livestock, bees need space to roam, and they need a varied diet. Beekeeper Melanie Kirby is a “landless farmer,” who sets up her beehives on farms and ranches, where the bees can...

Episode 156 – Bonus episode: Ask Me Anything!

by Lynne Whitbeck | Dec 19, 2023 | Down to Earth

Bonus episode: Ask Me Anything! Anica Wong is Quivira Coalition’s communications director and she had the idea for an “ask me anything” episode with Down to Earth host Mary-Charlotte Domandi… and here it is! Listeners asked questions and we answered as best we could,...

Episode 155 – Photographing grasslands: beauty, community, life

by Lynne Whitbeck | Dec 12, 2023 | Down to Earth, Grazing, Ranching, Rural Communities, Water, Working with Nature

Photographing grasslands: beauty, community, life Photographer Sally Thomson‘s new book, Homeground, is a deep exploration of rangelands in the Southwest––landscapes, livestock, water, wildlife, and the stewards who keep the land thriving. With her background in...

Episode 154 – Land, sheep, and the inefficiency of being too efficient

by Anica Wong | Nov 30, 2023 | Climate Change, Down to Earth, Erosion Control, Grazing, Ranching, Soil, Water, Working with Nature

Land, sheep, and the inefficiency of being too efficient Elena Miller Ter-Kuile is a sixth-generation farmer living in southern Colorado. At Cactus Hill Farm she and her father raise sheep for wool, grass-fed meat and organic grain and hay––practices held by her...

Episode 153 – Transforming 40 million acres of lawns into thriving ecosystems

by Anica Wong | Nov 14, 2023 | Climate Change, Down to Earth, Water, Working with Nature

Transforming 40 million acres of lawns into thriving ecosystems Erik Ohlsen has been working in permaculture and land restoration for 25 years. Founder and owner of Permaculture Artisans, he’s the author of the new book, The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build...

Episode 152 – Sheep and goats for healthy land, thriving businesses, and fire reduction

by Lynne Whitbeck | Oct 30, 2023 | Down to Earth, Grazing, Ranching, Rangeland Science, Wildfire

Sheep and goats for healthy land, thriving businesses, and fire reduction Cole Bush is a shepherdess, entrepreneur, and educator. Founder of Shepherdess Land & Livestock and Grazing School of the West, she uses a “flerd” (flock-herd) of sheep and goats to restore...