Call me biased, but I think farmers get more out of podcasts than many other listening groups. As you probably know, farming can be lonely, isolating work. Maybe your nearest farming neighbor lives dozens of miles away. Or maybe they’re right next door but you’re both too busy to ever see each other.
Either way, almost all the farmers I know love nothing more than talking shop, but never get enough opportunities to do so. Well, listening to podcasts doesn’t entirely solve that problem, but it can come close.
I personally listen to farming podcasts as a way to feel connected to a larger community of growers. And they can teach you things as well. Probably a decent percentage of what I know about farming (however much that actually is) comes from all of the podcasts I listen to.
Here are the podcasts I recommend most frequently. They’ll teach lots of things and help you feel connected to something larger during those solo afternoons on the tractor (or in the field, or in the shop).
Farmer to Farmer Podcast
hosted by Chris Blanchard
If I had to pick just one from all the farming podcasts to listen to forever it would probably be this one. Sadly, Blanchard passed away from cancer in 2018, but the podcast library he left behind is part of his enduring legacy as a farmer and educator.
The podcast is largely what its name suggests: One farmer (Chris Blanchard) talking to another farmer (or two) about the details of their farm. All of the conversations are unique, extremely detailed and guided by Chris’ exceptional interviewing abilities.
Read more: Noise-canceling headphones can help you tune in while working out in the field.
The Native Seed Pod
hosted by Melissa K Nelson, PhD
The Native Seed Pod celebrates the beauty, importance and history of native seeds using a dynamic and multidisciplinary approach that can be historical, scientific or literary.
Episode topics range from seed rematriation to native Californian ecologies, but as a rule all of them are immensely engaging and educational. One of my favorites is the podcast’s first episode with Rowen White, a Seedkeeper from the Mohawk community of Akwesasne.
No-Till Market-Garden Podcast
hosted by Jesse Frost
As its name would suggest, Frost’s podcast is largely about no-till market garden production. If you’re a no-till farmer (or are just no-till curious), I can think of no better resource. Frost interviews farmers at all stages in their no-till careers, providing valuable information for those just starting out to long-term no-tillers looking to refine their operation.
But the podcast is honestly a great listen even if you’re not a no-till farmer. Frost is a skilled interviewer, and many of the conversations delve deeply into other aspects of small farm management.
Read more: Check out this review of Jesse Frost’s book, The Living Soil Handbook.
Edible Activist
hosted by Melissa L Jones
In its own words, the Edible Activist podcast is a venue “where dynamic people of color in the food and agriculture space share personal food journeys, stories and perspectives that stem from the land.”
Like all of the hosts on this list, Jones is an immensely talented interviewer who totally rivets her guests and audience. The show certainly belongs in your podcast feed. Plus (as of this writing) there are 118 episodes available, meaning you can binge-listen to your heart’s content.
Growing Good
hosted by Lisa Munniksma
Finally, did you know Hobby Farms has a podcast? Hobby Farms Presents: Growing Good is this publication’s new and very own podcast.
In each episode host Lisa Munniksma interviews a different hobby farmer or small-scale grower about the details of their operation, as well as tackles topics around food access, agricultural justice initiatives and more. You can (and should) check it out at the link above or wherever you get your podcasts.
