Planting by the Signs and the Moon - A Visit With Author Dr. Sarah Hall

S11:E22.06/22/2024

Sown in the Stars, Planting by the Signs by Sarah L. Hall. Published by University of Kentucky Press.

Amy interviews Author and Agricultural Professor Dr. Sarah Hall. This is a description from University of KY of her book - From University of KY Press - Sown in the Stars brings together the collective knowledge of farmers in central and eastern Kentucky about the custom of planting by the signs. Sarah Hall interviews nearly two dozen contemporary Kentuckians who still follow the signs of the moon and stars to guide planting, harvesting, canning and food preservation, butchering, and general farmwork. Hall explores the roots of this system in both astrology and astronomy and the profound connections felt to the stars, moon, planets, and the earth. Revealed in the personal narratives are the diverse interpretations of the practice. Some farmers and gardeners believe that the moon's impact on crop behavior is purely scientific, while others favor a much wider interpretation of the signs and their impact on our lives. Featuring photographs by Meg Wilson, this timely book bridges the past, present, and future by broadening our understanding of this practice and revealing its potential to increase the resiliency of our current agricultural food systems.

Purchase Book: https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813197043/sown-in-the-stars/

Photo: Dr. Sarah L. Hall and Amy Campbell at Union Avenue Books, Knoxville. Photo: Kelly Smith Trimble. 2023. Use this link to order the book: https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813197043/sown-in-the-stars/

Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, Tennessee

S10:E12. 03/25/2023 Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, Tennessee

Today we are setting the table with a farm visit. We visit with a farmer, garden manager, farm manager, and Chef from Bluestem Hollow, located in Greenback, TN. They also operate a downtown Knoxville urban farm - The Old City Gardens on Depot Ave. On the Greenback farm, they raise grassland beef, chickens for pastured eggs, and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables, along with a lovely event venue. Chef Robert Allen (formerly of Citico’s) is on property. He creates elevated farm-to-table meals on the farm for baby showers, weddings, and corporate events, and he also heads the catering program. Today, we focus on their CSA program that they are signing people up for now and hope to have all shares sold by early April.

We also hear from Lois Caughron, known as the last woman out of the cove, meaning Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This used to be her and her late husband Kermit Cughron’s home. Lois and her daughter reminisce about Kermit, his love for honey bees, honey, and saving cucumber seed.

Links:

Bluestem Hollow: https://www.bluestemhollow.com/aboutcsa

For more information on Lois and Kermit Caughron: http://www.cadescovepreservation.com/

Emi Sunshine (sang our theme song when she was 9 years old): https://www.instagram.com/theemisunshine/reels/

Chris Burger, Karri Garvey and Brenna Wright of Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, TN. Photo: Amy Campbell.

Chef Robert Allen of Bluestem Hollow, Greenback, TN. Photo: Amy Campbell.

Kelly Smith Trimble Vegetable Gardening Wisdom and thoughts on Collard Greens

S9:E35. 10/08/2022

Kelly Smith Trimble Vegetable Gardening Wisdom and thoughts on Collard Greens

My guest today is Kelly Smith Trimble, an editor, writer, and gardener living in Knoxville, TN. Her book Vegetable Gardening Wisdom, a collection of seasonal advice and inspiration for edible gardeners, was released in April 2019 by Storey Publishing. Kelly is the senior digital editorial director for HGTV. She answers vegetable gardening questions in a social video series called Dig It, with more than a million views collectively. She has also been a writer and editor for Southern Living, the National Park Foundation, and Bonnie Plants. Her vegetable garden was featured in the June 2020 issue of Southern Living magazine. She was born in Knoxville and has spent her life in various parts of southern Appalachia. Today we hear about Kelly’s book, her gardening perspectives, and her thoughts on growing collard greens.

In Fred Sauceman’s “Potluck Radio” series, he features “Soutissa sausage” with a recording he made in 2018 with the Waldensian community of Valdese, North Carolina.

Dee Dee Constantine shares a recipe for sautéed trout with spinach and roasted red bell peppers from the Tupelo Honey Cookbook.

Kelly Smith Trimble: https://kellysmithtrimble.com/ Kelly mentioned in our discussion the Heirllom Collard project, ere is their link: https://heirloomcollards.org/

Fred Sauceman: https://www.facebook.com/fred.sauceman

Mary “Dee Dee” Constantine: https://twitter.com/skilletsister?lang=en

Kelly Smith Trimble.

Kelly’s garden buddy and good dog, Rufus.