February 14, 2024

GMO Tomatoes, Oh My! + Ask an Herbalist w/ Kristine Brown

Are you ready for the new GMO Purple Tomato?!? What impact will this new variety have on our health, our gardens, or our tomato seed saving? Bevin unpacks this latest development in the gardening world, then sits down for a relaxing chat with herbalist, author, and educator Kristine Brown.

Episode Guest

Episode Guest

Kristine Brown, RH(AHG), is helping parents teach their kids about herbalism, one herb at a time. A practicing traditional community herbalist and mother of four children and two stepchildren, Kristine created the only children’s herbal curriculum that uses all four learning styles. She has taught classes for homeschooled children locally and coordinated numerous herbal conference kids’ camps both locally and nationally.

She is the writer and illustrator of the online children’s publication Herbal Roots zine, which she began publishing in 2009, and the creator of several online courses that teach children about botany, drawing, and herbs. Her latest venture in teaching herbalism is her membership offering, Herb Club, which gives kids and parents video lessons, expanded curriculum for preschool through high school, and a member forum for parents and for kids.

Kristine is also the author of Herbalism at Home, The Homesteader’s Guide to Growing Herbs, and Nature Anatomy Activities for Kids and Nature Anatomy Guided Journal for Kids books. Teaching others about plants and drawing and sharing her knowledge with children—our future—is her passion.

Find her online at https://herbalrootszine.com

Kristine Brown is helping parents teach their kids about herbalism, one herb at a time. She created the only children’s herbal curriculum that uses all four styles of learning and she has taught classes and coordinated numerous herbal conference kids’ camps both locally and nationally. She is the writer and illustrator of the online children’s publication Herbal Roots zine, and the creator of several online courses that teach children about botany, drawing, and herbs.

You can learn more about Kristine’s work, subscribe to Herbal Roots zine and join Herb Club at https://herbalrootszine.com

Her books are also available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B081HXQ273

Before the interview, Bevin talks about the new GMO Purple Tomato from Norfolk Plant Sciences. He digs into the differences between genetically modified and traditionally bred crops and how this new purple tomato might impact your garden plans.

If you’re looking for further reading, check out these articles:

NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/02/06/1228868005/purple-tomato-gmo-gardeners

Wired: https://www.wired.com/story/a-gmo-purple-tomato-is-coming-to-grocery-aisles-will-the-us-bite/

We just launched our new Herb Co-op, an exclusive offering for members of our Patreon community!

You can enjoy these benefits and more while supporting our podcast. Join our Patreon community for as little as $3/month!

Check it out and sign up at https://www.patreon.com/smallhousefarm and https://www.smallhousefarm.com/herbcoop/

Today’s episode of Seeds & Weeds was brought to you in part by our friends at EZ Swap Pots! Check out their line of handmade fabric liners and reusable pots at www.ezswappots.com Use coupon code SEEDS at checkout to receive 15% off your purchase!

Join the Seeds & Weeds Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/seedsandweeds

And as always, big thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers.. we appreciate every one of you! Thank you for supporting the show!

Previous Episodes

Bird Friendly Gardening w/ Jen McGuinness

Bird Friendly Gardening w/ Jen McGuinness

May 8, 2024Bird Friendly Gardening w/ Jen McGuinnessGarden for the birds! Important members of the food chain, birds offer natural pest control, are fun to observe, and they need our help! Learn how to create a beautiful, bird friendly garden with author Jen...

Ask a Garden Expert w/ Susan Mulvihill

Ask a Garden Expert w/ Susan Mulvihill

April 24, 2024Ask a Garden Expert w/ Susan MulvihillSquirrels and rabbits in your garden? Too much clay in your soil? Curious what fruits and veggies will thrive in the shade? Garden expert Susan Mulvihill answers these questions and more!Susan Mulvihill is based in...

Foraging Wild Edibles w/ George Barnett

Foraging Wild Edibles w/ George Barnett

April 10, 2024Foraging Wild Edibles w/ George BarnettMorel mushrooms, wild onions, and tender spring greens await the hungry forager! Join us as we talk with George Barnett, founder of The Hungry Forager and author of the new book, Foraging Kentucky.George Barnett...