Harvesting Resilience: Regenerative Farming & Zero Waste Cities (Part 1)

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