Discover insights that grow a greener world with Harvesting Wisdom Podcast hosted by Mike McMahon. 🌱🎙️ Leading experts share wisdom on agriculture, sustainability, and education in Arizona and beyond. Policy makers, industry experts, and international outreach champions – we cover it all! Tune in for a harvest of knowledge. 🌍🌾
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September 24, 202615 min
A Student-Led Plan to Grow Food in Zimbabwe | Sarah Adams
Send us Fan Mail How can students turn ideas for growing food into a project that communities in Zimbabwe can use? Dr. Joe Roselle talks with Sarah Adams of Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University about an ESG fellowship with Urban Farming Education. Students from Zimbabwe are exploring community farming and animal husbandry projects, while seeking the partners and practical expertise needed to move their ideas forward. Sarah and Joe discuss what the students hope to build, the challenges they have encountered, and how people with experience in agriculture, irrigation, solar energy, logistics, and international business could contribute. Have relevant expertise, or know a potential partner in Zimbabwe? Contact Urban Farming Education at [info@weareufe.org](mailto:info@weareufe.org) and mention the Zimbabwe ESG Fellowship. Learn more about Harvesting Wisdom: https://www.harvestingwisdompodcast.org/ Learn more about Urban Farming Education: https://www.weareufe.org/ Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for conversations about growing food, education, sustainability, and the people putting ideas into practice.
September 22, 202626 min
Zimbabwe Safari With a Purpose: Conservation & Community | Arnold Payne
Send us Fan Mail Can a Zimbabwe safari help protect wildlife while strengthening the communities that live alongside it? Filmed at Zingweni Vlei Luxury Safari Camp near Hwange National Park, guest host Gracie Mika speaks with Arnold Payne, owner of Run Wild African Safaris and co-founder of Zingweni Vlei, about conservation, sustainable agriculture, food security, and educational travel in Zimbabwe. Arnold explains the realities of human–wildlife conflict, including what happens when elephants destroy a village’s crops or predators threaten livestock. He also discusses why access to water, agricultural knowledge, and sustainable income opportunities are essential for both community well-being and the future of wildlife conservation. The conversation explores how Urban Farming Education and Run Wild African Safaris hope to connect students with meaningful, hands-on experiences supporting local communities. Students from many different fields—including agriculture, engineering, environmental science, business, finance, and education—can bring valuable knowledge while gaining a deeper understanding of Zimbabwean culture, conservation, and community life. In this episode: • The relationship between rural communities and wildlife • How human–wildlife conflict affects families and conservation • Why water and sustainable agriculture are vital in Zimbabwe • How community gardens can provide food and income • Opportunities for students from different majors to contribute • What travelers can expect from a Zimbabwe safari experience • Life at Zingweni Vlei Luxury Safari Camp • How responsible travel can create a lasting impact Learn more: Urban Farming Education https://weareufe.org Harvesting Wisdom Podcast https://harvestingwisdompodcast.org Run Wild African Safaris https://runwildafricansafaris.com Follow Zingweni Vlei on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zingwenivlei/ https://www.zingwenivlei.com/ Subscribe to the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for conversations about sustainability, education, agriculture, conservation, and the people creating positive change in their communities.
September 18, 202613 min
How U.S. Immigration Affects Education and the Workforce | David E. Gluckman
Send us Fan Mail How does the U.S. immigration system affect international education, agriculture, STEM fields, and workforce development? In this educational conversation, Dr. Joe Roselle speaks with immigration attorney David E. Gluckman about the relationship between immigration procedures and the needs of students, workers, universities, and employers. The discussion examines employment-based immigration, international student experiences, agricultural labor, skilled-worker pathways, visa processing, and the economic role of international talent. Why Listen: • Understand how immigration intersects with education and employment • Learn about challenges faced by international students • Explore workforce needs in agriculture and STEM fields • Gain general insight into employment-based immigration pathways • Hear a professional perspective on a complex national system This episode is intended to encourage informed, respectful discussion. It does not endorse or oppose a political candidate, political party, or ballot measure. Disclaimer: This program is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, policies, fees, and procedures may change after recording. Consult a qualified immigration attorney for guidance regarding an individual situation. The opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers.
September 16, 202627 min
Sacred Ground: Cultivating Healing and Community
Send us Fan Mail What does it look like when faith, gardening, wellness, and community service come together in one place? Dr. Joe Roselle visits Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Phoenix for a conversation with Sister Linda Campbell, the monastery’s prioress. Sister Linda shares the monastery’s history and explains how it has grown into a welcoming community centered on prayer, healing, service, and connection. Learn how its healing garden, healthy meals, sound baths, yoga, tai chi, retreats, and outreach programs support people of all backgrounds. The monastery also prepares more than 300 backpacks for people experiencing homelessness each month and is working to expand its gardens through Urban Farming Education’s Project Grow. Why Listen: • Discover how gardening can support spiritual and emotional wellness • Learn about the monastery’s mental-health and healing programs • Hear how volunteers and community partners can make a difference • Explore the connection between healthy food, nature, and healing • Learn how Project Grow will help expand the monastery’s garden Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds. To learn more, volunteer, or explore its programs, visit OLGMonastery.com. Subscribe to the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for more conversations about community, sustainability, wellness, and meaningful change.
September 9, 202644 min
Can AI Make Us Better Storytellers? | Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Devin Scott
Send us Fan Mail How is artificial intelligence changing filmmaking—and can it strengthen human creativity instead of replacing it? Emmy-winning filmmaker Devin Scott joins the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast to share his journey from making childhood movies with a Super 8 camera to producing documentaries, commercials, animated films, and AI-assisted stories. Devin discusses the importance of authentic storytelling, the opportunities created by generative AI, and his latest project, Whiskers in the Galaxy—a YouTube series featuring calming bedtime adventures that teach children meaningful life lessons. The conversation also explores environmental filmmaking, family stories, craftsmanship, emerging technology, and why a powerful story will always matter more than the tools used to create it. Why Listen? In this episode, you’ll discover: -How Devin built a successful career in filmmaking and earned multiple Emmy Awards -Why AI can enhance creativity without replacing the storyteller -How filmmakers can use emerging technology ethically -The inspiration behind Whiskers in the Galaxy -Why personal and authentic stories connect deeply with audiences -How films can educate, inspire change, and preserve history Subscribe to the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for more conversations exploring creativity, innovation, sustainability, and the lessons that shape our lives. Disclosure: This episode was edited using artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This applies only to this video; all other Harvesting Wisdom Podcast episodes were edited without AI. The original conversation, ideas, and perspectives remain authentic.
September 9, 202644 min
Can AI Make Us Better Storytellers? | Emmy-Winning Filmmaker Devin Scott pt 2
Send us Fan Mail How will artificial intelligence change filmmaking—and what role will human creativity continue to play? In Part 2, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Devin Scott explores how AI is transforming storytelling, animation, production, and independent filmmaking. He explains why experience and creative intuition still matter, how emerging tools can make ambitious ideas more accessible, and why the future belongs to storytellers who are willing to adapt. Devin also takes us behind the scenes of Whiskers in the Galaxy, his animated children’s series featuring five kittens who explore space while learning meaningful life lessons. Why Listen: • Discover how AI is changing filmmaking and animation • Learn why storytelling skills remain essential • Explore new opportunities for independent creators • Hear how Whiskers in the Galaxy is produced • Understand why embracing change can unlock new creative possibilities Subscribe to the Harvesting Wisdom Podcast for more conversations exploring creativity, innovation, education, and the wisdom gained through experience. AI Disclosure: Parts 1 and 2 of this episode were edited using artificial intelligence tools. All other Harvesting Wisdom Podcast episodes were edited without AI. The original conversation, ideas, and perspectives remain authentic.
August 27, 202632 min
Can Agriculture Become a Closed-Loop System? A Farmer's Vision for the Future Part 2
Send us Fan Mail Can farmers become more self-sufficient while producing better food, reducing waste, and creating alternatives to an increasingly complex agricultural system? In Part 2 of this Harvesting Wisdom episode, Mike McMahon and Bulgarian farmer and entrepreneur, Philip Harmandzhiev, continue their discussion about regenerative farming, food production, agricultural regulations, consumer choice, and the future of small and diversified farms. Philip explains how his operation combines pasture-raised livestock, dairy production, a kitchen, a butchery, and a syntropic food forest while processing as much of the farm's production as possible. He discusses the advantages and challenges of vertical integration, including the additional expertise and regulatory requirements that come with processing food on the farm. The conversation also examines how regulations can affect small producers, why Philip believes consumers may be one of the most powerful forces for agricultural change, and how reconnecting people with high-quality food can help preserve knowledge and create demand for better farming systems. Philip and Mike also explore the importance of experimentation, learning from mistakes, and sharing knowledge with other farmers. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: 🐄 How pasture-based livestock can fit into a diversified farm 🌳 What a syntropic food forest is and how it fits into Philip's operation ♻️ Why processing agricultural byproducts can reduce waste 🏭 The advantages and challenges of processing food on the farm 📋 How regulations can create challenges for small agricultural businesses 🛒 How consumers can influence agricultural systems through their purchasing choices 🌱 Why experimentation and "safe to fail" projects can help farmers innovate 🤝 Why farmers benefit from sharing both their successes and their mistakes 🌍 Why education, innovation, and consumer demand can contribute to agricultural change CHAPTERS 01:42 – Bulgaria's agricultural transition and lost markets 02:36 – How the transition affected wine production and agricultural knowledge 03:28 – The legacy of Bulgaria's large-scale wineries 05:01 – Rebuilding processing infrastructure for smaller producers 06:55 – Moving from quantity toward quality 09:07 – Philip's diversified and regenerative farm model 10:51 – Why regulation is one of the biggest challenges for small farms 14:16 – How policy can influence agricultural innovation 17:27 – Why consumers may be the strongest force for agricultural change 20:40 – Food, energy, and the possibility of greater agricultural self-sufficiency 24:14 – Why farmers should share knowledge and experiences 25:20 – The value of starting small and experimenting 25:59 – Turning agricultural waste into useful products 29:47 – Why education and involvement are essential to agricultural change Interested in learning more about Philip's farm, its wines, agricultural practices, and products? Visit the Damianitza website to explore the farm and learn more about its work in Bulgaria: https://www.damianitza.bg/en/?utm_source Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for more conversations with farmers, researchers, educators, and innovators working to create healthier communities, more resilient food systems, and a more sustainable future.
August 25, 202631 min
Can Agriculture Become a Closed-Loop System? Regenerative Farming, Food & the Future of Agriculture
Send us Fan Mail Can a farm produce food, recycle its own resources, reduce waste, and create a stronger connection between farmers and consumers? In Part 1 of this Harvesting Wisdom episode, Mike McMahon speaks with Bulgarian farmer and entrepreneur, Philip Harmandzhiev, about regenerative agriculture, diversified farming, food production, and the idea of creating a more complete agricultural cycle. Philip shares how his farm combines livestock, perennial and annual crops, food processing, and direct relationships with consumers. They discuss why diversification can help farmers create more value from their land, how processing food on the farm can expand opportunities, and why agriculture has the potential to reuse resources rather than constantly bringing in outside inputs. The conversation also explores the limitations of monoculture, the importance of building a holistic agricultural system, and Bulgaria's complicated agricultural history. Philip explains how decades of centralized agricultural production, followed by the rapid dismantling of that system, affected land ownership, farming infrastructure, food production, and Bulgaria's wine industry. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: 🌱 Why diversification can strengthen a farm's economic resilience 🐄 How livestock can become part of a larger agricultural cycle 🥛 Why on-farm processing can create more value for farmers ♻️ How agriculture can reduce waste by reusing resources within the farm 🌾 Why monoculture as a system that struggles to complete the agricultural cycle 🍅 How soil, climate, and regional conditions influence what farmers can produce 🍷 How Bulgaria's history shaped its wine and agricultural industries 🏭 How centralized agricultural production affected food processing and distribution 🌍 What happened when Bulgaria transitioned away from its centralized agricultural system 🍇 How the breakup of Bulgaria's wine industry affected vineyards, wineries, and markets 🚜 Why agricultural infrastructure is essential to successful farming 🏡 How land fragmentation continues to create challenges for farmers today CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction to Philip and his farm in southwestern Bulgaria 02:07 – How soil, climate, and geography shape agriculture 04:43 – Why diversification matters to farmers and consumers 07:03 – How livestock can contribute to a farm's nutrient cycle 07:36 – Why agriculture has the potential to become a closed-loop system 08:21 – The limitations of monoculture 10:36 – Bulgaria's agricultural history and the Ottoman Empire 12:05 – Bulgaria's role in the Eastern European economic system 13:22 – Bulgaria's agricultural specialization in tomatoes, grapes, and tobacco 14:49 – Life and agricultural restrictions along the Bulgarian-Greek border 16:00 – Industrial agriculture and the legacy of centralized farming 17:14 – The nationalization of Bulgaria's wine industry 18:17 – How centralized production affected food quality and creativity 20:53 – Land consolidation and agricultural infrastructure 22:07 – The rapid dismantling of Bulgaria's agricultural system 23:18 – What happened to Bulgaria's wine brands and international markets 25:19 – The challenges created by a loss of institutional knowledge 27:31 – Land fragmentation and the challenges of inheritance 29:11 – Why permanent crops require long-term land security 29:51 – The hidden costs of fragmented land and infrastructure Interested in learning more about Philip's farm, its wines, agricultural practices, and products? Visit the Damianitza website to explore the farm and learn more about its work in Bulgaria: https://www.damianitza.bg/en/?utm_source Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for more conversations with farmers, researchers, educators, and innovators working to create healthier communities, more resilient food systems, and a more sustainable future.
August 20, 202623 min
From No-Till to Regenerative Agriculture: Transforming Bulgaria’s Soil & Farms Part 2
Send us Fan Mail What if regenerative agriculture is more than restoring what we've lost, and instead means continually improving the living capacity of our farms, communities, and ecosystems? In Part 2 of this Harvesting Wisdom podcast, Mike McMahon and Bulgarian regenerative agriculture advocate, Petya Ivanova, take a broader look at what it means to create lasting change in agriculture and society. The conversation begins with Bulgaria's diverse soils and long agricultural history before expanding into the larger systems that influence farming, including economics, food prices, government policy, education, and consumer awareness. Petya explains why she sees regeneration as a universal principle. One that can apply not only to agriculture, but also to economic and social systems. She discusses why meaningful change must begin at the individual level and how farmers, consumers, educators, nonprofits, and communities can work together to move sustainable practices into the mainstream. Mike and Petya also discuss the importance of education and storytelling and student-focused agricultural education. The conversation concludes with Petya's goals for the future, including reducing pesticide and fertilizer dependence among no-till farmers and reaching the agricultural tipping point where regenerative and conservation practices become increasingly widespread. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: 🌱 Why regeneration means more than simply restoring damaged land 🌎 How regenerative principles can apply beyond agriculture 💰 How economic pressures influence farming decisions 🚜 Why farmers often face difficult short-term versus long-term choices 📚 Why education can be a powerful driver of agricultural change 🤝 How farmer networks and communities can accelerate the transition 🌾 Why no-till, regenerative, and organic farmers can contribute to a larger movement ♻️ How reducing external inputs can support more resilient agricultural systems 🧠 Why meaningful change starts with awareness and individual decisions 🌍 Why reaching a tipping point could help regenerative practices become a broader movement LEARN MORE ABOUT ABNT The Association of Bulgarian No-Tillers (ABNT) works to support the development and understanding of no-till, conservation, and regenerative agricultural practices in Bulgaria through farmer education, knowledge sharing, community building, and initiatives supporting agricultural transition. Learn more about ABNT, their mission, and their initiatives: https://abnt.bg/ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Bulgaria's soils and agricultural history 02:13 – Soil degradation, sustainability, and farming economics 03:42 – Regenerative capitalism and systems thinking 04:18 – Regeneration as a universal principle 05:09 – Korean Natural Farming and closed-loop systems 09:10 – Economic pressures and the challenge of changing agriculture 12:02 – Why change needs to come from the bottom up 19:43 – Petya's vision for the next three years 20:15 – Reducing pesticide and fertilizer dependence 20:29 – The agricultural tipping point 21:26 – Why success stories can accelerate change 22:35 – Looking toward the future of regenerative agriculture If you’re interested in regenerative agriculture, sustainable farming, soil health, agricultural education, food systems, or community-driven environmental change, this conversation offers a hopeful look at how individual decisions can contribute to larger systemic change. Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for more conversations with farmers, researchers, educators, and innovators working to create healthier communities, more resilient food systems, and a more sustainable future.
August 18, 202616 min
Bulgaria: Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health & Farmers Changing the System
Send us Fan Mail What can we learn from farmers and agricultural leaders working to build healthier, more sustainable food systems in Bulgaria? In this Bulgaria recap episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Mike McMahon reflects on his journey through Bulgaria and the farmers, researchers, educators, and regenerative agriculture advocates he met along the way. From Sofia to Plovdiv and the countryside beyond, Mike explores the people and ideas shaping Bulgaria's agricultural future. He speaks with advocates for no-till farming, researchers focused on soil and ecosystem restoration, farmers experimenting with regenerative growing systems, and producers working to reconnect consumers with high-quality local food. The episode highlights the importance of soil health, low-impact agriculture, biodiversity, education, farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and finding practical ways to make sustainable farming economically viable. Mike also reflects on Bulgaria's agricultural history, including the legacy of centralized farming during the Soviet era and the challenges that followed the transition to a more fragmented agricultural system. Throughout the trip, one theme continues to emerge: farmers around the world may work with different soils, climates, crops, and regulations, but many are asking the same fundamental questions about how to produce food while protecting the resources that make agriculture possible. GUESTS & RESOURCES Petya Ivanova – Association of Bulgarian No-Tillers (ABNT) Learn more about ABNT and its work supporting no-till and regenerative agriculture in Bulgaria: https://abnt.bg/youtubekanal/ Ivelin (Ivo) Tonchev – Blizkata Ferma Learn more about Ivo and Nearby Farm: https://blizkataferma.com/ Asen Nenov – Regenerati Co-founder and Board Member of Regenerati, an organization focused on regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration: https://regenerati.org/ Nikolay Genov – Hrankoop Cooperative / Plovdiv Farmers' Market Agriculture professor and chairman of the Hrankoop Cooperative: https://www.hrankoop.com/hrankoop/sofia/ Philip Harmandzhiev – Damianitza Learn more about Damianitza and its winery: https://www.damianitza.bg/en/vinarnata/
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