Rachel Greathouse of Greathouse Garden with Special Guest Paul Krautmann of Bellews Creek Farm

In this episode, the team speaks with food advocate Rachel Greathouse of Greathouse Garden, and experienced organic farmer Paul Krautmann from Bellews Creek Farm. The discussion covers small-scale organic farming, unique heirloom crop varieties, their cultivation methods, and the challenges and rewards of their industry. You’ll hear about the crucial role of organic farming in sustainability, the impressive yield that small plots of land can produce, and the importance of work-life balance for farmers. 

Most people only see the beautifully packaged, final food products at farmer’s markets and specialty grocery stores, but the Tangled Taproot podcast will showcase unique stories from small-scale midwestern farmers, entrepreneurs, and other thought leaders in regenerative agriculture. Guests will share their successes, challenges, and future goals for their own companies and for the sustainable farming industry. The podcast is brought to you by St. Louis-based sustainable food startup Mylk and Hummus, and hosted by M & H Founder John Cowan, Kitchen Manager and Recipe Developer Christin Jameson, and Jackson. 

Founded in 2020 by John Cowan, Mylk and Hummus makes on-the-go, chickpea-based snacks that focus on flavorful hummus varieties and ready-to-drink plant-based lattes. Mylk and Hummus products nourish the physical and mental endurance needs of today while considering environmental goals for the future. At Mylk and Hummus, plant-based food is made with ingredients proudly sourced through sustainable and regenerative agriculture where farming principles and practices enrich soils, restore watersheds, and lead to healthy ecosystems. The company operates on these principles to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the reversal of global trends in climate instability, habitat loss, and the vitality of the natural world.

Discussion Points:

• Discussion of small-scale organic farming with guests Rachel Greathouse and Paul Krautmann
• Unique heirloom crop varieties and their cultivation methods
• Insights from Paul's 30-plus years of farming and the industry's rules
• Yield capacity of an acre of land and work-life balance for farmers
• Personal journey of Paul and his wife, Nancy, in the world of organic farming
• Regenerative agriculture and farming challenges
• Growing winter squash and onions
• Squash varieties and their uses
• The importance of native crops in our diets and the complexities of winter squash
• Unique heirloom crops and their importance in the St. Louis culinary scene
• Farm expansion, community support, and storage challenges
• Vision for the farm as a community learning space

Resources:

Greathouse Garden IG

Greathouse Garden FB

Bellews Creek Farm FB

Mylk and Hummus 

Email Tangled Taproot with show ideas and comments

Tangled Taproot Podcast

Mylk and Hummus Instagram

Mylk and Hummus YouTube

Mylk and Hummus Facebook