Roots Deep & Wide

Michigan’s crops are the second-most diverse of any state. We tried to replicate that point of pride that in this episode. We went to two seemingly disparate places to talk about the critical relationship farms have with pollinators.

First, we took the train to small-town Dowagiac in southwest Michigan to talk to Merry Clark about the history and benefits of organic and regenerative farming. Then, we drove over to Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood to meet Brittney Rooney of Beaverland Farms to get a personal perspective of it all.

What unites both Merry and Brittney is organic farming. Merry’s mother founded the movement behind it here in the state and Brittney is living it out 50 years later. Both also serve on the board of the Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance.

So join us as we learn about the economic, health and, of course, environmental benefits of embracing a more natural, holistic way of growing food.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Learn more about the Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance here.

Read about the woman behind Michigan’s organic farming movement by purchasing Merry’s book, Dandelion Roots Run Deep, here.

Learn more about Beaverland Farms by visiting its website here or by reading its feature in Planet Detroit.

Common Groundwater is hosted by the Michigan Environmental Council and Beau Brockett Jr.

Our music is “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, arranged by Derek Zhang and performed by Taj Wallace.

Our series is produced in partnership with NRDC, an international nonprofit that works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.