Katrina Blair - The Wild Wisdom of Weeds

In this interview we discuss her book and the thirteen plants for human survival and her criteria for selecting these specific plants. We also talk about food and the inclusion of wild plants for human health and nutrition, and plants as medicine. Katrina also shares with us how she uses community celebration and festivals as a way to promote positive change, rather than having to fight directly about an issue. She also answers listener questions on which plant has the most potential to feed the world, what is the fourteenth plant she would include on her list, and what to do with bindweed also known as wild morning glory. If you are interested in wild foods this is a great interview and book to start with. Katrina’s inclusion of recipes throughout the book make eating any of these thirteen plants easier. No digging through internet forums wondering how to prepare dandelion root, or what to pair with your chickweed. All of that is included here. Once you have begun exploring these foods then I recommend you listen to Sam Thayer and Arthur Haines (Part 1) (Part 2) to learn more about foraging and harvesting wild plants to include more in your diet. You can meet Katrina, in addition to the annual Dandelion Festival, at the Northeast Organic Farming Association Winter Conference on January 31st. Then she’ll be at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture Farming for the Future conference. That event is from February 3 - 7, 2015. You can find out more about the book by reading the New York Times review. If you are interested in the 5 DVD set mentioned by Markus Rothkranz it is Free Food and Medicine. Read Katrina’s work and investigate the world around you to learn about the plants we call weeds. The ones that grow in disturbed soil but have potential to heal earth and our bodies. As we eat better and feel better and reconnect with a sense of place we can move from destruction to sustainable, to regenerative practices. A first step could be a forkful of wild, wonderful weeds. Wherever you are on your path I am here to assist you in whatever way I can. Get in touch. Email: The Permaculture Podcast Write: The Permaculture Podcast The Permaculture Podcast I would like to end by thanking everyone who helps to keep this podcast running, as I depend on your generous gifts to pay for web hosting, software, equipment, and to provide a small income from the work that goes into this show. You make all of this possible. If you are in a place to assist the show please do so by going to www.thepermaculturepodcast.com/support and making a one-time or recurring donation.