234. Shelley Katz on Plant Sap Analysis and Biological Nutrition

Have you ever gone the extra step beyond soil tests and done plant sap analysis? On today’s episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we are joined by Shelley Katz, founder of Heart of Palms Ranch and Eco-Farm in Fort Myers, Florida. Shelley is a fruit and vegetable grower who has been dedicated to growing food ecologically since 2013 and started managing mixed vegetable farms in 2017. She also serves as a Regenerative Agriculture Consultant for Advancing Eco Agriculture which works with growers to create customized crop programs combining biological and mineral nutrition products with regenerative practices to improve crop quality. Tune in to hear about Shelley’s unique farming journey!  In this episode, you’ll hear: How Shelley got into agriculture 1:43 About what kinds of crops Shelley worked on during her time in Hawaii 3:00 What the initial perennial cropping looked like after her move to Florida 9:43 How sap analysis works 14:38 How degraded the soils of the world are 24:00 What she’s learned while working with AEA 27:05 What the different enterprises are at Heart of Palms Ranch 32:44 What Shelley would’ve done differently if she were to restart her career 37:55 Where you can learn more about Heart of Palms Ranch and Eco-Farm 40:46 Previous episode mentioned in the show: John Kempf on Advanced Biological Farming About the Guest: Shelley Katz is a Regenerative Agriculture Consultant for Advancing Eco Agriculture and the founder of Heart of Palms Ranch and Eco-Farm. She started this journey through conservation internships on farms in Hawaii which then led to a career in vegetable farm management. She earned a Bachelor in Agriculture Science from Oregon State University, and has completed two Permaculture Design Certificates at OSU. In 2020, she founded Heart of Palms Ranch and Eco-Farm in Fort Myers, Florida. Heart of Palms grows perennial and subtropical produce using regenerative practices, grazes horses and cattle, and offers agritourism activities such as farmstays, camping, and tours.  She also serves as a Regenerative Agriculture Consultant for Advancing Eco Agriculture helping farmers improve crop quality, yields, and disease and insect resistance. Resources: Farm Website: www.heartofpalmsranch.com Advancing Eco Ag Website: https://www.advancingecoag.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelleyplants/ Facebook: Heart of Palms Ranch and Eco-Farm       This podcast is sponsored by Small Farm University, THE go-to resource for gardeners, homesteaders, and farmers around the world. Small Farm University delivers classes online and on demand, with training on how to grow crops AND how to grow a profitable farm business that serves you, your family, and your community well.  Applying what you learn in SFU could save you countless hours and thousands of dollars. And, it can save you the agony of costly mistakes some make, just because they “don’t know what they don’t know.” Delivered by real farmers with hands-on experience and expertise, it is unique in its approach, using the RIPEN method for growing and building a farm or farm business. To learn more, visit:  GrowingFarmers.com today!