Shows
DonnaLonna Kitchen Show099: Reliable Street, Growing a CommunityDonna and Lonna talk to Willa Colville and Maegan Bird about the Reliable Street Farmers Market in Ames, Iowa. Reliable Street is the site of many exciting community building activities: Lockwood coffee shop, a community garden, a thrift store, a community refrigerator, green space and playground. The new Farmers Market will host vendors and a free meal once a month during the summer. And Donna and Lonna talk about edible flowers.
2024-05-3055 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show098: No Mow May, Basil, Mint, Mushrooms, Nettle SoupWe talk about spring lawn care, basil, and mint. Donna gives us the history of switchel. Lonna talks about harvesting and drying golden oyster mushrooms and we explore nettle soup recipes from Alan Bergo's book Flora.
2024-05-2348 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show097: Out in the Field with PFI 2024We start the show with Lonna's review of food and festivities at the 33rd Annual Central Iowa Scottish Spring Ball: kilts, tartans, haggis and Scotch Eggs. Jacqueline Venner Senske joins Donna and Lonna to talk about Practical Farmers of Iowa and horticultural highlights of the upcoming Field Day season.
2024-05-0949 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show096: GMO Update, Rhubarb TimeLonna talks about her visit to the Ames Repair Cafe and Ames Seed Library. Donna gives us an update on GMO corn, our health, the farm economy and our trade relationship with Mexico. We celebrate rhubarb season with growing and harvesting tips, and recipes: rhubarb orange jam, custard pie, rhubarb beet soup, chutney, syrups, and shrubs. We end with a poem to honor workers that built cathedrals with a thought for International Workers Day.
2024-05-0255 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show095: Consolidation, Monopolies, Big Money in our Food SystemThe cost of producing our food affects all of us. Farmers are at the front line of price increases as big corporations take over the production of agricultural inputs. Donna and Lonna report on a Federal Trade Commission Listening Session event held in Nevada, Iowa where FTC chair, Lina Khan heard concerns from midwest farmers about the take over of the Iowa Fertilizer Co. by Koch Industries. The Iowa Fertilizer Co. received $545 million in local, state and federal tax dollars to provide more competition. Now that competitive element is threatened. We also review a book and hear a lecture by Au...
2024-04-2546 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show094: Wild Green Things, Brown BreadCelebrating foraging and the first green things of spring: Donna and Lonna talk about motherwort, bluebells, nettles, ground ivy, linden flowers, the alder tree and dandelions. Lonna bakes some yeast brown bread from the classic cookbook by Darian Allen. We learn about how to make comfrey tea plant fertilizer. Donna talks about ramps and ramp farming and we go out with a poem about our human microbiome.
2024-04-1845 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show093: Dairy, what cows eat, Iowa foodDonna talks about milk, yoghurt, cheese, and frolicking cows. We revisit a past DLK interview with microbiologist Dr. Marc Rasmusson where he talks about what cows eat, e-flux pump inhibitors, and why ruminants can turn grass into meat and milk. And we talk about exploring products and producers at the second annual Iowa Eats Food and Drinks Festival in Waterloo, Iowa.
2024-04-0950 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show092: Spring Recipes, Gingerbread, Garden, Water NewsFalling down a rabbit hole, a salute to snakes, Donna talks about eggs, Lonna talks about gingerbread, we talk about the fish kill on the Nishnabotna River in Iowa. Lonna shares some spring suggestions for the garden and a reads a poem by Mary Oliver about a bear waking up after a long winter.
2024-04-0447 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show091: Workers that feed us - why we need immigrantsDr. Jan Flora joins us at the DonnaLonna Kitchen table to talk about immigrant workers. Dr. Flora is professor emeritus at Iowa State University in the College of Agriculture. His recent opinion piece is entitled "Immigrants Serve the Common Good, Including in Iowa: Those are the Facts". We also talk about planting onions.
2024-03-2850 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show090: Iowa Eats Food & Drink FestivalDonnaLonna Kitchen talks to Cara Miller and Jay Goodvin from the Silos and Smokestacks organization about the upcoming Iowa Eats Food and Drink Festival. This is the second year for the event. It will be held April 6, 2024 in Waterloo. Cara Miller talks about vendors, cooking demonstrations, and a pork cook-off. Jay Goodvin shares reviews of Iowa food favorites. Donna closes out the show with some words of wisdom on cabbage.
2024-03-2147 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show089: Community service and good food at Mustard Seed FarmGood things have been happening at Mustard Seed Farm since it began in 2008. We talk with Alice McGary and Ami Adams about the MSF's commitment to community service, educational outreach and the growing of good food. Mustard Seed Farm provides food for a local medical clinic, Food at First and Romero House, in Ames. They thrive with support from volunteer workers and staff. Alice and Ami invite listeners to get involved with MSF events such as the annual "FunRaiser", a Seed Library, a "Swap-aloooza" celebration at Iowa State University and also many classes and work-share o...
2024-02-2951 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show088: Donna's Food and Farm Report From New ZealandDonna returns from a month in New Zealand with her report on food and farming. Sometimes it's nice to see how things are going in other places besides Iowa. Lonna welcomes Donna back into the studio and hears about New Zealand's dairy and beef production, water quality, the price of groceries, rich farmers, raw milk, a visit to a cider maker and a visit to a chocolate factory.
2024-02-2248 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show087: Talking about the elephant with Ruth McCabeConservation is often the "elephant in the room" that doesn't get talked about very much. Conservation agronomist Ruth McCabe shares her insights about the state of agriculture around the globe. Ruth studied farming systems in Australia, Canada, the Chesapeake Bay, Brazil and other locations as part of an international Nuffield Scholarship. She works with Heartland Cooperative in Iowa. Contrasting her observations about farmers' needs for short-term gains vs. long- term conservation efforts makes a lively and informative discussion.
2024-02-1548 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show086: BreakfastMuch depends on breakfast. Donna and Lonna explore pancakes and biscuits and gravy at a local Ames restaurant. We talk about the history of breakfast cereals, buckwheat crepes, waffles, brioche and French toast with a small detour into Donna's love affair with pudding.
2024-02-0849 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show085: Pesticide Action Network, Rob FauxPesticides and herbicides are all over Iowa. These things have consequences. Donna and Lonna talk to farmer, Rob Faux about the lasting effects of pesticide drift on his farm and his work with the Pesticide Action Network to address the problem.
2024-01-1855 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show084: Healing Foods, Taking Care of YourselfDonna refuses to use the word "resolution," but we talk about good food, good habits and thoughts that are good to heal the excesses of the holidays and set the pace for a good new year. We talk about soups, collagen, miso, kefir, kitchen remedies for the common cold and a broader look at hopeful actions for earth care and people care.
2024-01-0450 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show083: Holiday StoriesWe explore tastes and memories of many holidays past with Mike Murphy and Mike Meetz (friends from our community radio family). The discussion includes: Christmas music, the lemony taste of Yuzu, eggnog, cat ice, big snow and wet wool snowsuits, Donna's mother's oyster casserole, Lonna's winter chicken maintenance, opossum teeth, Mike Meetz's memory of the good luck German pickle ornament, and the ins and outs of the Christmas goose.
2023-12-2149 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show082: Antarctica and Other KitchensDonna and Lonna talk to special guest, Monika Tucker about her experiences working in Antarctica. We consider (very) southern food and culture at the bottom of the world. Monika shares recipes from her German heritage: Rouladen, Rot Kohl, German Cheesecake and memories of her time spent working in a German Bakery. Monika also talks about her kitchen experiences at various Buddhist Retreat Centers. We learn about mindful eating, kitchen work as a Yogic discipline and her recipes for Tempeh Marbella and Change-Your-Life Bread.
2023-12-1450 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show081: Kitchen Arabic, Joe GehaAuthor Joseph Geha joins us to talk about his new book: Kitchen Arabic, How My Family Came to America and the Recipes We Brought With Us. The book is a story of family, food and the story of the Geha family immigration to America from Lebanon. Delightful stories and many recipes make this a fun read and a labor of love. Joe's wife Fern Kupfer, also a writer joins the discussion with many helpful insights and news of the Fern and Joe substack project. Lentils, Aleppo pepper, garlic, lamb, zaatar and many other food memories are added...
2023-12-0755 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show080: Cookies and CompanyDonna talks about make-ahead holiday ingredients: candied citrus peel, sugared cranberries and the ins and outs of her famous fudge. We explore the development of organic Christmas sprinkles. Donna gives much good advice on liquors and flavorings for cakes, candies, and traditional plum pudding. And we end with a poem about summer peaches.
2023-11-3050 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show079: Holiday Sides, Holiday PiesSide dishes and pie thoughts for the holiday table. Donna and Lonna talk about fun and fancy things to do with potatoes: brown butter/sage and spiralized baked potatoes. Donna gives her recipe for candied fresh cranberries and pumpkin cobbler. Lonna talks about pie crust and reads a poem about being thankful for locally baked bread.
2023-11-2345 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show078: Talking Turkey with Rob FauxWe talk turkey with farmer, Rob Faux from Genuine Faux Farm. Donna has the opportunity to show off her turkey calling skills while Rob teaches us about the ins and outs of turkeys. We talk about raising, marketing and cooking the holiday bird and learn about jakes, jennys, free range birds, and how to get turkeys into a pickup truck.
2023-11-0950 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show077: Sorghum, Gingerbread, TaffyDonna and Lonna celebrate fall and Halloween with thoughts of sweet things. Ben Hoksch joins us to tell us about his experience making sorghum. Ben enjoys working with sweet things. He is a botanist, a beekeeper and local maker of maple syrup. Donna talks about gingerbread and taffy. Lonna shares a poem by Alice Walker for the old women, wise women, grandmothers and witches in all of us.
2023-11-0255 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show076: Farmers, Food and the Farm BillThe Farm Bill sets priorities for our nation's farms, food systems, environment and communities. donna and Lonna talk with Aaron Lehman from the Iowa Farmers Union. The IFU has been advocating for farms and rural communities since 1915 and is a voice for conservation, education, research, and sustainable farm policy that affect us all.
2023-10-2655 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show075: Squash, Fall Flavors, RecipesSquash, pumpkins and the tastes of fall! Donna moves way beyond pumpkin spice mix with an exploration of cinnamons, ginger, anise and a wide variety of tasty spice mixtures. These spices are not just for pumpkin pie. Use them for cakes, cookies, stews, coffee and more. Lonna shares a poem about Weiners and a recipe for Spicy Paprika Tomato Jam. We end the show with advice for storing fall vegetables.
2023-10-1955 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show074: Local Nuts, Cider PressDonna and Lonna get to know some local nuts with Joe Lynch, farmer, forager, and long time partner with Lonna at Onion Creek Farm. We celebrate the joy of tree crops: black walnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts and acorns. Donna talks about her long time love of chestnuts. Joe also talks about his homemade version of an apple cider press using a garbage disposal and a hydraulic jack.
2023-10-1255 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show073: Sense of SmellExplore what the nose knows. Donna and Lonna discuss the book Nose Dive: A Field Guide to the World's Smells by Harold McGee. We find out about the chemistry, anthropology and environmental factors that influence how we experience our world. We talk about the importance of smell in the kitchen, herbs, wine tasting and the science behind it all.
2023-10-0548 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show072: Good Frosting, Granny Smith, Jam and JellyA birthday cake for Lonna and a good frosting recipe from Donna. Barry McDonald joins us at the kitchen table to talk about his life in Australia. We talk about frogs, colorful language, kangaroo meat and the history of the Granny Smith apple. It's jam and jelly season. Tips and tricks including preparing fruit, jelly bags, pectin, the joy of using a maslin pan and hot packing. Donna shares her recipe for Oriental Plum Sauce.
2023-09-2852 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show071: Salt! An important part of our livesSalt! An important part of our lives. Donna and Lonna talk about the book The Miracle of Salt by Naomi Duguid. We talk about weight, density and what constitutes 'saltiness'. We share salt harvesting stories and recipes. Also we talk about the book All the Presidents' Pastries: Twenty-Five Years in the White House by master pastry chef Roland Mesnier. Peaches and pine trees are also part of the mix.
2023-09-2150 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show070: Food literacy: What have we learned?What do we know about food? We talk to Kate Gilbert from the Iowa State University Food Science department about the current state of food literacy in academia and on our plates. Kate talks about her family farm, her career and her passion for good, local food. We also explore the Iowa Food Systems Coalition, Iowa food hubs, a Local Food celebration on the Iowa State University campus, the nutritional value of Ramen noodles and how we all learn to feed ourselves.
2023-09-1450 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show069: Wendy Johnson, Kernza, Joia FarmWendy Johnson joins us at the kitchen table to talk about her farm (Joia Food Farm) her farm journey and her joy of growing local food. We explore Kernza, the new, perennial grain that Wendy is trialing on her farm and helping to introduce to the market. Donna gives a history of perennial grain breeding at the Land Institute by Wes Jackson and her experience in baking with Kernza. Wendy talks about her sheep flock, how sheep are integrated into the crop and grazing rotation at Joia Farm and her marketing of the wool through her company Counting Sheep Sleep Compa
2023-09-0749 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show068: Pork, Preserving, Potluck, CurryA potpourri of food topics! Donna talks about attending the annual Niman Ranch Farmer Appreciation Dinner. Tips for preserving the summer harvest, Lonna visits a local food potluck/picnic and shares a recipe for fermenting hot peppers and raw okra salad. Writer, cook and world traveller Gheeta Iyer joins Lonna at the DonnaLonna Kitchen table. She shares her thoughts on Indian food and explains why curry is a verb.
2023-08-3149 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show066: Sundog Farm, Food, Tools and StoriesDonna and Lonna visit with Carmen and Maja Black, farmers at Sundog Farm and Local Harvest CSA in Solon, Iowa. Sundog Farm grows vegetables, flowers, sheep, goats, and chickens for the local market. The farm has spread across five locations thanks to creative cooperation with other farmers and innovative use of season extension. The Black sisters talk about scaling up their farm with size-appropriate tools, tractors and good humor.
2023-08-1750 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show065: Salt, Seasoning, SaltlickersDonna and Lonna talk with Jennifer Knox, co-owner of the business Saltlickers located in Nevada, Iowa. With great skill and good humor, Jen and her husband, Collin Switzer, bring salt and herb blends to the farmers markets of central Iowa and also retail outlets and mailboxes across the nation. We talk about creating a product, selling an idea and tickling taste buds across the state and beyond.
2023-08-1049 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show065: State Fair, Summer BountyTomatoes and sweet corn - fresh from the garden. We look ahead to the Iowa State Fair and DLK's upcoming cooking demonstration at the fair. Donna reviews the recipes. We celebrate Iowa food with polenta with candied tomatoes and lard pound cake with berries and whipped cream. Also some thoughts on gazpacho, zucchini, carrot top pesto and elderberries. Lonna reads about the Automat, a short food history from the book Food of a Younger Land.
2023-07-2747 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show064: Eat Your VegetablesThe summer garden is a good time to resolve to eat healthy. Get away from processed food and be cautious about using the sweetener, aspartame. We talk about garlic and beets with recipe advice from Donna. Lonna talks about bush beans, pole beans, the first garden tomatoes of the season, harvesting and drying herbs and some of the science behind breeding the Cherry Plum. We explore edible flowers and Donna gives her sure-fire recipe for keeping squirrels out of her nasturtiums.
2023-07-2049 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show063: Fred Kirchenmann, Learning from Our MistakesFrom a 2018 interview with Fred Kirchenmann, we revisit a talk about the state of modern agriculture: What we have done, what we have learned, and what we can learn to do better. Fred Kirchenmann is the past director of the Leopold Center, board member of the Stone Barns Center for Renewable Agriculture, organic grain farmer, philosopher and proponent of thoughtful choices regarding our relationship to our world.
2023-07-1350 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show062: Cherries, Fruit RecipesThe DonnaLonna Kitchen show talks about everything cherry: harvesting cherries, pitting cherries, cherry pie, and a very good cherry ice cream recipe. Pitting cherries can be quite a messy adventure but as Donna says, it is well worth the effort. We also explore the book Pulp: A practical guide for cooking with fruit written by Abra Behrens. We explore sweet, savory and unexpected recipes for fruit.
2023-06-2947 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show061: Restoring the Prairie with Shelley BuffaloShelley Buffalo is The Colonial Pathfinder for the Meskwaki Tribe. She is an advocate for local food sovereignty, food justice and rematriation. Donna and Lonna talk with her about the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa, indigenous management of the prairie, food ways and thoughts on colonization. Join Shelley at her upcoming Practical Farmers of Iowa field day on June 28, 2023: Rematriating Iowa’s Historical Prairie: Combining Historical Management Techniques to Foster Modern Conservation
2023-06-2251 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show060: Goats, Simple Life FarmsWe start our podcast with talk about honey berries and a recipe for Creamy Sorrel soup. Then our guest Diana Smith from Simple Life Farms in Winterset, Iowa, joins us to tell us about dairy goats. Diana talks about making great goat cheese, soap and lotions.
2023-06-1549 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show059: Enjoy SummerAhh, summer! Garlic scapes, picnics, potato salad, summer food safety, Donna's latest ice cream flavors, a lemon mint cake recipe from the book Gateau by Alexandra Crapanzano and a radio drama featuring thoughts on lawn care. Donna and Lonna also review the book Food of a Younger Land by Mark Kurlansky including a recipe for cooking 'possum.'
2023-06-0848 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show058: Squatters on Red Earth, an Iowa playSquatters on Red Earth from Iowa writer Mary Swander is an important new play telling the story of historical cooperation and respect between the Amana Colonies and the Meskwaki Indigenous people. Artist and food sovereignty advocate, Shelley Buffalo also joins us to talk about her involvement in the production and her thoughts on re-introducing rematriation of the land in Iowa to better reflect an indigenous earth ethic.
2023-06-0149 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show057: Out in the Field with Practical Farmers of IowaWe celebrate the 2023 Practical Farmers of Iowa field day season with Jacqueline Venner Senke who share stories and highlights about upcoming on farm events.
2023-05-2555 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show056: News Items, Rhubarb Redux, MushroomsThe Supreme Court support of the California law banning gestation crates for farm animals paves the way for a more humane way to raise pork. We talk about how this affects Iowa farmers. We celebrate good news from the Brazilian rainforest. It's time to talk about rhubarb: how to grow it, harvest it and use it in the kitchen. Donna shares a recipe for Beet, Rhubarb and Ginger Soup. We talk about finding Morel mushrooms and the concern that a new variety of Golden Oyster mushrooms may be a threat for native fungus.
2023-05-1847 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show055: Milk, Cows on PastureDonna shares information about one of her favorite subjects: milk! Spring grass makes happy cows. Cows on pasture make good milk. We talk about pasteurization, homogenization, organic milk, and raw milk. Donna talks about raw milk cheeses, goats, and grocery store labels in the dairy aisle. We celebrate butter with a poem by A.A. Milne and contemplate some words of farming wisdom from the Kentucky author Wendell Berry.
2023-05-1147 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show054: All things May! + the Farmers Market season to comeDonna and Lonna talk about the month of May and the joys of spring. LoJean Peterson from the Ames Main Street Farmers Market gives us a taste of good things to come this season. We also explore May Day traditions, May Apples, International Workers Day and the "May Day-May Day" radio distress call... Also baby chicks, ramps, garlic chives, and ticks.
2023-05-0447 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show052: Meeting Local WildlifeWe talk to Marlene Ehresman and Jenna Maag from the Iowa Wildlife Center about human-animal conflict and coexistence. Bats, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, deer, songbirds and raptors. How can we help our animal neighbors? The Iowa Wildlife Center provides professional wildlife rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation and education in Central Iowa.
2023-04-2048 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show051: Heritage Pork & Early Tastes of SpringDonna and Lonna talk to Ray Schmidt of Farm Story Meats located near Williamsburg, Iowa about heritage pigs, pork cheeks, pigs feet and marketing. To celebrate the early tastes of spring - forager, Ben Hoksch talks about cordials and a surprisingly green cake made from nettles along with nettle harvesting tips. Donna gives her favorite take on asparagus and radishes.
2023-04-1345 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show050: Eggs, Rabbits, and Hot Cross BunsDonna and Lonna celebrate spring and the Easter season with talk about eggs, chicks, hens, roosters, Easter bonnets, a crustless quiche recipe, how to cook a rabbit, Welsh Rarebit, many bad bunny jokes, hot cross buns and Finnish Easter bread.
2023-04-0647 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show049: Planting SeedsDonna and Lonna talk to Kate Solko, farmer of Root to Rise Farm north of Ames, Iowa, about starting the garden. Topics include germination tips, favorite varieties, soil, timing, growing for the farmers market, thoughts on organic certification and a buckwheat pancake recipe. Word of the day: graupel.
2023-03-3049 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show048: Exploring the Joy of Corn MasaMasa! Donna & Lonna explore the joy of corn masa with the book - "Masa" by Jorge Gaviria, food entrepreneur and founder of the Masienda Company. Donna & Lonna talk about traditional corn landraces, nixtamalization, the development of masa harina and modern corn chips and the joy of making your own tortillas. Donna shares recipes for a tasty taco dinner including a good dessert to end any meal: Maple Walnut Ice Cream.
2023-03-2347 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show047: The Restaurant Business with Peter BiechlerPeter Biechler talks about his experience in the hospitality business. Donna and Lonna talk to Pete about restaurant trends, the impact of COVID-19 and the concept of food system sustainability and employee equity. Donna and Lonna also talk about Peter's world travels, tipping, food service work structure, gardening and making a great breakfast. Peter now lives in Ames, IA, where he helps to run the family farm and Bed & Breakfast.
2023-03-2251 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show046: Greens Under Cover With Steve StrasheimFarmer, Steve Strasheim from Twisted River Farm in Mitchell, IA, grows greens all year. We talk about his growing practices including his new geothermal greenhouse. Spinach, kale, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and now cut flowers are all part of his operation. Steve gives seed starting advice and some words of encouragement for beginning farmers. Donna and Lonna also share some sweet news items.
2023-03-0951 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show045: "High on the Hog" & Anson MillsDonna and Lonna celebrate Black History Month by exploring the work of Jessica Harris, author and food historian and also talk about the cookbook "Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking" by Toni Tipton-Martin. The Black diaspora has brought many ingredients and diverse culinary skills to our modern plates. And they talk about Glenn Roberts, the founder of Anson Mills. Biscuits, waffles, Carolina Gold Rice, Thirteen Colonies flours, okra and deep fat frying.
2023-03-0249 minDonnaLonna Kitchen ShowBonus: Winter, Spring and In BetweenThe content of this DLK show was originally aired in February 2019. Donna and Lonna give their thoughts on cabin fever, discuss the history of CSAs, talk about an onion jam recipe, winter greens, backyard edibles and share some insect news.
2023-02-2350 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show044: Things to Love, Chocolate & Thumbprint CookiesTo celebrate Valentine's Day (and love in general) we talk about "sweets for your sweet". Donna presents the latest bad news about the lead and cadmium to be found in chocolate. Donna also talks about some of her favorite chocolate recipes, Lonna has a recipe for Thumbprint cookies and we also share some poems and thoughts on love.
2023-02-1648 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show043: Local Food Systems - Getting Local Food From the Field to the PlateDonna and Lonna talk to Jan Libbey from the Iowa Food System Coalition and James Nisley farmer at Organic Greens LLC and champion of providing local foods in schools talk about getting local food from the field to the plate. Keeping food local and available year round is good for the farmer, good for eaters and good for the Iowa economy.
2023-02-0952 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show042: The Wonderful World of Lard, Cooking With Gas & Black GarlicDonna and Lonna talk about the wonderful world of lard, cooking with gas, and black garlic.
2023-02-0242 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show041: Celebrating Winter VegetablesCelebrating foods to nourish us during the dark days of a Midwest winter. Donna shares favorite recipes for potatoes, radicchio, carrots, celeriac and many other familiar and not so familiar winter offerings. We also talk about the variety of offerings at the Practical Farmers of Iowa Pickles and Preserves PotLuck.
2023-01-2647 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show040: Climate Change and Food With Journalist and Author Tom PhilpottTom Philpott is a journalist, investigative food reporter and author of the book Perilous Bounty. This show features a lecture by Mr. Philpott given at the Ames Public Library in the fall of 2022. Topics include: Atmospheric rivers in California, soil loss in Iowa and how catastrophic weather events impact two of the major 'bread baskets' of American agricultural production.
2023-01-1954 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show038: Resolutions & Healthy HabitsDonna & Lonna give some good advice for the new year, including a list of things to do less of and things to do more of. Donna and Lonna talk about processed food, PFAS, being good to yourself, reading food labels, black eyed peas, garden carrots in December, bone broth, cooking your own food and brownies.
2023-01-0546 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show037: Holiday Kitchen, Champagne & Savory TreatsDonna and Lonna review the Christmas Season and take a look forward to the New Year. Donna gives her review of a robotic cocktail machine, Lonna talks about cookies, we talk about some new flavors for baking, bird feeders, and Donna suggests some savory treats. And we talk about Champagne and other holiday bubbles with Anne Kinzel.
2022-12-2948 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show036: Fairness for Farmers with Aaron LehmanFood prices keep rising. Ag business seems to grow larger every day. Where does the farmer fit into this puzzle? In this episode, Donna and Lonna talk to Aaron Lehman, Iowa farmer and president of the Iowa Farmers Union. They talk about the Farm Bill, the price of groceries, the politics of food policy and the farmer's voice at the table. We find out that 'politics is the way we allocate resources'. Perhaps now is a good time to define a better vision for agriculture.
2022-12-1553 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show035: Pies, World Travel and the Power of Peace and Goodwill with author Beth HowardDonna and Lonna talk with author, Beth Howard about pies, world travel and the power of peace and goodwill in the kitchen. Beth is the author of "World Piece: A Pie Baker's Global Quest for Peace, Love, and Understanding." Rolling pins, pie crust, sweet and savory pies, mincemeat, French Silk pie, Cornish Pasties and more.
2022-12-0949 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show034: Getting into the Holiday SpiritA look ahead to the holiday season. Red and green, deck the halls, fa la la... Donna and Lonna talk to Christmas tree and apple grower Chris Deal from Deal's Orchard near Jefferson, Iowa about tree management, harvest and sales. Also great tasting apple varieties, fresh and hard ciders and the holiday spirit at the Deal's farm store and tasting room. We also talk to Kenny McCabe about poinsettias.
2022-12-0148 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show033: Chatting Chestnuts with Luke GranDonna and Lonna talk with local forester, Luke Gran about the history, management, growing and harvesting of chestnuts. Donna has good advice about how to prepare and enjoy chestnuts.
2022-11-1046 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show032: Farming the Soil With Amber AndersonHere is another one: Farming the Soil with Amber Anderson. DonnaLonna Kitchen takes a look at the ingredients in the soil. We interview Amber Anderson, a soil expert from the Iowa State University Agronomy department. Donna and Lonna talk about fertilizer, additives, nutrients and nitrogen. What goes into the growing of our food? Are these good things? Are they not so good things? Why do farmers make the decisions they do?
2022-11-0349 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show031: Popcorn, Nut Brittles & Dancing in the StreetsDonna and Lonna take a look at Halloween tips and traditions with recipes - Popcorn, Nut Brittles, a giant pumpkin and review of a book for the season "Dancing in the Streets: a History of Collective Joy" by Barbara Ehrenreich.
2022-10-2745 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show030: Raising Pork & Raising Questions With Farmer John GilbertOn this episode of the Donna Lonna Kitchen podcast, Donna and Lonna talk about hog confinement, gestation crates, pasture-raised pork and the controversy over California Proposition 12 that was approved by a majority of state voters. John talks about raising pork on his Iowa farm according to the Niman Ranch protocols: humanely, on pasture, and with a focus on fair prices for producers and support for rural communities. We explore why Cal Prop 12 is being challenged by 'big pork' producers all the way to the United States Supreme Court. Donna also gives a report on her fermented/pickled tomato experiment.
2022-10-2049 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show029: Fall Harvest FavoritesDonna and Lonna discuss recipes and ruminations about fall favorites including: squash, sage, pumpkins, buckwheat, leeks and new take on Rice Krispy Treats.
2022-10-1348 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show028: Direct-Marketing Regenerative, Humanely Raised Beef, Pork and Chicken with Nick Wallace of 99 CountiesNick Wallace is a farmer with 20 years of experience in direct marketing. He has a vision for marketing regenerative, humanely raised beef, pork and chicken. The 99 Counties project hopes to impact Iowa agriculture and culture by bringing back small business, independent farms, and thriving communities. https://www.99counties.com/
2022-10-0649 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show027: More Pantry Adventures + The Modern Larder CookbookDonna and Lonna encourage listeners to explore and enjoy the often forgotten flavors left on the back shelf. Black lime, fennel seed, fish sauce, ghee, lard, miso, nduja, sumac, tamarind, yuzu and more. And a bit of food history with the story of the Jenny Lind melon.
2022-09-2948 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show026: Herbs and Spices in the PantryMany herbs come from the backyard garden. But there is a whole world of tastes to explore. Donna takes us through the familiar and not so familiar world of herbs and spices. In this episode, Donna and Lonna discuss lemon grass, black lime, star anise, bayleaf, hyssop thyme, sumac powder, and a wide variety of peppers. Guest Ben Hoksch, Iowa naturalist and forager, introduces us to the surprising taste of Prickly Ash berries. (Quite an adventure for the taste buds.) Lonna gives a short lesson on saving tomato seeds.
2022-09-2250 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show025: Pantry Adventures & No Recipe RecipesWhat's in your pantry? Donna and Lonna de-mystify kitchen ingredients that may be sitting on your shelf. They also talk about the cookbook: No Recipe Recipes by Sam Shifton. Lonna does a jam and jelly overview and they visit some exciting kitchen/food disasters, both in their own kitchens and elsewhere.
2022-09-0855 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show024: End of Summer Food From the Garden + How to Eat and Propagate MilkweedDonna and Lonna get excited about all the good food from the garden at the end of summer. They give recipes for eating and preserving melons, tomatoes, corn, eggplant and cucumbers. And forager/naturalist Ben Hoksch talks about his work with butterflies and how to eat and propagate milkweed.
2022-09-0150 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show023: Finding Turtle Farm With Author Angela TedescoDonna and Lonna talk with farmer, cook and author Angela Tedesco about her new book - "Finding Turtle Farm: My Twenty Acre Adventure in Community Supported Agriculture" Angela talks about starting a farm, transitioning to organic, dealing with neighbors and introducing folks to the joys of vegetables. https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/finding-turtle-farm
2022-08-2547 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show022: "Bet the Farm" with author and farmer Beth HoffmanDonna and Lonna talk to author Beth Hoffman about her book Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America. This book is a clear-eyed view of farming. Beth has a long career as a journalist writing about food issues and is now farming with her husband on Whippoorwill Creek Farm in southern Iowa.
2022-08-1847 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show021: Jenny Quiner of Dogpatch Urban GardensDonna and Lonna talk to Jenny Quiner, the farmer, business woman and creative spark behind Dogpatch Urban Gardens in Des Moines,Iowa.
2022-08-1150 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show020: Tomatoes, Pickles & Summer SoupDonna and Lonna celebrate tomatoes fresh from the garden: varieties, recipes, cultivation and all-time favorites. They also talk about cucumbers, basil, Skittles, Norman Lear, vichyssoise, borscht and gazpacho.
2022-08-0447 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show019: Flower Farming at Barnswallow Flowers With Meredith NunnikhovenMeredith Nunnikhoven established Barnswallow Flowers & Produce in 2018 near Oskaloosa, Iowa. Following a career in the film industry, Meredith came home to re-engage with the family farm in a way that feeds her passions, reflects her environmental ethic and exercises her creativity and strategic thinking. On this episode, flower farmer Meredith Nunnikoven talks with Donna & Lonna about developing long-term diversity and resilience on her farm near Oskaloosa, Iowa. Meredith also talks about having flowers as part of a traditional Iowa row-crop farm, her farm store, marketing flowers, and her on-farm bed & breakfast. We'll learn about growing techniques for chemical-free, Iowa-hearty flowers wit...
2022-07-2852 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show018: Midsummer Garlic Harvest - The History, Myth, Health Properties and Kitchen ApplicationsDonna and Lonna celebrate the midsummer garlic harvest and talk about the history, myth, health properties and kitchen applications for one of our favorite vegetables. They also talk about zucchini...Lonna likes it, Donna - not so much. "I say zucchini, you say courgette."
2022-07-2148 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show017: Mini-Forest Revolution with Author Hannah LewisOn this episode of the Donna Lonna Kitchen Podcast, Donna and Lonna talk to author Hannah Lewis about her new book, "Mini-Forest Revolution Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World." This book studies how forests really work and describes new planting and nurturing methods to make forests grow in places that seem improbable but not impossible. Hear about how small groups of people all over the world can use this method to make a big difference. https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/mini-forest-revolution/ https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/mini-forest-revolution/
2022-07-1452 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show016: What's in the Water? With Conservationist Pat SchlarbaumWhat's in our local water? Why should we care? What are PFAs? Joining Donna and Lonna at the kitchen table is Pat Schlarbaum, a retired career conservationist, to talk about the science and ethics of how we are interacting with our environment. Donna also shares a tasty summer recipe for Clafouti. Donna and Lonna also discuss an article from Scientific American on forever chemicals, an article about microplastics in human bodies and the recent ISU Extension production of "Water Rocks", the musical.
2022-06-3046 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show015: Summer is Here! The solstice, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peaches and moreDonna talks about the summer solstice. In a visit to the DLK archives, Donna and Lonna explore some of the joys of summer for a show about cicadas, trains, cucumbers, corn, and a flourless chocolate cake.
2022-06-2750 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show014: Summer BerriesDonna and Lonna talk about fruit to harvest and enjoy. They explore the many possibilities for strawberry shortcake and talk to Judy Henry from the Berry Patch Farm about blueberries, raspberries, and currants. Donna and Lonna also discuss recipes and preservation tips.
2022-06-0646 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show013: The Price of Pork with Dr. Jan FloraIowa agriculture produces a lot of food. World events seem to be the cause of high prices at the grocery store. In this episode, Donna and Lonna talk about pork production, the food supply, slaughterhouse workers, and the rising costs of meat. Joining us at the kitchen table is Dr. Jan Flora - Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Iowa State University. He studies rural communities and has a special focus on Latino farmworkers in Iowa.
2022-05-2652 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show012: Grain Milling and Iowa-Grown Products with Early Morning HarvestDonna and Lonna take a road trip to Panora, Iowa to visit Early Morning Harvest Farm and Earl and Jeff Hafner's grain milling operation. Early Morning Harvest is also celebrating the expansion of its new on-farm store. The selection of Iowa-grown products is impressive. We continue our thoughts of grain mills and flour by discussing the ins and outs of pie crust. And it's rhubarb season!
2022-05-1348 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show011: Eating Wild Greens, Motherwort & Farmers Market Season ApproachesGood things are growing wild! Donna makes a Turkish Nettle Salad. Donna and Lonna talk about dandelions, Good King Henry, mint, sorrel, lambs quarter, purslane and more. Donna and Lonna learn about the herb motherwort from author Ava Chin and how local vegetable farmer, Kate Solko, is preparing for farmers market season.
2022-05-0548 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show010: Eating Tomorrow With Author Timothy WiseIn this episode, Donna and Lonna talk to author Timothy Wise about climate change, feeding the world, Agroecology vs. the Green Revolution and resilient alternatives to current farm policy. Timothy Wise is the author of the book "Eating Tomorrow: Agribusiness, Family Farmers, and the Battle for the Future of Food" https://www.timothyawise.com/book
2022-04-2952 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show009: Food, Land, and Environmental Regulation of Agriculture with Neil HamiltonNeil Hamilton is our guest this week on the DonnaLonna Kitchen Podcast. Neil has much to say about food, land, and environmental regulation of agriculture. Neil retired from a long career as the Director of the Drake University Agricultural Law Center. His latest book is "The Land Remains: A Midwestern Perspective on our Past and Future".
2022-04-2151 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show008: Eggs, Chickens, Hot Cross Buns, Brunch Recipes & Vegetable Shopping AdviceDonna and Lonna celebrate spring and the Easter season. In this episode, they talk about chickens, eggs, hot cross buns, early ramps and asparagus. We also look at some food news items and some give some advice for healthy vegetable purchases in the grocery store.
2022-04-1449 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show007: The Humane Farming Practices of Niman Ranch with Paul WillisDonna and Lonna have a conversation with farmer and founder of Niman Ranch Pork, Paul Willis. Paul Willis created a pork raising, antibiotic-free protocol that works for farmers better than a confined pork operation. Paul talks about raising pigs on pasture, marketing with Niman Ranch, and cooking pork belly. Niman Ranch has created a market for crate-free, humanely-raised pigs. In this system, more dollars go to farmers and stay in local economies. Learn more about Niman Ranch: Website | Instagram | Facebook
2022-04-0752 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show006: CSA deliveries, Berkshire Pigs & Four Season Growing in Hoop Houses With John WesseliusJohn Wesselius from The Cornicopia farm near Sioux Center, Iowa joins us to talk about growing a garden into a farm, meeting customers at farmers markets, CSA deliveries, Berkshire Pigs, climate and weather challenges, and four season growing in his hoop houses. Cornicopia farm provides fresh vegetables, pastured chickens, eggs and pork through farmers markets and their Community Supported Agriculture program. Learn more about the Cornucopia Farm: Website | Facebook
2022-03-3149 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show005: Microplastics, Neonicotinoids & "The Tyranny of the Recipe"We talk about pickled eggs, microplastics (in our soil, water, and food), the latest findings and possible legislation on neonicotinoids. Donna recaps an article she wrote for a cookbook called "The Tyranny of the Recipe".....some wise advice for learning to cook.
2022-03-2439 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show004: Irish Soda Bread, Cocoa Brownies & Handy Herbs for the Kitchen GardenIrish Soda Bread...Donna explores a favorite, Irish recipe book and talks about soda bread basics and variations. We have a poem for Saint Patrick's day. Time for thoughts of spring with a look at seeds, soil, and suggestions for handy herbs to plant for the kitchen garden. Lonna shares a Cocoa Brownie recipe....so we can all end on a sweet note.
2022-03-1750 minDonnaLonna Kitchen ShowCatching & Preparing the Fish of Iowa with Ben HokschWe talk about how to catch and prepare many of the fish found in Iowa's ponds, lakes, rivers including commercial fishing on the Mississippi ...and...Lonna tells her 'ice fishing joke." Learn more about Ben: Website
2022-03-1538 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show003: Diving into Ukrainian RecipesWe continue our 'cookbook travel 'adventures by visiting the Ukraine. Donna brings us two Ukrainian cookbooks by author/chef Olia Hercules - 'Mamushka' and 'Summer Kitchens'. Food brings us together. Borch, dumplings, kvas, a variety of ferments, rye bread, mushrooms, black currants, garlic .....Let's dive into some Ukrainian recipes. Learn more about Olia Hercules: Website | Facebook | Instagram Links to her cookbooks: Mamushka: Recipes from Ukraine and Eastern Europe Summer Kitchens
2022-03-1049 minDonnaLonna Kitchen ShowWelcome to the DonnaLonna Kitchen Show. New Episodes Every ThursdayChef Donna Prizgintas and farmer, artist Lonna Nachtigal explore their rural Midwestern food community with lively discussion and good humor. On the DonnaLonna Kitchen show, their long-running and award-winning radio production turned podcast, the ladies talk about food, farming, recipes, and also offer listeners their advice and opinions. Local and nationally known guests join Donna and Lonna around the kitchen table to discuss how farmers grow our food, what is nourishing and healthy, and what tastes good in which season. Chef Donna and Farmer Lonna are here to encourage simple home cooking. This podcast is produced in partnership with Practical Fa...
2022-03-0901 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show002: Paul Rasch - Wilson's OrchardLet us consider the magic of the apple. Donna and Lonna talk to Paul Rasch, (he calls himself owner and head poobah) of Wilson's Orchard near Iowa City, Iowa. Wilson's Orchard includes a large orchard, farm market, smokehouse, bakery and restaurants. We discuss their local cider - both hard and fresh. We do some on-air tasting and find out how cider gets from tree to table. Learn more about Wilson’s Orchard: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube This podcast is produced in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa. Practical Farmers of Iowa equips farmers to...
2022-03-0352 minDonnaLonna Kitchen Show001: Jill Beebout - Blue Gate FarmJoining us today on the Donna Lonna Kitchen Podcast is Jill Beebout. Jill and her husband Sean Skeehan farm and steward 40 acres of land near Chariton, Iowa in southern Marion County. In this episode, we'll find out how their hard work gets food from farm to table. Jill, Donna and Lonna discuss the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, Blue Gate Farm's VegEmail service, Jill's plethora of farm enterprises and more. Learn more about Blue Gate Farm: Website | Facebook | Instagram | CSA | Blog This podcast is produced in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa. Practical Farmers...
2022-03-0148 min