Growing Food, Building Abundance, and Working with Nature

In a unique twist, Greg is interviewed by Taylor Luke of the Tales with Tayler Podcast. In this Episode Greg Peterson shares the philosophy and practical systems that have guided more than four decades of growing food in the desert and beyond. From creating an old-growth food forest in Phoenix to building local seed resilience through the Great American Seed Up, he explains how anyone can begin producing food at home. The conversation explores permaculture, fruit trees, seed saving, local food economies, and why understanding where food comes from is one of the most important skills of our time.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I was going to do for my 1000th episode of the Farm podcast. And was recently interviewed by Tayler Wellman of tales with Tayler. After listening to the episode, I thought it would be a great jumping off point for my 1000th narrative episode. This tells some of my story and she did a really great job with the interview so I asked and she said yes, play it on your podcast. This will give you two opportunities, first to experience a new podcast and second to hear some of my backstory leading into the next 1000 episodes. Enjoy!

Our Guest: Taylor hosts "Tales With Taylor," a spirited interview podcast where successful entrepreneurs and business owners share their most captivating stories from childhood to future goals. Each episode blends life-changing advice, nostalgic reflections, and playful humor, as guests open up about the best advice they've ever received, the lessons they wish they'd known sooner, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. Part business wisdom, part storytelling adventure, Tales With Taylor offers a genuine, personal connection to the highs, lows, and hard-won insights of inspiring people in the business world.

Taylor is the owner and operator of Financial Potion, a video marketing company based in Mesa, Arizona. Taylor helps businesses and organizations make swift, lasting impressions through tailor-made video marketing, personally guiding every step from scriptwriting to production, editing, and video SEO. Clients consistently praise the process as stress-free and genuinely enjoyable.

Key Topics

Greg Peterson
Urban Farm
Urban Farm Podcast
Permaculture
Food forests
Fruit trees and perennial food production
The Great American Seed Up
Seed saving and home seed banks
Local food economies
Desert gardening
Asheville, North Carolina
Tower Gardens
Farmers markets
Regenerative systems

Key Questions Answered

What was Greg Peterson's favorite harvest?

His favorite harvest is food that returns naturally year after year without replanting. Self-seeding crops like basil, parsley, cilantro, kale, nasturtiums, and sweet potatoes transformed his Phoenix property into an old-growth food forest that largely cared for itself.

Why are fruit trees such an important investment?

Fruit trees are planted once and can provide fresh food for decades. Greg shares stories of century-old citrus trees and explains why fruit trees offer one of the highest long-term returns for home gardeners.

What is permaculture?

Permaculture is the art and science of working with nature instead of against it. Greg explains how designing landscapes that mimic natural ecosystems creates resilient, productive gardens with less work over time.

Why should every household maintain a seed bank?

Seeds are the foundation of food security. Greg explains how storing seeds at home strengthens local resilience and inspired the creation of the Great American Seed Up, helping thousands of people build personal seed reserves.

Do seeds really expire?

Not necessarily. Most expiration dates reflect packaging regulations rather than biological limits. When stored cool, dark, and dry, many seeds remain viable for years—even decades.

How can beginners successfully start growing food?

Start small with crops you already enjoy eating. Herbs like basil are inexpensive, productive, and easy to grow—even on a sunny windowsill.

What if someone doesn't have a yard?

Greg recommends Tower Gardens, container gardening, windowsill herbs, and visiting local farmers markets. Food production is possible even in apartments and condos.

Why is understanding our food system so important?

Knowing where food comes from reconnects people with healthier eating, stronger local economies, and more resilient communities. Growing even a small amount of food changes the way people think about nutrition and sustainability.

How can individuals help address climate change?

Focus on regenerative practices that work with nature. Growing food, improving soil, supporting local farmers, and creating resilient food systems are practical actions anyone can take.

Which book most influenced Greg's thinking?

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn profoundly shaped Greg's worldview by challenging assumptions about humanity's relationship with nature and inspiring his lifelong mission of transforming food systems.

Episode Highlights

Greg explains how self-seeding plants transformed his yard into an old-growth food forest that produces food with minimal maintenance.
Fruit trees are presented as one of the easiest long-term investments for home food production.
The story behind the creation of the Great American Seed Up and its mission to build community seed resilience.
Why seeds stored properly can remain viable for decades despite printed expiration dates.
Lessons learned growing food in both the Arizona desert and the mountains of North Carolina.
How Tower Gardens make food production possible for apartment and condo dwellers.
The philosophy that nature is regenerative while most human systems are degenerative—and why that must change.
Greg's lifelong mission: helping people understand where their food comes from by inspiring them to grow even a small portion themselves.

Calls to Action & Resources

Urban Farm — https://urbanfarm.org
Urban Farm Podcast — https://urbanfarmpodcast.com
Great American Seed Up — https://greatamericanseedup.org
Fruit Trees Program — https://fruittrees.org
Free Desert Planting Calendar — https://plantingcalendar.org
Learn about Permaculture — Explore local Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs) at Permaculture.net
Visit Your Local Farmers Market — Meet local growers and buy seasonal food directly.
Read: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
Tales with Taylor Podcast on podcast platforms and HERE on YouTube
Tales with Taylor Website - https://taleswithtaylor.com

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/999 for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

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