P. Allen Smith Radio Show

Today’s podcast is coming to you from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art where an exciting piece of architectural history is being put into place… Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson home. GUESTS Rod Bigelow, Executive Director at Crystal Bridges Scott Eccleston, Director of Operations at Crystal Bridges Project Architect Ron Shelby, CEO and Architect at Hight-Jackson Associates PA General Contractor Bill Faber, Bill Faber Construction

In today’s podcast of the P. Allen Smith Radio Show we visit with local food advocate and Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward. Also in the studio are Chef Jack Sundell, owner of The Root Café and Tara Stainton from Rattle’s Garden. Guests: Jack Sundell, The Root Café  Tara Stainton, Rattles Garden Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture

From farmers markets to chain retailers, locally grown produce is always a hot commodity, so in this week’s podcast we’ll talk shop with some of the people who are in the business right here in Central Arkansas. Guests: Josh Hardin, Hardin Family Farms Renee Parsons, accounting manager Little Rock Tomato

We’re excited to have Cat Swenson from Great Fermentations and BlackSheep Ranch on the show today. Listen in as she shares her knowledge on canning and fermenting as a way to preserve veggies. NEW VOICES Cowlick Cottage Farm’s Carolyn Binder is interviewed by green lifestyle evangelist Shawna Coronado.

Locally sourced ingredients is a win-win for everyone. You know exactly what you’re getting and you’re helping your community at the same time. Farmers’ markets are a great place to get started buying local and today we’ll talk with a farmer and a farmers’ market manager. GUESTS Kelly Carney, owner, North Pulaski Farms Kelly Newberg, Hillcrest Farmers Market Manager Rhea Roberts, Executive Director of Quapaw Quarter Association

Today we’re talking about locally sourced meat with Diane and Bill Runsick, owners of the Meacham Packing Company. Listen to the conversation about the history of the company and the impact of the local food movement on a business such as theirs.

In this podcast of the P. Allen Smith Radio Show we’ll discuss two Arkansas treasures – Johnny Cash’s childhood home and the Arkansas 529 college savings plan. Dr. Elista Istre, the on-site manager for the recently renovated Dyess Colony heritage site, gives us a tour of the property and insights on what it was like to live in the region during that time. Beth Anne Rankin, the Executive Director of the GIFT Arkansas 529 College Investment Plan talks about how you can save money for your child’s college tuition with a tax-advantage savings plan. NEW VOICES Personal Garden Coach writer Christina Salwitz is interviewed by Rick Bickling from How Do Gardener.

We’re getting ready for summer at Moss Mountain Farm. Today we are joined in the studio by Laurie Harrison, owner of Le Pops Gourmet Iced Lollies. We’ll also talk about planting summer flowers and foliage that grow from bulbs such as elephant ears and dahlias. New Voices Hydroponic farmer and the blogger of FarmerTyler.com, Tyler Baras, interviews Brenda Haas, the blogger of BrenHaas.com, which focuses on creative living and growing.

It’s spring time!!! And everyone is eager to get outside to work in the yard. Before you head out to your local garden center to pick up new plants for your garden listen to Allen’s interview with two experts from Four Star Greenhouse. They have the inside scoop on the latest gardening trends and newest plant introductions. GUESTS John Gaydos – Director of Product Development, Proven Winners® Sue Maliszewski – Director of Sales, Four Star Greenhouse Tobi Fairley – Interior Designer

Allen travels to Northwest Arkansas to visit the hidden gem of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs. This town is a blend of art and history with a past as colorful as its current residents. Join us for a trip to the “Little Switzerland of America.” GUESTS: June Westphal – Historian and author of Eureka Springs: City of Healing Waters Keith Scales – Ghost Tour Manager, Crescent Hotel Emily McCormack – Curator, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Ken Ketelson – Owner of FRESH

Today I have the great pleasure of teaming up with the Arkansas Agriculture Department and Farm Credit to host the 2015 Local Conversations meeting at South on Main in Downtown Little Rock. This event, through the Arkansas Grown program, brings together local farmers, farmers’ market managers, chefs, restauranteurs, and grocery managers from across the state to exchange ideas on how to improve the quality of food reaching consumers. Guests: Andrea Leding, Branch Manager at Farm Credit

Food, family, friends and probably a little too much cheer are on my agenda for the next two weeks. To help navigate the party season I asked a few friends for their best tips on celebrating with plenty of good eats and style. Capi Peck from Trio’s Restaurant shares some of her favorite party food ideas and a few wise words about food safety during the holidays. Confetti’s Party Rental’sKim Maginn gives a few dos and don’ts for hosting a party.

‘Tis the season to give back and in this week’s podcast of the P. Allen Smith Radio Show you’ll learn how the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (AHRA) is working to reduce food poverty through spaghetti sauce made with homegrown tomatoes. Chef Scott McGehee, Clanton Farms and AHRA partnered to create Growers’ Gift Spaghetti sauce with proceeds to go support the Arkansas Gleaning Project, a program that makes use of farmers’ fresh produce left in fields after the harvest. More than a million pounds of fruits and vegetables goes to food banks, pantries and other hunger relief agencies. You can support the Arkansas Gleaning Project by purchasing a jar of their Growers’ Gift spaghetti sauce. It’s available in Little Rock at The Green Corner Store and Eggshells and in Fayetteville at the Visitors and Convention Bureau. Or call the AHRA at 501-399-9999.

Are you one of the growing number of folks who are curious about making cheese? Listen to this podcast of the P. Allen Smith Radio Show to hear from an Arkansan who has made cheese making his business. I’ll also speak with a district manager from a national supermarket about how they are making locally produced foods available to shoppers like you. FEATURED: Kent Walker, Kent Walker Artisan Cheese Jeremy Baker, District Manager Kroger Hot Springs

We’re celebrating all things Southern in this podcast of the P. Allen Smith Radio Show. Natchez chef and cookbook author Regina Carboneau and Rebecca Darwin, President of Garden & Gun magazine, join me at a special dinner party to discuss living, dining and growing up in the South. Order Regina's cookbooks. NEW VOICES Steve Asbell (The Rain Forest Garden) asks #Rosechat host and rosarian Chris Van Cleave (The Redneck Rosarian) about growing roses.