Episode 37

Talking Turkey: From Animal Monoculture to Biodiversity with Frank Reese and Jed Greenberg

Published on: 9th November, 2022

In this special ‘Thanksgiving’ episode, Frank Reese and Jed Greenberg of Good Shepherd Conservancy are talking turkey. Frank gives an incredibly fascinating in depth run down of the history of the poultry industry, from the incredible men and women that defined standardbred poultry in the 1800’s to the rise of industrial poultry in the mid 1900’s and how the industrial model really set the tone for other confinement operations with other species. He discusses how he came about preserving biodiversity in a world that favors animal monoculture and genetics in a time where 1 breed of livestock goes extinct each week and just why biodiversity is so important. We also explore the studies that show that standardbred birds can have a lower omega 3:omega 6 ratio based on genetics alone! In the end, we talk about turkey specifically and the mission at Good Shepherd to bring better raised poultry to everyone!

We also talk about: 

  • Cooking heritage turkeys
  • & so much more


Find Frank + Jed:

Instagram: @good_shepherd_conservancy

Website: https://goodshepherdconservancy.org

Order Turkeys: If you’re in Colorado/local to Denver: https://westerndaughters.square.site/product/heritage-turkey/1100, If you’re anywhere else: https://heritagefoods.com/collections/turkey-poultry 




Resources Mentioned: 

Chicken People 

Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer



Related Ground Work Episodes:

Building Resilient Communities with Will Harris

Dark Matter of Nutrition with Dr. Stephan van Vliet

Meat is the Medicine with Brett Ender 



Current Discounts for GW listeners:

  • 15% off Farm True ghee and body care products using code: KATEKAV15


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About the Podcast

Mind, Body, and Soil
Where the health of land and the health of bodies and communities meet.
Welcome to Mind, Body, and Soil. Join me, Kate Kavanaugh, a farmer, entrepreneur, and holistic nutritionist, as I get curious about human nature, health, and consciousness as viewed through the lens of nature. At its heart, this podcast is about finding the threads of what it means to be humans woven into this earth. I'm digging into deep and raw conversations with truly impactful guests that are laying the ground work for themselves and many generations to come. We dive into topics around farming, grief, biohacking, regenerative agriculture, spirituality, nutrition, and beyond. Get curious and get ready with new episodes every Tuesday!

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Kate Kavanaugh