The Best of Living Culture TV

The latest installment of Living Culture features a highlight reel of our first 77 episodes, plus one of our all-time favorite segments with chef Steve Morton. We've interviewed dozens of guests over the years, from ranchers and chefs in the Willamette Valley to potato growers in the Klamath Basin, and many others in between. Please visit our Guests page to see segments and printed interviews with all of our guests.

Here's a sneak peek at Episode 77:

Living Culture 2011 in review

2011 was a very good year for us. We produced 9 new episodes, and interviewed 26 new guests in the process. Living Culture tallied 60,000 views on YouTube in 2011, and 56,000 hits on our website. All year long we heard positive comments from TV viewers in Portland, Salem, and the rest of the Willamette Valley, including Woodburn, Dallas, Monmouth, Corvallis, Albany, and Scio. We also traveled as far south as Northern California to shoot a segment about organic potatoes in the Klamath Basin.

It was a good year and we thank you for watching! And don't forget, we always welcome feedback and suggestions from viewers.

Farmers team-up to grow organic potatoes in the Klamath Basin

Known for its rich agricultural history, the Klamath Basin is located in the high desert region of southern Oregon and northern California. Potatoes have been an important crop in this area for decades. But with uncertainty in the comodity market, a group of growers decided to form Klamath Basin Fresh Direct, cultivating unique organic potato varieties to sell throughout the west coast.

Organic beef and chicken at Malinowski Farm

Living Culture TV reaches milestone with 75 episodes

This month Living Culture TV celebrates its milestone 75th episode.

Founded in 2005, Living Culture TV has been a trusted voice in local foods journalism in the Willamette Valley. Over the last 75 episodes we've interviewed over a hundred guests, including farmers, chefs, activists, and artisans from Portland to Klamath Falls and everywhere in between. Our focus has always been to educate viewers and generate interest in local foods.

Living Culture episode 74 with Willamette Seed and Grain, plus a behind-the-scenes look at Nature Bake

This was a fun episode to produce!

We start by visiting Clint Lindsey of Willamette Seed and Grain. Clint talks about his efforts to grow cereal grains, beans, and edible seeds for local consumers. We also interview Harry MacCormack, co-founder of Oregon Tilth and owner of Sunbow Farm, about his involvement with Willamette Seed and Grain. Harry has been experimenting with several grain and bean varieties on his small farm near Corvallis.

Living Culture episode 73 with Heritage Farms Northwest

by Nate Rafn

Episode 73 takes us to some interesting places. First, we visit Heritage Farms Northwest and listen to a symphony of snorts and oinks as the pigs at get ready for dinner. We speak with Wendy Parker about how she raises them.

Living Culture seeks writers for website

Living Culture is looking for freelance writers who can contribute well-written, insightful articles to our website on a regular basis.

We are especially interested in articles that highlight trends, innovation, and important issues related to food and farming in Oregon and Washington. Geographically speaking, we'd like to focus more on Portland, Seattle, the Columbia Gorge, the Oregon coast, Bend, Corvallis, and Eugene.

Articles should be 400 to 600 words in length. Pay starts at $0.10/word, and will increase over time. Frequency can be monthly or once every few months. Photography skills are not required, but certainly a plus. Our relationship with writers is somewhat informal.

If you are interested in working with us, send a sample article to livingcultureonline@gmail.com. Please include some information about yourself--- where you live, what you're interested in writing about, etc.

We'll be in touch. Thank you.

Living Culture TV joins the world of Twitter

We've jumped on the bandwagon!

Our loyal viewers can now follow Living Culture TV on Twitter. Expect to see updates about upcoming episodes, local events, and our day-to-day experiences with food. Visit us on Twitter.

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Honey and Beekeeping Resources in Oregon

by Nate Rafn

Honeybees play a vital role, both in nature and in agriculture. They are responsible for pollinating many of our fruit and vegetable crops. Bees accomplish this task by flying from one flower to another, gathering nectar and pollen, then delivering the precious pollen to the flowers that need it for fertilization. The fertilized plant then produces a seed in the form of fruit, nut, or vegetable. Without bees, our food supply could be at risk on a massive scale.

Conversation with Sloan Aagaard, co-owner of Teal Creek Farms

Sloan Aagaard and her partner Keith Nelson operate Teal Creek Farms, a 40-acre farm in the beautiful rolling hills south of Dallas, Oregon. Nearly 2 acres are devoted to organic fruits and vegetables, while the rest is used to grow hay and a small amount of livestock.

Fresh produce from Teal Creek Farms can be found at LifeSource Natural Foods in Salem, and at Salem Public Market every Saturday. Because Sloan and Keith grow for a relatively small local market, they focus on raising a diverse selection of foods. They grow raspberries, potatoes, onions, kale, chard, lettuces, and herbs, among other crops. They also grow vegetable starts for those interested in cultivating backyard gardens.

Interview with Falls City baker, Keith Zinn

by Nate Rafn

Keith Zinn owns and operates The Bread Board, an artisan bakery in Falls City, Oregon. He and his partner, John, are known for creating rustic sourdough breads with chewy, caramelized crusts. Some of their breads are whole grain, others are enhanced by savory herbs, nuts and seeds. Sourdough enthusiasts will find these breads at the store in Falls City, and at farmers' markets throughout the Willamette Valley, including Salem Saturday Market, The McMinnville Market, Silverton Farmers Market, and Independence Farmers Market.

Mushroom Resources in Oregon

by Nate Rafn

Oregon is home to a wide array of edible mushrooms, both wild and cultivated.

Wild mushrooms are often served at fine restaurants, and at specialty stores and farmers' markets. Varieties include Morel, Chanterelle, Lobster, Cepe, White and Black Truffle, and Hedgehog.

Cultivated mushrooms can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on the variety and location. Mushroom farmers typically grow Shiitake, Oyster, Maitake, Crimini, Portobello, and Button.

The businesses and organizations listed below specialize in mushrooms. They are a valuable resource for those interested in cultivating, hunting, and/or cooking mushrooms.

Gardening classes in Salem

Related Links

Spring Gardening Guide

www.livingcultureonline.blogspot.com

Marion-Polk Food Share Community Gardens Program

www.youtube.com

Pringle Creek Community Blog

www.pringlecreekcommunity.blogspot.com

Hard apple cidre in the Willamette Valley

by Nate Rafn

Kevin Zielinski, co-owner of E.Z. Orchards, is one of a handful of cidre-makers in the Willamette Valley. In 2000 he planted French, English, and Early American apple varieties in a small section of orchard. Since then, he has worked each year to perfect the blending and fermentation process. The cidre was officially introduced in late 2010. 

The following video is a behind-the-scenes look at how E.Z. Orchards makes cidre.

Living Culture TV featured in Salem Weekly

Salem Weekly's Michelle Andujar wrote a nice article about our expanded coverage on KWVT. Visit willamettelive.com to read the full article.

Chef Marc Nassar to host KMUZ benefit dinner

Salem's new community radio station, KMUZ 88.5, needs to raise additional funds to begin broadcasting. 

A benefit dinner will be held on February 12th. Food will be prepared by well-known Salem chef, Marc Nassar; updates on the station's progress will be given by KMUZ board member, Melanie Zermer; with entertainment provided by belly dancer, Sherry Calahan.

The meal will consist of traditional Lebanese fare, including rolled grape leaves, lamb riblets, spanikopita, hummus, lentil soup, Arabic salad with vinaigrette and feta, and Marc's famous baklava.

1000 Friends of Oregon has new format planned for the Annual Tom McCall Legacy Gala

1000 Friends of Oregon, one of state's leading conservation groups, is putting a twist on their annual fundraiser event.

The 2011 Tom McCall Legacy Gala will feature "stations of innovation", displaying the work of Oregonians who are helping to keep this region a great place to live. In contrast with last year's formal sit-down dinner, this event will allow attendees and organizers to mingle and engage with one another.

Portland to get a dose of Mid-Valley cuisine

Living Culture now airs on Willamette Valley Television (KWVT) throughout the Portland metro area.

KWVT recently installed a transmitter on Portland's Skyline Ridge. The new signal covers the entire metropolitan area. Viewers will find KWVT on DTV channel 17.2.

Living Culture now airs on WIMPEG

Starting in January 2011, Living Culture can be seen on Monmouth's community television station known as WIMPEG. Minet Fiber and Charter Communications both carry WIMPEG in their basic cable packages. Viewers in Monmouth and Independence will find WIMPEG on cable channel 17.

Initially, WIMPEG will play older episodes from Living Culture's 3rd and 4th seasons. New episodes will follow shortly.

To watch Living Culture in Monmouth and Independence, please see the television listings below.