E8 - Ben Hartman: Healing Through Farming, How Growing Your Own Food Revolutionizes Your Mental Health

If you’re enjoying this interview click this link to join Dr. Ramsey’s weekly newsletter and to download free resources: https://drewramseymd.com/free-resources/ Today we are joined by micro-farming expert Ben Hartman to discuss the physical and mental health benefits of growing your own food. In our country, farmer's currently have the highest rate of suicide of any other occupation. Ben addresses this crisis, revealing the problem with modern-day farming and why micro-farming is a big part of the solution. He discusses the personal impact that becoming a farmer had on himself and his family. He shares the rewards of farming, from supporting your community to being more connected to the Earth. Ben gives tips to get started today from what to plant and how to start your own food traditions. ==== 0:00 Intro 3:13 Lean Micro-Farm: Farming in Small Spaces 3:50 The Problem with Modern Farms 6:26 Why Farming is Good For Us 9:01 Mental Health Benefits of Micro Farming 14:02 Right Livelihood: The Reward of Farming 15:36 Midwest Leading Agricultural Innovation 18:21 How Food Brings Us Together 22:38 Tips for Growing Food in the Winter 25:39 A Farmer’s Favorite Vegetables  27:30 Ben’s Daily Nutrition 31:19 Finding Inspiration Ancient Wisdom 36:26 Community Building Through Food 38:20 The Healing Power of Plants 45:46 Food Traditions & Getting Started 58:00 Conclusion ==== Ben Hartman is the author of three books, includingThe Lean Micro Farm (ChelseaGreen, 2023) and The Lean Farm (Chelsea Green, 2016), winner of the prestigiousShingo Institute Research and Professional Publication Award.In 2017, Ben was named one of fifty emerging green leaders in the United States by Grist. Ben and his wife,Rachel Hershberger, own and operate Clay Bottom Farm in Goshen, Indiana, where they make their living growing specialty crops on 1/3 acre of land in production. Ben has developed an online course in lean farming, which can be found at claybottomfarm.com, and he has consulted for USAID The Lean Microfarm book: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Micro-Farm-Embrace-Better-ebook/dp/B0C4Q92KLC The Clay Bottom Farm https://www.claybottomfarm.com/ ==== Connect with Dr. Drew Ramsey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewramseymd/ Website: https://drewramseymd.com