Joe Rothberger

We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit.
– Aristotle

I have had many great experiences that have shaped who I am and who I aspire to be. These steps have helped shape me into a creator, horticulturist, dreamer, believer, and do-er’!

My professional career has seen many areas of study. Behind the scenes of broadcasting local news, creative media content creation, commercial cannabis production, and educational research with influence from native permaculture techniques.

Permaculture

Food Forest Design – Conversion of 1/4 acre turf grass in Northern Wisconsin Zone 4b

Here is an update to the front yard food forest conversion fall 2024. The season has transitioned to winter and the beds are resting with a fresh coating of leafy debris and mulch. This past season I have been vigilant about collecting organic waste inputs and have been able to shape the garden in a more constructive way. The previous season had taken its toll on some, while other fresh transplants have started to thrive.

Freshly planted trees and shrubs and other perennials have allowed a few beds to be reconsidered for their originally designed guilds. This season I was also able to divide and multiply various roots, such as horseradish, sunchokes, asparagus, and comfrey to continue to diversify the newly formed niches.

Mushroom Logs

Once you have all the materials gathered, the process is simple!!!

I first learned about the process of cultivating mushrooms from books of people with huge amounts of diversity in their gardens. I was fascinated at the possibility to use the logs to build soils while improving the bounty available to harvest in the garden. The possibility for the logs to fill a niche in a shady area underneath the canopy of a tree is another aspect that I wanted to include into my garden design. After I learned how simple the process was, and the length of time you can expect from the logs I was sold.

Save a seed, grow a garden.

Growing a Garden and My Evolution into Seed Saving

Why do we choose to grow the plants that we do? Do we enjoy the taste, flavors, smells or the hues of lushness that they produce? Is it us who chooses them or they who choose us? For these few reasons and also a bunch more that were not mentioned I have been fascinated with the growing of beans, the magical fruit! With great variation in growth habits shape, color, size variation, and abundance in yield potential. The magic beans have the ability to feed people and nourish the soil from which they grow.