Farms Episodes

New York City has the energy, but Columbia County has the air. Two years moving here from just 20 minutes south in the Hudson Valley, host Mat Zucker still feels like a bit of a "cidiot" sometimes—always eager to explore more of the incredible 635 square miles of valley, hills, farms, and villages right in his backyard. In this special episode, produced in collaboration with Columbia County Tourism, Mat serves up a very personal seasonal guide. Whether you're a foodie chasing the ultima...

After a brutal winter, spring in the Hudson Valley isn't just a temperature change—it’s a shift in soul. In this episode, Cidiot® explores the "palpable optimism" of the season, from the practical (and messy) realities of country living to the psychological power of starting fresh. Mat shares his 7-step guide to mastering spring upstate—covering everything from the melody of melting creeks and the return of outdoor farmers' markets to the essential "joiner" culture of CSAs. We also hear a mov...

This episode is hilarious—and delicious. Host Mat Zucker dives into the magical world of local farming and the global Slow Food movement with Pierre Fredrichs, co-chair of Slow Food Hudson Valley and owner of Overlook Farms in East Chatham. Recorded at the Creative Legion in Hudson, we discuss: The Movement: How a McDonald’s in Rome sparked a global mission for "good, clean, fair food for all." Life on the Farm: Pierre’s journey from private chef to tending 120 acres of pigs (includ...

You know I love chickens, but my biggest curiosity is with cows. So was very excited to talk to Kyle and Amanda from Gulden Farm. Kyle and Amanda grew up in the area and join us for a special episode about farming. We talk about Kyle’s journey to Montana and back, the story of Gulden Farm, what it means to farm sustainably, my cidiot questions about cows, and even about that great logo I love. Plus, to tempt you to try their amazing grass-fed meats and products, they’re offering Cidiot listen...

In a special spontaneous episode, Cidiot® takes you live to the New York Sheep & Wool Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds (October 21-22, 2023). Mat has no idea what he's looking at but luckily Rachel Zive and her partner Sam Barnett are there to guide us all through the fabric and the animals. We learn so much including advice for beginners, celebrity knitwear designers, and terms from the fiber folk community. Links mentioned in the episode: New York State Sheep & Wool Festiv...

Mat gives an update on the gardening project, including flowers vs. vegetables competition. Though his voice notes, you probably get too close to the amateur he is and the struggles he faces — not to mention the neglect he embodies. Links to what’s mentioned in the episode: Sam’s video on how to properly weed (YouTube) Stark Blooms (Instagram) Photos of before and after weeding (Instagram) Thank you for listening to Cidiot, the award-winning podcast about learning to live a...

Mat finally takes up gardening but in the safety and security of an adopted small garden plot at Four Corners Community Farm. It's a learning experience for sure, so join him via his audio journal as he tries to grow vegetables vs. flowers. Links: Four Corners Community Farm Old Dutch Village Gardening Club Garden Pals National Garden Association Thanks for listening to Cidiot®, the Hudson Valley's most awarded podcast. Would love to hear from you about what you would love to hear ab...

It's strawberry season! Yes, I can't eat them sadly, but you probably can happily. In this special episode breaking from our usual schedule, hear directly from Robinson Greig at Greig Farm on best practices of what to look for and how to pick them. Thanks for listening to Cidiot, the award winning podcast about moving to the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Berkshires. Subscribe to the newsletter on the home page of this site and follow us on Instagram. Photo courtesy of Greig Farm. --- Se...

Mat interviews Kallie, one of the owners of Sawkill Farm in Red Hook, NY, home of his favorite eggs, bacon, and pork chops. Hear about what it's like to run a farm and the secret of why things taste so good. Thanks for listening to Cidiot. Chronogram listed us as one of "Six Hudson Valley Podcasts You Should Be Listening To." Find Cidiot trucker caps and the ebook Becoming a Cidiot, based on the podcast, at gumroad.com/cidiot and Farm Fresh merch in the Shop.

Ducks. Sheep. Goats. Coyotes. You can't live up here and not love animals. Well, most of them. In this episode of Cidiot, Mat share some highlights. Shout outs to Tivoli General, Winn's Tivoli, and Doorstep Market. Thanks for listening. Cidiot® has been featured on Hudson Valley Magazine's "8 Hudson Valley Podcasts for All-Day Listening" and by Chronogram as one of "6 Hudson Valley Podcasts You Should Listen To." The Becoming a Cidiot eBook is available on Amazon, plus updated merch at the Ci...