Karen Peditto shifted from photojournalism to working in food systems and eventually farming. Karen describes how smartphone cameras changed the photojournalism landscape, how social anxiety pushed her away from traditional reporting, and how AmeriCorps at a Pittsburgh food bank led her into food policy, access, and program management. Eventually, she joined Wagner Farm, using communication and education skills to support a modern diversified growing operation and public learning.
▬▬▬▬▬ Resources ▬▬▬▬▬
- Karen Peditto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenannbullock/
- Mike Peditto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpeditto/
- Episode with Mike: https://open.spotify.com/episode/62nCCV2jjKlid5n17sk4pK
- USDA: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/What%20is%20Organic.pdf
- Wagner Farm: https://glenviewparks.org/facilities/historic-wagner-farm/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cacklemedia/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cacklemedia
- X: https://x.com/CackleMediaLLC
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CackleMedia
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cacklemedia/
- Support the pod when signing up for Descript / SquadCast: https://get.descript.com/transferableskill
▬▬▬▬▬ Timestamps ▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:28 Early Farm Mornings
01:05 Photojournalism Dreams
02:02 Smartphones Change Everything
06:40 Ethics and Privacy Lines
09:05 Still Taking Photos
11:22 Anxiety and Career Pivot
13:11 AmeriCorps and Food Studies
15:59 Food Bank Disillusionment
20:22 Farm Stand Program Impact
24:44 Quitting and Farm Truck Foods
28:15 Eggs and Food Education
29:11 Egg Yolk Truths
29:36 Label Marketing Myths
30:57 Ethics And Flavor
32:39 Why Local Food Struggles
35:07 CSA Explained
37:22 From Mom To Farm Job
41:01 Inside Wagner Farm
44:03 Garlic Lesson Moment
45:05 Talking To Strangers
47:24 Why Wagner Farm Rocks
49:34 Flower Field Wins
52:36 Baking Dreams Ahead
54:31 Final Thanks And Wrap