iPod Convert: Geek.Farm.Life

Much as I expected, my primary use for my new-to-me iPod is to listen to podcasts. I'll listen to NPR all day and grew up on PBS documentaries (fangs & fur!), so I wasn't really surprised about this. To be honest, finding a new podcast and subscribing is so much easier than slogging through the shared music files and setting up playlists. As much as I love music, I'll take the talking heads, thanks.

And so, I thought I might attempt a weekly feature. Most Wednesdays, I'll try to post a new podcast that I've found and been listening to. To start, I'll feature a podcast I've already mentioned: Geek.Farm.Life.

This show has been a great find for me, but I wasn't convinced at first. Before a recent hardware upgrade, the audio quality wasn't always great, and the hosts, Andrew and Misty, are pretty laid back. By the end of the first hour, however, I knew I'd be back for more. Since then, this has become a shared listening experience with The Young Man, who won't let me pause the show while I drop his sister off at daycare. Part of the show features calls into the "Farm Phone", and we're composing a joint call and question (which will undoubtedly feature pigs). Past shows have featured bits on beekeeping, seedplanters, ducks and even a mention of the fabulous Eglu. Background noise is provided by ducks and turkeys, which is surprisingly soothing.

Geek.Farm.Life is no secret, but I'm glad I found them. They feature good information and also share when they are stumped. My only critique, beyond the audio quality (which does seem to be better), is the occasional back-and-forth couple spats, which I get enough of at home. Still, it's honest, and that has a value of its own. I can share the podcast with my kids, and enjoy hearing from other folks interested in simple living, new homesteading, and balancing hobby farm duties with other employment. For those of us in rural areas, it's also nice to have a dial-up option for downloading.

So if you haven't checked out Geek.Farm. Life, I suggest you do. It's an hour well spent.