Check out the episode on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/R5JdkvH89Yk
What If Your Lawn Could Feed You?
Imagine walking out your back door and picking fresh, chemical-free fruits, herbs, and vegetables, without ever stepping foot in a grocery store. In this episode of the Everyday Epigenetics podcast, host Susan Robbins sits down with Travis Holzem, a Desert Storm Marine veteran turned Food Forest Designer, to explore how transforming your lawn into a thriving, low-maintenance food forest isn’t just possible, it might be the most powerful step you can take toward better health, sustainability, and financial freedom.
Travis traded in his digital marketing career to cultivate real, lasting change, one edible landscape at a time. And trust us, this isn’t your grandma’s garden. We’re talking about a self-sustaining ecosystem based on permaculture principles that grows nutrient-dense food year after year with less work and zero harmful chemicals.
What Exactly Is a Food Forest?
A food forest mimics the natural layers of a forest to maximize space, productivity, and ecosystem health. Think towering fruit and nut trees creating shade for berry bushes and herbal plants below, while vines like grapes and kiwis climb upward and root vegetables nourish the soil beneath.
The result? A living, breathing system that produces real food, and a lot of it. With seven distinct layers, these spaces are designed for beauty, abundance, and sustainability. And the best part? They practically take care of themselves once established.
Why Food Forests Are the Future of Health and Sustainability
With rising grocery prices and declining food quality, food forests offer a real solution to food insecurity and poor nutrition. Travis breaks down how these systems not only improve your health by providing nutrient-dense, chemical-free food, but also teach families, especially kids, valuable life skills and a deeper connection to nature.
He shares stories of clients turning barren lawns into edible paradises and explains how even small spaces (yes, a 10×10 patio counts!) can support impressive amounts of food production.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
- How to design your own food forest using permaculture principles
- Why growing your own food is like printing your own money
- How food forests can help fight chronic disease by improving the quality of the food you eat
Simple ways to start, even if you’re convinced you have a black thumb - Why this isn’t just about food, it’s about creating a more sustainable, connected, and abundant way of living
Ready to rethink what’s growing (or not growing) right outside your door?
Listen in now and start planting the seeds for a healthier, more sustainable future, literally.
Learn More about Travis Holzem:
Travis Holzem, a Desert Storm Marine veteran and single father of three, brings a unique blend of discipline, creativity, and passion to his work as the owner of Food Forest Design Minnesota. After a successful 25-year career in web design, SEO, and online marketing, Travis traded the digital world for the natural one, dedicating himself to revolutionizing local food production. He now empowers individuals, families, and communities to transform ordinary lawns and underutilized land into thriving, regenerative food forests. These low-maintenance ecosystems, built on permaculture principles, provide abundant, chemical-free yields year after year, enhancing biodiversity and soil health. Travis is making sustainable home food production a reality for anyone. He’s not just designing landscapes; he’s cultivating healthier lifestyles and building a more sustainable and equitable future, one food forest at a time.
RESOURCES:
Connect with Travis Holzem
- https://foodforestdesignmn.com
- https://www.facebook.com/foodforestminnesota
- https://twitter.com/mnfood
- https://www.youtube.com/@foodforestdesignmn
- https://www.instagram.com/foodforestabundancemn
- https://linkedin.com/in/travisholzem
Affiliate Signup
https://foodforestabundancemn.com/affiliate-signup
foodforestdesignminnesota@gmail.com
Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast
Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links
Connect with Susan:
Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching!
- To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
- Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach
