Hey y’all, I’m Idaho Bo, and this is my first-ever blog—just like "Down and Dirty with Idaho Bo and Vivacious Vic" is my first stab at podcasting. I’m new to both, but I’m diving in headfirst, so let’s get dirty!

If you caught our debut episode on BBSradio.com you met me and Vivacious Vic. We shared who we are, what’s coming up (think gardening, herbs, foraging, and more), and why good soil is the secret sauce for any garden—food, flowers or herbs. We’re both proud Master Gardeners, trained through the University Extension Office in Ada County, Idaho (home of Boise). I’m also a Food Safety Advisor—fancy talk for knowing how to preserve your harvest and teach others to do the same. These programs changed my life, and I’m here to tip my hat to them.

I grew up in Southern California in the 60s, surrounded by cement and shrinking wild spaces. In the early ‘80s, my brother lured us to Sandpoint, Idaho, post-Air Force. We took the leap, sight unseen, and I fell hard for the north country. Swore I’d never go back to L.A.—until life pulled me back to the beaches. I’m a landlocked Mermaid now, but SoCal’s crowds were never my jam. There, I grew my first veggies, snagged an A.S. in Horticulture, and tended a little plot near Redondo Beach. Then fate (or my own creating/storytelling, as I now see it) brought me back to Idaho.

Settling in Boise, I became a Master Gardener to master this new climate. Loved the instructor, the crew, the lessons. Later, on an acre of land, I wanted to build my dream herb garden—pond, gazebo, coffee spot included. But my (now) ex begged for a veggie patch, and I obliged after I had volunteered for Steve and Wendy Smith at Spyglass Gardens. Their no-spray, organic magic taught me how to grow real food. Picking fresh from your own yard? Heaven. Plants love you back when you love them—true story.

Then came the harvest flood. A friend tipped me off to the Food Safety Advisor class through Ada County’s Extension Office. I learned canning, taught others, and ate the fruits of my labor (pun intended). Now, with "Down and Dirty," Vic and I are taking that knowledge to the airwaves—sharing tips on growing, preserving, and even fermenting (my fave). We’ve got how-to videos in the works, too, at wallet-friendly prices. Stay tuned for more on that.

Here’s the kicker: every state has a University Extension Office with Master Gardener programs. Find yours at mastergardener.extension.org. They’re staffed by pros and volunteers—folks like us answering calls on plants, canning, even 4-H (yeehaw!). Sadly, the Food Safety Advisor gig seems unique to Idaho—go figure. No worries, though—Vic and I will teach you the ropes, from water canning to pressure canning (not scary, promise).

Tune in to BBSradio.com every Sunday at 4 pm Central for Down and Dirty, subscribe, and grow with us. Let’s get down and dirty together!
Blissings,
Idaho Bo