Farm Small Farm Smart

Seed farmer and author Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm shares his expertise on seed-saving by ranking the top 3 easiest market garden crops to start saving seed from, how to process the seeds to use the next year, and how to tell when the seeds are ready to be harvested and processed. 🌱

Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds

Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work. 

Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! 

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Welcome to The Rookie Farmer Podcast, a brand new series on the Modern Grower Podcast Network hosted by Rookie Farmer Alec Smith!  Farmer Alec kicks off the show with guest farmer Zach Richards of Levity Farms in Blairsville, Georgia. They pack a lot in this episode, from biodynamic farming for new farmers, getting started with selling produce to chefs and restaurants, unique ways to go about veggie boxes, as well lessons farmer Zach learned from moving Levity Farms thrice in eight years. 

Check out farmer Zach and Levity Farms: https://www.instagram.com/levityfarmsga/

Check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm: https://www.instagram.com/cropculturefarm/

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego discuss strategies for building a sustainable farm business. They talk about the different and occasionally difficult decisions involved in making sure a farm is financially viable such as controlling costs, scaling mindfully, and differentiating your farm's products, among other things. Hopefully, these strategies can help every farm's game plan this coming 2025 season. 

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

We're smack in the middle of winter, and most farmers are drafting their game plan come spring, thinking about what to grow and maybe considering new additions to their farming operation. Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop talks about one potential add-on project for market gardeners: contract growing crops for seed companies. 

Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here.

Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! 

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Dustin LaBat of Specklebelly Farms in Weimar, Texas shares their you-pick farming model that includes not only vegetables but also cut flowers and blackberries, which is the biggest draw. He talks about the labor, economics, and marketing strategies that go into running their farm, as well as how blackberries can be an incredibly profitable crop for market farmers. Lastly, he touches on plant sales, farm stand sales, and restaurant sales as complementary income that allows their farm to run all year round. 

Check out Specklebelly Farms here!

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

So you want to grow your own cucumbers...but where do you even start? 

Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop walks us through the whole process of growing the best cucumbers, from choosing which cucumbers to grow, to how to start them, to the kind of soil to grow them in, to how to maintain your cucumber plants to keep them pumping out fruit for weeks and weeks!

Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here.

Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! 

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Jay Tracy of CucumberShop.com talks about common—and not-so-common—varieties of cucumbers based on their uses. 

Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here.

Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! 

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

In this new series, we invite experts in the field of agriculture—plant breeders, soil specialists, seed specialists, flower experts, you name it!—and take a deep dive into specific topics related to their area of expertise. 

Starting off the first episode, we have Jay Tracy of CucumberShop.com to shed light on cucumber terminologies and de-mystify common misconceptions about growing cucumbers. 

Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here.

Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! 

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this raw and honest episode, rookie farmer Alec Smith shares the invaluable lessons he learned during his first year running Crop Culture Farm.

Aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs will gain insights into the challenges, triumphs, and surprising realities of starting a profitable farm business from scratch.

Alec dives deep into the financial realities of farming, discussing the importance of setting realistic revenue goals, navigating cash flow challenges, and adapting to market conditions. He emphasizes the crucial role that family support and personal resilience play in overcoming obstacles and maintaining motivation.

From crop planning missteps to unexpected marketing wins, Alec reveals the day-to-day struggles and breakthroughs that shaped his journey. He offers practical advice on leveraging community connections, diversifying revenue streams, and continually refining systems to optimize production and profitability.

This episode serves as a must-listen for anyone considering turning their farming dream into a full-time career. Alec's transparency and hard-earned wisdom will inspire and equip you with the mindset and strategies needed to cultivate a thriving agricultural enterprise.

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

#farmstartup #farmingbusiness #marketfarming #newfarmer #agentrepreneur #farmbusiness #youngfarmer #localfood #sustainableagriculture #farmtotable #organicfarming #soilhealth #regenerativeagriculture #communitysupportedagriculture #knowyourfarmer #familyfarming #farmbusinessplanning #financialplanning #resiliencefarming

In this episode, host Diego talks to farmer Alec as he reflects on his first year running Crop Culture Farm, with emphasis on dedicating ample time for farm buildout and infrastructure before diving into full-scale production. They also talk about the value of experimentation, staying true to oneself, and not taking things too seriously when entrepreneurial challenges arise—running a business is hard enough, so give yourself some room to laugh and be flexible so you can get back up again. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Gro

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec talk about the mental struggles, challenges, and hardships of running a business. While making a living from a business can be both fulfilling and exhilarating, it can also get all-consuming and mentally exhausting, especially when financial uncertainty comes into play. Diego and Alec also talk about some practical strategies for handling anxiety and maintaining well-being, as well as the importance of having a support system in keeping mental calm. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Tony Barlow of Barlow Roots Market returns to the show to look back on their 10-year market gardening journey. He shares the practical financial mindset with which he ran Barlow Roots, as well as how they manage their finances both inside and outside the business. 

Sign up to Tony's newsletter here!

Click here to learn more about Barlow Roots Market!

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, host Diego talks to farmer Alec about his reflections on the first year of his journey in entrepreneurship as a new farmer. He shares the challenges and successes he faced while balancing production, sales, and his personal life. He also talks about the key things he's discovered that makes a farm business sustainable: collaboration, adaptability, and steady progress.

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec welcome guest farmer Jim Marsh of Mile View Acres in Oklahoma to talk about how his first full year of farming is going. Alec and Jim, two first-year farmers talk shop and share insights and challenges as they face the reality of running a market farm in their first year. 

Learn more about Mile View Acres here.

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec list out the 7 biggest challenges that all farmers face: they hit hard at the start of any farm business and pop up throughout the rest of any farmer's career. Find out what they are in this episode of Farm Startup with Farmer Alec Smith! 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Jay Tracy of CucumberShop.com shares his interesting journey of starting a hobby, which later turned into a business of breeding and selecting the best of over 70 different varieties of cucumbers and selling cucumber seeds online. 

Click here to learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop!

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec welcome a special guest from across the sea, Rob Moores of Passion4Plants in West Yorkshire, England. An experienced farmer and entrepreneur, Rob shares a farmer-to-farmer conversation with Alec about the work that it takes to build a sustainable business for long-term success in agriculture. He shares what life looks like in the beginning and what life can look like after putting in the work. 

Click here to learn more about farmer Rob and Passion4Plants. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec take a close look at farmer Alec's current farmer's market: is it a good market worth staying at? Is it a good enough market to stay in but the farm will need additional revenue streams to tack onto? Or is it a bad market that needs to be moved on from? Farmer Alec also thinks about whether or not staying part-time is a prudent choice, as well as delving into potential expansion with production and possibly including restaurant sales. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec talk about farming in the peak season: summer. They dive into the challenges that come with being a solo farmer surviving the summer season by balancing production, ensuring having enough crops to sell, expanding the product variety, and potentially tapping into additional market streams to include restaurants. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, Diego and Alec talk all about tools. If you plan on starting a farm, you're probably thinking about a mountain of tools you think you need to get started, but waiting to buy every single one might be setting you back a while. Farmer Alec shares the few tools he used to get his farm up and running on a shoestring budget. Lastly, Diego and Alec touch a bit on fertility and how getting your soil fertility down can help boost production. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

In this episode, farmer Alec and host Diego are joined by a special guest: veteran market gardener Cassie Pierce of Peace of Prairie Organic Farm in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Cassie shares some of her insights on Alec's farming journey and her thoughts on some of the misconceptions she hears being passed on to younger farmers. She then unpacks the disconnect between her experience as a market gardener and the pseudo-myths she hears about small-scale farming such as the need for a high-end market, and that only growing a few select crops is the key to profitability. 

Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.

Click here to learn more about farmer Cassie and Peace of Prairie Organic Farm. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99

Farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck of Roebuck Farms in Taranaki, New Zealand jumps on the show to discuss how they grow microgreens as part of their market garden operation. Farmer Jodi shares some interesting ways they leverage microgreens as a way to expand their product offerings, such as enhancing existing salad mixes and picking up the slack by filling in production gaps when field crops are having issues. 

Learn more about Farmer Jodi and Roebuck Farm on Instagram and their website. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast
• Carrot Cashflow Podcast
• In Search of Soil

Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses

Watch and listen to more on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@InSearchofSoil

Exploring the Fascinating World of Fungi with Dr. Elizabeth Koziol: 

From Dumb Luck to Mycorrhizal Wisdom Elizabeth is a mycologist whose accidental journey into the world of fungi turned into a lifelong passion. She shares her experiences from her career working with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, debunking common misconceptions and explaining the intricate relationships between fungi and plants. Learn about the surprising mechanisms of fungal-plant communication, the role of fungi in agriculture, and the potential of microbial inoculants like MycoBloom. Whether you're a gardener or a researcher, this talk offers valuable insights into the unseen world beneath our feet. 

Dr. Kozoil's research: https://scholar.google.com/citations?...

Dr. Kozoil's company MycoBloom: https://www.mycobloom.com/

Subscribe and Listen to the audio version of In Search of Soil:

iTunes - http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Spotify - http://bit.ly/insearchofsoil

Enjoy the show? Drop me a line @diegofooter -   / diegofooter  

In this episode, farmer Alec and host Diego talk about the finances behind two ways of starting a farm: when the farm starts out as a side hustle, and when the farm starts out as the main hustle. Farmer Alec talks about where he falls on that spectrum, as well as the challenges around navigating the financial landscape of running a first-year farm. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Blake Cowling and Austin Collins on Scintilla Farms in San Diego, California share their microgreens journey starting on a very small scale and expanding to growing in a warehouse to service over 30 restaurant customers. They also share why they chose to sell to restaurants, how they built their solid customer base, and their strategy for curating their crop offerings based on their customers' needs. Lastly, they also talk about their future plans to expand their microgreens business to include mushrooms. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec talk about the challenges that come with growing vegetables in the heat of summer—scheduling crop succession, dealing with the difficulties of maintaining greens, and adapting to the market's changing demands. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Joe Naiman-Sessions of N Bar S Microgreens in Helena, Montana shares his microgreen growing journey, from reaching out to other microgreen growers in the area and selling to grocery stores, to broadening their product offering to include edible flowers, to their success in selling live cut microgreens at farmer's markets. Joe also shares his edible flower cultivation methods, his plans to expand to market gardening, as well as how he effectively keeps on top of bookkeeping and cashflow management. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec talk about Alec's experience selling at their local farmer's market 10 weekends in. They also break down the potential reasons for the underwhelming sales in their market, as well as Alec's strategies to adapt and reach their sales goals. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec welcome a special guest, Alec's wife, Sarah, to talk about what it's like to be part of a family that's starting a farm business. She shares her experience balancing family life and supporting the farming venture while running her own business, as well as the challenges and expectations of running a new farm. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Catch returning guest microgreens grower Vincent Cuneo of Agrarian Feast to share how his business has fared since it began in 2018. 

Vincent details his strategy of partnering with grocers and supermarkets, which helped cushion the impact of the restaurant industry's downturn. He talks about diversifying into specialty mushrooms and underscores the importance of producing high-quality products. Key topics include inventory management, product pricing strategies, effective marketing, and maintaining strong packaging. The episode also offers practical advice for starting a microgreens business, emphasizing consistent practice, business knowledge, and market research, with a suggestion to initially test market demand on a small scale.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, farmer Alec and host Diego talk about running a farm business when something unexpected happens—maybe you get crazy weather events, maybe you get crop failure, or maybe your farmer's market shuts down on short notice. What do you do to minimize the losses in the business? Farmer Alec shares his experience pivoting from his farmer's market after they announced a cancelled weekend in less than 48 hours. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, host Diego and Farmer Alec talk about farming in transitioning seasons. Farmer Alec talks about the difference between growing his usual crops in the spring versus in the summer and the challenges that go along the changing seasons. They also touch on hypotheticals around farm expansion and using tools to improve efficiency on the farm. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec take a look at how his first month at the farmer's market went after it kicked off well at opening week. Farmer Alec talks about how the following weeks went, his thoughts on the fluctuating sales, and what he plans to do next should he ever need to bolster sales for the farm. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec dive into Alec's journey of pulling back from his full-time job at Crystal Organic Farm and transitioning into part-time work to make more time to focus on his own business. They take a look at what going part-time has allowed him to do and what he plans to do with the extra time, and they even talk about Alec bringing on additional help. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Jackie Hinchey, who has a background in agriculture, transitioned from a mom with a simple veggie garden to establishing Blue Dog Farm, known for its premium 'really fancy salad.' Initially started as a hobby, her farm grew into a successful business.

Jackie discusses growing diverse crops on a small scale, ensuring high product quality, managing the business efficiently, and adapting to challenges, including climatic conditions. They delve into pricing strategies, market targeting, and maintaining ethical and high-quality food production. The conversation concludes with reflections on life choices, the impacts of the podcast on Jackie's journey, and advice for both young and older aspiring farmers.

Blue Dog Farm: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dog_farm

Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec welcome Chaz Daughtry of Sweetwater Farms in Houston, Texas to the show to talk about selling to chefs, dealing with crop planning, and selling to multiple markets. Chaz also shares his experience building a value-added shelf-stable brand that works in parallel with the farm business. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec break down Farmer Alec’s second farmer’s market of the season: the difference in the crowd of marketgoers between the first and second weeks, the adjustments Farmer Alec made in his products and bundles, and the sales he made that week. They also dive into his product offering in the coming weeks, as well as other changes he’ll be making moving forward.

Connect with Alec: https://www.instagram.com/cropculturefarm/

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec do a post-mortem of farmer Alec’s first farmer’s market of the season. They talk about the struggle of deciding how much product to harvest, as well as the unexpected amount of work that goes into last-minute prep for the market. Alec also walks us through how the market flowed, how much he sold, how much he was left with, and how he felt on the drive home after all was said and done.

Connect with Alec: https://www.instagram.com/cropculturefarm/

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec dive into the practical side of managing life around running a farm business. They talk about the mental and physical load of  running a business without spreading yourself too thin: when are tasks too big that you should say no? When should you double down on your niche to hit that market share? How do you go about managing your time effectively?

Connect with Alec: https://www.instagram.com/cropculturefarm/

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Jill Duncan introduces her small-scale urban farm, Loving Roots Urban Farm, located in Ferguson, Missouri. Operating on just an eighth of an acre, Jill discusses the practices she uses, such as no-till farming and focusing on high-value, quick-growing crops like salad mixes and cherry tomatoes.

Despite the limited space, she makes a living wage and shares insights into her methods for efficiency, problem-solving, and building a strong relationship-based customer base. 

Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Farmer Alec is days away from his first farmers market, and he and Diego talk about the steps he’s taking to make sure he’s ready for it—from gauging how much product he should bring to market, to setting up his market booth, to managing the logistics of selling produce without cold storage, to final adjustments on his pricing strategy. He also shares his thoughts, expectations, and hopes for this coming first farmers market run.

Connect with Alec: https://www.instagram.com/cropculturefarm/

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about what Farmer Alec is doing to prepare for Crop Culture Farm’s first farmers market of the season—from sending in applications to visualizing and laying out the displays to thinking about signages and slogans to put up on their stand. Afterward, Alec and Diego have an interesting discussion about Farmer Alec’s insights on just how important the quality of seed plays on production in a market farm.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about one business lesson Alec learned from his previous entrepreneurial endeavor: the importance of knowing your operating costs and your margins and staying true to the price you need to charge to keep the business running. Farmer Alec also shares an account of how he learned that lesson, as well as some interesting strategies he employs to determine a good price to charge for his produce.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec step away from the field and dive into the business aspect of running a farm, zeroing in on admin work like bookkeeping, expense tracking, tax management, and even software tools. They also touch on crop planning, sales outlets, and leveraging personal connections for sales. Lastly, Diego and Alec explore the viability of aggregating products from other producers in the area to expand the business.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec delve into the winding journey of entrepreneurship. They touch on the excitement around starting a new business and the burnout that comes with crunching the startup phase. They also talk about Alec’s thoughts on the mental load of entrepreneurship, his hopes and expectations for the coming growing season, and his strategy for making adjustments on his farm in the future.

Want to Venmo Farmer Alec so he could take a month off to work on his farm?

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about balancing personal life and farm life, all while managing time and navigating a path toward full-time farming. They touch on potentials and hypotheticals for hiring out labor on the farm, whether or not to stay a part-time farm, as well as financial goals to be able to make the leap into full-time farming. Lastly, Diego and Alec delve into the motivation behind starting a farm as well as the personal fulfillment that comes from starting a business.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about equipment challenges and crops. Farmer Alec first shares his experience dealing with wash-pack constraints while preparing a wholesale order. Afterward, Diego and Alec into selecting which crops to grow, which crops Alec is excited for and crops that did interestingly well at the market. Alec also talks about his experience growing different crops so far, as well as varieties he hopes will do well this farming season.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec delve into the thought process behind choosing a farm business model, going beyond and touching on market fit, other additional sales avenues, and pricing. Farmer Alec also talks about selling produce to a wholesaler for the first time, as well as his experience selling at his first farmers market of the season.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego talks to farmer Alec Smith about the budgeting aspect of building out a farm business. They go over time management when it comes to administrative tasks, budgeting for equipment and infrastructure, as well as the challenges of spending and investing wisely while operating within a limited budget.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego talks to farmer Alec Smith about how he planned the layout of his farm and built out his beds. Alec describes the initial state of the farm, including its flat terrain, low organic matter, and issues with weeds. Afterward, they go over the process of evaluating and adapting the property for market garden production, as well as the decisions Alec made on bed sizing, pathways, and layout, all while accommodating physical constraints.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec look back a year ago and compare Alec’s initial expectations of starting a farm versus the reality of actually starting a farm. Alec talks about the ups and downs of setting up a farm business, the successes and challenges, and the strategic decisions he had to make along the way. Alec also shares his future plans for the farm, the hurdles he anticipates, as well as his insights on how to approach farming as a business in order to farm full-time on his farm.  

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about the process Alec went through to find suitable land to set up his farm. They go through factors worth considering before choosing where to farm such as accessibility to water and power, the cost of the property, proximity to the market and the home, soil condition, existing infrastructure, and even the relationship with the landowner. Alec shares his personal experiences and the lessons he learned while looking for a good property to farm on, as well as getting his farm started.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode, podcast host Diego interviews Alec Smith from Crop Culture Farm, a farmer starting his farm. Alec shares his experiences and challenges in balancing his farm startup with working part-time at another farm, the steps taken to set up his farm, improvements made over time, and their plans and expectations for their farm business. He also dives into the compromise between perfection and practicality in farm setup, constraints, and challenges such as time and resource management, recent achievements, and positive feedback that motivate and validate Alec's efforts.

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Megan Neubauer from Pure Land Farm joins me to discuss her revolutionary you-pick farming model. The model is extremely profitable and gives her a lot of extra time each year to do things off the farm. Megan goes through her strategies for sales, marketing, and crop planning. You can learn more in Megan's book: Pick-Your-Own-Farming

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co

Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:

• Farm Small, Farm Smart
• Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily
• The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Paul Dysinger, co-founder of Seedtime, joins me to talk about his journey to build the best farm and garden software ever. He shares lessons that have helped him manage time, prioritize tasks, and balance work and life. 

Learn more about Seedtime [Affiliate link]

Shop all of our farm tools and equipment: https://shop.moderngrower.co/

(0:00) Thanksgiving food talk. Is the food better the next day? Top 5 sides. Pumpkin pie is gross.

(0:31:56) Farmer Mark DeRespinis describes how he has built a very successful no-till farm raising high-quality vegetables and selling them to restaurants in the Boulder, CO area.

(2:05:35) Drunk Ideas - The Michelin Star guide for produce.

Mark's farm: https://www.instagram.com/esoterraculinary/

Check out our Black Friday Sale: https://shop.moderngrower.co/

(0:00) Be careful who you take an opinion from.

(0:24:00) Farmer Ian Jerolmack talks about how they are crushing it on their farm and will do $500k in sales.

(1:27:15) Listener Q&A - Cut expenses or grow revenue?

(1:39:47) Drunk Ideas - The Auto Warner

Check out my new book, Sell Everything You Grow - only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

There is no point in growing a crop if you can't sell it at a profit. Ray discusses cashing in on your hard work in Episode 10 of The Lettuce Grower Series. Ray will share some tips to market lettuce successfully and how they have increased sales and prices based on these techniques.

Diego Footer hosts this 10-part series from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here.

Grow a great lettuce crop with the Jang Seeder, Paperpot Transplanter, and Kwik Klik seeder. Find tools for direct seeding, transplanting, and the nursery at paperpot.co.

You've done all the work to grow a great lettuce crop. How do you get it from the field to the customer in the best condition possible? Episode 9 in The Lettuce Grower Series is a dive harvesting and packing. Ray will review strategies to get the most from your harvest and packing tips to help maximize sales. Don't do all the work growing the crop and falter at the end with a poor harvest and pack process.

Diego Footer hosts this 10-part series from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here.

Grow a great lettuce crop with the Jang Seeder, Paperpot Transplanter, and Kwik Klik seeder. Find tools for direct seeding, transplanting, and the nursery at paperpot.co.

Like most crops, lettuce has pests and diseases that target it. Episode 8 in The Lettuce Grower Series shares his experience dealing with these issues. He goes over the most common pests and diseases while giving various solutions to help prevent and remedy problems.

Diego Footer hosts this 10-part series from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here.

Protect your valuable crop from insects with Kwik Hoops.

Most growers struggle to grow lettuce in the heat of summer. In Episode 7 of The Lettuce Grower Series, Ray shares his advice for growing great greens in the summer. Ray share keys such as water, covering the crop, and timing.

Diego Footer hosts this 10-part series from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here.

Protect your valuable crop from the summer heat with Kwik Hoops.

Episode 6 in The Lettuce Grower Series goes deep into the details of transplanting and direct seeding. When is it advantageous to direct seed? When should you transplant? Ray will discuss why they use landscape fabric on their farm and the savings it gives them. We also consider when saving time and labor using the Paperpot Transplanter makes sense.

Diego Footer hosts this 10-part series from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here.

Grow a great lettuce crop with the Jang Seeder, Paperpot Transplanter, and Kwik Klik seeder.

Find tools for direct seeding, transplanting, and the nursery at paperpot.co.

Episode 5 in The Lettuce Grower Series explores the different options for watering lettuce crops - drip, overhead, and mister irrigation. What are the pros and cons of each type? When is one more beneficial than another? How much water does lettuce need?

Diego Footer hosts this 10-part series from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here.

Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops.

Episode 4 in The Lettuce Grower Series is a dive into protected growing. What are the benefits, and why you should consider growing under cover. Ray discusses the various ways to protect your lettuce crop from the elements and the advantages of doing it.

This 10-part series is hosted by Diego Footer, from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. You can learn more about the course here.

Get tools to help you grow lettuce at Paperpotco.

Episode 3 in The Lettuce Grower Series focuses on the importance of potting soil. The key to having a great lettuce crop is getting the seedlings off to a great start in the nursery. Ray will discuss what he looks for in the perfect potting soil and how you can get your seedlings off to a fantastic start.

This 10-part series is hosted by Diego Footer, from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. You can learn more about the course here.

Get tools to help you grow lettuce at Paperpotco.

Episode 2 in The Lettuce Grower Series focuses on selecting the correct lettuce variety to grow. Ray will give you some guidelines on what to consider when choosing the appropriate lettuce variety for your climate and the time of the year.

This 10-part series is hosted by Diego Footer from @paperpotco, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.

Get Ray's book, The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. You can learn more about the course here.

Get tools to help you grow lettuce at Paperpotco.

This is the first of ten episodes in The Lettuce Grower Series. Diego Footer, from @paperpotco, hosts the series, and the presenter is farmer Ray Tyler from @rosecreekfarms.   

Episode 1 is all about why market farmers should grow lettuce. Ray will explain how lettuce can contribute significant cash flow to your farm. It's a valuable crop that can be grown year-round in most of the US. Most customers like it, making it an easy sell. The hard part is mastering how to grow it consistently. In this series, Ray will get into details to help you do that.

The series follows Ray's book The Farmers Guide to Growing Organic Lettuce. You can get the book here.

Ray also has an online course dedicated to growing lettuce. Learn more about the course here. 

Get tools to help you grow lettuce at Paperpotco.

This week, Diego talks about crop rotation: what it is, why consider implementing it, and some effective strategies to implement it on your market garden.

You can also read the article using the link below: 

https://moderngrower.co/principles-of-crop-rotation-for-the-market-garden

If you'd like to receive these helpful farming articles every week, you can subscribe to our newsletter using the link below: 

https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts

This week, farmer Seth Davis writes about how Steadfast Farm simplifies their day-to-day farm operations by implementing standardization. 

You can also read the article using the link below: 

https://paperpot.co/standardizing-systems-at-steadfast-farm/

If you'd like to receive these helpful farming articles every week, you can subscribe to our newsletter using the link below: 

https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts

In Episode 10 of The Profitable Mini-Farm, farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm talks about selling to restaurants: the pros, the cons, and how to keep restaurant customers happy. 

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

Tony Barlow of Barlow Roots Market joins me to talk about balancing an off-farm job, homeschool and running a successful farm on the side.

If you are interested in following Tony and learning more about the things we spoke about today he has just started a new channel called Homestead Money. He is looking forward to sharing more on homesteading, market gardening and finance. Specifically, he hopes to help homestead dreamers purchase their homestead, and current homesteaders manage their finances wisely. You can join his email list here: http://eepurl.com/ijcC61.

Or follow him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/homesteadmoney/

Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

In Episode 9 of The Profitable Mini-Farm, farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm shares his approach to selling to retail stores, as well as their unique arrangement of managing dedicated refrigerators for his produce in each store.

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In Episode 8 of The Profitable Mini-Farm, farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm discusses the process they go through in their wash and pack, their delivery system, as well as some wash and pack efficiency tips.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

Farmer and consultant Ellen Polishuk joins Diego to discuss running a successful farm business. Ellen has over 30 years of experience growing vegetables and cut flowers in the Washington, DC area.

Learn more about Ellen:

https://www.planttoprofit.com/

https://www.instagram.com/planttoprofit_farmerellen

Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

In Episode 7 of The Profitable Mini-Farm farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm discusses the different equipment they use in their wash and pack station.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In Episode 6 of The Profitable Mini-Farm farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm discusses considerations for setting up your wash pack building.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In Episode 5 of The Profitable Mini-Farm farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm talks about market gardening and how viable it is as a career.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In Episode 4 of The Profitable Mini-Farm farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm talks about how to form beds on new farm land.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In episode 3 of The Profitable Mini-Farm farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm talks about the importance of farm standardization.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In episode 2 of The Profitable Mini-Farm farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm discusses what to think about when selecting a farm site. 

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In episode 1 of our new show - The Profitable Mini-Farm - farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm talks about farm business - what his context is and how that's shaped his farm.

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

In this preview episode of our new show - The Profitable Mini-Farm - farmer Jodi Roebuck @roebuckfarm discusses where John Jeavon's biointensive gardening and market farming come together. Check out the first episode of the new show next week.

Jodi Roebuck, a world-renowned contemporary market gardener, uses traditional + sustainable practices to be at the forefront of the profitable, small-scale local food movement.

Having clocked into his third decade in the field of championing local, sustainable food production, Jodi's work is based alongside the work of peers Curtis Stone (The Urban Farmer) and Jean-Martin Fortier (The Market Gardener).

His commitment to Regenerative Agriculture has cemented long-term relationships with many of the world's leading sustainable food production figures, shaping the direction of Roebuck Farm and influencing growers around the globe 

Learn more about Jodi:

https://www.roebuckfarm.com/

@roebuckfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Get high-quality farm tools in Australia and New Zealand at https://www.activevista.com.au/

When doing an initial layout design for your farm, how do you think about what goes where? What teacher-turned-farmer Chad Gard of Hole in the Woods Farm took into account during their initial planning phase were field blocks and crop rotation. Now, their field blocks are rotated in a 12-year cycle, intentionally switching out different crop families to promote diversity in their soils.

Learn more about Hole in the Woods Farm. 

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

While 30-inch beds are the standard for market gardening, it may or may not be the best bed width to implement depending on the farm’s context.

In this episode of Farm Small Farm Smart, farmer Dean Buttacavoli of Cabbage Throw Farm shares his experience throwing pathways out the window and converting their entire plot into farmland with 15-inch row spacing.

Learn more about Cabbage Throw Farm. 

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Grower Chris Thoreau is guest hosting for Diego. Chris talks to longtime entrepreneur Pierre Marlow of Alberta, Canada to share his experience discovering microgreens and starting a microgreens business as a retirement plan.

Seedleaf - Microgreen Crop Planning software: https://seedleaf.co/

Chris Thoreau's website: https://urbanmicro.ca/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Grower Chris Thoreau is guest hosting for Diego. Chris talks to grower Michael Quinn about his experience starting a microgreens business in Northern Ireland, the regional differences that can come with a startup business, and how a startup can be intentional with creating social impact right from the get-go. 

Learn more about Michael and Mourne Microgreens.

Seedleaf - Microgreen Crop Planning software: https://seedleaf.co/

Chris Thoreau's website: https://urbanmicro.ca/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Grower Chris Thoreau is guest hosting for Diego. Chris talks with Lily Evans of Short Roots Urban Farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin to share her experience of how she started her microgreens business by bootstrapping.

Learn more about Lily /https://www.instagram.com/shortrootsurbanfarm/

Seedleaf - Microgreen Crop Planning software: https://seedleaf.co/

Chris Thoreau's website: https://urbanmicro.ca/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Grower Chris Thoreau is guest hosting for Diego.  Chris talks with Jacob Goldfarb of Goldfarm Canada to talk about how he grew his microgreens business from 20 trays a week to 120 trays a week, as well as the challenges he faced with growing his farming operation.  Learn more about Jacob https://www.instagram.com/goldfarm_canada/

Seedleaf - Microgreen Crop Planning software: https://seedleaf.co/

Chris Thoreau's website: https://urbanmicro.ca/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

Like many farmers I know, I’ve always struggled with setting prices. I want to charge a “fair” price for my customers, and I want to make sure those prices will allow me to continue farming. My thinking on pricing has evolved quite a bit over the last decade as I’ve been exposed to more useful concepts from the business world, and those concepts have proven to be useful tools when considering how to price my produce.

Read the article: 

https://growingformarket.com/articles/tools-help-you-put-the-right-price-your-products

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 19 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks equipment, general tips, when to harvest, how to harvest lettuce, baby greens, root crops (carrots, beets, etc.) and bunching crops, packaging, selling, invoicing and delivering.

Download course guides: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 18 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks the importance of an efficient wash pack station, plumbing, water source, setup, and workflow refrigeration.

Download course guides: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 17 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks the benefits of composting and how to do it. https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

By Franklin Egan, PASA

This is the second article in a series on soil health challenges and innovations revealed through case studies that are part of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture’s ongoing Soil Health Benchmark Study, a citizen-science project begun in Pennsylvania in 2016. Read the first installment on the GFM or PASA website.

In 2013, Cameron and Audrey Pedersen relocated Bending Bridge Farm to twelve acres of land they purchased near Chambersburg, PA. Given their new land had been in continuous conventional corn production for decades, the soil was in dire shape. The first spring working that ground they could not even get a chisel plow to break the surface because the soil was so compacted and crusted.

Cameron and Audrey knew they needed to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to regenerate the health of their soil, and they wanted this plan to adhere to organic methods. As part of their strategy, they have been practicing a diverse crop rotation that includes long windows for over-winter and summer cover crops. Because of this, Cameron and Audrey keep their land in living cover for 248 days of the year—making Bending Bridge a leader in cover cropping among the other 23 vegetable farms participating in PASA’s Soil Health Benchmark Study.

Read the article: 

https://growingformarket.com/articles/20181101

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 16 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks about general principles and mindsets regarding weed management. https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 15 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks about his personal strategies to overcome pests on his farm, as well as some general principles and mindsets on pest management.. https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

Although no-till production has been widely adopted by row crop farmers, reports of poor weed control and delayed spring planting may have deterred many organic vegetable growers from using this soil-conserving practice. We have found that ridge-tillage is an alternative that solves both of these problems by allowing for cultivation and providing a warm, residue-free seed bed.

Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/20080117_74

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 14 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin goes through each of the tools, equipment, and supplies he uses on his farm, as well as other necessities for beginner farmers.. https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

Deep plowing dried out the soil surface too much for transplanting or direct seeding without irrigation or timely rainfall. Shallow tillage, on the other hand, preserved surface soil moisture by concentrating the organic matter from the cover crops and our limited supply of horse manure compost in the top two to three inches of the soil. Reducing the depth of soil disturbance also enhanced subsoil moisture movement to the surface via capillary action while the soil/cover crop mulch on top slowed evaporation.

Read the article: Whoa Till

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 13 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses why you should direct seed crops, temperature, moisture, using a precision seeder, and other tips. https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 12 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin why you should transplant crops, techniques for transplanting, alternative techniques and tools, and interplanting. https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

Jesse Way and Meghan Brandenberg join me to talk about their farm's evolution.  From starting at a farmers' market to later dropping it to sell exclusively online, they have adapted the farm to fit their lifestyle and customer base.

Follow Milky Way Farm

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

Sweet potatoes are not a big moneymaker for the amount of garden space they use, compared to more intensive crops like lettuce, tomatoes, and basil. However, they have some important advantages on our farm.

Read the article: Sweet Potato Propagation and Production

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 11 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses seed starting and nursery mangement. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 10 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses setting up irrigation. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

There are good reasons why quick-growing greens crops have gotten a lot of attention in no-till systems. But I wanted to try growing some less common no-till crops, so I grew test plots of potatoes and sweet potatoes on my farm this past year.

Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/notill-potatoes-and-sweet-potatoes

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 9 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses the pros and cons of winter growing. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 8 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses why you should get tunnels, types of tunnels, choosing the right tunnels, building tunnels, modifications, and other tips. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

Hardening off means introducing young plants gradually to the harsh realities that await them outside. Gardening books always recommend that you move them outside for a few hours, increasing the length of time every day for a week or more.

Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/Hardening-Off-Transplants

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 7 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses how he goes about crop planning. Overall considerations, sales outlets, seasonality and succession planting, timing, transplanting, harvesting and yields, and other tips. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

Farming an acre of vegetables in Wilton, Ontario, Evan Quigley has always aimed to bring the highest quality and consistency to market with a keen eye on profitability. Evan has achieved high quality and yields with a combination of techniques and careful management at The Kitchen Garden farm.

Read the article: https://www.growingformarket.com/articles/farming-small-recipe-profit 

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

The first two episodes of Carrot Cashflow will air here on Farm Small Farm Smart.  You can listen to the rest of the episodes by subscribing to the podcast.

iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-carrot-cashflow-trailer/id1616506647?i=1000555599534

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7yWbI4WFF0ZixQT8kEwukL?si=aa0dfe257c654e04

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Farmer Jeremy Tolley discusses why they go above and beyond to service their farm customers.  He shares the extra steps he takes to really make customers feel like they are getting something special.  He shares how he built his customer base using the website NextDoor.   You will also hear his thoughts on why these decided to start aggregating products from other farms.

Follow Red Thread Farm @redthreadfarm

Our new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store comes out in April!

Make farming easier with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

The first two episodes of Carrot Cashflow will air here on Farm Small Farm Smart.  You can listen to the rest of the episodes by subscribing to the podcast.

iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-carrot-cashflow-trailer/id1616506647?i=1000555599534

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7yWbI4WFF0ZixQT8kEwukL?si=aa0dfe257c654e04

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Farmer Vannah Roddy discusses the benefits of her weekly veggie box.  It's a program that has been successful for her as a farmer while also being something that works for customers.  

Follow Encompass Farm @encompassfarm

Our new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store comes out in April!

Make farming easier with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 6 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin discusses basic no-till practices and the importance of living soil. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

I started my farm in 2010, and in 2011 I reluctantly started a CSA program. I’d worked for CSA farms for years and honestly didn’t love the model. I’ve always been a farmers market devotee, and that’s where my heart is. But I had customers clamoring for a subscription option, so I decided to go for it.  Read the article: https://www.growingformarket.com/articles/marketbased-flex-csa

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 5 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin walks us through what has worked for him on his farm when it comes to prepping the soil and building beds. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features Module 4 in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks about how to access land, evaluating a property for a farm, overall farm design, drainage, standardization, tool storage, composting, material handling, farm access, wash station, customer access, and employees. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

It’s okay to say NO to your CSA members. If you are new to running a CSA, expanding to increase membership, or just trying to improve with every season, this advice is for you. You have my permission to be inflexible when it comes to members’ special requests. Read the article:

https://growingformarket.com/articles/set-boundaries-csa-members-and-set-yourself-up-success

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features the third module in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks about selecting the right crops for your farm and how to price them. More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features the second module in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks about the importance of doing market research, as well as the different market streams you can sell your products to.  More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

This episode of Farm Small Farm Smart features the first module in the Sattin Hill Market Farming Course, where Josh Sattin talks about the importance of setting goals prior to starting your farm business—from how many hours you want to work on the farm, to your expectations in your first year of farming.

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Farmer Josh Sattin joins me to talk about how he has modified his farm to fit his lifestyle. We get into some of the things that he has changed on his farm in recent years to make farming easier and more successful.

We also introduce a brand new, free farming course that Josh and I are launching.

Watch the Sattin Hill Farm Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQBEr4pd4

More on the course: https://www.paperpot.co/josh

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

All the evidence shows we cannot improve on nature’s model. So how do we put into action ecological principles of soil care that are based on non-disturbance? This chapter, excerpted from my book The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm, describes some of the techniques we employ to enhance the natural phenomena that protect and regenerate the soil.  Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/cover-cropping-notill-systems

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

Stewarding the Land offers insights on a holistic view of all aspects of caring for the land. This is a platform to share the stories of biologists, farmers, foresters, ranchers, conservationists, indigenous people, faith leaders, and anyone else involved in this work. We will discuss the most innovative, creative, and practical methods of restoring landscapes while making sure human needs are met in rural America.  Listen to more episodes: https://anchor.fm/noah-poulos/

Use code is "SMART" to get 30% off any new magazine subscription! 

For a small farm nerd, the best thing about touring farms around the country is experiencing growing systems in action. Over the past five years, I’ve done just that. My partner and I have had the amazing opportunity to work on more than 14 production-driven small farms and to visit dozens more. Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/notill-bed-flips-and-transplanting-protocols

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea wraps up the tenth part of the series going beyond compost tea.  How can you build and maintain great soil with other soil management practices.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks about what compost extract is.  How to make it.  How it is different from compost tea.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

I absolutely adore dahlias! In my opinion, they are a nearly perfect crop to have on the farm. With an extremely long harvest window of up to 3 months, these brilliant gems have become the workhorse of our summer garden. There are thousands of varieties to choose from in nearly every shape, size, and color and for a trialing fanatic like me, the process of choosing is a blast!  Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/Dahlias-are-well-worth-the-investment

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks about the many benefits of using compost tea for growing plants.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks walks through the different ways of applying compost tea from foliar sprays to root injections.  He covers simple to complex ways of application using a variety of equipment.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Garlic is grown and sold under hundreds of different variety names. However, research tells us that there are really only ten types of garlic. In this article, we will look at why there is so much confusion over garlic varieties, and what it means to you as a grower.  Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/garlic-varieties

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks walks through the steps of how to make compost tea.  From basic tea to more advanced brews Troy gives you some different options.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks about composter tea brewers - from small to large and homemade to purchased. 

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Consider growing cukes umbrella style by Andrew Mefferd.  Read the article: https://growingformarket.com/articles/considergrowingcukesumbrellastyle

Learn more about Growing for Market: 

https://growingformarket.com/

Follow Growing for Market:

https://www.instagram.com/growingformarketmagazine

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks about what materials and ingredients you need to brew quality compost tea.  He also discusses how varying these ingredients can change the microbial makeup of the tea.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea talks about compost production for great teas.  He also discusses which types of composts are a good fit for compost tea.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea discusses the importance of the soil food web and the microorganisms that make it up.  This is foundation information which will be built on later in the series.

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Troy Hinke of Living Roots Compost Tea begins his new series digging into the in and out of compost tea.  In Episode 1 Troy introduces the basic concepts of compost tea - what is it, how you make it.  

Follow Troy on IG: https://www.instagram.com/livingrootscomposttea/

This episode was produced by Diego Footer. 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Podcasts by Diego Footer:

Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW

Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m

Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG

Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

In Search of Soil: http://bit.ly/soilpodcast

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Andrew Mefferd of Growing for Market Magazine joins me to talk about why tomato graft is worth it.  Learn more about the magazine https://growingformarket.com/

Make farming easier with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

New podcasts:

Farm Small Farm Smart Daily (daily farm talk):

https://bit.ly/dailyfarmpodcast

The Black Machete (life design):

https://bit.ly/theblackmachete

Make farming easier with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

In this episode, Diego discusses how much people will actually pay for convenience.  With deliveries becoming more and more popular, it turns out people will pay a lot.  Comment on this episode on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

In this episode, Diego discusses Rose Creek Farm's Seasonal Farm Bag.  What it is and why it might make sense for your farm.  Check out their farm bag at: https://www.rosecreekfarmstore.com  Comment on this episode on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

In this episode, Diego talks about finding ourselves in The Tail End as parents and being a dad.  He also discusses being a dad and farmer with Jeremy Tolley of https://www.instagram.com/redthreadfarm.  We close out the episode talking kids TV that is actually good.  Comment on this episode on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

In this episode, Diego discusses the ways in which we lose people and how we can build memories with the people we have before we lose them.  He also asks the question - "Would you want this band to crash your Memorial Day Party?"  Comment on this episode on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Dr. Holly Roberts, a licensed psychologist, joins me to talk about the mental health crisis in America.  A crisis that is impacting the farm community at a greater rate than other industries.  We talk about what is mental and behavioral health, why it is important, why some people don't prioritize it enough, and how you can improve mental health.  We also talk about the importance of checking up on our kids for good mental health and encouraging communication and a positive mindset.

• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else.
• To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255.
• The Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. Text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

A lot of us who go into farming probably had an idealized vision of what farming as a career is supposed to be like and how our lives and lifestyles would just naturally meld into that vision when we start farming: grow some vegetables, sell them, pay the bills, live a quiet life while eating good food.

As simple as it sounds—and many of us have experienced this firsthand, no doubt—it doesn’t happen that way. There’s all the nitty-gritty of designing your operation, ensuring there’s a market for what you grow, and making sure the numbers are enough to keep you on a living wage, among other things.

So, say you’ve started farming for a while, but the lifestyle is leagues away from what you imagined it to be and it just isn’t hitting off. What would you do then?

In this episode, we’re talking to Sam Billings, someone who fell in love with the idea of permaculture and farming, tried it, and decided he was happier working at a company and gardening as a hobby instead of making it his full-time job.

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

In this episode of Farm Small, Farm Smart, we’re talking to Joel Konrad of Konrad Farm Markets who primarily sells pumpkins. 

Joel’s business model is both interesting and simple: he rents out spaces on busy streets and sets up self-service farm stands made of repurposed metal trailers. Despite the model’s simplicity, a few things go into the planning: choosing a well-populated street, choosing a property with good visibility, enough space for multiple cars to park at a time, and a safe spot to turn around.  When it comes to pricing, their method is equally as simple: eyeballing—largely dependent on the sizes rather than the weight.

Connect with Joel:

https://www.instagram.com/konradfarmmarkets/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

As farmers and business owners, it’s easy to get lost in productivity—the need to grow more, sell more, expand the farm, scale operations. 

This episode’s guest, Derek Amadi from Texas, is trying to spend more time with his family, enjoy the experiences of parenting, and pay attention to his farm just enough.

What about you? Spending time on the farm is inevitable, but it’s important to remember to take breaks every now and then and to be grateful for the things we have.

Follow Derek:

https://www.instagram.com/emadi_acres_farm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

We’ve just signed off from 2020 and we’re starting a new year in 2021. Looking back at the past year, how does it make you feel? Are you sighing with relief, just glad that it’s finally over? Or maybe you’re looking at how even though 2020 wasn’t that great of a year, there were still things to be happy and thankful about? Javan's workshop: https://allpointsdesign.ca/product/envision-2021-workshop/

In this episode of Farm Small, Farm Smart, we have Javan Bernakevitch, and we’re talking about year-end reviews: how you should do it, why you should do it, and how it can hopefully help set you up for a better 2021 by doing an honest self-reflection and setting intention. It won’t just be looking at facts and numbers, it’s also taking stock of your emotions, what brought you joy, what brought you suffering, and planning it out in the year ahead to get the same, or even better, results.

It's simply changing your approach.  

Follow Javan: 

https://allpointsdesign.ca/

https://allpointsdesign.ca/life-design

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Today Javan Bernakevitch and I each go through our top 5 life lessons from 2020. In total 10 simple ways of looking at life, approaching life, and thinking about life that can change your life tomorrow. I look at a lot of these lessons as base principles in an approach to life that very much contradicts the status quo.   None of these lessons require any money or technology to implement. There are no tools or techniques here. It's simply changing your approach.  

Follow Javan: 

https://allpointsdesign.ca/

https://allpointsdesign.ca/life-design

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Sheri Frey, co-founder of Arbico Organics - joins me to talk about how you can use beneficial insects on your farm or in your garden to help control pest pressure.  She also discusses how beneficial insects are just one part of integrated pest management. 

Learn more about Arbico Organics - https://www.arbico-organics.com/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

The pandemic brought about several restaurant closures, and that does not spell well for the farmers supplying them.  But like many things in life, it's the tough times that bring out the best in people.  

Today, we’re talking to farmer Adam Pollack of Closed Loop Farms in Chicago, IL.  In March Adam had to deal with a loss of the majority of his restaurant customer base overnight due to COVID-19.  Instead of trying to wait for restaurants to come back online, Adam and his team set out to rebuild their whole business model from the ground up.  They shifted from selling only to restaurants to selling directly to consumers.  With a shift in their customer base, they also had to shift the products they were selling.  Closed Loop Farms began aggregating products from other local producers and shifting their microgreen production to meet new demand.  Overall the changes weren't easy, but it has worked out so far and put their business in a stronger position going forward.

Adam is a great example of a business owner that adapted and pivoted when his back was up against the wall showing that regardless of how hard things might seem, there's always a way out.  

Adam is a microgreen farmer and the owner of Closed Loop Farms. His farm was servicing nearly one hundred restaurants in the Chicago area until the pandemic came. Now, he and his team have adapted by going online. 

Closed Loop Farms – Website | Shopify | Facebook | Instagram

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Jessica Washkowiak from Field to Fork Farm joins me to talk about why she loves the CSA business model for their farm.  We also discuss how they run their CSA, manage crop diversity, and how they market their CSA.  

Field to Fork Farm https://www.instagram.com/fieldtoforkcsa/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

The owner of Mumm's Sprouting Seeds, Lisa Mumm, joins Chris Thoreau and me to talk about how Mumm's sources high-quality microgreen seeds.  Most of those seeds are sourced locally in Saskatchewan.  Lisa also details their extensive procedures that ensure that all of the seed they sell is pathogen-free.   

You can purchase microgreen seeds at Mumm's Sprouting Seeds https://www.sprouting.com 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Microgreen grower Chris Thoreau joins me to talk about the importance of sourcing high quality, pathogen-free seed for a microgreens operation.   

Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Farmer and Entrepreneur Chaz Daughtry (http://www.soulfitgrill.com/) joins me to discuss the two different online sales platforms he is using to sell his vegetables and his spice blends.  One platform is a very beginner, basic platform, and the other is more advanced.  Chaz also details why he got into creating spice blends and what running that business is like.

Follow Chaz https://www.instagram.com/sweetwaterfarmshtx

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Farmer Erich Schultz joins me to talk about lessons he has learned after moving his farm several times over the past 10 years.  Along the way, Erich has streamlined his farming operation to use fewer tools and use simpler processes.  He also talks about partnering with developers to gain access to land.  

Follow Erich https://www.instagram.com/steadfastfarm

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Farmer Derek Emadi joins me to talk about why he is growing most of his summer vegetables under shade cloth.  It's a passive tool that provides multiple benefits to him and his crop.

Follow Derek https://www.instagram.com/emadi_acres_farm

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Success and fulfillment aren't the same things and they don't necessarily go hand in hand.  Success doesn't guarantee happiness and it might be something you can never actually achieve.  Which one are you seeking?  And is that the right thing for you?  

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Nikolay Georgiev joins me to talk about the process of breeding hybrid tomatoes.  We get into the science discussing what is possible in terms of disease resistance and what problems breeding could solve.  You'll also learn how a farmer or gardener could create some localized resilience by breeding their own seeds.  It's everything you ever wanted to know about breeding tomatoes.

Learn more about Geosem Select's seeds: https://geosemselect.com/en/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Dr. Robert Pyne joins me to talk about the work VDF Specialty Seeds has done to develop a line of basil that is downy mildew resistant.  Throughout the episode, we core the science behind plant breeding - how to you get the traits that you want to come through, how many generations does it take, how do you stabilize a line.  The interview should give you a really good overview of how traditional plant breeding works.

Learn more about their resistant Rutgers line of basil - https://www.vdfspecialtyseeds.com/

Follow VDF - https://www.instagram.com/vdfspecialtyseeds/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

What do you want to leave behind - an asset that society can build off or a liability that society has to clean up?  It's never too late to start building your legacy and do good things.

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Liset Garcia of Sweet Girl Farms joins me to talk about her first year of farming - how she started, what worked, and how she is evolving the business.  

Follow Liset https://www.instagram.com/sweetgirlfarms

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

James Grevious of Rebels in the Garden joins me to talk about the importance of farming for the community.  Farming inspires, provides hope, brings people together, and sets a positive example.  Our conversation goes beyond business to talk about ways farming can help change a culture and bring people together.

Follow James https://www.instagram.com/rebelsinthegarden/ 

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Farmer Justin Gay joins me to talk about his thoughts on the murder of George Floyd while sharing his thoughts on what it is like to live life being Black in America.  While his experience is unique in his way, it showcases that there are differences between growing up black and white in a country where a lot of people assume everyone is equal.  

Connect with Justin: 

https://www.instagram.com/theseedsofxanxadu/

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSeedsOfXanxadu

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Hiring troubles?  Nervous about hiring?  Then this is the episode for you.  I am joined by Farmer and HR Specialist Jeremy Tolley of Red Thread Farm.  Jeremy has spent the past 20 years of his career in HR, recruiting and training. He's hired (directly or through my staff) literally thousands of people.  In this episode, he will share 8 tips to help you hire better employees for your farm.

Follow Jeremy:

https://www.instagram.com/redthreadfarm/

https://www.redthreadfarm.com

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Entrepreneurship 101:

Why You Will Fail, Flail, and Falter & How You Can Succeed Despite It (A 25+ Part Series)

Episode #14: Rigidly Adhering to Ideology

Each week on 15 FOR LIFE, I cover a straightforward business lesson to carry forward for life.  

When your business runs better and smoother, your life runs better and more seamless.  I hope sharing my tips and experiences can help everyone in your life and your business benefit.  

Diego Footer hosts the podcast - a work-at-home, home-schooling dad trying to run a growing business and be the best teacher, father, and husband he can be.  Not always perfect, but still trying.

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Farmer Dan Brisebois shares some of his experience selling produce and seeds online.  Their farm uses two different platforms to manage their seed sales and CSA program.  Which programs do they use for each and why?  What features does Dan like and not like?  We close the episode with some of Dan's thoughts on the future of seed and vegetables in a post-COVID-19 world.  Learn more about Dan and sign up for his weekly newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/

Dan's Facebook Group - Move Your Farm Store Online Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlinefarmstore/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Entrepreneurship 101:

Why You Will Fail, Flail, and Falter & How You Can Succeed In Spite of It (A 25+ Part Series)

Episode #13: Not Accepting How Hard It Really Is

Each week on 15 FOR LIFE I cover one simple business lesson to carry forward for life.  

When your business runs better and smoother, your life runs better and smoother.  I hope sharing my tips and experiences can help everyone in your life and your business benefit.  

The podcast is hosted by Diego Footer - a work-at-home, home-schooling dad trying to run a growing business and be the best teacher, father, and husband he can be.  Not always perfect, but always trying.

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Today I talk to Cole Jones of Local Line - an online sales platform for online farm stores, food hubs, managing CSA's and for online farmers' markets.  We get into how to choose the right platform for your farm and what to look for in a platform provider.  Learn more about Local Line: https://go.localline.ca/paperpot

Get a FREE premium service with a Local Line paid subscription: https://go.localline.ca/paperpot

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Entrepreneurship 101:

Why You Will Fail, Flail, and Falter & How You Can Succeed In Spite of It (A 25+ Part Series)

Episode #12: Lack of Confidence

Each week on 15 FOR LIFE I cover one simple business lesson to carry forward for life.  

When your business runs better and smoother, your life runs better and smoother.  I hope sharing my tips and experiences can help everyone in your life and your business benefit.  

The podcast is hosted by Diego Footer - a work-at-home, home-schooling dad trying to run a growing business and be the best teacher, father, and husband he can be.  Not always perfect, but always trying.

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Laura Patterson of Hand-Grown Greens joins me to talk about her entrepreneurial journey that involves switching careers, balancing family and work, raising kids as a business owner, and grower her business. 

Follow Laura at https://www.instagram.com/handgrowngreens

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Today we’re interviewing Jordan McPhee of Maple Bloom Farm from Prince Edward Island, whose farmers’ market was recently shut down due to the COVID pandemic. He organized an effort to bring the local vendors from his market online so that their customers could continue to patronize them at one central pickup location. 

Learn more about Waggon https://www.waggon.ca

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Entrepreneurship 101:

Why You Will Fail, Flail, and Falter & How You Can Succeed In Spite of It (A 25+ Part Series)

Episode #11: Failure to Keep Records

Each week on 15 FOR LIFE I cover one simple business lesson to carry forward for life.  

When your business runs better and smoother, your life runs better and smoother.  I hope sharing my tips and experiences can help everyone in your life and your business benefit.  

The podcast is hosted by Diego Footer - a work-at-home, home-schooling dad trying to run a growing business and be the best teacher, father, and husband he can be.  Not always perfect, but always trying.

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Katherine Creswell of Moose Meadow Farm joins me to talk about why they started their online store. Their online store brings in $15,000 of additional farm income during the winter when there aren't any other sales options locally.

Follow them at:

https://www.moosemeadoworganic.com/

http://instagram.com/moosemeadowfarm

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Today we’re talking to John Findlay, who raises mushrooms on his farm in Ontario, Canada. He raises them locally to sell to farmer’s markets and chefs. He’s had a lot of success, and in this episode, he’s going to share what his journey has been like. From expenses to techniques, and even a discussion on what it would be like as a vegetable farmer to add mushrooms onto their operation, this far-ranging conversation will give you a full introduction to what it might look like to start growing mushrooms on your farm in 2020.

While more technical and costly to invest in upfront than veg, mushrooms can offer growers a potentially open market if there isn’t another producer in your region. If you want to learn more from John, you can find him on the web on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Findlay’s Fungus. If you are interested in hearing more about the topic of growing mushrooms on the podcast, you can reach out to me @DiegoFooter on Instagram and let me know your thoughts. 

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Max Becher and Mike Roberts of Farmivore join me to talk about how they are aggregating products and selling them online in their farm store using Shopify.

Follow Farmivore: 

https://www.instagram.com/farmivore.farm/

https://farmivore.farm/

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Today we interview Troy and Cindy Dickens of Tilth and Timber farm in MA. They are only a few months into their journey.

We discuss how they got into farming and what their challenges have been so far. What about their lifestyle changed when they dropped corporate income for farm income? And what is their vision of where they want their farm to go?

If you want to follow along with Cindy and Troy you can find them on Instagram @tilth_and_timber and on the web at https://www.tilthandtimber.com You can also find their journey in their converted bus on Instagram @whitewhaleskoolie.

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/

Ray Tyler joins me to talk about his online store that runs on Shopify.  We get into what he likes about the platform and how going online has allowed him to drastically increase his sales from compared to when he only did farmers' markets.

Ray's video about his online store - https://www.lettuceclass.com/online1584552383046

Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/

Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot

Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i

Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/