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Small Farm Nation

108 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 163 ratings

Farming | Farm Life | Homesteading | Self-Reliance

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Episodes

How to respond to “why are your farm products so expensive?”

August 09, 2021 12:59 - 9.08 MB

In this episode, we'll discuss what to say when someone asks "why are your farm products so expensive?" To master farm marketing, join the Small Farm Nation Academy whenever you're ready. GET STARTED

Should you partner with other farmers?

July 26, 2021 12:53 - 8.26 MB

How to grow your farm’s email list

July 12, 2021 08:00 - 10.4 MB

Should you worry about email unsubscribes?

July 05, 2021 12:58 - 7.16 MB

How to get more traffic to your farm website

June 30, 2021 05:52 - 9.2 MB

When to use storytelling with farm marketing

June 23, 2021 05:49 - 7.54 MB

Is the customer REALLY the hero of your story?

June 09, 2021 05:44 - 7.94 MB

Should You Outsource Any Farm Marketing

June 02, 2021 05:40 - 4.7 MB

Biggest Mistakes with Farm Websites

May 20, 2021 14:30 - 5.3 MB

7 Winter Farm Marketing Tips

December 26, 2020 02:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MB

So it’s December and we’re winding down the farm season. Let's take advantage of this time to focus on one of the most strategically important areas of our business—of any business. And that is marketing. In this episode I'll walk you through 7 Farm Marketing tasks you can perform this winter to get your farm in great shape for next year.

How to Tackle Farm Price Objections: Farm Podcast

October 10, 2020 10:38 - 14 minutes - 12.8 MB

We all know that sustainably produced food is more expensive than supermarket food, so how do we explain that when challenged? This week I want to discuss a challenge that many small farmers face.  It’s one that they seem to all dread and it puts them on the defensive. It’s the whole issue of defending why their products cost so much. Or, at least seems to cost so much.

How to Create an Email List for your Farm

October 10, 2020 02:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

One of the challenges I hear most often expressed from small farmers (really any small business, actually), is how difficult it is to create an email list of potential customers. In this episode, we'll discuss three keys to putting your list-building efforts on autopilot so you can grow your email list.

THE FARM ONE-PAGE BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE

October 13, 2019 02:00 - 20 minutes - 18.5 MB

Okay, so it’s strategy week here on the Small Farm Nation podcast. And nothing says “strategy” more than business planning, so that’s the focus this week. Now, the first thing you're told to do when starting a business is to write a business plan. But should you? Do traditional business plans help? Or is there a better way. Yes, there is a better way, and in this episode I'll walk you through how to create an actionable one-page business plan.

8 Logo design mistakes

October 06, 2019 02:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

What do most people think of when they think of branding? They think of logos. In fact, many people think that their logo is their brand. And you can’t have a great brand without a super cool logo design, can you? Today, I’m gonna tell you the mistakes you’re making with your farm logo design and what you really should be doing, instead.

Learn to become a farm entrepreneur

September 29, 2019 02:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MB

What can you do if you have a business but you’re not a natural entrepreneur? In this farm podcast, I’m gonna show you how to stop working ON your business rather than being a slave to it so you can avoid burnout and realize your entrepreneurial dreams. And I've got a special, awesome download to help you do just that.

Why You Must Create a Great Farm Brand

August 04, 2019 02:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

Is branding important for your farm business? Let’s start with what I mean by the word “brand” because it’s a word that we hear often, but we may not understand the meaning.  I mean, what does the word “brand” mean anyway?

7 Habits of Successful Farm Marketers

July 07, 2019 02:00 - 12 minutes - 17.4 MB

So what’s the secret to marketing farm and local food products? Today, I’ll tell you, and set you on a solid foundation for marketing your farm and/or food products. Because, if we produce great food and farm products and there’s no one to buy it, what’s the point?

How to Grow Your Farm’s Email List: Farm Podcast

June 23, 2019 02:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MB

An email list is your most important communication asset, and email marketing is a great way to sell your farm products. But how do you build a list in the first place? In this episode I walk you through the four not-so-simple steps of email list building for your farm business.

Why Small Farms Fail: Farm Podcast

June 16, 2019 02:00 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MB

Small businesses routinely fail in every industry segment, but what   causes small farms to fail? In this episode I share 7 reasons why small farms fail, so you learn what not to do so that your farm thrives. I'll walk you through seven reasons why small farms fail.

Is your farm a money-sucking hobby or a profitable business?

June 09, 2019 02:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

The phrase hobby farm is cute and all, but what’s the difference between a hobby farm and a farming business? In this episode, I’m going to tell you why you might have a farm hobby that costs you money rather than a thriving farm business that earns you money.

How to Start a Farm Business: Farming Podcast

June 02, 2019 02:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MB

Want to know How to Start a Farm Business? Here are 11 rules that will guide you so that your farm business is profitable, sustainable and enjoyable!

How Farmers Use Coolbots to Keep Products Cool: Farm Podcast

May 19, 2019 02:00 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MB

Whether you're selling market vegetables, pastured meats or raw milk and farmstead cheese, one thing's for certain. You gotta keep your products cool to preserve shelf life. In this episode, we learn how farmers use Coolbots to do just that.

Why your farm’s ideal customer doesn’t matter: Farming Podcast

May 12, 2019 02:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

You’ve probably heard how important it is to define and communicate with your ideal customer. So is it? In this episode, I’ll tell you why it’s a waste of time focusing on mythical ideal customers and walk you through what you should be doing, instead!

Should you start a Facebook page or a Facebook group?

May 05, 2019 02:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MB

This week I’ll answer a listener’s question on whether it’s best to start a Facebook page or a Facebook group for her farm. I cover the pros and cons of each and describe what you can do with a Facebook page that you can't do in a group, and vice versa.

Why You Must Start Marketing Before You Start Farming

April 21, 2019 02:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

If you’re planning to start a farm—or any small business—when should you start marketing it? In this episode I explain why you should start marketing your farm BEFORE you even open for business.

How to Create a Great Farm Brand: Farm Podcast

April 14, 2019 02:00 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MB

Building a recognized brand for your farm business is one of your most important priorities. This episode discusses why and how to do it.

Selling meat by weight online & taking payments for farm tours

April 07, 2019 02:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MB

This week I tackle three questions. One is about the tricky issue of selling meat by product weight online. A related question is about managing inventory of meat when selling both online and at a farm store. And the third question is about managing the reservation and payment process for farm tours.

Robert Brady on Marketing Your Farm with Google Ads

March 31, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MB

This week I’m speaking with a farmer turned online marketing expert about how to use Google Ads to attract customers to your farm business. If you're interested in farm marketing, you'll get a lot out of Robert's expertise, as I did.  Enjoy the episode!

How to Set Wholesale Prices & When to Buy Farm Equipment

March 24, 2019 02:00 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MB

This week I address listener questions on: When to buy farm equipment, whether to buy new or used equipment, and how to set wholesale prices for farm products.

How to Write a Great About Page for Your Farm

March 17, 2019 02:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MB

Lots of farmers struggle with how to share their story. In this week's farm podcast, I share the advice I gave to a farmer about how to share her story and create a great about page for your website.

When to Avoid Sales Funnels and Marketing Gimmicks

March 10, 2019 02:00 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MB

In this farm podcast, I discuss why you may not want to use automated sales funnels and marketing gimmicks in marketing your farm business. I describe the Jeff Walker Product Launch Formula, what it's designed to do and why I recommend that farmers exercise caution with this strategy.

Joel Salatin on How to Swap a Depressing Job for a Rewarding Farm

March 03, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 76.5 MB

In this farm podcast, Joel Salatin and I have a provocative discussion about how to quit an unfulfilling job and start a farm business. Joel offers some real gems in this episode, as he outlines his seven rules for starting a profitable farm. We talk at length about his latest book, Your Successful Farm Business, which can be thought of as a graduate course to the book that got so many people started in farming, You Can Farm!

How to Start a Profitable Flower Farm

February 24, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 76 MB

People have been talking about the importance of local food for years but what about local flowers? In this farm podcast, I'm speaking with a "farmpreneur" who found the courage to quit her job and start a thriving flower farm. Even though she had never farmed before.

How to Start a Farm Tanning Sheepskins

February 17, 2019 02:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MB

As sustainable livestock farmers, we want to honor the whole animal. But what about when it comes to using the animals hides? Joining me in this farm podcast, is Sarah Scully founder of Vermont Natural Sheepskins. Sarah and her husband, Rick, started the first commercial organic tannery in America.

How to Scale Up Pastured Poultry

February 10, 2019 06:00 - 1 hour - 68.6 MB

Guess what? You CAN start a pastured poultry business and scale it to a size that supports a family. Or multiple families. Tune in as Paul Grieve from Pasturebird and Primal Pastures shares the story of how his family has done just that.

Starting Up a New Farm

February 03, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 62.7 MB

In this farm podcast, I talk about the sometimes long and steady process of setting up a new farm. My guest is Jenn Colby of Howling Wolf Farm in Vermont. We also tackle the touchy issue of why it's sometimes more challenging for women farmers than men. Listen in to see what you think.

Craft Meat With Crowd Cow

January 26, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MB

In this farm podcast, I examine one of the biggest problems consumers face when wanting to buy directly from farmers, the problem of convenience. I talk with Joe Heitzeberg, co-founder and CEO of Crowd Cow. It’s an interesting business model that is endeavoring to make it easier for farmers and consumers to come together and celebrate what Crowd Cow calls “craft meat.” Tune in for a great story.

Meat Rabbits

January 20, 2019 02:00 - 1 hour - 68.6 MB

Today I’m speaking with Callene and Eric Rapp of Rare Hare Barn in Kansas. I love this topic of raising rabbits for meat because, in general, our society has become very disconnected from our food—and what food is, right? Nowhere in the meat world is that more evidenced than with rabbits. We discuss many fascinating aspects of running a rabbit enterprise on a small farm. Whether you’re a consumer, chef, homesteader or farmer, this is a thoroughly interesting discussion about the life (and de...

Sheep & Artisan Cheese

January 13, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 84.3 MB

In this episode I’m joined by Sarah Hoffman of Green Dirt Farm in Missouri, where she raises sheep on pasture, milks them and turns their milk into award-winning cheese. We discuss Sarah’s journey to farm life and how her desire to raise children in that setting led her and her husband to make some courageous career choices.

Greg Judy: Leasing Farm Land

January 06, 2019 13:22 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MB

Greg Judy went from having $8 in his pocket after a long divorce to now farming over 1,600 acres. In this episode, Greg and I recap how he got started, mistakes he’s made and what he looks for in terms of farm properties. He shares his best tips on negotiating leases, what fencing tools to use and even what type of cattle to raise.

A huge email list mistake

December 03, 2018 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14.1 MB

Today I want to cover a critical mistake that almost everyone makes with their email list. Not just farmers, but over 90% of ALL businesses. And I don’t want you to continue making that mistake, so we’re gonna set you on the right path today. Because, as you no doubt know why now, building a thriving, engaged list of email subscribers is hugely important to the success of your business.

How many farm brands?

November 26, 2018 04:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MB

So it’s branding week here on the Small Farm Nation podcast. And we’re going to talk about not just branding, but how many farm brands you should have. So this isn't a super long episode but it is super important. Because farming lends itself to multiple enterprises and multiple products more than any industry I know of. I mean, imagine you raise cows and only cows. Sounds like you have one product, right? Well...

How to be an entrepreneur

November 19, 2018 04:00 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MB

What can you do if you have a business but you’re not a natural entrepreneur? In this farm podcast, I’m gonna show you how to stop working ON your business rather than being a slave to it so you can avoid burnout and realize your entrepreneurial dreams. And I've got a special, awesome download to help you do just that.

How to Create an Email List

November 12, 2018 04:00 - 15 minutes - 14 MB

So it’s marketing week here on the Small Farm Nation podcast. And one of the challenges I hear most often expressed from small farmers (really any small business, actually), is how difficult it is to create an email list of potential customers. In this episode we'll discuss three keys to putting your list-building efforts on autopilot so you can grow your email list.

Farm Website Platform Comparison

November 05, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

It’s online marketing week here on the Small Farm Nation podcast. And this week we’re talking websites, or, more specifically, what website design tool you should use. And we have plenty of options, right? There’s lots of website builders out there—you know, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy, and WordPress. I'll walk you through all the options and help you decide what's right for your farm business.

Website Platform Comparison

November 05, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

It’s online marketing week here on the Small Farm Nation podcast. And this week we’re talking websites, or, more specifically, what website design tool you should use. And we have plenty of options, right? There’s lots of website builders out there—you know, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy, and WordPress. I'll walk you through all the options and help you decide what's right for your farm business.

Guests

Curtis Stone
1 Episode
Joel Salatin
1 Episode
Justin Rhodes
1 Episode