The Thriving Farmer Podcast
289 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 283 ratingsIf you’re looking to build a profitable farm that works, The Thriving Farmer Podcast is for you. Learn the latest tricks and strategies from successful farmers, strategize with in-depth interviews with leaders in the industry, and connect with stories of farmers just like you. With over 15 years of farming background, your host Michael Kilpatrick has the experience and authority to bring you practical advice, ask the hard questions, tease out the gold nuggets, and help share what it’s really like to build a truly profitable, sustainable farm. In the interviews, we focus on building farms that last, setting up your systems, knowing your customers, building your team, and treading that ever-challenging work/family/life balance.
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Episodes
89. Collin Thompson on Efficient, Strategic, and Multi-Faceted Farming
September 01, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBHow do you create a farm that focuses on efficiency and quality? We’re joined today by Collin Thompson, of Willowsford Farm in Ashburn, Virginia. Willowsford’s mission is to grow both food and community, connecting families in NoVa directly to their food source. Originally from the fertile land of northeastern Iowa, agriculture has always been a passion of Collin’s. Though he wasn’t raised on a farm, he has spent over a decade refining his production and management skills on a variety of f...
88. Hälsa Founders, Helena & Mika on Revolutionizing the Common Oat
August 25, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBWho are the faces behind Hälsa Foods and how are they revolutionizing the way oats are used? Today we are joined by Mika and Helena from natural plant-based food company Hälsa. Mika and Helena’s goal is to change how plant-based food is grown and manufactured. Their technology revolutionizes the way plant-based foods are made: without a single artificial ingredient, drastically reducing cost and waste. Their farm initiative helps U.S. dairy farmers diversify to growing premium organic oats...
87. Rachel Miller on Thriving with Social Media
August 18, 2020 14:00 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBHow should a farmer go about increasing awareness of their business in this digital age? Today we’re taking the show in a bit of a different direction by delving into the world of digital marketing, the likes of which we and many of our fellow farmers utilize in order to truly thrive in today’s world. Our guest today, Rachel Miller, is a serial online entrepreneur and a mother of six. She began as a mom blogger and went on to build something much bigger. She’s a published author of multip...
86. Bonus Episode - Lori Rice on Farm Fresh Photography
August 14, 2020 14:00 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBHow can farms, ranches, and other producers of food products utilize multimedia to showcase their goods? Lori Rice, our guest on this bonus episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, not only provides professional photography and writing services to food and drink brands, but educates and inspires artisanal food and beverage entrepreneurs, growers, and other creatives who hope to style and shoot their own food and product photos through her CreatingYOU family of online courses and trainings. ...
85. Andy Chae on Urban Farming in Detroit
August 11, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBShould you consider a career in farming if you are in an urban setting? Our guest on this week’s Thriving Farmer Podcast thinks you should! Andy Chae of Fisheye Farms in Detroit, Michigan grows sustainably-raised produce, herbs, and flowers in a farm-to-chef business for restaurants and markets in the Detroit area. Andy became enamored with urban agriculture and the opportunity it presents to positively impact the world. He pursued volunteer and apprenticeship opportunities throughout his ...
84. Michael Jordan on BEE Whispering
August 04, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 76.3 MBHave you ever thought about beekeeping as a career and passion? This week’s guest explains why you should. We have the pleasure of interviewing Michael Jordan. No, not the NBA superstar and lead role in Space Jam, but master of beekeeping and award-winning mead maker. Known as the BEE Whisperer, Michael is the founder and CEO of A BEE Friendly Company INC in Cheyenne, Wyoming. A BEE Friendly Company INC aren’t just beekeepers… they’re bee activists, educating others on how to properly keep...
83. Alessia & Virginia on CSA with a Free-Choice Twist
July 28, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBDo you have a childhood friend that you work well with? If so, why not start a farm? This week’s Thriving Farmer Podcast features besties since high school, Virginia Winkler and Alessia McCobb of Sound Pine Farm, located in Brunswick, Maine. Sound Pine Farm grows on three acres of land nestled at the mouth of Middle Bay Cove. They are dedicated to cultivating a healthy farm ecosystem without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This is accomplished by applying organic compost, ...
82. Greg Peterson on The Art and Science of Working With Nature
July 20, 2020 20:37 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBWhat is permaculture and how does one live by it? Greg Peterson, of The Urban Farm in Phoenix, Arizona, is a green living and sustainability innovator who has made a great regional name for himself. He has appeared extensively on television and radio and is a frequent guest columnist for publications. His mission is to inspire people to embrace their own greenness, which he does daily by living what he speaks. He is an expert in permaculture (which he likes to call the art and science of ...
81. Ruby Reid on Value-Added Farming on Your Own Terms
July 14, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 67 MBAre you seeking insight on Certified Naturally Grown farming, beekeeping, and/or including value-added products into your business repertoire? On this week’s episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we are joined by Ruby Reid of Valhalla Organics. Based in Talent, Oregon, Valhalla Organics are committed to and highly passionate about sustainable living and growing premium organic food. In 2017, they purchased five acres of rural land in Bonanza, Oregon (Klamath mountains). The land is in a ...
80. Carrie Chlebanowski on Looney Farming
July 07, 2020 14:00 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBWhat is The Looney Farm and what is their unique approach to the business? Carrie Chlebanowski of The Looney Farm (a Certified Naturally Grown farm), joins us today to tell us all about her and her husband Joe’s farming operation. Located in central Oklahoma near Oklahoma City, The Looney Farm started their little homestead in February of 2015 learning to raise and grow as much of their own food as possible. After closely studying market garden legends, they transitioned their homestead in...
79. Dan Miller on Funding for Sustainable Farms
June 30, 2020 14:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBWhat is crowdfarming and how can it facilitate investments in sustainable farming? Dan Miller, founder and CEO of crowdfarming platform (TM) Steward, joins us today to talk about crowdfarming, exactly what it means, and how he implements it to best service his clients and farms. When asked about what inspired him to start Steward, Dan cites an interaction with a well-known chef in his hometown of Washington D.C. where he mentioned the difficulties facing independent farmers that supplied h...
78. Nicole Masters on "For the Love of the Soil"
June 22, 2020 19:22 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBAre you tuned into and tending to the vast cultures and activity taking place underneath your farm? Widely renowned agroecologist, systems thinker, educator and storyteller, Nicole Masters, joins us today to impart some valuable knowledge about the often misunderstood realm of soil science. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Nicole founded Integrity Soils Ltd in 2002, a company dedicated to comprehensive regeneration of our food production systems. Integrity Soils Ltd is a treasure trove ...
77. Ryan Thiessen on Efficiency with Small Farm Mechanical Cultivation
June 16, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 77.1 MBWho produces modern tools that make the lives of small vegetable farmers so much easier? Ryan Thiessen of Ontario Canada joins us today to tell us how he does exactly that, and what led him to becoming the producer of such optimal tools. Thiessen Tillage Equipment was born of a need for small scale equipment on Ryan’s own mixed vegetable farm, Creek Shore Farms in St. Catharines, Ontario. After spending years making tools for himself, Ryan began making those same tools for the wider farmin...
76. Denis Morsomme on Professional Vegetable Farming in Belgium
June 09, 2020 14:00 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBHave you ever wondered what farming is like across the pond? If so, you’re in luck because we don’t allow 4000 miles of water and considerable cultural and geographical differences slow us down in our quest for farming knowledge worldwide! Joining us today all the way from Bastogne, Belgium is Denis Morsomme of Micro-Ferme du Ponceret. Micro-Ferme du Ponceret is a vegetable farm that operates on the basis of an economic ecosystem made up of four production units: market gardening, store, ...
75. Lydell Steiner on Modernizing Small Farm Equipment
June 02, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBWhere do you turn as a small farm when your equipment is obsolete, dilapidated, and/or difficult to replace? Joining us today is Lydell Steiner from Dalton, Ohio. He is the director of sales at Tilmor, a Marketplace for small growers, where you can develop, collaborate, source and stock tools for the small farm industry. Tilmor’s roots are of a small fourth-generation family farm with more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing turf and agricultural equipment. Many small g...
74. Lisa Kivirist on Diversified Advocacy and Passion for Women in Farming
May 26, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBWho is advocating for the underserved and under-recognized women in the farming business? Hailing from Wisconsin, Lisa Kivirist is an author, women-farmer, cottage-food activist, and highly-accomplished entrepreneur. So needless to say, she knows a thing or two about vocation diversification! Lisa is a Senior Fellow Endowed Chair in Agricultural Systems at the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Minnesota, focusing on identifying opportunities to champion ...
73. Ken Myszka on Farm to Table 2.0
May 19, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBHow does a chef become the founder of a restaurant, farming, and catering enterprise? Ken Myszka has shown us that while it’s not easy, it’s certainly doable! Well equipped with impressive culinary experience and a vision for a sustainable farm/restaurant, Ken founded the Epiphany Farms Enterprise in Bloomington, Illinois. His mission is to create a diversified, pasture-based food system that blends beyond organic farming with impeccable food. Ken sees Epiphany Farms as a catalyst for so...
72. Javan Bernakevitch on Values-Based Regenerative Land Design
May 12, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 96.5 MBWhat does a land designer do, and how can they rejuvenate farms and set them up to thrive? Joining us today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast is Javan Bernakevitch. Javan is a skilled landscape designer, as well as a practitioner in providing peace of mind for farmers. In his company, All Points Land Design, Javan works collaboratively with homesteaders, organizations, and families creating regenerative landscapes and livelihoods. On the principle that no project is completed in isolation, he...
71. John Kempf on Advanced Biological Farming
May 05, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 97.9 MBWho can you turn to for comprehensive information and assistance if your farm has produced one too many lackluster harvests? We are honored to have John Kempf, the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, with us today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast! AEA is a leading plant nutrition and biostimulants consulting company. John is a top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming. In 2006, he founded AEA to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that...
70. Mark Baker on his Experience with the Food Police
April 28, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 88.8 MBWhat course of action can a farm take if they’re being strong-armed by a local privatized bureaucracy? Mark Baker of Baker’s Green Acres in Marion, Michigan joins us today to share his story. Baker’s Green Acres provides high quality meat products raised in the most natural way possible. Pasture feeding is a main component of their methods to produce the best tasting, "cleanest" meat they can. Using these methods, they raise GMO free and pasture raised pork, chicken, and beef. However, M...
69. Jason Hirtz on Profitable Greens Production
April 21, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 67.1 MBHow would you go about running and maintaining a USDA certified vegetable farm using tunnels to grow your crops? Jason Hirtz of Box Turtle Farm in Mount Vernon, Missouri joins us today to discuss what he does and why he does it the way he does it! Box Turtle Farm passionately believes that consumers deserve the choice to feed their families the best food possible. Jason shares with us the ins and outs of his modern tunnel systems, the specifics of the biosolarization methods, seeding techn...
68. Jeremiah Vernon on Diversification through Value Adding
April 14, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBHow do you carve out a solid market for pasture raised chicken in a crowded marketplace? Jeremiah Vernon of Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, New Hampshire joins us today to share how he is proving the value of good old fashioned unmodified food to his community. Vernon Family Farm has gone from moving 1200 chickens to 20000 in just six years, while maintaining optimal operations. Jeremiah shares about his background, how they have scaled their on-farm store and now event space, and how ...
67. Mark Cannella on Persevering through Economic Distress
April 09, 2020 20:00 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBWho can you turn to when you need assistance in the business side of farming? Our guest today, Mark Cannella, of Vermont, is here to share exactly how he fills that role and helps farmers through precarious financial times and situations. Mark has been working in the field of agriculture for over ten years. He has managed farm operations in vegetable production, maple sugaring, and agricultural education. His current focus is the management and delivery of farm business planning program...
66. Andre Cantelmo on Thriving with the Seasons
April 07, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 68.8 MBWhat goes into owning and operating a farm that grows over 250 varieties of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers year-round? Veteran four-season farmer Andre Cantelmo of South Hampton, New Hampshire joins us today to deliver an in-depth answer to that question plus much more! Heron Pond Farm began the year-round farming business in 1998, allowing them to grow and maintain an incredibly skilled and experienced staff whose passion brings higher yields, quality, and flavor to their food al...
65. Bonus Episode - Robert Arnold On Modernizing Farming Operations
April 02, 2020 23:00 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBHow do you thrive and stay thriving as a small family-run, fully-diversified, year-round organic fruit and vegetable farm? Robert Arnold, son of Pleasant Valley Farm founders Paul and Sandy Arnold, joins us today to speak about the farm and the role he plays in keeping it thriving! Pleasant Valley Farm runs everything like a business by focusing on efficiency, lean principles, customer-driven marketing practices, constant improvements, crop research, and use of cutting edge technology. ...
64. Terry Durham on Small-Batch Elderberry Cultivation and Product Creation
March 31, 2020 14:00 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBHow can you establish yourself as an elderberry expert and run a reputable farm and business using that expertise? Missouri’s Terry Durham, of River Hills Harvest joins us today to detail exactly why elderberries are such a hot topic in farming. River Hills ensures top quality elderberry products by growing in small batches, giving only the utmost care and attention into each and every harvest. Their growers have committed to the health and wellbeing of their produce, their farms, and the...
63. Katrina McAlexander On Family, Fruit, and Fellowship, Running a Multigenerational Fruit Farm
March 24, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBWhat is it like to be the owner and operator of a fruit farm that has grown and continues to grow only top-grade, environmentally sustainable fruit for three generations strong? Mount Hood, Oregon’s own Katrina McAlexander joins us today to passionately convey the true value and impact a committed family farm is capable of having on a community. Community over competition is their motto. Hospitality and generosity are inseparable from the values at Mt. View Orchards, and it shows! Taking t...
62. Bonus Episode - Michael Kilpatrick on Thriving Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic
March 20, 2020 14:00 - 10 minutes - 7.36 MBThe most infectious, catastrophic, and potentially, most deadly pandemic of recent history is upon us. Quarantines and strict precautionary practices are quickly blindsiding people and businesses around the world…far from least of which are farmers. With cascading closings of restaurants, farmers markets, bars/breweries, etc, the source of a farmers’ struggle is no mystery. However, between the myriad of challenges, there is opportunity not only to prosper, but to substantially alleviate r...
61. Karl Hammer on Enriching Your Farm From the Ground Up
March 17, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBWhere does one begin to crack the mystery of producing the most enriching, potent, and fertile compost around? Vermont’s own Karl Hammer joins us today to shed some light on this multi-millennium-spanning mystery. Karl began experimenting with composting and field soil management on his Vershire, Vermont hill farm in the 1970s. Well over 40 years later, the operations of Vermont Compost Company have been refined to an art and a science, filling the needs of farmers and alleviating some ...
60. Eric Myers on Professional Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation
March 10, 2020 14:00 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBHave you ever wondered what goes into operating a mushroom cultivation and equipment business? After today’s episode, wonder no more! Eric Myers joins us to share his expertise in all things fungi! Owner of Myers Mushrooms in Wichita, Kansas, Eric doesn’t only sell mushrooms, he is also a specialty vendor of equipment precisely engineered for making DIY gourmet mushroom-growing easy, expedient, and effective. Additionally, Eric offers telephone consultations and 2-day hands-on mushroom...
59. Quinn & Theus on Innovating their Farm Model in a Crowded Marketplace
March 03, 2020 15:00 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBHow do you get people excited to eat salad? This week’s podcast dives deep into how Quinn and Theus got to where they are today in a very saturated and competitive market. Farm Punk Salads is both a prosperous pesticide-free salad-specific farm as well as a value-added salad dressing company. Their aim is to make eating salad easier and more desirable than you ever thought possible! Tune in and learn the ins and outs of running a multifaceted farm business and how to turn something many ...
58. Audrey Tehan on Using Farm Education to Serve her Community and Build Her Farm
February 25, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBHow would you juggle operating a philanthropic non-profit vegetable farm while running a flourishing health and wellness educational program for your local community? Specific questions require specific answers… which is exactly what our guest today, Audrey Tehan, brings to the table! Audrey’s farm, Seed to Table, provides Sisters, Oregon with not only the freshest veggies in town, but vital education (which unfortunately isn’t part of standard school curriculum) about health an...
57. Glenn Elzinga on Producing the World's Tastiest Piece of Beef
February 18, 2020 15:00 - 2 hours - 138 MBWhat goes into creating and running a successful cattle ranch famous for its top notch quality and efficiency? No one can answer this question more comprehensively than Glenn Elzinga... and it just so happens he is our guest on this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast! Challis Idaho’s very own Glenn Elzinga is the owner and operator of Alderspring Ranch Organic Grass Fed Beef, a family ranch (don’t you dare call it a farm!) devoted to standing far apart from the corn fed GMO-infused...
56. Brian Bates on Building a Rockstar Team
February 11, 2020 15:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBWhat are the secrets to an engaged farming team? Find out on this episode of the podcast with Brian Bates! Brian has previously been on the podcast and he also participated in our Thriving Farmers Summit in December. This is the interview I did with him during the summit, which I wanted to release as a podcast episode because it’s just so good! Brian lays down the best information for us on how to intentionally narrow focus. He also discusses seasonal part-time labor vs. year round full...
55. Karl Vahrmeyer Jr. on Wholesale Flower Production
February 04, 2020 15:00 - 57 minutes - 53 MBIn This Episode: I talk to Karl Vahrmeyer Jr. from Greenpark Nurseries, in the Southern Ontario Niagara region. Karl and his family operate a wholesale flower production specializing in woody ornamentals. Their nursery recently went through a large expansion, which we dig into, discussing the logistics and financial planning of such an endeavor. You’ll Hear: >> What the family grows and when 3:40 >> What made his father change direction into cut flowers 4:40 >> What a typical day...
54. Tim Clymer on Propagating Unusual Fruit
January 28, 2020 15:00 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBIn This Episode: I talk to Tim Clymer from Threefold Farm, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, who specializes in unusual fruits for the Susquehanna Valley region. We talk about his orchard business as well as his climate battery greenhouses in this exciting and educational episode! You’ll Hear: >> About Tim’s internship and how it helped him with his own business 6:20 >> What a typical day looks like on his farm 8:15 >> How he handles invasive plants and rodents 9:25 >...
53. Charles Pecka on Korean Farming Techniques
January 21, 2020 15:00 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBIn this episode, I talk to Charles Pecka, from Morningstar Farm, outside of Nashville, TN. Charles is a tunnel farmer with specialization in Korean vegetables. He recently traveled to Korea to discover everything he could about how they create their tunnels. You'll hear: >> What kinds of tools Charles uses on his farm 3:33 >> What he learned about tunnel farming in Korea 9:33 >> How he set up his farm for two sixteen-year-olds to run while he was away 33:45 >> What types of ma...
52. Annie Toro Lopez on Uniting Farmers & Travelers
January 14, 2020 15:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBIn this episode, I talk to Annie Toro Lopez, creator of Rolling Homestays and seed-preserving farmer out of Elizabeth, CO. Her passion for building Agritourism to benefit travelers/adventurers AND farmers prompted her to create rollinghomestays.com to build camaraderie and community. You’ll hear: >> What her seed preservation farm is all about and the famous seeds in her stewardship >> How a trip down the coast and a deep sense of community inspired Rolling Homestays >> What her non...
51. Steven Cornett on Regenerative Urban Farming
January 07, 2020 15:00 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBIn this episode, I talk to Steven Cornett, from Nature’s Always Right, a regenerative urban farmer in Lemon Grove, San Diego. Eight years ago, Steven and his friend, Jared, started a farm together with no experience. After leaving the US and a year-and-a-half stint in South Korea, he realized that he missed his passion…farming! He came back to the states and worked with Jared again but soon decided to start his own farm. He’s been working diligently to scale his farm and is now moving it acr...
50. James Rolin on Farming Crickets
December 31, 2019 15:59 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBIn this episode, I talk to James Rolin of Cowboy Cricket Farms in Montana. His wife, Kathy, founded the company in 2016 and they've expanded to include 7 independent farms in their network. You'll hear: >> How they got started farming crickets >> How they've branded their successful line of value-added products, including their 'Chocolate Chirp Cookie' >> The food security and health benefits of eating crickets >> The fascinating growth cycle of crickets >> Building a team and ...
49. Robyn Calvey on Growing a Farm Business with CSA
December 24, 2019 19:32 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBIn this episode, I talk to Robyn Calvey, owner/operator of Park Ridge Organics, a certified organic vegetable farm in eastern Wisconsin. The farm has been growing since 2003 and provides a customized share experience for 370 CSA members during the standard season (June-October) as well as an extended season (Nov-Dec). The farm also sells via wholesale and at a large local farmers' market. With a dedicated and skillful crew, Robyn is able to enjoy the farm life and a life outside of the farm ...
48. Gowan Batist on the Impact of Sustainability Partnerships
December 17, 2019 17:58 - 40 minutes - 36.6 MBIn this episode, I talk to Gowan Batist of Fortunate Farm in Caspar, CA off the Mendocino Coast. She manages a compost operation using spent brewing grains from her partnership with North Coast Brewing Company and runs a market garden that includes pumpkins and flowers as well as planned grazing with sheep, cattle, and geese. Gowan spoke about her partnership with North Coast Brewing and how farming is a family affair. You'll also hear: >> How using compost has increased the orga...
47. Charlie Payne on Successfully Scaling Pastured Livestock
December 12, 2019 16:04 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBIn this episode, I talk to Charlie Payne of Covey Rise Farms in Ohio. He and his wife Kerissa have a 75 acre pastured livestock farm raising and direct marketing poultry, pork, lamb, eggs, and honey. We talked about how he got started on rented land, how systems and the right infrastructure are key, and the importance of hiring good employees. You'll also hear: >> How Chris went from growing up in the suburbs to raising 15,000 broilers and other livestock on pasture >> How they've g...
46. Introducing the Thriving Farmer Summit
December 03, 2019 17:10 - 40 minutes - 36.6 MBWe're doing something a little different this week! To celebrate our very first online conference that's happening this weekend (December 6, 7, 8th), I'm sharing clips from some of the speakers to give you a preview of what you can expect from the Thriving Farmer Summit. You'll hear about: - What it means to be to thrive as a farmer with Joel Salatin - Core financial principles for farm sustainability with Julia Shanks - How Amanda Yeckel got started farming in Las Vegas - Curtis ...
45. Charlotte Smith on Marketing from the Heart
November 26, 2019 00:49 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBIn this episode, I talk to marketing coach, author, and podcaster, Charlotte Smith of 3CowMarketing.com. We covered lots of marketing topics from building your brand, to reaching the right person with your message, to using social media effectively. You'll also hear: - How Charlotte started farming because of her children's health issues - How she became profitable within one year - Why she prioritized hiring within the first few months - How Joel Salatin is one of her mentors due to ...
44. Josh Volk on Small-Scale Farm Profitability
November 19, 2019 15:31 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBIn this episode, I talk to Josh Volk who's been involved in farming and urban agriculture for over 20 years. He's a former mechanical engineer turned farmer and is the author of several farming books. We talk about a range of subjects including what makes small scale farming work, ergonomics, tools, labor, CSA, and urban agriculture. You'll also hear: >> Josh's journey from mechanical engineering to farming >> A discussion of farm finances and why Josh uses dollars per labor hour as a...
43. Mary Jo Irmen on Farming Without the Bank
November 12, 2019 15:50 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MBIn this episode, I talk about finances with Mary Jo Irmen who teaches the Infinite Banking Concept. This topic may be controversial, but I want to get diverse views on the show and learn about different strategies for farm financial management. Some of you may agree and others won't, but Mary Jo brings a really interesting perspective to the table and I hope you'll take a listen. >> Why Mary Jo actually works with a lot of younger farmers before they get into a pile of debt >> How ther...
42. Stephen Ciancioso on Staying Flexible as a Beginning Farmer
November 05, 2019 16:24 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBIn this episode, I talk to Stephen Ciancioso who's in his first few years of market gardening in Hawaii. He reflects on how he got to where he is now, what advice he has for beginning farmers based on his experience, and how leasing not owning the land he's growing on has been essential for getting his farm business off the ground. You'll also hear: >> Why a caretaking scenario is a win-win situation to access land in a high-cost area >> How landscape fabric and soil inoculants are help...
41. Alex Mackay-Smith on Turning Diversity into a Specialty
October 29, 2019 16:57 - 1 hour - 60.9 MBThis week on the podcast I interview Alex Mackay-Smith of Juniper Farm in Wakefield, Quebec. He and his wife Juniper Turgeon have been farming organically and biodynamically for over ten years and serve their community by growing vegetables, fruit, meat, and eggs. They sell through multiple venues, have a fermented foods line, and offer experiences and connection to the farm through various events, dinners, festivals, workshops, and artistic partnerships. What you'll hear in this episode:...
Ep 40. Challenges Young Farmers Face with the National Young Farmers Coalition
October 22, 2019 00:34 - 52 minutes - 47.8 MBToday's guests on the show are Cara Fraver and Caitlin Arnold from the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC). We talk about the different services and resources that they offer young farmers, including policy work, business resources, a national network of local chapters and how you can benefit from those. We also dive into some of the big challenges that young farmers face today, like land access, mental health, climate change, access to credit, finding labor, etc and how being part of a ...