Farm Small Farm Smart

Join soil scientist Bruce Davison of Soilsmith Ag as he sheds light on applying vermicompost to your soils. What vermicompost is good vermicompost? How much should you use? What will it do to your soil and your crops? Click here to learn more about Bruce Davison and Soilsmith! Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Welcome to Market Farming Basics! In this first episode, we answer the question: what is market gardening? Discover the ins and outs of market gardening, a sustainable, small-scale farming practice that brings fresh, high-quality produce directly to your community! We'll explore how market gardeners grow a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, and flowers on a small plot of land, maximizing productivity through intensive cultivation techniques such as succession planting, intercropping, and raised beds.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop shares the story behind the Facussa: a melon grown as a cucumber in Sardinia, Italy. He talks about the fruit itself and how to grow it. Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Farmer and Qigong practitioner Chris Winters of The Fertile Current discusses the basics of electroculture and the myriad of benefits it can bring to your farm and your production.  Click here to learn more about Chris and The Fertile Current here.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Russell Taylor of Live Earth Products, Inc. dives into the difference between humic acid and fulvic acid: what they're made of and the different applications they're used for across many different industries. Learn more about Live Earth Products, Inc. here.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm talks about the practicality of isolating plants when you're planning on saving seeds. Should you do it? Or can you get away with cramming as many plants as possible onto one bed to maximize production? 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!   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Associate Professor Dr. Ben Hoover of California Polytechnic State University shares some of the biggest advancements in agriculture and the nuances behind creating the optimum substrate for your plants' needs.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Soil scientist Bruce Davison of Soilsmith Ag talks about how to get the best representative soil samples from your farm to get the most accurate readings and formulate the best amendments for your soil's needs. Click here to learn more about Bruce Davison and Soilsmith!    Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop sheds light on the difference between cucumbers and melons grown as cucumbers: traits unique to each of them and which one to grow that best suits you. Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm talks about the common mistakes beginner seed savers are most likely to make, how to avoid them, and the opportunities they're missing out on.  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!   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Farmer and Medical Qigong practitioner Chris Winters of The Fertile Current discusses the nature of the free energy around us and lays down the principles of electroculture of harnessing this energy. Click here to learn more about Chris and The Fertile Current here.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about microgreens. While growing and selling microgreens can be a viable standalone business, Jodi and Diego talk about the merits of tacking on microgreens to a traditional market garden farm. They talk about the flexibility it allows the farm and the economics behind microgreens as a standalone product versus a component in a salad mix.    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by

When people hear "humic substances," most people would immediately think "soil." But apart from finding humic substances in the soil, did you know that it can also be mined? Join Russell Taylor of Live Earth Products, Inc. to shed light on what humic substances are and how they're mined from deposits and used in various industries.  Learn more about Live Earth Products, Inc. here.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Join soil scientist Bruce Davison of Soilsmith Ag as he discusses what it means to have balanced soils. He talks about how soils lose their balance and the consequences that come with unbalanced soils, as well as the fairly simple ways of bringing the soil back into balance to keep it performing in tip-top shape. Click here to learn more about Bruce Davison and Soilsmith! Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!  Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, farmer Jodi and Diego talk about choosing the right irrigation system for your farm. They talk about the pros and cons as well as the nuances of each type, and they take a closer look at a specific irrigation system, the Sumi Soaker, and why farmer Jodi has used this system for the better part of the decade.  Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik Hoops and InsectaNet.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by

Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm shares some advice for beginners looking to save their first seeds: keep things simple to avoid overwhelm and burning out early!

Cucumbers we get from grocery stores sometimes turn out to be bitter, and the bitterness can make it hard to eat. Why is that? Did it turn bitter because of how it was stored? Did it turn bitter because of how it was pollinated? Or was the variety already bitter to begin with?  Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop breaks down bitterness in cucumbers and dispels myths about why cucumbers turn out bitter. Farmer Jay also shares some tips on how to grow bitter-free 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

In honor of its 10th anniversary, we are releasing The Urban Farmer, as it originally aired in 2015. Subscribe to The Urban Farmer Podcast to follow Curtis Stone's journey as he transforms urban plots into profitable market gardens, grossing $85,000 on just a third of an acre. This documentary series takes you behind the scenes of a successful urban farming operation in Kelowna, BC, revealing the essential systems and strategies that make small-scale farming viable. Learn how Curtis manages multiple plots, maintains restaurant relationships, and maximizes productivity in limited space. Whether you're planning your first market garden or looking to scale up your existing farm, this series delivers practical insights on crop selection, time management, and maintaining work-life balance in urban agriculture. Curtis shares real numbers, honest challenges, and proven solutions for making a living as an urban farmer.

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about the most common mistakes that new farmers make and how to avoid them to increase your chances of success in running a profitable and sustainable farm business.    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm 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

Many farmers' go-to solution to underperforming crops is to add more compost, but unfortunately, piling on inches upon inches of compost might actually do more harm than good. Soil Consultant Bruce Davison of Soilsmith talks about the dire consequences of applying copious amounts of compost into production beds.  Click here to learn more about Bruce Davison and Soilsmith! 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

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.

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.    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm 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

In this episode, farmer Jodi Roebuck talks about navigating running a farm business during an economic downturn while making strategic investments on the farm. He also drills down the importance of having a financial buffer to cushion expenses during tough times.    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm 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

In this episode, farmer Jodi Roebuck takes us through his very circuitous journey into farming. He shares how farming has been like for him as he navigated through economic downturns, the importance of adaptability in the face of challenges, and the importance of hard work, persistence, and focusing on the positives in the face of adversity.    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm 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

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about greenhouse efficiency. Farmer Jodi shares his transition from growing in the field to growing in a greenhouse, the benefits of growing in a greenhouse, how he maximizes space, the thought process behind choosing which crops to grow, and irrigation and trellising, to name a few. Hopefully, these tips and tricks help as many farmers gear up for spring!    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm   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

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about running a farm business during a national economic downturn while navigating the impact and aftereffects of a cyclone on his farm. Jodi shares the strategies he employed to adapt to the changing market including choosing to grow high-value crops, cutting back on production, and exploring new opportunities.    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm   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

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about going through a difficult year as a farmer as an economic recession hits New Zealand. Farmer Jodi shares how he adapted through financial prudence and innovation, and how their greenhouse helped getting through tough times. It's easy to run a farm business when the wind is in your sails, but how do you manage when conditions are less-than-perfect?    Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm   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

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego dive into the realities of farming—particularly, the resilience required to run a farm in the face of extreme weather conditions. Farmer Jodi shares their experience with cyclone Gabrielle and how mindset, support from the community, and innovative farming techniques allowed them to bounce back from severe natural disasters.      Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm   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. 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

This new season of The Profitable Mini-Farm kicks off with farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck joining host Diego to talk about the challenges and techniques of managing excess water on the farm. They also dive deep into cover cropping: what do you do to your production beds when the farm slows down? Farmer Jodi shares his cover cropping strategies: which crops he uses, seeding rates, termination techniques, and Jang tips to accomplish everything.    Learn more about Jodi: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm   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. 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