100 episodes

If 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.

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Michael Kilpatrick

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 41 Ratings

If 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.

    276. Abram Bicksler on Empowering our World's Farmers with ECHO

    276. Abram Bicksler on Empowering our World's Farmers with ECHO

    How does the health of soil directly impact global hunger solutions?
    On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D., who is President and CEO of ECHO, a global Christian organization focused on empowering the undernourished through sustainable hunger solutions. With over 15 years of international experience, Abram leads the charge to help foster sustainable agricultural practices and holistic missions worldwide.
    Tune in to hear how Abram leads ECHO to help small farmers thrive around the world!

    You’ll hear:
    How Abram got started in his career 1:02 More about Abram’s time working with government agencies  3:49 About some of the problems facing small farmers around the world 13:02 How ECHO helps farmers maintain organic matter in their soil 23:53 More about how ECHO provides pertinent information to people regarding conventional fertilizers 35:02
    About the Guest:

    Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D., is the President/CEO of ECHO, a global Christian technical resourcing and networking organization based in Fort Myers, Florida. He is responsible for leading the overall global programs and operations of the organization in order to help it achieve its vision of honoring God by empowering the undernourished with sustainable hunger solutions. 
    With more than 15 years of international experience, including five years as Director of ECHO’s Asia Regional Impact Center from 2013-2018, Bicksler most recently served as an Agricultural Officer in the agroecology team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. He is passionate about holistic mission and empowering people to use their gifts, skills, education and experiences to bring healing to people and the creation.
    Resources:
    Website - www.echonet.org
    Website - www.echocommunity.org
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/echofightshunger/
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ECHOFightsHunger
     
    The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor!
    At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 
    So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

    • 47 min
    Julia Bocchese on Sprouting Success: SEO Strategies for Farmers

    Julia Bocchese on Sprouting Success: SEO Strategies for Farmers

    How can SEO transform your farm's online visibility?
    On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Julia Bocchese, a SEO Consultant for agriculture and horticulture businesses and founder of Homegrown Reach. With a deep passion for supporting local agriculture, Julia focuses on making businesses easily discoverable to their ideal customers through tailored optimization strategies.
    Tune in to hear how you can utilize SEO to reach more farm customers.

    You’ll hear:
    About what SEO is 2:19 How you should showcase your images 8:46 Whether people should use AI to generate their ad copy 13:34 More on what platforms Julia recommends 14:35 What specific SEO services Julia offers 19:12 What Julia’s advice is for someone who wants to dive into SEO 22:38
    About the Guest:

    Julia Bocchese is an SEO Consultant for agriculture and horticulture businesses at Homegrown Reach and is the first SEO professor at Drexel University. Her goal is to make SEO strategies approachable and easy to implement for all small businesses so they can reach their customers organically and help their business bloom. 
    She lives in Philadelphia with her family and, on the side, she's working on revitalizing their previously neglected garden, runs a travel photography site, and experiments with spicy recipes in the kitchen.
    Resources:
    Website - https://homegrownreach.com/
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/homegrownreach
     
    The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor!
    At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 
    So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

    • 24 min
    274. Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou on Navigating the Wholesale Market

    274. Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou on Navigating the Wholesale Market

    How can small farms compete in a wholesale market dominated by large agricultural businesses?
    On this episode, Michael is joined by Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou who co-runs Brisa Ranch in California's Pescadero area. Together with his farm partners, their farm offers a variety of crops grown regeneratively on ecologically rich farmland for mainly local wholesale distribution. 
    Tune in to hear how Cole’s farm is successfully geared to wholesalers than direct to consumer.

    You’ll hear:
    About where Brisa Ranch is located 0:56 More about how they make their deliveries 3:16 What a typical week on the farm is like 5:22 About the soil fertility on the farm 8:35 More about their two irrigation systems they have 16:13 About the other owners and the kind of crew they maintain 24:50 What the biggest challenge has been since Brisa Ranch started  35:37
    About the Guest:

    Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou, along with Cristóbal Cruz Hernández and Verónica Mazariegos-Anastassiou, co-own Brisa Ranch which grows a diverse range of crops (nearly 40 different crops) on over 30 acres. About 95% of their sales are B2B, selling directly to a range of grocery stores, school districts, universities, hospitals, corporate kitchens, food banks, etc. Beyond being certified organic, they are certified with Real Organic Project to differentiate their soil-focused growing practices.
    Resources:
    Website - www.brisaranch.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brisaranch
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brisaranch
     
    The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor!
    Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 
    With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 
    Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.
     

    • 42 min
    273. Theresa Podoll on Sowing Resilience with Organic Seed Production

    273. Theresa Podoll on Sowing Resilience with Organic Seed Production

    How many plants does it take to get a pound of tomato seeds?
    On this episode we’re joined by Theresa Podoll from Prairie Road Organic Seed in Fullerton, North Dakota. Since 1997, Theresa and her husband, Dan, have been passionate about providing resilient, organic seed varieties with a focus on taste and abundance for their customers. 
    Tune in to hear about the important need for regional seed supplies and the role of seed companies in providing resources and support to gardeners.
    You’ll hear:
    How Theresa got started in farming and seed production 0:50 What Real Certified Organic means to Theresa 7:53 More about which seed crops use the most nutrients 13:48 About the methods they used to harvest their seeds 17:08 What is the hardest part of seed production, according to Theresa 26:54 What advice Theresa would give someone starting in seed production 35:09 About how many plants does it typically take to get a pound of tomato seed 41:17 More about their biggest challenges 42:31 About the Guest:
    Along with her husband, Dan, Theresa Podoll runs Prairie Road Organic Seed in Fullerton, ND where they focus on providing their customers with strong, resilient seeds of 'work-horse' varieties. They’ve been seed producers and contract growers for other garden seed companies since 1997 and all of Prairie Road’s seed is grown on their farm which has been certified organic since 1977.
    Resources:
    Website - https://www.prairieroadorganic.co/
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PrairieRoadOrganicSeed
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theresa_at_prairie_road/
     
    The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor!
    Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 
    With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 
    Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.

    • 51 min
    272. Jeremy Kaufman on t​​he Impact of Agroforestry on Farming

    272. Jeremy Kaufman on t​​he Impact of Agroforestry on Farming

    Can agroforestry boost farm profitability?
    On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jeremy Kaufman who is Chief of Operations at Propagate, a leader in Agroforestry. Along with his team, Jeremy is fully committed to integrating agroforestry into farming to increase farm profits, decrease erosion and nutrient loss, and promote the broad use of sustainable farming methods. 
    Tune in to hear how integrating agroforestry into traditional farming practices can transform the agricultural landscape.
    You’ll hear:
    How Propagate Ag got started 1:03 About some of the large projects Propagate is currently working on 4:20 More about the motivation behind moving entirely to agroforestry 15:17 How Propagate aims to create a domestic wholesale market for chestnuts 18:42 About Propagate’s partnership with Rodale Institute 20:51 How Propagate handles marketing and buyer engagement 36:38 What Jeremy’s favorite tool is on the farm 44:43 About the Guest:
    Jeremy is an entrepreneur, designer and operations executive who previously designed digital products for a range of companies from startups to Fortune 500. At Propagate, Jeremy leads technology development & operations. Jeremy holds a B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Miami University. Having worked on organic farms, and being a part of a 3rd generation family timber products business, he is focused on the systemic interplay between agricultural, economic, and cultural paradigms.
    Resources:
    Website - propagateag.com
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/propagateag/
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/propagate_ag/
    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/propagateag/
     
    The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor!
    Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 
    With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 
    Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.

    • 47 min
    Amy Fewell on Herbalism, Health and Homesteading

    Amy Fewell on Herbalism, Health and Homesteading

    Are you looking for more community and education on homesteading?
    On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Amy Fewell, who is the visionary behind Homesteaders of America. As a published author, herbalist, and modern-day milkmaid, Amy nurtures her passion for self-sufficiency on her family’s farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. 
    Tune in to hear more about herbalism and community cultivation from this inspiring homesteader.


    You’ll hear:
    When Amy got into homesteading 1:24 Some of Amy’s suggestions for getting kids to eat healthier 4:59 How Homesteaders of America creates a sense of community 15:39 About Amy’s favorite herbs 20:33 What Amy’s advice is for someone just getting into homesteading 25:45 More on the future plan for Homesteaders of America 42:07 What Amy’s favorite homesteading tool is 44:24 About the Guest:
    Amy Fewell is the author of two published books, and runs a homestead alongside her husband and three children in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She is an herbalist, avid gardener, and modern day milkmaid as well as the founder of Homesteaders of America. 
     
    Resources:
    Website - https://thefewellhomestead.com/
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amy.fewell
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thefewellhomestead
     
    The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor!



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    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
41 Ratings

41 Ratings

farmer.jlh ,

Quality production. Valuable information.

So happy to have found another outstanding podcast about farming that appeals to my ideals. This is on par with, but not limited to a comparison to, The No-Till Market Market Garden, The Ruminant, Farmer to Farmer, The Intellectual Agrarian, Joe Gardener, The Probiotic Life, Farm Small Farm Smart (and Diego Footer’s arsenal of podcasts). An exceptional example is the interview with Karl Hammer of Vermont Compost Company.

idbidfarm ,

Greatly Enjoyed

I throughly enjoyed today’s podcast. I am from Canada and my family and I run a 2000 + acre ranch and forage farm. We have a lot of parts to our business and we struggle in some areas today’s podcast gave me hope and idea on where I can go to improve my knowledge base. Thank you😃

Samantha Dilworth

R88 the 88's ,

Well needed

Even episodes that I think I’ll have nothing in common with provide insight which I enjoy in any podcast. The host is much more experienced than you may know from any episode and well worth learning from!

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