The Thriving Farmer Podcast Michael Kilpatrick

What are the key benefits of integrating advanced technology into greenhouse construction?
On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Josh Holleb who is the Systems Integration Specialist at Ceres Greenhouse Solutions. Josh combines his construction and farming expertise to help create sustainable growing spaces that blend technology with smart design.
Tune in to hear about sustainable greenhouses that blend technology with smart design.

You’ll hear:
How Josh got into greenhouses 0:51 More about the types of greenhouses they build 2:29 About the estimated costs for Ceres’ greenhouse designs 13:07 What are the biggest principles Josh has learned while working with Ceres 17:44 About the new markets Ceres has been exploring 22:17 More about The Vesta 23:46 How Ceres’ practices integrate with permaculture 30:12
About the Guest:

Josh Holleb has been working at the intersection of construction and agriculture for over 15 years. From running organic farms to building permaculture sites to growing Ceres greenhouse Solutions as a business, he tries to combine good design with smart farming techniques to help people and businesses succeed in creating efficient growing environments.
Resources:
Website -  www.ceresgs.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Cerescann
Greenhouse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ceresgreenhouses
Facebook - Ceres Greenhouse Solutions
 
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.

What are the biggest challenges in fruit farming?
On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Bryce Loewen of Blossom Bluff Orchards as he shares his journey in agriculture and the challenges of organic fruit farming in California's Central Valley. He discusses the life cycle of orchards, the yield per acre of stone fruits, and the importance of diversity in fruit varieties. 
Tune in to hear about this inspirational, multigenerational farm.

You’ll hear:
About Bryce’s journey into agriculture 0:56 More on Blossom Bluff’s average stone fruit yield per acre 9:06 What some of the growing challenges are 13:19 About how the seasons go on the farm 15:22 More about Blossom Bluff’s sales venues 21:06 What Bryce’s intentions are for the farm’s future 33:37 Bryce’s advice for people thinking of starting a farm 39:24
About the Guest:

Bryce is a fourth generation farmer at Blossom Bluff Orchards. He and his sister Renata grew up in a house on the bluff of the Kings River that their parents (Fran and Ted) still live in today. Bryce and Renata also live on the farm in houses that were acquired from neighbors as the farm grew, and all four work together in various roles and share ownership of Blossom Bluff Orchards. Their farming strategy involves finding niches to fill, developing a brand and a reputation for quality, and selling directly to stores, restaurants and consumers.

Resources:
Website -  https://blossombluff.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blossomblufforchards
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blossombluff
 
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.

How has organic farming evolved over the years and what might the future hold?
On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Muller who is a part of the pioneering force at Full Belly Farm, a 450-acre certified organic farm in North Central California. For over four decades, the farm has championed economic stability, year-round employment, and a strong community connection, ensuring nourishment for this generation and those to come.
Tune in to hear all about how Paul ensures that this large organic farm continues to thrive!

You’ll hear:
How Paul got started in farming 0:59 About the Full Belly team 10:20 More on the history of organic farming and the Real Organic Project 15:48 About Paul’s take about soil science 22:28 How Full Belly uses cover crops 34:39 What Paul is doing to bring up the next generation of farmers at Full Belly 46:15 About Paul’s advice for new farmers 56:15
About the Guest:

Paul Muller farms with family and partners at Full Belly farm, a diversified 450 acre organic farm in North Central California's Capay Valley. For more than 40 years, Full Belly has been seeking to evolve a model farm that is economically stable, honors employees with a business design that creates year round employment, strives to grow more layers of life on a farm for environmental complexity, and seeks to connect with a community of farm supporters for a broader social impact.
Resources:
Website - fullbellyfarm.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/full_belly_farm/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FullBellyFarm
 
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.

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.

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.

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.