373 episodes

Insights for vegetable farmers and market gardeners who earn, or want to earn, a living growing vegetables profitably.

In each episode, I talk with a beginning or experienced farmer, diving deep into their story to find out what makes their market farm successful. I focus on in-the-field farming. Soil preparation, weed management, post-harvest processing, appropriate technology, farm tools and equipment, and growing crops.

Hosted and produced by Diego Footer's Modern Grower Podcast Network.

Farm Small Farm Smart The Modern Grower Podcast Network

    • Science
    • 4.7 • 3 Ratings

Insights for vegetable farmers and market gardeners who earn, or want to earn, a living growing vegetables profitably.

In each episode, I talk with a beginning or experienced farmer, diving deep into their story to find out what makes their market farm successful. I focus on in-the-field farming. Soil preparation, weed management, post-harvest processing, appropriate technology, farm tools and equipment, and growing crops.

Hosted and produced by Diego Footer's Modern Grower Podcast Network.

    Managing Time & Balancing Personal Life and Business Life - Farm Startup - Episode 8

    Managing Time & Balancing Personal Life and Business Life - Farm Startup - Episode 8

    In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about balancing personal life and farm life, all while managing time and navigating a path toward full-time farming. They touch on potentials and hypotheticals for hiring out labor on the farm, whether or not to stay a part-time farm, as well as financial goals to be able to make the leap into full-time farming. Lastly, Diego and Alec delve into the motivation behind starting a farm as well as the personal fulfillment that comes from starting a business.
     
    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

    • 51 min
    Equipment Challenges and Crop Pricing - Farm Startup - Episode 7

    Equipment Challenges and Crop Pricing - Farm Startup - Episode 7

    In this episode, Diego and Alec talk about equipment challenges and crops. Farmer Alec first shares his experience dealing with wash-pack constraints while preparing a wholesale order. Afterward, Diego and Alec into selecting which crops to grow, which crops Alec is excited for and crops that did interestingly well at the market. Alec also talks about his experience growing different crops so far, as well as varieties he hopes will do well this farming season.
     
    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

    • 43 min
    Choosing a Farm Business Model - Farm Startup - Episode 6

    Choosing a Farm Business Model - Farm Startup - Episode 6

    In this episode, Diego and Alec delve into the thought process behind choosing a farm business model, going beyond and touching on market fit, other additional sales avenues, and pricing. Farmer Alec also talks about selling produce to a wholesaler for the first time, as well as his experience selling at his first farmers market of the season.
     
    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

    • 46 min
    Budgeting - Farm Startup - Episode 5

    Budgeting - Farm Startup - Episode 5

    In this episode, Diego talks to farmer Alec Smith about the budgeting aspect of building out a farm business. They go over time management when it comes to administrative tasks, budgeting for equipment and infrastructure, as well as the challenges of spending and investing wisely while operating within a limited budget.
     
    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

    • 46 min
    Building Beds - Farm Startup - Episode 4

    Building Beds - Farm Startup - Episode 4

    In this episode, Diego talks to farmer Alec Smith about how he planned the layout of his farm and built out his beds. Alec describes the initial state of the farm, including its flat terrain, low organic matter, and issues with weeds. Afterward, they go over the process of evaluating and adapting the property for market garden production, as well as the decisions Alec made on bed sizing, pathways, and layout, all while accommodating physical constraints.
     
    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

    • 37 min
    Expectations vs. Reality - Farm Startup - Episode 3

    Expectations vs. Reality - Farm Startup - Episode 3

    In this episode, Diego and Alec look back a year ago and compare Alec’s initial expectations of starting a farm versus the reality of actually starting a farm. Alec talks about the ups and downs of setting up a farm business, the successes and challenges, and the strategic decisions he had to make along the way. Alec also shares his future plans for the farm, the hurdles he anticipates, as well as his insights on how to approach farming as a business in order to farm full-time on his 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 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

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
3 Ratings

3 Ratings

BNW2019 ,

Good info delivered clearly and simply

There is a really nice balance of conversation and information shared. I have relistened to a number of episodes as the information shared is valuable. Thanks

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