The Thriving Farmer Podcast

Michael Kilpatrick

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.

  1. 4D AGO

    348. Smarter Farming: Sensors, Drones & Automation with Nathan Rosenberg

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How can technology help farmers save labor, increase efficiency, and monitor their farms in real time? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael is joined by Nathan Rosenberg, CEO and co-founder of FarmBlox, to explore the biggest trends shaping farm technology today. From robotics to sensors to drones, Nathan breaks down which innovations truly move the needle — and which ones are more hype than help. Nathan explains why labor-saving tools are the top priority for most farms today, how sensors can automate tasks like monitoring maple syrup sap runs, and why theft prevention is becoming a critical need in orchards and high-value crop production. He also shares practical advice for farmers interested in adopting new technology without getting overwhelmed or oversold. Whether you're curious about automation or just want smarter ways to solve farm pain points, this conversation will help you understand what's worth paying attention to — and what to ignore.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Farm Tech Trends: • Why labor is the biggest cost driving innovation [1:53] • Where robotics and remote sensing are making the biggest impact [04:10] Real-World Applications: • How sensors can automate maple syrup production and orchard monitoring [04:32] • Why theft prevention is becoming a major tech need in agriculture [07:20] Drones & Data: • What drones can (and can't) do for farmers [09:55] • Using real-time monitoring to catch issues early [10:50] Practical Advice for Farmers: • Why "start small" is the smartest approach to adopting new tech • How to identify the pain points worth solving before investing About the Guest: Nathan Rosenberg is the CEO and Co-Founder of FarmBlox, a platform that gives farmers tools to build their own automation systems — connecting sensors, equipment, and real-time data to a simple app. With a background in robotics engineering and over a decade of experience building large-scale IoT networks, Nathan brings a deep understanding of how automation, AI, and practical engineering intersect on real farms. Links: 🔗 Visit Farmblox: Farmblox 💼 LinkedIn: Farmblox 📷 Instagram: @farmbloxag   This episode is brought to you by Farm on Central: For homesteads, flower farms, or berry operations, elderberries and willows are two excellent long-term crops to consider. Willows provide fast growth and beautiful stems, while elderberries deliver reliable, in-demand harvests year after year. Farm on Central's cuttings are naturally grown, hardy, and easy to root in most climates—making them a great perennial investment for seasons to come. Cuttings ship soon and quantities are limited. Order at shop.farmoncentral.com.

    15 min

  2. FEB 10

    347. Husk Cherries: A Hidden Market Gem with Amber Waves Farm

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. What makes husk cherries one of the most surprising—and delightful—novelty crops on the farm? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down again with Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow of Amber Waves Farm to talk about one of their favorite unconventional crops: husk cherries. Known for their tropical flavor, long shelf life, and enthusiastic customer response, husk cherries are a crop many farmers overlook—but shouldn't. Katie and Amanda break down everything from seed starting to trellising to harvest strategies, along with their best tips for selling, storing, and cooking with this fun fruit. Whether you're looking to diversify your market table or try something new in the garden, this episode offers accessible, practical insights for growing a crop that always sparks curiosity.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Getting Started: • Why husk cherries are a novelty crop customers get excited about [2:14] • Their favorite varieties and what makes each unique [3:32] Growing Practices: • Seed starting tips and early care [4:10] • Fertility needs and trellising techniques that improve plant health [6:54] Flavor & Marketability:  • How pricing reflects the labor involved in harvesting [13:30] • Why their long shelf life makes them a smart market crop [14:30] • Their signature "pineapple-grape" flavor profile [15:05] • Why families—and kids especially—love growing and harvesting them [16:43] Bio: Amber Waves began in 2008 when Amanda Merrow and Katie Baldwin met during a farm apprenticeship, sparking a friendship and a shared dream to feed their local community. A year later, they launched their farm on seven conserved acres behind the Amagansett Farmers Market, drawn to the land's unique coastal terroir, which inspired the name Amber Waves. In the early days, they personally connected with every visitor, cultivating a community that found comfort, inspiration, and empowerment through the farm. By 2016, with the support of dedicated locals and visionary women before them, Amanda and Katie secured ownership of the farmland and reunited it with the historic farmstand. Today, Amber Waves spans over 30 acres, operates a vibrant market and kitchen, and stands as a nationally recognized educational farm serving hundreds of families and visitors each year. Links: 👩🏻‍🌾 Visit Amber Waves Farm's website: Amber Waves Farm 📺 YouTube: @amberwavesfarmNY 📷 Instagram: Amber Waves Farm 👍 Facebook: Amber Waves Farm   This episode is sponsored by Farm on Central: For homesteads, flower farms, or berry operations, elderberries and willows are two excellent long-term crops to consider. Willows provide fast growth and beautiful stems, while elderberries deliver reliable, in-demand harvests year after year. Farm on Central's cuttings are naturally grown, hardy, and easy to root in most climates—making them a great perennial investment for seasons to come. Cuttings ship soon and quantities are limited. Order at shop.farmoncentral.com.

    20 min

  3. FEB 3

    346. Running a Year-Round Farm Market with Emma de Long

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. What does it really take to run a small, year-round local market? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to talk about the creation and day-to-day operation of Red Dog Market, a year-round local food market in Pennsylvania. Emma shares how Red Dog Market grew out of increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has evolved into a community-centered outlet for her farm and other local producers. From staffing and sourcing to signage, POS systems, and regulatory considerations, Emma offers a candid look at the realities behind keeping fresh food accessible all year long. Whether you're considering opening a farm store, expanding into retail, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes work of local food markets, this episode offers practical, grounded insights from someone doing it every day.   In this episode, you'll hear about: The Origin of Red Dog Market • How COVID-19 accelerated demand for local food access [02:42] • Why Kneehigh Farm serves as the market's anchor vendor [02:42] Market Operations & Staffing • Running a year-round market with a small, focused team [08:32] • The role of a dedicated market manager and daily task division [08:32] • Why maintaining fresh produce is "a puzzle every day" [14:39] Sourcing & Vendor Relationships • How Emma vets vendors—especially for meat and dairy products [12:25] • The importance of building strong relationships with local producers [05:34] • Balancing product variety with quality and consistency [12:25] Systems, Marketing & Logistics • The complexities of using POS systems for a small, hybrid market model [14:39] • Effective signage and in-person marketing strategies [16:51] • Leveraging existing farm share and CSA memberships to build traffic [16:51] Advice for Aspiring Market Owners • Why starting slow and understanding your costs is critical [16:51] • Regulatory considerations every market owner should be aware of • How community engagement shapes long-term success [20:40] Bio: Emma de Long is a farmer, educator, and fiber advocate based in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She founded Kneehigh Farm in 2013 and has since grown a diverse mix of vegetables, dye plants, and fiber crops. Since 2019, Emma has cultivated indigo for natural pigment extraction, and in 2020 she co-founded the Pennsylvania Flax Project, an initiative dedicated to rebuilding regional flax processing infrastructure. Kneehigh Farm operates as a 100% women-run operation, and in 2021 Emma opened Red Dog Market, a year-round outlet for farm goods and local products. Links: 👩🏻‍🌾 Visit Kneehigh Farm's website: Kneehigh Farm 📷 Instagram: @kneehighfarm 👍 Facebook: @kneehighfarmCSA 🌾 Visit Red Dog Market's website: Red Dog Market 📷 Red Dog Market Instagram: @reddogmarketpa 👍 Red Dog Market Facebook: @reddogmarketpa   This episode is sponsored by Farm on Central: For homesteads, flower farms, or berry operations, elderberries and willows are two excellent long-term crops to consider. Willows provide fast growth and beautiful stems, while elderberries deliver reliable, in-demand harvests year after year. Farm on Central's cuttings are naturally grown, hardy, and easy to root in most climates—making them a great perennial investment for seasons to come. Cuttings ship soon and quantities are limited. Order at shop.farmoncentral.com.

    23 min

  4. JAN 27

    345. Managing 600+ Crop Varieties at Amber Waves Farm

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey.   What does it take to plan, grow, and manage more than 600 crop varieties each year? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down again with Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow of Amber Waves Farm—this time diving into the art and complexity of crop planning on a diversified, vertically integrated teaching farm. From balancing customer demand with realistic yields, to building soil health with integrated grain production, to coordinating a team during harvest, Katie and Amanda offer a candid look at what it really takes to manage large-scale crop diversity. Whether you're planning your first season or refining long-term systems, their insights will help you think more strategically about plant diversity, soil management, documentation, and how to build a resilient crop plan that works. In this episode, you'll hear about: Crop Diversity & Customer Preferences: • Why Amber Waves grows over 600 varieties—and what customers actually want [2:48] The Complexity of Crop Planning: • How succession planting, land limitations, and crop mix make planning so challenging [6:12] Building Soil Health: • Integrating grain production with vegetables to support soil structure and fertility [10:15] • Innovative disease management strategies, including soil steaming [12:28] Harvesting & Team Coordination: • The communication systems that keep harvest running smoothly [17:35] Advice for New Farmers: • Why writing everything down is one of their most important tools [21:02] • How biodiversity strengthens customer engagement and long-term sustainability Bio: Amber Waves began in 2008 when Amanda Merrow and Katie Baldwin met during a farm apprenticeship, sparking a friendship and a shared dream to feed their local community. A year later, they launched their farm on seven conserved acres behind the Amagansett Farmers Market, drawn to the land's unique coastal terroir, which inspired the name Amber Waves. In the early days, they personally connected with every visitor, cultivating a community that found comfort, inspiration, and empowerment through the farm. By 2016, with the support of dedicated locals and visionary women before them, Amanda and Katie secured ownership of the farmland and reunited it with the historic farmstand. Today, Amber Waves spans over 30 acres, operates a vibrant market and kitchen, and stands as a nationally recognized educational farm serving hundreds of families and visitors each year. Links: 👩🏻‍🌾 Visit Amber Waves Farm's website: Amber Waves Farm 📺 YouTube: @amberwavesfarmNY 📷 Instagram: Amber Waves Farm 👍 Facebook: Amber Waves Farm   This episode is brought to you by shop.farmoncentral: Looking for a unique, high-demand crop for your garden or farm? Farm on Central offers a wide selection of ginger and turmeric—two highly medicinal crops that are popular at farmers markets, with chefs, and among folks making their own wellness products. These long-season crops thrive outdoors in southern climates, and growers in northern regions often succeed with them in tunnels or containers. Preorders are now open, with options ranging from seed rhizomes for adventurous growers to easy-to-grow started plants. Shop the full collection at shop.farmoncentral.com.

    23 min

  5. JAN 20

    344: The One-Cow Revolution with Shawn and Beth Dougherty

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey.  Can one grass-fed cow truly become the heart of a food-independent farm? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Shawn and Beth Dougherty, authors of One Cow Revolution, to talk about how a single dairy cow can transform a farm's productivity, resilience, and relationship with the land. Drawing from decades of experience, the Doughertys explain why grass—not grain—is the foundation of sustainable dairy systems, how ruminants build soil fertility while producing food, and what new cow owners need to understand before bringing a milk cow home. This conversation blends philosophy with deeply practical advice, offering a grounded look at low-input, grass-based farming. Whether you're dreaming of a family milk cow or simply curious about food independence, this episode offers timeless insights rooted in observation, experience, and respect for animals and land.   In this episode, you'll hear about: The One Cow Revolution Why Shawn and Beth felt compelled to write One Cow Revolution [01:40] How cows fit into a sustainable, food-independent farm system [01:40] Grass, Ruminants & Soil Health Why grass is the most important resource on the farm [03:34] How ruminants improve soil fertility while producing food [03:34] Advice for New Cow Owners Why starting small is critical for success [07:50] How temporary electric fencing makes land integration easier [07:50] Why observation matters more than rigid systems [07:50] The Abundance of a Dairy Cow Just how much food one cow can provide [13:34] Using milk to feed other animals and increase farm productivity [13:34] Common Mistakes & Lessons Learned Where new cow owners often underestimate feed needs [16:14] Why practical experience matters more than theory [16:14] Why milking is simpler than many people expect [16:14]   About the Guests: Shawn and Beth Dougherty have been homesteading together since 1985, for the past 35 years in northern Appalachia. They raise dairy and beef cows, pigs, and poultry on a small acreage designated by the state of Ohio as "not suitable for agriculture." The Doughertys write, teach, and speak on holistic grazing and inputs-free farming, using grass-fed ruminants to restore abused land and build fertile, resilient farmsteads. They are the authors of One Cow Revolution, The Independent Farmstead, and The Independent Farmstead's Field Guides to Inputs-Free Farming series. Links: 🐄Visit Shawn & Beth's website: One Cow Revolution 📷 Instagram: @shawnandbeth 📚Their books: One Cow Revolution and The Independent Farmstead   This episode is brought to you by Farm on Central: Looking for a unique, high-demand crop for your garden or farm? Farm on Central offers a wide selection of ginger and turmeric—two highly medicinal crops that are popular at farmers markets, with chefs, and among folks making their own wellness products. These long-season crops thrive outdoors in southern climates, and growers in northern regions often succeed with them in tunnels or containers. Preorders are now open, with options ranging from seed rhizomes for adventurous growers to easy-to-grow started plants. 👉  Shop the full collection at shop.farmoncentral.com.

    20 min

  6. JAN 13

    343. Reviving Flax: A Zero Waste Crop with Emma de Long

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How can flax become a sustainable, versatile crop for modern farms? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to talk about her work with fiber flax—one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world and a plant with surprising potential for today's regenerative and artisan fiber markets. Emma shares how she began growing flax in 2020 and why she co-founded the Pennsylvania Flax Project, an initiative working to rebuild regional fiber infrastructure. From the anatomy of the flax plant to the practical challenges of processing, Emma explains both the opportunities and realities of reviving a heritage fiber crop in the U.S. Whether you're curious about natural fibers, looking to diversify your crops, or interested in small-scale processing, this episode offers a thoughtful and accessible introduction to a crop with deep history and growing future demand.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Flax Basics & History Why flax has nearly vanished in U.S. production—and why it's making a comeback [03:20] The difference between fiber flax and seed flax, and how each is bred [03:20] Pennsylvania's historical ties to flax cultivation dating back to the 1600s [03:20] Market Interest & Opportunity Rising demand for natural fibers and sustainable textiles [10:29] Zero-waste potential—how nearly every part of the plant is useful [10:29] Growing Fiber Flax What makes flax a low-input, sustainable crop [08:16] Soil and weather considerations—why "the weather trumps all" [08:16] Tips for new growers and why starting small is best [18:35] Processing & Infrastructure Why processing flax into fiber is complex—but possible on small scales [13:39] Current challenges around U.S. flax infrastructure [16:33] How the Pennsylvania Flax Project is working toward a regional processing mill [16:33] Wrap-Up & Reflection Why flax can be both a joy and a challenge to integrate into diversified farms [18:35]   Bio: Emma de Long is a farmer, educator, and fiber advocate based in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She founded Kneehigh Farm in 2013 and has since grown a diverse mix of vegetables, dye plants, and fiber crops. Since 2019, Emma has cultivated indigo for natural pigment extraction, and in 2020 she co-founded the Pennsylvania Flax Project, an initiative dedicated to rebuilding regional flax processing infrastructure. Kneehigh Farm operates as a 100% women-run operation, and in 2021 Emma opened Red Dog Market, a year-round outlet for farm goods and local products. Links: 👩🏻‍🌾 Visit Kneehigh Farm's website: Kneehigh Farm 🌾 Visit PA Flax Project's website: PA Flax Project 📷 Instagram: @kneehighfarm 👍 Facebook: @kneehighfarmCSA   This episode is sponsored by Growing Farmers: Looking to get your farm systems dialed in for 2026? The Small Farm Business Intensive is a two-day, on-farm event hosted by Michael Kilpatrick in Ohio on February 20–21. Participants will walk through the same frameworks used at Farm on Central, covering planning, pricing, profitability, team management, and more. The goal is clarity—leaving with a plan and practical tools you can actually use to move your farm forward. Learn more and save your spot at growingfarmers.com.

    20 min

  7. JAN 6

    342. Managing a 24-Person Farm Team with Amber Waves Farm

    A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we're taking this break, we're excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they're helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How do you build—and keep—a thriving farm team? On this special Farm in Focus episode, Michael is joined by Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow, co-founders of Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett, New York. Known for their vibrant farm, educational programs, and deep commitment to community, Katie and Amanda share how they manage one of the most dynamic farm teams in the region. From hiring with intention to setting clear expectations, training the next generation, and keeping morale high during peak season, this conversation offers bite-sized wisdom for any farmer looking to improve their team culture and daily operations. Whether you're managing two people or twenty, their insights will help you strengthen communication, create systems that serve your farm, and build a workplace people want to return to each day.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Building the Team: • What goes into hiring for enthusiasm, not just experience [2:26] • How Amber Waves builds a diverse farm crew each year [4:16] Training the Next Generation: • Structuring an apprenticeship program that truly prepares new farmers [9:13] • Teaching financial literacy and business planning as core skills [10:05] Leadership & Management: • Why clarity and communication matter more than you think [13:10] • How they use scheduled feedback to support apprentices [21:00] • Keeping morale high through "gamifying" tasks and building community [18:00] Looking Ahead: • How mentorship shapes their farm's vision for the future [21:00]   Bio: Amber Waves began in 2008 when Amanda Merrow and Katie Baldwin met during a farm apprenticeship, sparking a friendship and a shared dream to feed their local community. A year later, they launched their farm on seven conserved acres behind the Amagansett Farmers Market, drawn to the land's unique coastal terroir, which inspired the name Amber Waves. In the early days, they personally connected with every visitor, cultivating a community that found comfort, inspiration, and empowerment through the farm. By 2016, with the support of dedicated locals and visionary women before them, Amanda and Katie secured ownership of the farmland and reunited it with the historic farmstand. Today, Amber Waves spans over 30 acres, operates a vibrant market and kitchen, and stands as a nationally recognized educational farm serving hundreds of families and visitors each year. Links: 👩🏻‍🌾 Visit Amber Waves Farm's website: Amber Waves Farm 📺 YouTube: @amberwavesfarmNY 📷 Instagram: Amber Waves Farm 👍 Facebook: Amber Waves Farm   This episode is brought to you by Growing Farmers: Looking to get your farm systems dialed in for 2026? The Small Farm Business Intensive is a two-day, on-farm event hosted by Michael Kilpatrick in Ohio on February 20–21. Participants will walk through the same frameworks used at Farm on Central, covering planning, pricing, profitability, team management, and more. The goal is clarity—leaving with a plan and practical tools you can actually use to move your farm forward. Learn more and save your spot at growingfarmers.com.

    27 min

  8. 08/19/2025

    341. From Chef to Community Farmer: Julie Warpinski of Rosewood Farm

    What does it take to turn six acres into a destination for food, flowers, and connection?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael talks with Julie Warpinski, founder of Rosewood Farm in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Drawing on her background as a chef, Julie has transformed six acres into a vibrant destination for seasonal produce, fresh flowers, and memorable events. From CSA programs and farm camps to weddings and cooking classes, Rosewood blends the beauty of farm life with the joy of gathering. In this episode, you'll hear: From Kitchen to Field – How Julie's culinary roots inspired her journey into farming [0:57] Hands-On Learning – The types of classes and educational programs offered at Rosewood [8:07] Seasonal Growing – How Rosewood produces fresh vegetables and flowers throughout the year [10:31] Marketing the Farm – The strategies Julie uses to reach and engage her customers [16:18] Life on the Farm – What a typical day looks like and how Julie manages her time [27:47] Sustainability in Practice – Julie's perspective on long-term living and working on the farm [31:02] Serving the Community – Where Rosewood's customers come from and how they connect with the farm [40:50] Words of Wisdom – Julie's advice for leaving a corporate job to start a farm [43:38]   Don't miss this episode if you're curious about blending good food, community spirit, and sustainable farming into one thriving business.   About the Guest: Former chef turned passionate farmer, Julie founded Rosewood Farm to reconnect people with the source of their food. What began as a personal journey has grown into a thriving community hub focused on naturally grown produce, fresh-cut flowers, and hands-on education. Rosewood Farm hosts seasonal events, farm camps, and cooking classes to inspire a deeper appreciation for sustainable living.   Connect with Rosewood Farm: 🖥️  Website: Rosewood Farm  📷 Instagram: Follow @rosewfarm 👍 Facebook: Like Rosewood Farm

    46 min
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4.7
out of 5
298 Ratings

About

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.

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