The Rookie Farmer Podcast

Alec Smith
  • 4.7 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Rookie Farmer Podcast is the go-to resource for aspiring market gardeners and small-scale farmers. Hosted by Alec Smith, farmer at Crop Culture Farm in New Bern, Georgia, this podcast provides wisdom, knowledge and real-world experience to support the rising movement of small-scale agriculture. Each episode features discussions with veteran growers, industry experts, and fellow "rookie" farmers who share lessons learned in starting up and running profitable, sustainable farms. Alec dives into topics like effective crop planning, selling to chefs and restaurants, creative CSA models, and much more. He also provides regular updates on his own half-acre vegetable farm as it grows. Whether you are a new grower just starting out or a few seasons into your farming journey, The Rookie Farmer Podcast will inform and inspire you to take your small farm to the next level. Tune in and join a passionate community of small-scale farmers who are revolutionizing the food system, one farm at a time.

  1. 2d ago

    Ten Mile Mushrooms: Turning $300 Into a Real Business (TRFP 56)

    In this episode of The Rookie Farmer Podcast, host Alec sits down with Kyle Beaver of Ten Mile Mushrooms to talk about the real, unfiltered story of building a mushroom business from a $300 investment in an old pig barn to an 8,000-square-foot warehouse supplying growers nationwide. They also touch on practical lessons on scaling smart, when to invest in better infrastructure versus more space, and how to shift from "operator" to true business owner. Click here to learn more about Kyle and Ten Mile Mushrooms! Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  2. Sep 19

    From Veggies to Full-Time Flowers: Why Ditching Vegetables was Worth It (TRFP 55)

    In this episode, Alec welcomes back farmer Jen from Pig & Leaf Farm for round two to dig deep into the flower side of their farming operation...including the big decision to phase out vegetables entirely and go all-in on flowers! She breaks down a practical veg-to-flower ratio, which crops are beginner-friendly versus which ones are advanced, and how to choose market streams between farmers markets, wholesale, and weddings. Click here to learn more about Pig & Leaf Farm. Click here to learn more about Jen and Agrofloristry. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  3. Sep 5

    Farming (and Selling Out!) Through the Hottest, Driest August Yet (TRFP 54)

    Alec and Richard are back for a blog episode, and they get real about surviving the hottest, driest August they've ever farmed through while somehow posting record-breaking sales. Click here to learn more about farmer Richard and Sun and Soil Farm.  Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  4. Aug 29

    Permaculture to Profit: Running 3 Businesses At Once (TRFP 53)

    In this episode, Alec sits down with Cliff and Jen of Pig & Leaf in Tennessee as they share how two permaculture teachers became thriving market farmers running three enterprises at once: heritage pork, cut flowers, and market vegetables. Click here to learn more about Pig & Leaf Farm. Click here to learn more about Cliff and hog farming. Click here to learn more about Jen and Agrofloristry. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  5. Aug 15

    Small Grants, Big Impact: How $500 Can Change a Farm Business (TRFP 52)

    In episode 52, Dana DiPrima of For Farmers Movement joins the Rookie Farmer Podcast to break down how her organization is flipping the script on farm funding: through nomination-based micro-grants, community wishlists, and zero-jargon applications. Click here to learn more about Dana DiPima. Click here to learn more about For Farmers Movement. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  6. Aug 1

    My Wife Quit Her Job to Farm with Me (TRFP 51)

    In this episode of the Rookie Farmer Podcast, Alec and Richard get real about the brutal back half of summer: crashing sales, a wild squash bug and leaf-footed bug infestation, and the emotional toll of farm life colliding with family stress.  Click here to learn more about farmer Richard and Sun and Soil Farm.  Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  7. Jul 25

    How Mountain Fresh Creamery Ditched the Middleman & Built Their Own Brand (TRFP 50)

    Ever wondered what it actually takes to start a dairy from scratch, with rented land and 275 rented cows? 🤔 In this episode, Jennifer Glover of Mountain Fresh Creamery shares how she and her husband built a vertically integrated dairy and creamery business over 26 years, from tight beginnings to selling direct to consumers all over Atlanta! Click here to learn more about farmer Jennifer and Mountain Fresh Creamery. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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.

  8. Jul 18

    Building a Thriving Farm Business From Zero Infrastructure (TRFP 49)

    This week, rookie farmer Alec sits down with farmer Mike Hedge of Hedge Family Farm in Happy Valley, NC, as he shares how he and his wife Sara put in the work to turn raw, undeveloped land into a thriving market garden operation, growing everything from sweet potatoes and watermelons to rare Fioretto cauliflower. Before the episode ends, farmer Mike might also even convert you into incorporating longer-season crops into your crop plan! Click here to learn more about farmer Mike and Hedge Family Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link. Click here to watch the video version!  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 prov

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4.7
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Rookie Farmer Podcast is the go-to resource for aspiring market gardeners and small-scale farmers. Hosted by Alec Smith, farmer at Crop Culture Farm in New Bern, Georgia, this podcast provides wisdom, knowledge and real-world experience to support the rising movement of small-scale agriculture. Each episode features discussions with veteran growers, industry experts, and fellow "rookie" farmers who share lessons learned in starting up and running profitable, sustainable farms. Alec dives into topics like effective crop planning, selling to chefs and restaurants, creative CSA models, and much more. He also provides regular updates on his own half-acre vegetable farm as it grows. Whether you are a new grower just starting out or a few seasons into your farming journey, The Rookie Farmer Podcast will inform and inspire you to take your small farm to the next level. Tune in and join a passionate community of small-scale farmers who are revolutionizing the food system, one farm at a time.

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