The Foodscaper Podcast

The Foodscaper

I'm on a mission to grow more edible landscaping professionals. Join me, Matt Lebon, as I talk with some of my professional foodscaping heroes and explore the growing professional field of foodscaping. Explore the dream job of designing, installing and maintaining ecological edible landscapes for clients. I started this work with my company Custom Foodscaping and I mentor and educate others at thefoodsaper.com. Join us for practical and uplifting conversations about how to embark on a career in foodscaping, sharpen your skills as practitioner, and create gorgeous edible gardens for clients.

  1. NOV 7

    Career-Change Foodscaper Shares Early Stage Insights

    Are you considering a career change into ecological edible landscaping?  Today’s guest on The Foodscaper Podcast made a brave jump from a career in public policy to opening her own foodscaping company in Tacoma, Washington. I think you’ll be inspired by one of our community’s superstar entrepreneurs, Anna Markee, owner of Markee Ecological Garden Design. Anna shares her business origin story plus advice for landing government contracts from a public policy insider. Tune in!  Listen to the COMPLETE episode when you join The Foodscaper Membership - the first month is free! Come find your people and get support to grow a successful foodscaping biz.  Join: thefoodscaper.com/membership

    45 min

  2. OCT 24

    How to Skillfully Manage Installs + Build a Successful Worker-Owned Business

    In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, we're joined by Amber McClain, the installation department head and project manager at Nashville Foodscapes.  From starting as a crew member to becoming a worker owner, Amber shares the nitty-gritty of managing installs during Tennessee's hot summers, keeping her crew motivated, and the strategies that ensure project success. Amber offers her perspective on leading efficient installs that don’t burn crew members out. She talks about how Nashville Foodscapes designs, installs, and maintains edible and ecological landscapes as a worker-owned business. Tune in to learn about the systems and teamwork that make Nashville Foodscapes one of the most long-standing companies in the industry. Listen to the complete episode when you join The Foodscaper Membership - first month is free! When you join the membership, you join a supportive community of edible landscaping pros at all stages. Receive feedback on your work. Join our live calls. Access a library of trainings for foodscapers, by foodscapers. Find your people! JOIN US at thefoodscaper.com/membership

    45 min

  3. OCT 17

    How to Create a Foodscaping Design Business

    This week on The Foodscaper I sat down with Lauren Craig of Humble Hive Consulting — a designer and consultant who’s helping people reimagine their relationship with land through edible and ecological landscapes. Lauren has built a business that roots into her local Ohio community but also stretches far beyond her local geography. From remote design and social media to mentorship and storytelling, she’s finding creative ways to connect with clients and landscapes across the map. In our conversation, we dive into: ✨ How she built her business & finds clients ✨ The challenges (and magic) of remote design ✨ Tools she uses to bring landscapes to life from afar ✨ The human side of client relationships ✨ Mentorship, education, and lessons only the land can teach If you’ve ever wondered how  to thrive as an edible landscape designer — or what it takes to build a design business rooted in design work and creativity — this episode is for you. Get the complete episode when you join The Foodscaper Membership. Join for free at thefoodscaper.com/membership. There’s more gold in the second half!

    38 min

  4. OCT 10

    Sharing the Magic of Homegrown Food in Philly

    In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, Matt interviews Mike Bennett, co-owner and president of Backyard Eats, an edible landscaping business based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mike shares the inspiring story of how his partner Chris Mattingly founded the company in 2016 and how they aim to share the magic of homegrown food. They discuss the company's core services, which include design, build, and maintenance of food-producing spaces, and delve into the challenges of scaling and iterating their business model. Mike also talks about his personal journey from finance and music to becoming an integral part of Backyard Eats. Tune in to learn about the design principles, educational resources, and client engagement strategies that make Backyard Eats successful, as well as Mike's insights on overcoming common challenges in the edible landscaping industry. Listen to the complete episode when you join The Foodscaper Membership - first month is free! When you join the membership, you join a supportive community of edible landscaping pros at all stages. Receive feedback on your work. Join our live calls. Access a library of trainings.  For foodscapers, by foodscapers.JOIN US at thefoodscaper.com/membership

    38 min

  5. OCT 3

    How to Build a Foodscaping Business in a Tourist Town

    In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, Matt speaks with Lucy Imbach, founder of Island Harvest, the only edible landscaping business on Nantucket Island. Lucy shares her background in environmentalism and food systems, and discusses her journey from farming to starting Island Harvest. The conversation covers the intricacies of building and maintaining an edible landscaping business in a unique locale, including crop planning, carpentry skills, and client relations. Lucy also delves into the advantages and challenges of operating in a place with a highly fluctuating population and a strong culture of garden maintenance. Additionally, Lucy offers insights into her use of local resources and her process for planning and executing complex garden designs. Join The Foodscaper Membership for the complete episode! First month is free. Plus, get feedback on your work, network with other pros and access our training library -made for foodscapers, by foodscapers. Join at thefoodscaper.com/membership. Learn more about Luci's work: https://www.ackislandharvest.com/

    44 min

  6. SEP 26

    Nate Fournier’s Vision for Creating “Human Habitats" and An Eco Hub

    In this episode of The Foodscaper Podcast, we explore the world of edible landscaping with Nate Fournier, the owner of Reimagined Roots. Nate shares how his background in engineering influenced his journey into permaculture and food scaping, starting from a dream in 2014 to establishing his business during the COVID-19 pandemic. We delve into the philosophy behind Reimagined Roots, their comprehensive services in transforming grasslands into abundant ecosystems, and the importance of creating 'Human Habitats.' Nate also talks about lessons learned from his previous career, the strategic establishment of a community-oriented eco hub, and the critical role of radical candor and continuous learning within his growing team. Tune in for insights on integrating technology without compromising ecological integrity and the inspiring story of dedication, long-term planning, and community building in the permaculture industry.

    49 min
  7. Cultivating a Healthy Team Culture & Balancing Business and Life: Lessons from a Foodscape Entrepreneur

    JUN 11

    Cultivating a Healthy Team Culture & Balancing Business and Life: Lessons from a Foodscape Entrepreneur

    In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, staff member Lindsay Wolff interviews Matt Lebon, founder of Custom Foodscaping, about the various aspects of managing and growing a foodscaping business.  They delve into the importance of company culture, practical systems for daily operations, and effective communication tools like Slack and Clickup.  Matt discusses the challenges and strategies associated with hiring, firing, and retaining employees while emphasizing the significance of acknowledging hard work and fostering a supportive work environment.  The conversation also touches on balancing personal life as a new parent, maintaining mental health, and the importance of building long-term client relationships through maintenance contracts. Practical advice is shared for beginners on essential tools, equipment, and financial planning in the foodscaping industry.

    56 min
  8. From Spreadsheets to Sprouts: Chia-Ming Ro on L.A.'s Foodscaping Frontier

    MAR 7

    From Spreadsheets to Sprouts: Chia-Ming Ro on L.A.'s Foodscaping Frontier

    In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, host Matt Lebon welcomes Chia-Ming Ro, owner of Coastal Homestead. They discuss Chia-Ming's transition from a finance career to becoming a foodscaper, focusing on designing, installing, and maintaining food-producing landscapes. Chia-Ming shares her experiences, including how the pandemic influenced her career change, the benefits of food gardening, and the importance of educating clients. They also cover marketing strategies, the impact of social media, and the evolution of her business model towards content creation and mentorship. The episode is supported by sponsors Epic Gardening and Stark Bros Nursery. 00:00 Welcome to the Foodscaper Podcast 01:05 Introducing Chia-Ming and Coastal Homestead 02:21 Chia's Journey from Finance to Foodscaping 05:02 The Philosophy of Foodscaping 10:31 Balancing Aesthetics and Production 13:51 Challenges and Strategies in Foodscaping 17:09 The Importance of Client Relationships 20:32 Seasonal Refreshes and Maintenance 28:55 Focusing on Education and Mentoring 29:49 The Educator's Vision 30:17 2025 Foodscaper Conference 30:58 Stark Brothers Sponsorship 31:40 Client Mentorship and Education 32:48 Small Business Mentorship 34:41 Shifting Business Focus 36:51 Design and Installation Insights 46:10 Social Media and Marketing Strategies 52:14 Curating Clientele and Networking 57:21 Future Vision for Foodscaping 58:28 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro Coastal Homestead Stark Bros Epic Gardening

    1 hr
See All (32)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

I'm on a mission to grow more edible landscaping professionals. Join me, Matt Lebon, as I talk with some of my professional foodscaping heroes and explore the growing professional field of foodscaping. Explore the dream job of designing, installing and maintaining ecological edible landscapes for clients. I started this work with my company Custom Foodscaping and I mentor and educate others at thefoodsaper.com. Join us for practical and uplifting conversations about how to embark on a career in foodscaping, sharpen your skills as practitioner, and create gorgeous edible gardens for clients.

Information

  • Creator
    The Foodscaper
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Foodscaper
  • Show Website
    The Foodscaper Podcast

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