GFP006: Farm Aid, National Young Farmers Coalition, Beginning Farmers, Managing Information and Quality Farmer Resources

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Show Summary:

There is a growing wealth of knowledge about farming on the internet. With more farmers becoming comfortable behind a computer, it takes a certain someone special to bring everyone together and keep things organized. While there are a couple of really great websites that successfully do this, I chose three that I have used many times in the past to interview and share with you. These three people are dedicated when it comes to getting the right information to the right people.

I have been spending a lot of time doing my own research for my own farm. I am not only researching, I am starting to do. I am making investments, plotting out where my beds of herbs and chicken tractors are going to go, and I am setting up the business while trying to put into action everything I have learned over the past few years. I am even doing some serious farm marketing as I do my best to sell 50 shares of my Chicken and Herb CSA.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Three websites where you can go for great farming information.

  • The back-story to those websites to give you perspective.

  • Yet another reason to connect with farmers.

Interviews with:

Hilde Steffey from Farm Aid

Hilde Steffey is Farm Aid's Program Director and serves as the organization's principle issue analyst and program liaison. She joined Farm Aid after spending close to a decade gaining perspective and exposure at various levels of the food system from the halls of Congress to school cafeterias, even on the seat of a tractor. Hilde has a Masters degree in agricultural science and policy from Tufts Friedman School and spent a number of years teaching about agriculture, nutrition and environmental science. Some of Hilde's earliest memories are on Grandpa Pete's farm just outside Lincoln, Nebraska, and trawling for vine-ripened tomatoes in her mom's salsa garden back home in Salt Lake City, Utah both experiences inspiring a life-long passion for food, farms and the outdoors.

Wes Hannah from National Young Farmers Coalition

Wes Hannah is an organizer and communications coordinator for the National Young Farmers' Coalition, a grassroots coalition of beginning farmers and ranchers. He and his fiancée also operate an organic vegetable CSA in upstate NY.

Taylor Reid from BeginningFarmers.org

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Taylor Reid is a Doctoral candidate in Community, Food, and Agriculture at Michigan State University. His dissertation focuses on the values and learning processes of first-generation farmers. His other research interests include agriculture standards, ag.  history, ag. politics, and ag. social movements. Taylor is National Policy Coordinator for Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance, and sits on the ANSI Sustainable Agriculture Practice Standard Development Committee.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take Aways:

Are you getting overwhelmed with the amount of information you can find online?

Do you have a specific topic you would like more information on, but you're not sure where to get it?

Are you looking for a place that aggregates this information for you to easily come back to it?

(It's funny, the "take aways" this week kind of sound like a commercial. Only, the product these people are selling through their free information is a better future!)

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP005: Zoe Bradbury of Valley Flora Farm, Marketing Yourself and Overcoming Financial Obstacles When Farming

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Show Summary:

There are constant hurdles to overcome when you are growing your farm. Whether you are just starting out, or you have been farming for a while, there is always some sort of issue. The best thing you can do for yourself and your business is to stay positive, work things through, adapt, act, and survive. This farm podcast episode travels to Oregon to speak with a farmer about some of those obstacles and the clever ways she has found to overcome them.

Things are progressing nicely for me on the farm front. I share my update on the search for farm land, my big projects to tackle, and my outlook on the future. No farm experience is going to be the same for any two people. There are too many factors when it comes to putting together a farm business. My hope is that you can glean some helpful information from my experiences and those of the guests on the show.

In this farm podcast you will learn about:

  • Quickbooks as a tool for managing several farm enterprises.

  • The benefit of using draft horses.

  • Stream-lining work to maximize efficiency.

  • Financial obstacles when starting or growing your farm.

Interview with Zoe Bradbury of Valley Flora Farm:

Valley Flora is nestled on the banks of Floras Creek near Langlois, Oregon. They are a diversified family farm producing over 100 varieties of vegetables, berries and fruit for local restaurants, grocery stores, foodbanks, our farmstand & u-pick, and a community-supported agriculture program.

As a mother-and-two-daughter trio deeply committed to ecological farming practices, their passion is growing good food with an eye toward the artful. Their love of land, place, fertile loam, and the next generation inspires them to use cover crops, compost and crop rotations instead of synthetic fertilizers and sprays, and to do most of their work by hand - with the occasional help of a couple of tractors and a draft horse.

They adhere to all organic practices, principles and regulations, but are not third-party certified organic. Whether you're biting into a crimson strawberry, savoring a vine ripe tomato, or heaping your plate high with Abby's Greens, you'll know you're getting the freshest local produce a person can find in this neck of the woods. They love what they do so much, you can taste it.

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Chocolate Beet Cake Recipe

2 c sugar 2 c flour 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/4 c oil 4 eggs 3 c shredded beets 5 oz unsweeted chocolate

  • Oven to 325

  • Mix together dry

  • Melt chocolate in a double boiler, then cool

  • Blend chocolate with eggs and oil

  • Mix wet with dry, alternating in the beets

  • Pour batter into 9 inch cake pans (2 pans, greased)

  • Bake 40-50 minutes

  • The cake is great with a coffee cream cheese frosting: 8 oz. cream cheese mixed with 3 Tbs. brewed coffee and sugar to taste, blended in a food processor.

Take Aways:

What are some obstacles that you are facing? What can you do to overcome them?

Are you selling your story? Do your customers know who they are buying their produce or meat from?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP004: Berni Ortensi of Ortensi Family Farm, Learning to Appreciate Success When Faced With Burnout

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Show summary:

There are times in life that you need to stop and smell the roses. It is important whether you are running a small business, or you just generally lead a busy life. It is important to take stock of why you are working so hard, and to appreciate your accomplishments.

I often find it is in these moments of reflection that good things happen. I firmly believe that the harder you work, the luckier you get (not my saying, but I'll borrow it). While it is good practice to work hard at what you do, it is also good practice to take a step back once and a while so you do not burn out.

Today's farm podcast talks about burnout and appreciating success. It is about those moments when the planets align, and things lok up for you.

That leads me into my interview with Bernadette Ortensi, of the Ortensi Family Farm.

In this farm podcast you will learn about:

  • The importance of taking time to "stop and smell the roses"

  • Appreciating successes both large and small

  • Avoid burnout! What to do when you feel it coming on.

  • Free choice for animals

  • Why should you choose to grow organic?

Interview with Bernadette Ortensi of the Ortensi Family Farm:

Bernadette and Gregory Ortensi farm on 450 organic acres in Richfield Springs, NY. Their family farm is home to grass-fed cattle, pigs, turkeys, working dogs, chickens, and horses. Not to mention a slew of grains and crops. They are certified organic through NOFA NY.

The wonderful thing about Berni is that you can know her for only a few minutes, and she'll feel like a life long friend. She takes pride in the welfare of her animals, the cleanliness of her farm, and the transparency of a truly sustainable family farm.

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

When was the last time you got close to throwing your hands up and walking away from what you are doing? Are you there now? DON'T DO IT!!!

Take a real hard look around your farm property. Is there stuff laying around? Rusted old farm implements, broken tools, dilapidated buildings, rubbish? It is important to work in a clean place for your mental health, as marketing for your customers, and for the environment in general. That time spent making your farm beautiful pays off in more way than you know.

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I need you!!!

Do you or someone you know own or work on a farm? Are they making a living from that farm? It doesn't matter if they are organic, conventional, 1 acre, or 10,000 acres. I do not discriminate. I have a whole lot of interviews lined up, but I want to make sure I really front load my recordings while it's winter and farmers have a little more time.

If you're up for a chat, CONTACT ME, and let me know. Give me some details:

  • Your (or their) name and contact info

  • Farm Website (if you have one)

  • A summary of why you should be on the show and what you have to share

  • How you heard about the podcast

You can also reach me through Facebook and Twitter. The Growing Farms Podcast is as much my farm podcast as it it yours.

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP 003: Jesse LaFlamme of Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs, Diversifying Your Farm Income, and Telling Your Story

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Show Summary:

The third episode of the Growing Farms Podcast brings you a quick update into my life starting a farm. I briefly discuss the work that goes into producing the podcast and keeping the website as functional as possible. I have been putting in some serious hours to make sure I bring you the highest quality content.

The topic of the episode then turns to our main theme, diversifying your farm income. There are two ways that I have seen this successfully done. Either you take a look around your farm and figure out what business ventures can compliment each other, or you hire other farmers to work for you. I give examples of both, which leads into the interview for this episode.

In this farm podcast you will learn about:

  • Diversifying Farm Revenue Streams

  • Fantastic Business Opportunity in Organic Egg Production

  • Telling Your Story to Market Your Farm

Interview with Jesse LaFlamme of Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs:

pete and gerrys organic eggs

pete and gerrys organic eggs

Jesse is an inspirational farmer and businessman. Jesse (and family) own and operate a medium-scale organic egg farm in Monroe, NH.  Pete & Gerry's has been in the family for four generations, starting in the late 1800's. They have changed the face of the farm through the years, adapting to meet the needs of the market.

Today Pete & Gerry's produces organic, cage-free eggs for sale in grocery markets around New England. Not only do they farm themselves, but they are responsible for keeping 37 other family farmers in business. By defying convention and seeking horizontal integration instead of vertical integration (as most commercial farms do) they have kept more farmers on the land, and provided a better habitat for their hens.

I have strict standards on the food I buy at the store. When I cannot get eggs at a farmers' market or from a farmer friend, I buy Pete & Gerry's. Jesse will be the first one to tell you to buy from the farmers' market first, but if you cannot make it, he'll be there to fill the gap. Happy chickens lay better eggs!

Right Click Here to Download the MP3

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What else could you be doing to diversify your income?

Are you telling your story? Why not? Everyone has a story, and they always think it is boring. Truth is, it's not, and people want to hear it.

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP002: Josh Volk of Slow Hand Farm: Innovative Farm Marketing Techniques, The Importance of Community Building, Balancing Life, and A Life Long Learning Process

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Show Summary:

With the success of the first episode, I am really excited to be bringing you the second episode of the Growing Farms Podcast. The podcast is meant to do two things: follow my story as I start a farm so that we can learn from each other, and to share advice from other farmers from all over the map.

I start this episode with a look into what my life is like right now, winter 2013. I am on the hunt for land, and I am at it tirelessly. I am speaking with land trusts, meeting with land owners, other farmers, and anyone whose ear I can grab for a minute or two. I am making every effort to keep it all organized with my computer, my paper maps, my trusty notebook, and my white board (see picture below). I am sharing this experience because I know I am not the only one out there looking for farm land. Whether you're just starting out, or your expanding your farm, I know I have helpful advice to share.

Then begins the featured interview I did with Josh Volk of Slow Hand Farm out near Portland, OR. Josh has a lot of wisdom to share, and is doing some very interesting and innovative things when it comes to running his farm.

In this farm podcast you will learn about:

  • How I intend to monetize the site through affiliate links.

  • How I go about finding land based on a proven system.

  • A reality I am facing in a poor job market.

  • Networking with other farmers and building a community.

  • Innovative farm marketing techniques.

  • Setting prices and farm planning.

  • Balancing life by farming part time.

  • Accepting that life is a learning process.

Interview with Josh Volk of Slow Hand Farm:

Josh operates a 40 member vegetable CSA which services the city of Portland, OR. In addition to his farming efforts, he also runs a consulting business to help get farmers off the ground (no pun intended). Josh is an all around good guy and has great advice when it comes to running a farm, whether you do it part time or full time.

Plus, Josh shares with us his innovative farm marketing technique that is helping him connect with his customers and build a community around his farm.

Right Click Here to Download the MP3

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take Aways:

How good is your book keeping? Are you able to track how well a crop is doing? Is there something you can be doing to make your life easier and your work more beneficial toward increasing your bottom line?

What simple yet innovative marketing techniques can you apply to your farm? A little bit goes a long way.

What are you doing to build a community around yourself and your business? What more can you be doing, even if it just to smile a little more often?

farm headquarters

farm headquarters

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP 001: Show Introduction | How do you define success as a farmer? Why is it important to do so?

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Show Summary:

This is the very first episode of the Growing Farms Podcast. You may have caught the sneak preview, and now it is time for the real thing! I will be bringing you episodes and interviews each week from farmers from across the country.

This episode introduces  me, the host. It introduces the show, it's concept, and I conduct my first interview with Connecticut farmer Erick Taylor on how he defines success as a farmer.

I am thrilled to be bringing you this podcast. I feel like my life's work so far has culminated in bringing these projects to you: Farm Marketing  Solutions, the Growing Farms Podcast, and starting a farm of my own.

In this farm podcast you will learn about:

  • Your host, me, John Suscovich. You will take brief look at me, where I've been, where I am, and where I am going, so you know who you will be listening to every week.

  • The show, the Growing Farms Podcast. I'll give you an overview of what the show is about:

    • Sharing notes on getting started in farming and agriculture.

    • Highlighting the different types of farming through interviews with farmers from across the Country.

Interview with Erick Taylor of Devon Point Farm:

How do you define success as a farm and why is it important to do so?

  • Personal Success

  • Economic Success

  • Environmental Success

  • Community Success

Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

Erick & Patty Taylor own and operate Devon Point Farm in Woodstock, CT. They run a 200 member vegetable CSA, a closed herd of grass-fed Red Devon beef cattle, and raise a few other animals on their 93 acre farm.

Right Click HERE to Download the MP3

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take-Aways:

What is your definition of success?

Is success the fast car, big house, and slick suit jacket and tie? Or do you prefer working outside, spending time with family and friends, and doing work that is fulfilling?

What mark are you going to leave on the world with the work you do?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook , or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.