GFP014: The Future of Farming in America with Severine Von Tscharner Fleming of The Greenhorns

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There is a generational gap between old farmers and new. The average age of the American farmer is pushing 60. They are starting to look at retirement, looking to pass the farm on, and looking to get out of the business. The problem is, their kids did not get into farming. This presents a problem as we lose more farmland to development, and we do not have enough new farmers to fill their shoes (and our bellies).

Somewhere along the line we skipped a generation, and now are faced with a unique opportunity. There is good news! A new generation of farmers is coming on the scene. The kids of the old generation did not get into farming, but the grand-kids are, and for new reasons.

With fresh blood out on pasture there are new ideas, new ideals, and new techniques coming with them. I am happy to be part of a passionate movement toward something wholesome, connected, intelligent, motivated, and inspired.

This episode gives you an update on my farming endeavors, I discuss my opinion of the future of farming in America, and I bring on a guest who has some of the best insights on the subject.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The power of proving how serious you are.

  • How to use stunts to tell your story and get your message across.

  • The future of American agriculture

  • Farmer retirement plans.

  • How to be braver, stronger, calmer, and more deliberate!

Right Click to Download MP3

Interview with Severine Von Tscharner Fleming of The Greenhorns

severine von tscharner fleming of the greenhorns

severine von tscharner fleming of the greenhorns

Severine is a farmer, activist, and organizer based in the Hudson Valley of New York. She is the director of The Greenhorns, a documentary film  and grassroots organization working to ”recruit, promote and support” the growing tribe of new agrarians. Greenhorns runs a weekly radio show on Heritage Radio Network, a popular blog, young farmer publications, podcasts and many dozens of mixers, Seed Circus and educational events for young farmers, aspiring farmers and families all around the country.

Now in their 6th year, The Greenhorns is best known for our documentary film, “The Greenhorns” cut from 380 hours of footage. Both in making the film, and travelling to screen it, Severine has delighted in connecting with hundreds of young farmers in this movement, learning about innovations, collaboration and challenges faced by this next generation of entrepreneurial farmers. Greenhorns actively works to provide venues for networking, bon fires, beer and online communication within a large and growing! network.

Severine attended Pomona College and University of California at Berkeley, where she graduated with a B.S. in Conservation/AgroEcology. She co- founded the Pomona Organic Farm, founded UC Berkeley’s Society for Agriculture and Food Ecology, and is a proud co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition.

the greenhorns

the greenhorns

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast:

 

 

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Take aways:

What do you think is the future of food and agriculture?

What part are your going to play in the future of farming?

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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 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP013: Organizing Your Thoughts for a Successful Farm, Michael Ableman Author and Farmer, Sole Food Farm, Vancouver, BC

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Keeping organized is critical when running a farm. There are simply too many things to manage to be disorganized. Keeping it all in your head is not an option, because no matter how good you think you are, you are going to forget things.

The good news is you don't have to break the bank. You hardly have to spend any money at all. The investment you will be making in your farm is a little time up front to save you loads of time down the road.

I never go anywhere without my trusty notebook. One subject graph, quadrille ruled, inexpensive notebook that I got from Staples. It is on my person at all times. I meet too many people, manage too many projects, and have to remember too many things not to have something to write it all down in.

I am not saying you have to run out and buy this notebook specifically, but I am suggesting you get something to write down your thoughts in. It could be a one-subject notebook, or something that you can stick in your pocket.

I have a few more organizational tools that I cover in today's agricultural podcast. Managing all the projects we as farmers have to manage is tough, but keep organized and you will be fine.

Right Click to Download MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Where soil comes from on an urban farm

  • Manageing staff

  • Significance of marketing

  • Farmers' market sales techniques

  • The importance of staying organized

Interview with Michael Ableman Sole Food Urban Farm

michael ableman foxglove farm bc sole food farm

michael ableman foxglove farm bc sole food farm

Michael's photographs have appeared in publications throughout the world and in solo exhibitions at the Oakland Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Field Museum in Chicago.

He has lectured extensively throughout the U.S. and in Europe. His work has been covered in National Geographic, on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, in the Utne Reader, Gourmet Magazine, and the L.A. Times. An award-winning film about Ableman's work, Beyond Organic, narrated by Meryl Streep aired nationally on PBS in 2001.

Ableman has received numerous awards including the 2001 "Sustie" Award for his work in sustainable agriculture, Eating Well magazine's 1995 Food Hero Award, and the 1997 Environmental Leadership Award from the governor of the state of California.

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What tools do you use to keep organized?

How can increasing your organizational skills benefit your farm?

What is your future timeline for starting or expanding your farm?

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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.

GFP011: The Importance of Online Farm Marketing, Interview with Annie Warmke of Blue Rock Station, Ohio

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Adapting to new technologies can sometimes be a good thing, and sometimes be a bad thing. Adapting to the internet is a good thing. It can, as it has for me, do good things for your business.

I have been marketing my CSA through my farm website, social media, and out on the streets in person. Even with the people I meet in person, a good percentage of them like having the website to send to friends, review at home, or join my CSA when they decide to.

Besides marketing my farm I have been busy working on it in other ways. I have redesigned my chicken tractors, started seedlings, and added more content to the Farm Marketing Solutions website.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The importance of online marketing.

  • The importance of building a community and what that means in terms of true sustainability.

  • I love chinese Kung-Fu.

  • Alternative housing options.

  • Green buildings.

  • Sustainle energy.

Interview with Annie Warmke of Blue Rock Station, Ohio

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On the eve of the birth of their grandchild (Catlyn), Jay and Annie Warmke looked out over the foothills of the Central Appalachian Mountains in Muskingum County Ohio and felt they had come home. They bought the 38-acre tract that makes up Blue Rock Station in 1993, and dreamed of creating a retreat for their extended family.

A few months later, while listening to WMNF public radio (Tampa, FL), Annie heard architect Michael Reynolds of Solar Survival in Taos, New Mexico talking about a new type of home he designed that used clean waste like old tires and bottles. He called his design an "Earthship." The seed had been sown.

Construction of the original 1,650 square foot house began in 1996. During a nine-week period, 1,200 tires were brought in from an illegal dump site cleaned up by the Environmental Protection Agency near Roseville, OH. The tires were rammed with earth and used to create the walls of the single-family dwelling. Most of the wood used in the construction of the roof trusses and window framing was re-claimed from local barns.

Annie served as the contractor and project manager for the building of the original structure, with Jay serving as the support person and weekend carpenter.  They worked on this project during summers and vacations, taking a three-year break in 2001 to move to Europe.  In August, 2004 they returned to Blue Rock Station to live full time and create the premier green living center in Ohio.  Over 25,000 visitors have walked through the living room of the Earthship.

The goal is to merge engineering, art and re-use of existing materials. This is accomplished by creating buildings made out of re-used materials to demonstrate a series of alternative building techniques, including the Earthship, straw bale structures, earth bag walls, and whatever else seems to make sense.

In addition to the buildings, workshops and publications, Blue Rock Station is open periodically for llama trekking around the beautiful hills of Southeastern Ohio, special events like Earth Day and special open house tours, plus skill building weekends.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

House of Trash Video:

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MTV Cribs Kids Edition:

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Chicken Tractor Design:

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"The Wilds" Ohio Safari

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Blue Rock Station

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Take aways:

Do you have a farm website? Are you using it effectively?

What have you done recently to develop a community around your farm?

Can you learn to live with less?

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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.

GFP010: Adapting to Suit Your Market, Be Genuine, Interview with Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily

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It is really important in your farm marketing efforts to adapt to meet the needs of your market. That means more than just growing what people want. It also means growing it the way they want it grown. I recently switched my feed because my customers were asking for organic non-GMO feed. I would have been feeding my chickens that anyways, I just didn't know I could get it near my farm. When someone pointed it out, it was a natural switch.

It is also important when marketing your farm to listen to your demographic, and go where they are to market to them. More and more people are on Facebook these days. Of all the farmers I know, that is the most widely used form of social media. Why? Facebook has over 900 million people using it on a global scale. While your aim might not be global, in today's farm podcast I explain how I am using it to market locally. I am seeing results in the form of new members to my Chicken and Herb CSA. There's your return on investment.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Best practices for engaging you audience on Facebook.

  • Ideas to monetize your blog or farm website.

  • The importance of creating a solid brand around a particular niche.

  • Why you have to promote yourself to be seen online.

Right Click to Download MP3

Interview with Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily:

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In addition to writing for the blog, hosting the Facebook pages and managing an etsy shop, Lisa makes sure that her ever-tolerant and supportive husband, 21 laying hens, rooster, 8 ducks, 2 horses, tuxedo cat, and German Shepherd puppy are happy and well fed.  She grows herbs, berries and vegetables and enjoys gourmet cooking and baking using the fresh ingredients from their farm.  She also enjoys reading, knitting, DIY projects and crafting in her spare time.

She has recently been featured in Hobby Farms Chickens Magazine as well as Hobby Farm Home magazine and mentioned in Mother Earth News and Southern Living magazines. She recently crossed the 'pond' to be featured in the UK-based Your Chickens magazine as an up-and-coming blogger/chicken keeper, as well as the New Zealand-based Lifestyle Block series How to Care for your Poultry.

The list goes on for Lisa's media exposure. One this is for certain. She knows a lot about chickens, and she knows how to relay that information to an audience and keep them coming back.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What ways have you adapted your farm business to meet the needs of your customers?

Are you using Facebook? You don't have to spend all your time on Social Media, but Facebook is a good start with definite return on investment.

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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.

GFP009: Making Sound Investment for the Future, Rebecca Thistlethwaite Author of Farms With A Future

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Show summary:

Farming is as much about business as it is growing things. Time spent outside should be balanced by time spent inside. Both places require you to make smart investments for your future. Those investments might be to buy equipment, spend time connecting with customers, or growing your agricultural business in any number of ways.

The weather is warming up a bit and I get to spend some more time making investments outside of the office. That is not only good for the business, but good for the soul too. Honestly, I don't like talking about money. I would rather be out farming. This week I started building chicken tractors, I ordered baby chicks, and my seeds came in the mail. Big things happening!

Right click here to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • What to think about when making investments in your farm.

  • Some commonalities between me and other farmers.

  • Creative ways to find funding.

  • Money management "outside the box".

  • Long term farm investing.

Interview with Rebecca Thistlethwaite Author of Farms With A Future:

Rebecca grew up in suburban Oregon, near small berry farms that eventually were populated by homes and not crops. She then went to Colorado State University to study skiing, climbing, and a little bit of everything else about natural resources. There she received her B.Sc. in Natural Resources Management/Conservation Biology.

Since then she has worked on various organic farms around the Northwest and California, before ending  up back in school at UC Davis to study agroecology and International Agricultural Development for her Masters. She went on to study crop biodiversity and traditional Mayan agriculture in Guatemala and Honduras.

Since then, Rebecca has been working in natural resources management, developing and directing programs, sustainability consulting and farming part time with her husband at TLC Ranch on the Central Coast of California and now on a little farm in Washington overlooking the mighty Columbia River.  "Farms with a Future: Creating and Growing a Sustainable Farm Business", was published in November 2012 by Chelsea Green, Rebecca's first book!

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

 

Take aways:

How do you plan when making investments in your farm?

What questions do you ask yourself?

Do you differentiate between capital investments and operating budget?

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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.

GFP008: The Most Important Decisions I Have Made To Date and Some Farm Financial Planning

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Show Summary:

Solid financial planning is critical to the success of any small business, and farming is no exception. If you do not have a clear picture of where you are, how can you know where you are going? In this episode I stray from my normal format to bring you more insight into the difficult decisions I have had to make lately.

I discuss how important it is to create a Profit and Loss Statement, and I even discuss some of the details of mine. In the interest of full disclosure, I am including a link to download the Excel Spreadsheet detailing my Chicken CSA.

Chicken CSA Financial Breakdown (Click to Download)

I hope this helps you in creating you own financial planning. Later on on this year on FarmMarketingSolutions.com I will post a video where I walk you around the sheet to show you the equations I used in creating the statement, and how I arrived at some of those numbers. I don't want to overload you with too much information in one go.

I want to share my information because a friend shared his with me. I was able to create mine using a similar structure to his, and a little of my own deductive reasoning and Excel skill (though I'm not whiz at Excel). I chose not to include the tabs for what our fixed expenses are and what some of the other income streams might produce. I have nothing to hide, as I shared the numbers on the podcast, but I think this is surely enough to get you started.

Right Click Here to Download the Full Episode

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The importance of financial planning.

  • How Profit and Loss Statements will help you plan for a more profitable future.

  • How I arrived on the business strategy that I am implementing.

  • How much you feedback on social media and iTunes means to me.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Note: Some of these links are affiliate links. I earn a very small commission if you purchase something through them, at no extra cost to you.

chicken spreadsheet

chicken spreadsheet

Take aways:

Do you know what you fixed personal expenses for the year are?

Do you have an idea of where your business stands financially?

What are you doing to plan for the future?

Thank you!

Thank you so much for tuning in week after week! It is a pleasure to bring you the podcast, and I truly hope it helps you find success.

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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 of my farm podcast. 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.

GFP007: Anne Burkholder of Will Feed, Traveling Outside Your Comfort Zone to Gain Perspective and Reduce Stress

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Show summary:

Fresh perspective is always necessary. It doesn't matter what type of business you run or even what type of life you lead. Looking at what you do from another person's perspective, and getting their advice based on their experiences can be hugely beneficial for you.  I know it is for me.

I am not a farmer to make money. I farm because I love working outside, I love growing my own food, and most of all I love the community of people that naturally gravitate toward sustainable farming. At the end of the day, my bills come in just the same as everyone else's. We have car payments, rent, student loans, phone bills, the list goes on... If I am going to be able to keep farming and having that positive impact on my food system I have to look at my farm as a business.

In this episode I talk about how I went outside the farming community to get some really good advice. Not only was the advice and perspective helpful to me as I write my business plan, but it was inspirational as well. The professional I met with got me all fired up, and inspired me to take some of the steps that I was fearing to take.

Then in my interview I travel outside my normal realm of agricultural businesses, and I had one of most fun conversations about farming that I have had yet.

Right Click to Download this Farm Podcast Episode

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Helpful resources for business advice

  • How a cattle feed lot operates

  • The ratio of cattle to humans in Nebraska

  • How being a psychology major helps you work with cattle

  • You don't have to be a big person to work with big animals

Interview with Anne Burkholder of Will Feed in Cozad Nebraska:

Anne Burkholder is the “boss lady” of the cattle feedyard and spends her days in blue jeans and boots.  In 2009, she was awarded the Beef Quality Assurance Producer of the Year Award for the volunteer work that she does promoting beef farmer education in cattle care (animal welfare), and food safety.  She is a member of the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Committee, a Director of the Nebraska State Beef Council, and an avid advocate for the cattle industry.  She greets each day’s challenges with a smile knowing that she is using the gifts and talents that were bestowed upon her to both improve the welfare of the United States cattle herd and the safety of the beef that they produce.

She is both mentally and physically tough from her days as a competitive swimmer and runner growing up. She uses her degree in psychology to better understand the cattle she works with, and to reduce the stress in their lives.

It was a pleasure interviewing her, and refreshing to here the perspective she brings to farming.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

Never stop asking questions. Never stop learning. Very very important in life. I am glad that I have the natural curiosity that drives me to constantly seek out more knowledge.

Who else can you talk to about your farm business?

Who can offer advice outside of the agricultural realm?

What steps are you taking to reduce stress for yourself, your workers, and your animals?

Call to action!

I ask a question at the end of the episode, "How should I sign off?" Write in with your opinions on how I should end the show.

  • Tag line?

  • Just stop talking?

  • Catch phrase?

  • Fancy jingle?

  • Call to action?

  • I'm open to ideas...

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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.

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.