How I Grow This

Some farms grow food. Sankofa Farm grows possibilities. Kamal Bell shares how he turned a denied USDA loan, a school garden, and a bus full of kids into a 12-acre farm that is reshaping what community agriculture can do.

Kamal explains why he named the farm Sankofa, how its mission is tied to African ancestry and food sovereignty, and what happened when he started bringing students from a low-income school into the garden, then onto the land itself. What began with chickens, compost, and a five-hundred-dollar grant became an agricultural academy in practice, even when the system...

Small-scale farms do not have to be broke, overworked, or trapped in wholesale. Eric Schultz shows how Steadfast Farm in the Phoenix heat built a seven-figure business by simplifying everything - from crop planning and transplant systems to labor, retail, and on-site sales.

The fastest way to ruin a farm dream is to start too big. Luke Marion of MI Gardener breaks down the smarter path from backyard hobby to real revenue, including how he built a seed business from saved tomato seeds, why most growers misread community demand, and the exact reason “proof of concept” matters more than a flashy launch.

If you’re a gardener wondering how to turn extra produce into income, a beginner farmer trying to avoid expensive mistakes, or an entrepreneur tempted to leap into scale before you’re ready, this conversation is for you.

Nicole built a wedding venue, a garden destination, and a family business with $12,000, a shovel, and a refusal to let fear win.

In this episode, you’ll discover how she keeps wedding packages under $8,000, why she chose sweat equity over million-dollar loans, and what it actually takes to build beauty on a budget. She breaks down her “clean cottage” garden style, the deep mulching method she uses to improve clay and shale soil, and the marigold borders that have become one of her most talked-about features online. But this episode goes far deeper than flowers and farm aesthe...

Most people chase “freedom” as escape. Heidi and Evan from Small Axe Farm built something better. What began as a homestead dream became a business producing about $300,000 in annual food sales from roughly one acre, with a system designed to protect bodies, preserve soil, and still leave room for family, wilderness trips, and a life outside the farm.

From chef to market farmer, Mike Russo shares how he built The Chef’s Harvest from a backyard garden into a thriving small-scale vegetable business. He and Luke talk about recovery, entrepreneurship, finding restaurant customers through relationships and social media, and the practical systems that make a farm profitable—from crop selection and market research to efficient wash-pack workflows.

Check out Chef Mikey on youtube https://www.youtube.com/@chefsharvestfarm

and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsharvestfarmllc/

The homesteading advice nobody wants to hear: do less, specialize more, and build real community before burnout takes your farm down. Anne of All Trades shares the hard-won shift that took her from a tiny suburban backyard, free manure, and four impulsively acquired chicks to a 30-acre Tennessee dairy farm and a plan to teach woodworking, blacksmithing, and lost trades.

Check out Anne’s channel on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@AnneofAllTrades

and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/anneofalltrades/

If you want to know why empty grocery shelves in 2020 changed the conversation, why convenience has quietly made us dependent, or how a backyard garden can become a powerful act of resilience, this episode will grab you fast. Luke Hammond shares his own story of moving from conventional growing to organic farming, and Joel connects that journey to a much bigger cultural shift - one that touches health, family, economics, and even personal identity.

What started as a seven-year search for the right property became a full homestead in Georgia, complete with fruit trees, a garden, and hard-won lessons about what works, what does not, and why less land can often mean more life. Jared and Annette also share the surprising origin story behind their move to the country, the entrepreneurial instincts that shaped their path, and how a deeper understanding of soil, structure, and seasonality changed the way they think about health.

Most gardeners waste time fighting their climate instead of designing for it. Jolene Wainwright turns that idea on its head with a “Sanctuary Garden” built on purpose, ancient Biblical symbols, and smart Pacific Northwest strategy - and she reveals the practical systems that make it work. This conversation blends faith, family, and highly intentional growing. From a garden layout modeled after the Old Testament tabernacle to raised beds, trellises, the secret “Triangle Trick,” companion planting, and seasonal challenges in the PNW, Jolene shows how a garden can be both beautiful and deeply functional.

After building a life on a huge North Dakota ranch, starting over on 45 acres in Tennessee, and now preparing to move again to a 14-acre Wisconsin homestead, Janelle shares what it really takes to keep a family fed, a farm productive, and a marriage strong through constant change.

Most people envision the perfect homestead—a picturesque farm with healthy cows in immaculate pastures, a sprawling garden free of pests, and a barn that looks like an idyllic painting. But Melissa's grounded reality shatters those illusions, revealing that true homesteading is about embracing imperfection, hard work, and strategic growth. She shows us that resilience and incremental progress are what make you, and your homestead flourish.

What if turning your yard into a garden could help heal our planet, build community, and even bolster local economies? In this eye-opening episode, environmental scientist and mindful farmer Sean Pessarra reveals how small changes in your backyard can make a massive difference.

They might be the comeback kids of the generation. Tiny but mighty, they start their ripple effect (on plant health, strength, and yield) even when they are competitively few in number. In this episode, Adam Martin of Be Kept reveals how a single hive can transform local ecosystems, boost garden yields, and even grow into a sustainable honey operation that challenges industrial practices. Discover the surprising ways honeybees naturally support biodiversity and how you can tap into that power with minimal effort and zero chemicals.

Here’s to the sweetest superfood!

It’s EVERYWHERE. And it might be slowly killing you. And the institutions meant to be protecting you are busy playing a bigger game. . . Kelly Ryerson, aka the “Glyphosate Girl,” reveals how this chemical is quietly infiltrating our water, air, and bodies, contributing to a rise in cancer, hormonal disruption, and gut health issues. If you're concerned about what's really in your food and how it impacts your health, this eye-opening conversation is a must-listen.

One year’s worth of greatest hits, in one hour. These are the farms (and farmers) that kept us coming back for more. Prepare to be amazed, amused, and EXCITED for Season 2! 

Pam Dowling, a seasoned farmer and author of Sustainable Market Farming, reveals how prioritizing simplicity and smart planning can revolutionize your growing methods. After decades managing a community that feeds 80-100 people year-round on just 3.5 acres, she breaks down her proven strategies for reducing labor, avoiding burnout, and building soil health—without falling into the trap of excess tools or unnecessary complexity.

Matthew Gauer, from Greenhorn Grove, shares how a simple succulent garden sparked a passion that turned into a thriving one-acre farm—and a social media movement with over 2 million followers.

Imagine a farm where the season is 8 weeks long, generates over $112,000 in profit, and visitors flock to pick from fields of berries and vegetables — all while minimizing post-harvest handling and maximizing joy. Megan shares how she and her dad built this system from scratch, navigating challenging soils, unpredictable weather, and market demands, to create a farm that is the crown jewel of their neighborhood.

https://purelandorganic.com/

Unlock the true potential of small-scale farming with Malik Miller, aka Farmer Millz — a young, Black agricultural innovator breaking stereotypes and championing land stewardship for the next generation. In a world obsessed with traditional farming norms, Malik's story of building on his grandmother’s dream offers a fresh perspective on legacy, regenerative practices, and modern entrepreneurship in agriculture.

Meet Jonathan Dysinger, Founder and Owner of Farmer’s Friend, and learn how his pursuit of the perfect greens harvester evolved from a hacked hedge trimmer to a thriving company serving thousands of farmers across the world. If you’re into roller coasters, this story is for you. From the many prototype failures, to first sales, and the leap from farm hobbyist to major supplier—this is a story of the power and impact of innovation.

When Ann and her family left the mountains of the Pacific Northwest to start a homestead on the border of Tennessee and Alabama, they had no idea what was about to hit them—poor soil, humid heat, pests, and adapting to new growing seasons. Yet, their story isn't just about survival; it's about thriving against the odds using simple, traditional techniques, innovative microclimate strategies, and a community-focused mindset. If you've ever wondered how to maximize tiny spaces, protect crops naturally, or grow food in a humid, hot climate, this episode will change how you see your land—and yourself.

Meaningful change starts with tiny, intentional steps in soil, family, and food. In this episode, JP and Ann discuss regenerative principles like minimal soil disturbance, soil cover, diversity, and livestock integration, and how they are reshaping the future of perennial farming. They dispel common misconceptions around organic and regenerative labels, revealing the unregulated truths and what to watch for. And, they dive into the science of soil microbes, fungicide resistance, and why harvesting nutrient-dense pecans depends on healing the soil first—an insight applicable to any growing system.

Connect with JP and Great Buffalo Pe...

Success in small-scale farming isn't just about growing great crops—it's about building a thriving, intentional business from day one. Diego Footer, a veteran in the farm small, farm smart movement, reveals the secret sauce for turning passion into profit. If you're overwhelmed by the physical grind or unsure how to market your produce effectively, this episode is your roadmap to clarity and growth.

Find Diego on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/diegofooter

The “AZ plant Lady” Noelle Johnson paves the way to desert growing success in this fascinating episode. Whether you live in the desert yourself, or face other climate extremes, you are sure to glean from Noelle’s advice on using contours, textures, mulches, and the natural canopies of other plants to create beneficial microclimates for your plants. Noelle is the author of two successful books, an online educator and gardening consultant. Visit her online at www.azplantlady.com

If one sustainable family homestead operation can net a million dollars per year in the wilds of Alberta where temperatures range from 40 below in the winter to 120 in the summer, rainfall averages 12 inches per year and frost can come any month except July, then probably you can too. . . Learn from the best how to be your best, no matter where you are.

coenfarm.ca

https://buildingyourhomestead.com/

In this episode, Shawnee Grows navigates the challenges of northern growing with shifting climate zones, pests, the cropdusting neighbor, and gardening in multiple places at once. This is a story of skill and adaptation, but also of learning and legacy. You’ll be inspired not just to grow beautiful things, but to save seeds and species for later generations. . . 

Check out Shawnee Grows on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@shawneegrows

A young family growing up outside the mile-high city is finding the stuff of dreams. Inspiration, information, and joy await in this episode of the How I Grow This podcast with guest, Amy Johnson. Learn the single best decisions she made as a new gardener that has transformed her garden while reducing her workload. 

Check out Amy’s youtube channel at youtube.com/@atreasurefound

Keith Arkenberg made a snap decisions (mistake?) one day that changed his life forever. You’re sure to enjoy his journey from scientist in a laboratory to farmer in the field. Now a successful grower, educator and communicator, Keith is making an impact well beyond his vegetable customers. You’ll be sure to enjoy his down-to-earth style and vast practical experience in this episode. 

Check out Farmer Keith on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@farmerkeith, and visit his website at https://arkenbergfarms.com/

From urban living in Chicago to a rural lifestyle in Tennessee, Sara Chodl describes carving (literally) a new homestead out of a rocky mountain. Tune in for her favorite seed starting techniques (she surprised even herself), insights into sustainable gardening, and a preview of her new book. 

Check out Sara's youtube account at https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Saraonthefarm⁩   and visit her website at fameflowerfarm.com

In this conversation, Sean Pessarra discusses effective investment strategies for backyard gardening, maximizing space and revenue through high-value crops and high tunnels. He highlights the need for economic sustainability in farming, the benefits of high tunnels in crop production, and the significance of nutrient management for high-yield crops. Sean also encourages aspiring farmers to learn from experienced growers to enhance their skills and knowledge in sustainable agriculture.

In this episode of the How I Grow This podcast, host Luke Hammond welcomes Bevin Cohen from Small House Farm, who shares his extensive knowledge on gardening, seed saving, and herbalism. Bevan recounts his journey into the world of plants, sparked by a simple gift of beans that transformed his perspective on gardening and led him to establish his farm.

Luke Hammond and Brian Maisenbacher discuss various soil testing methods, the advantages and disadvantages of raised beds, and the impact of water quality on plant growth. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding soil biology and the role it plays in producing nutrient-dense food.

Jason, from Sow The Land on YouTube, shares his transformative journey from a city life in Los Angeles to embracing a homesteading lifestyle in North Carolina. After a cancer diagnosis, Jason and his family decided to take control of their health and lifestyle, leading them to grow their own food and live minimally. This episode explores Jason's challenges, triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way.

Ep 34 - In this episode of the How I Grow This Podcast, host Luke Hammond speaks with Seth Finegold from Do Good Things on Instagram, a filmmaker turned farmer, about his journey into sustainable agriculture and community building. Seth shares his experiences transitioning from city life to rural living in Devon, England, and the importance of community in achieving true self-sufficiency. Seth is a presenter at the Seed to Harvest Summit on February 1-5, 2026, and you won’t want to miss what he has to share! 

Register FREE for the Seed To Harvest Summit, Feb...

Luke Hammond interviews Michael Kilpatrick, a seasoned farmer and entrepreneur   with over two decades of experience. Michael started his journey in a garden in Massachusetts and now owns and operates The Farm on Central, a thriving farm and cooperative in Ohio. Michael also touches on the subject of his upcoming class for the Seed To Harvest Summit— Integrative Pest Management. Tune in to be amazed, amused, and inspired. 

Register FREE for the Seed To Harvest Summit, February 1-5, 2026: www.seedtoharvestsummit.com

Luke Hammond and Justin Lane, a professional nursery owner from Shelby, North Carolina discuss all things plant selection, succession planting, soil health, and the benefits of raised beds over traditional gardening methods. The conversation also covers pollination, companion planting, and the importance of attracting pollinators to the garden. Justin provides practical tips for pruning and selecting the right location for a garden, as well as his favorite plants and gardening tools. The episode concludes with a lightning round of quick questions and a preview of Justin's upcoming presentation at the Seed to Harvest Summit.

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In this episode of "How I Grow This," Luke sits down with Amanda Pike, PhD, to explore her transformative journey of creating a sustainable food forest in South Florida. Amanda shares her insights on transitioning from a corporate lifestyle to embracing a holistic approach to health and family life. Discover how Amanda's two-acre food forest not only provides her family with daily sustenance but also serves as a model for sustainable living, and learn about the challenges and triumphs of managing a diverse ecosystem, the importance of aligning values with lifestyle choices, and the profound impact of nature on...

In this dynamic and fascinating conversation, Luke and David Stelzer, founder of Azure Standard, discuss the latest (concerning!) public health statistics in the United States, and how Azure Standard is fighting back. The conversation ranges from David’s childhood struggles with health problems, to the rigorous regenerative agricultural standards they use when vetting farmers and suppliers, to how your order gets to your door! This is one you don’t want to miss. 

In this conversation Luke and Stefano quickly move from fruit growing in the high desert (grow your own year round fresh apples anyone?) to how to start farming / homesteading in the first place when you can’t afford land. Stefano has done it the wrong way and the right way... And now he shares his wisdom with us!