Farm Small Farm Smart
Insights for vegetable farmers and market gardeners who earn, or want to earn, a living growing vegetables profitably. In each episode, I talk with a beginning or experienced farmer, diving deep into their story to find out what makes their market farm successful. I focus on in-the-field farming. Soil preparation, weed management, post-harvest processing, appropriate technology, farm tools and equipment, and growing crops. Hosted and produced by Diego Footer's Modern Grower Podcast Network.
Soil Microarthropods Gardening Beyond Basics E40
Soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham goes macro as she discusses the different roles of soil macroarthropods in maintaining soil health.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Seed Storage & Shelf Life - Gardening Beyond Basics E41
Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm discusses how to properly store seed for maximum longevity.
Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds
Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
From Poor Soil to Good Soil - Gardening Beyond Basics E39
Microbiologist and co-creator of the Johnson-Su bioreactor, Dr. David Johnson, talks about agricultural management practices that can bring poor soil back to life.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
How Much Work Does It Actually Take to Save Seed? - Gardening Beyond Basics E38
Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm breaks down the actual time and labor that goes into seed saving.
Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds
Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work.
Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower...
Healing Plants and Trees with Copper Electroculture Antennae - Gardening Beyond Basics E37
Farmer and Qigong practitioner Chris Winters of The Fertile Current discusses how copper electroculture antennae can help invigorate and revitalize plants and trees.
Click here to learn more about Chris and The Fertile Current here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Healthy Soils Don't Need Supplementing - Gardening Beyond Basics E36
Russell Taylor of Live Earth Products, Inc. talks about how healthy soils might not need help from their humic and fulvic acid products.
Learn more about Live Earth Products, Inc. here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Spice Up Your Farm Profits with Signature Greens Mixes (MFB 19)
Growing spicy greens mixes can be a highly profitable crop for your farm thanks to their short time to harvest (21-40 days), high yield potential (up to 45 lbs per 30x100 ft bed), and good selling price at most markets (around $10/lb).
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
How Much Crops to Set Aside for Seed Saving - Gardening Beyond Basics E35
Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm sheds light on just how much crops we really need to save enough seed for on-farm use.
Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds
Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work.
Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower...
Salad Mix Success: Economics of Baby Greens (MFB 18)
In this episode, we dive into the economics of growing and selling salad mix. We talk about how to maximize yields while minimizing costs, as well as which varieties to grow with what spacing, and how to package and price your greens to boost your bottom line.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Keeping Plants Healthy with the Right Substrates - Gardening Beyond Basics E34
Associate Professor Dr. Ben Hoover of California Polytechnic State University sheds light on how different substrates behave and how their individual properties can affect plants and crops growing in it.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Maximizing Your Farm's Profits with Spinach (MFB 17)
In this episode, we talk about why spinach is a top crop to grow for many market gardeners, namely: its ease of growth, high scores on the crop value rating system, and adaptability to various markets. We also get into the factors that influence spinach profitability, such as days to maturity, yield per bed, and flexible pricing strategies.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podca...
Electroculture Experiment: Compost Model - Gardening Beyond Basics E33
Farmer and Medical Qigong practitioner Chris Winters of The Fertile Current shares the results of his experiment applying electroculture equipment into a compost pile.
Click here to learn more about Chris and The Fertile Current here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
The Surprising Truth About Carrots: Are They Really Profitable for Farmers? (MFB 16)
Are carrots profitable? In this episode, we dive deep into the economics of growing and selling carrots to help you determine if this popular vegetable is worth adding to your farm's crop lineup.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Practical On-Farm Uses for Humic and Fulvic Acids - Gardening Beyond Basics E32
Join Russell Taylor of Live Earth Products, Inc. shares the different applications of their humic and fulvic acids products on a farm production setting.
Learn more about Live Earth Products, Inc. here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Crop Value Rating #5: Popularity (MFB 15)
The last criterion in the Crop Value Rating System: popularity! Even if the crop you want to grow has a short day to maturity, has a high dollar value, can be densely planted, and continuously harvested, it won't mean anything if people don't want to buy it, so make sure the crop you want to grow is a good seller!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to ot...
Disease-Resistant Hybrids vs. Selectively Bred Heirloom Varieties - Gardening Beyond Basics E31
Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop cautions us not to discount the power of selective breeding in preserving heirloom varieties.
Click here to learn more about Jay Tracy and The Cucumber Shop.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Crop Value Rating #4: Extended Harvest (MFB 14)
Maximize your land use with extended harvest crops: either crops you only plant once and harvest multiple times into the growing season, or crops you can continuously replant and continuously harvest!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Genetics vs. Environment: Why Plants Perform Well - Gardening Beyond Basics E30
Seed farmer and author Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm breaks down the difference between nature and nurture when it comes to seeds and the plants they produce.
Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds
Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work.
Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplie...
Crop Value Rating #3: High Value Crops (MFB 13)
Costs don't necessarily increase proportionally with price. Which produce fetches the best prices at your market, ones that sell for AT LEAST $4 a pound? If you're able to grow and sell those high-value crops, you're sure to cover your input costs, labor included!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Practical Concerns on Biochar: Quality, Cost, Usage, and Alternatives - Gardening Beyond Basics E29
Associate Professor Dr. Ben Hoover of California Polytechnic State University shares some of his concerns on the production, cost, and usage of biochar.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Crop Value Rating #2: High Growing Density (MFB 12)
Number 2 on the Crop Value Rating System: High Density! Particularly helpful when farming on limited land, being able to plant in high densities through vertical growing, intercropping, and solid succession planting means getting higher yields, which means better profits.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Material Limitations of Electroculture Equipment - Gardening Beyond Basics E28
Farmer and Medical Qigong practitioner Chris Winters of The Fertile Current talks about the material limitations of electroculture equipment then and how far the technology has come today.
Click here to learn more about Chris and The Fertile Current here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflo
Crop Value Rating #1: Short Days to Maturity (MFB 11)
In this episode, we break down Curtis Stone's Crop Value Rating (CVR) System, which will hopefully help you decide which crops to grow to maximize your farm's profits. First on the CVR is short days to maturity (DTM): quicker growing crops mean having more cycles in a year!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Baby Kale: The Economics of Premium Pricing (MFB 10)
How profitable is baby kale? Very, if you play your cards right. In this video, we talk about the high profit potential of this quick-growing, high-yielding crop and why it rates a 5 out of 5 on the Crop Value Rating System.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
The Dark Side of Growing Microgreens as a Business: Why This Crop Might Be Your Worst Nightmare (MFB 09)
Thinking about starting a microgreens business? Take a minute to think it through! In this episode, we take a look at the hidden challenges of microgreens farming and learn why it might not be the right fit for you.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Choosing Quality Humic Acid Products for Your Soil - Gardening Beyond Basics E27
Join Russell Taylor of Live Earth Products, Inc. to find out what to look out for when you're shopping for good quality humic acid products for your soil.
Learn more about Live Earth Products, Inc. here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Arugula: From Cost Planning to Premium Pricing for Max Profits (MFB 08)
In this episode, we unveil professional techniques for successful commercial arugula production. From bed preparation to post-harvest handling and selling, we're taking a look at seeding configurations, pest management strategies, and cultivation techniques that maximize yield and quality.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
A Highly Sought-After Cucumber: Cucummaru de San Donato - Gardening Beyond Basics E26
Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop shares the story behind a highly sought-after cucumber: the Cucummaru de San Donato from San Donato di Leccese in Puglia, Italy. He talks about the history of the fruit, why it's so popular, and how he came by seeds of this rare find.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot...
Farm Success Blueprint: 15 Steps to Launch Your Market Garden Business (MBF 07)
Start early and set yourself up for success! In this episode, we lay the foundation of a successful market garden: how to plan out your farm, conduct market research, create a profitable crop plan, and build a sustainable farm business.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Breeding Seeds That Best Fit Your Growing Conditions - Gardening Beyond Basics E25
Seed farmer Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm answers the question: if you save seeds from your best plants every year, will you eventually create a variety that best fits your growing conditions?
Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds
Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work.
Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market...
14 Profitable Crops for Market Gardening on Small Land (MFB 06)
Want to maximize your profits, but you're growing on limited land? In this episode, we dive short cycle, high-calue crops, niche and specialty crops that command strong demand in specific markets, and staple crops that provide steady sales throughout the season.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
The Impact of Container Sizes on a Plant's Root Systems - Gardening Beyond Basics E24
Associate Professor Dr. Ben Hoover of California Polytechnic State University sheds light on how a container's shape and size can affect plant health through its root systems.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
How to Choose the Most Profitable Crops to Grow (MBF 05)
How do you decide which crops to grow to make the most profit? In this episode, we take a look at Curtis Stone's Crop Value Rating system to make informed decisions about what to plant.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
The Buildout of a Comprehensive Electroculture Device - Gardening Beyond Basics E23
Farmer and Medical Qigong practitioner Chris Winters of The Fertile Current shares the early days of building his own comprehensive electroculture setup after facing the challenges of its inaccessibility.
Click here to learn more about Chris and The Fertile Current here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
70% Profit Margin?! Unlocking the Hidden Profits in Market Gardening (MFB 04)
In this episode, we break down the numbers behind successful small-scale farming, from crop selection to cost management. We'll cover the keys to profitability, challenges to overcome, and strategies for managing your market garden as a successful business.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Why Use Humic Substances on Your Soil - Gardening Beyond Basics E22
Join Russell Taylor of Live Earth Products, Inc. to shed light on humic substances and what they can do to your soil and farm's production.
Learn more about Live Earth Products, Inc. here.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Market Gardening Profits Exposed: The Truth About Profits in Small-Scale Farming (MFB 03)
Can you turn a small plot into a thriving business? The answer is: yes, you can! With our comprehensive guide to market gardening, learn everything from crop selection and intensive cultivation methods to direct marketing strategies and how to turn a profit.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Carrot Cashflow
Breeding and Maintaining Your Own Hybrid Crop Variety - Gardening Beyond Basics E21
Host Diego poses a question for seed farmer and author Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-Operative Farm: how realistic is it to create and maintain your own hybrid variety of a crop? Farmer Dan breaks down the process, and it might not be as difficult as it seems.
Check out Dan's new book: The Seed Farmer: A Complete Guide to Growing, Using, and Selling Your Own Seeds
Click here to learn more about Dan Brisebois and his work.
Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!
Subscribe for more...
How Much Land Do You Need to Market Farm? (MFB 02)
In episode two of Market Farming Basics, we peel back the truth about land requirements for successful market farming in this comprehensive guide. Whether you're interested in urban market gardening, microgreen farming, or larger-scale vegetable production, we break down the land needs for various market farming approaches. Learn how to maximize productivity and profitability on small plots using intensive farming techniques.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagram
Liste...
Fertilizing Soil with Vermicompost - Gardening Beyond Basics E20
Join soil scientist Bruce Davison of Soilsmith Ag as he sheds light on applying vermicompost to your soils. What vermicompost is good vermicompost? How much should you use? What will it do to your soil and your crops?
Click here to learn more about Bruce Davison and Soilsmith!
Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel!
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
Follow Modern Grower:
Instagram
Instagr...
