The Rookie Farmer Podcast

In this episode, farmer Alec sits down with Krisztian Varsa, Director of Farms Fund at the Conservation Fund and Marc Bernard of Rustic Road Farm in Illinois to shed light on how the Conservation Fund is revolutionizing farmland access for next-generation farmers through their innovative lease-to-own program. Chef-turned-farmer Marc Bernard shares how they scaled their farm from 5 acres to 30 acres as they diversify their agricultural enterprise, and Krisztian Varsa walks us through the Conservation Fund's process, requirements, and support system that's helping small-scale farmers build sustainable businesses without the crushing debt of traditional land ownership. Click here to learn more about The Conservation Fund. Click here to learn more about Rustic Road Farm here. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode of the Rookie Farmer Podcast, we're talking to farmer Steven Beltram of TendWell Farm and Roland McReynolds, Executive Director of Carolina Farm Stewards Association to walk us through the harsh reality facing Western North Carolina farmers one year after Hurricane Helene devastated their communities. Steven and Roland shed light on the untold story of agricultural disaster, failed government response, and ongoing struggles that mainstream media has forgotten.   In this episode, farmer Alec shares the reality of transitioning to full-time farming, including the mental health challenges and day-to-day grind that farmers rarely talk about. He gives us an update of how his summer went: what sold well, what new crop he tried, and the pricey mistakes he made with tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash. Click here to learn more about the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. Click here to learn more about TendWell Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Click here to shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, farmer Alec shares the reality of transitioning to full-time farming, including the mental health challenges and day-to-day grind that farmers rarely talk about. He gives us an update of how his summer went: what sold well, what new crop he tried, and the pricey mistakes he made with tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Shop on Modern Grower with Alec's affiliate link: https://shop.moderngrower.co?sca_ref=9551856.eplsLKegQSh7n  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, Alec welcomes GrownBy's Director of Accounts and Partnerships, Eric Sannerud, to talk about GrownBy: a farmer-owned cooperative e-commerce platform designed specifically for farms selling directly to consumers. Unlike other tech solutions, GrownBy was built with a unique understanding of the challenges of local food sales. If you're a farmer looking for a platform to sell in, maybe GrownBy's the one for you! Click here to learn more about GrownBy. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Chett Clayton of Hillside Harvest Farm shares his journey from growing 25 pounds of garlic to 700+ pounds annually. He talks about how he and his wife turned their backyard garlic production into a thriving business by creating value-added products like seasonings that now represent 60% of farm sales. Lastly, he touches on how they expanded their business into mushrooms and their plans on creating innovative value-added products like shiitake jerky. Click here to learn more about Hillside Harvest Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this farm blog episode, Alex shares his experience transitioning from working part-time at Crystal Organic Farm to full-time farming at Crop Culture Farm. He talks about financial realities, time management challenges, and mindset shifts he had to make as he starts farming full-time. He also shares his strategies for summer growing, farmers market success, and how he redefines what success means beyond just profit margins. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Sara Landry shares their answer to food insecurity: by starting Collective Acres, a nonprofit farm that donates 80% of its harvest to food banks and shelters. Sara talks about her journey from shelter worker to farm founder, revealing the challenges of starting with minimal experience and resources, and how a passionate team is making it work.  Click here to learn more about Collective Acres Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, Alec sits down with Cyndi and Savannah of Love Equals Farm in his hometown of Tennessee to talk about how they turned their disabilities and neurodivergence into advantages in building a profitable small farm business in a food desert. They share practical strategies for farming with physical limitations, managing neurodivergence while running an agricultural enterprise, and building a premium brand that commands top dollar even in small markets. Click here to learn more about Cyndi, Savannah, and Love Equals Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this farm blog episode, Alex shares the unfiltered truth about small-scale as he puts his no-till dogma in his back pocket and starts using tillage to boost crop yields. He talks about his costly pest management mistakes, the daily harvest strategy that's differentiating his produce at market, and the work that goes into doubling farm their income from $700 to $1300+ per week. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this sobering episode of The Rookie Farmer Podcast, Alec talks to Abigail Darwin of Wholesome Wave Georgia, one of the many organizations revolutionizing food access while supporting local farmers through SNAP benefit doubling. Their eye-opening conversation reveals the realities faced by food-insecure families and how farmer's markets and food assistance programs are playing a vital role in bridging the gap between those families and food security. Click here to learn more about Wholesome Wave Georgia. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Derek of Rosemary's Oasis shares how his background in medicinal cannabis cultivation equipped him with unexpected advantages in market gardening. He shares practical insights on transitioning between plant industries, building multiple revenue streams, and applying precise growing techniques to organic vegetable production. Click here to learn more about Rosemary's Oasis.  Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Brittany Peters of Sun and Soil Farm returns to the show to share her proven methods for deciding which crops to grow, when to plant, and how to maintain consistent harvests throughout the season with her spreadsheet-based system. She talks about practical approaches to succession planting, and even shares access to her free, fully customizable crop planning template that is sure to transform your farm's productivity! Click here to learn more about Brittany and Sun and Soil Farm.  Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this packed Farm Vlog episode, farmer and podcast host Alec Smith reveals his long-awaited Sumi Soaker verdict: does it work for him and his farm? Afterwards, he answers a listener ask about what a typical farmer's market day looks like for him. He also shares interesting and practical ways he gets customers to stop at his farm booth.   Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  

In this episode of The Rookie Farmer podcast, the tables are turned as host Alec welcomes podcast host Diego Footer as he shares his journey from finance professional to farm tool innovator and reveals the inside story behind Modern Grower. He breaks down the logistics behind sourcing and supplying tools, the costs that come with it, and the quality associated with different product price points. He also talks about tools and equipment that may or may not be a fit for your farming context. Click here to check out Modern Grower and what we offer.  Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, host Alec welcomes his farm mentors Nicolas and Jeni of Cryistal Organic Farm in Newborn, Georgia as they talk about their 30-year farming journey: the differences in small-scale farming landscape, the changing market, and the growing amount of farming resources becoming more and more accessible. They also share practical steps about diversifying with high-value herbs that can be sold to retail either fresh, dried, or to wholesale buyers across the country. Click here to learn more about Crystal Organic Farm. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, Alec looks back at his first year of growing food and selling them. He shares how much they made the past year, talks about some practical advice for navigating farmers markets with established competition, and drops some emotional wisdom that keeps him grounded through the ups and downs of farming. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Breaking into market gardening isn't just a dream—it's a tangible reality for those willing to learn and adapt. In this episode, host Alec is joined by fellow rookie farmer Colton Simpson of Simpson's Market Garden in White Plains, Maryland. Colton shares his journey going from a 2,500 square foot plot to a 1.5-acre operation, nailing down how strategic planning and market insight can transform a small backyard garden into a thriving business.  Click here to learn more about Colton Simpson. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Any farmer worth their salt knows that seed choice can make or break the entire farming season. In this episode of The Rookie Farmer Podcast, host Alec welcomes Michelle Hochkeppel from High Mowing Organic Seeds as she illuminates the world of seeds and the seed supply chain. She dives into the difference between heirloom and hybrid varieties, how to assess seed quality, and how to leverage your favored seed company--and local seed rep--as a valuable resource when it comes to selecting seeds best fit for your farming context. Click here to check out High Mowing Seeds.  Click here to learn more about Michelle Hochkeppel. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Farming isn't just a job—it's a strategic business that demands constant innovation and personal growth. In this episode, Alec Smith talks about how they're handling scaling up the farm this 2025 growing season: hiring out help, growing in a greenhouse, and exploring new niches to stand out in their market. He also shares a personal realization that comes with running a business while raising a family: learning what to prioritize and what you're doing the business for. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Small-scale farmers, the path to low-cost certification is here: Certified Naturally Grown (CNG). In this episode, host Alec welcomes CNG Executive Director Alice Varon to shed light on what Certified Naturally Grown is, how to apply for it, and why it works well as a certification of choice for many small-scale producers. They talk about the mechanics behind its peer-to-peer inspections and how it provides a supportive, community-driven approach to maintaining high agricultural standards. Click here to learn more about Certified Naturally Grown. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.  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  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.