Growing For Market Podcast

Wild East Farm was one of many in North Carolina that suffered from catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Parts of the state received 15-30 inches of rain during the storm, resulting in flash flooding and extensive tree blowdown. Almost a year after the storm, we caught up with Noah Poulos to talk about the lead-up to the storm, how they tried to save their animals and crops, and the aftermath.Noah shares insights into the farm's recovery process, the importance of diversified farming in spreading risk, and the community's role in supporting local agriculture during extreme weather events. In an era when extreme weather is becoming more common with climate change, we also talk about farm planning considerations and setup in order to anticipate and manage risk in a future with more volatile weather. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @wildeastfarmWebsite: wildeastfarm.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Since 1993, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. Each fall, Vermont Compost Company offers a Prebuy Sale to incentivize ordering your spring soil before winter settles in. Early Bird customers save 20% on orders placed, paid for and shipped by October 31st. For more information, visit vermontcompost.com/prebuy, or call at (802) 223-6049. Vermont Compost Company - living soils for organic growing since 1993. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Farmhand is the virtual assistant built for farmers—helping CSAs scale sales, run error-free fulfillment, and deliver 5-star service. Whether you’re at 100 members or 1,000, Farmhand helps you grow without burning out. You’ve heard us—and our farmers—right here on the Growing for Market Podcast. Explore more stories and learn more at farmhand.partners/gfm. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

With over 20 years of farming experience, hear how Laura Llewellyn grew Chimalow Produce to maximize soil and veg quality, based on the idea that healthy soil will lead to better vegetables. Learn how Laura encourages biological life in the soil, how they balance minimizing soil disturbance with mechanical cultivation, address deficiencies and encourage mycorrhizal fungi. Drawing on her experience as the manager of a retail produce department, Laura shares the strategy she uses to set up market displays to make them engaging and easy for customers to shop.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @chimalowproduceWebsite: chimalowproduce.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Since 1993, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. Each fall, Vermont Compost Company offers a Prebuy Sale to incentivize ordering your spring soil before winter settles in. Early Bird customers save 20% on orders placed, paid for and shipped by October 31st. For more information, visit vermontcompost.com/prebuy, or call at (802) 223-6049. Vermont Compost Company - living soils for organic growing since 1993. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Scaling up means different things for different farms; hear from Grace Lam how Fivefork Farms has scaled up to the point where they are growing 60,000 dahlias both for flower and tuber sales and over 700 dahlia share members. They don’t just grow dahlias though- there is a lot of practical info in this interview, including how to keep up with labor and water needs as the farm grows, when and how to mechanize, and specialty crop insurance programs that can help insure your growing farm. Learn how they keep their farmstand thriving and steps they have taken to make the farm more resilient in the face of increasingly extreme weather in this interview with host Rebecca Kutzer-Rice.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @fiveforkfarmsWebsite: fiveforkfarms.comPodcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Since 1993, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. Each fall, Vermont Compost Company offers a Prebuy Sale to incentivize ordering your spring soil before winter settles in. Early Bird customers save 20% on orders placed, paid for and shipped by October 31st. For more information, visit vermontcompost.com/prebuy, or call at (802) 223-6049. Vermont Compost Company - living soils for organic growing since 1993. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial 

Discover how farmers and researchers are collaborating to develop seed varieties tailored to farmers' needs with Michael Lordon of the Organic Seed Alliance. Since vegetable and flower varieties are not one-size-fits-all farms, Michael tells us how the OSA is working to breed varieties that will thrive on farms without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Michael highlights ways farmers can participate in developing better varieties, including working with breeders, trialing, on-farm breeding and collaborative variety trials with a new platform called SeedLinked. Dig into this conversation about the future of seeds and where our next favorite variety is coming from with Michael and host April Parms Jones. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @organic_seed_allianceWebsite: seedalliance.org Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Discover innovative packaging solutions at A-ROO Company, your one-stop destination for customizable and eco-friendly packaging, including floral, produce, and specialty packaging. Enjoy an exclusive 15% discount with code "GFM15" for GFM Podcast listeners at shop.a-roo.com. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

“Get your fresh local insects, and frass too!” If Pat Crowley had his way, insects and their byproducts (most notably frass used as fertilizer) would take their place alongside vegetables and flowers as profitable enterprises for local farms. And the best part is, they are fed on a widely-available byproduct: some of the 100 million tons of food waste that is currently going into landfills in the United States.Pat is the founder and CEO of Chapul Farms, which designs, builds and operates insect farms, having featured on Shark Tank in 2014. If you saw that episode, the company has changed a lot since then, changing their focus from raising crickets to raising black soldier fly larvae (a protein source for other animals) and their frass, i.e. the excrement and exoskeletons of the flies that can be used as fertilizer. This interview with host Katie Kulla is fascinating both for the insect’s potential as a new farm product, as well as learning how Chapul Farms has raised funds, including the regenerative funding platform where they raised $2 million in an hour. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @chapulinnovationcenterWebsite: chapulfarms.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.Discover innovative packaging solutions at A-ROO Company, your one-stop destination for customizable and eco-friendly packaging, including floral, produce, and specialty packaging. Enjoy an exclusive 15% discount with code "GFM15" for GFM Podcast listeners at shop.a-roo.com.Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Over more than 30 years, Featherstone Farm has grown their CSA and wholesaling to the point where they are now growing on 135 acres and have scaled up some of their major crops- for one example, they are storing 120 tons or more of carrots every year. These are distributed through their CSA and wholesaling. Though Featherstone has gotten a lot bigger over the years, they have remained committed to high agricultural standards with a Real Organic Project certification and high standards for the nearly 50 farm workers that they employ.Jack Hedin started the farm with his wife in 1994, and Abby Benson is the farm’s production manager and part of the leadership team. In this interview with host Katie Kulla, Jack and Abby discuss overcoming the production and logistics challenges that saw the farm grow from a much smaller size to having as many as 1400 CSA members in some years. Farming is never without a challenge, though, and they discuss how changing weather patterns are resulting in prolonged wet periods that threaten many of their crops with increased disease pressure, and how they are planning for other challenges to keep the farm healthy into the future.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @featherstonefarmmnWebsite: featherstonefarm.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Anne Massie and Virginia Pleasant share how they’ve grown Region Roots Local Farm and Food Hub to increase opportunities for famers to feed their regional communities. “The Region” is how the area of Northwest Indiana where they are based is known locally. Both co-executive directors of the NWI (Northwest Indiana) Food Council, they tell us how they’ve rapidly grown their grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a just and regenerative food system.They discuss considerations including how big of a population can be supported by a food hub, effective programs, how to get funding, and how they’ve been dealing with the cancellation of promised funding by the federal government this year. This food hub is really helping open up markets for farmers and getting more local food into the community, and the conversation emphasizes how to actually get community collaboration, farmer support, and public policy to work together to shape food policy.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @region_roots_food_hubWebsite: regionroots.org Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Tilth Soil composts millions of pounds of food waste every year, and we’ve got their soil guy Josh Kruszynski on the pod this week to talk about how to build soil including not just compost, but also microbes, micronutrients, Ph and everything else we’re learning about how to encourage healthy soil. We talk about the markers of healthy soil as a starting point for evaluating our own soil and figuring out what steps to take to improve it. In this interview with host April Parms Jones we hear how healthy soils can help with many of the challenges farmers face, including erosion, water holding capacity, fertility and even pest pressure. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @tilth.soilWebsite: tilthsoil.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial 

Growing up in Brooklyn with a career as an attorney, Diane Aboushi of Halal Pastures farm did not follow the most traditional path to becoming a farmer. However, researching how to provide the healthiest food for their kids prompted Diane and her family to start a meat business that eventually led to moving out of the city and adding vegetable farming to the mix.  In this conversation with host Katie Kulla, Diane discusses the importance of halal food, the expansion of her business from meat to organic vegetables, and the significance of growing culturally important vegetable varieties for their customers. Diane emphasizes the role of education and community engagement in her farming practices, as well as the challenges of balancing family life with farm operations. She highlights the importance of organic certification, diversification for sustainability, and the value of direct marketing through building your own email list. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @halalpasturesfarmWebsite: https://www.halalpastures.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Tilth Soil makes living soils for organic growers. The base for all our mixes is NOP-compliant compost, made from the 4,000 tons of food scraps we divert from landfills each year. And the results speak for themselves. Get excellent germination, strong transplants, and help us turn these resources back into food. Try a free bag, and check our 2025 farmer pricing at tilthsoil.com/gfm. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial 

Though their family has been farming in Ontario for over 200 years, success looks different in the 2020s than it did in the early 19th century! Hear how the Coopers changed their family farm in order to steward it into the future by becoming early adopters of the CSA model. Learn how the business has evolved over the years and how they manage a diverse range of products, both on the farm and the business side of things. The Coopers and host Katie Kulla also discuss the importance of succession planning, finding a balance between cashflow and equity building, integrating technology into the farm, and how to maintain a fun and positive environment on the farm to stay in it for the long haul. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @coopscsafarmWebsite: www.coopersfarm.ca Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Tilth Soil makes living soils for organic growers. The base for all our mixes is NOP-compliant compost, made from the 4,000 tons of food scraps we divert from landfills each year. And the results speak for themselves. Get excellent germination, strong transplants, and help us turn these resources back into food. Try a free bag, and check our 2025 farmer pricing at tilthsoil.com/gfm.Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

On this week’s podcast Megan Ayers shares what she learned as she built Unvarnished Farm from a series of urban gardens into the farm in southeastern Indiana that it is today. A first-generation farmer, Megan focused on regenerative practices and soil health as she scaled her farm. She and host April Parms Jones discuss concepts that apply to farms of any size, including the ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio for farm soils, evaluating the quality of compost, cover cropping and how chemical fertilizers can harm microbial populations that could otherwise help plants.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @unvarnished_farmWebsite: unvarnishedfarm.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more.Tilth Soil makes living soils for organic growers. The base for all our mixes is NOP-compliant compost, made from the 4,000 tons of food scraps we divert from landfills each year. And the results speak for themselves. Get excellent germination, strong transplants, and help us turn these resources back into food. Try a free bag, and check our 2025 farmer pricing at tilthsoil.com/gfm.Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.  Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial 

Linley Dixon discusses some of the challenges facing organic farming, particularly the issues of greenwashing and the need for maintaining organic standards in this week’s podcast interview. Linley is the Co-Director of the Real Organic Project (ROP), in addition to running her own Adobe House Farm in Durango, Colorado. She emphasizes the importance of transparency in agricultural practices and the impact of lobbying by agribusiness to weaken organic standards. These issues have an impact even on farmers who are not certified organic, because when standards are not maintained, it causes consumers to doubt standards in general.The conversation also touches on the role of fraud in organic certification, the need for accountability, and the importance of strong regulations to protect organic integrity. This is the second episode on maintaining organic standards; the first one with Dave Chapman focused on the issue of allowing hydroponics in organics, while this episode focuses on maintaining humane standards for organic livestock and combatting organic grain fraud. Linley also delves into her academic background in soil science and plant pathology, emphasizing the significance of soil health in sustainable agriculture. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @realorganicprojectWebsite: realorganicproject.org Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Tilth Soil makes living soils for organic growers. The base for all our mixes is NOP-compliant compost, made from the 4,000 tons of food scraps we divert from landfills each year. And the results speak for themselves. Get excellent germination, strong transplants, and help us turn these resources back into food. Try a free bag, and check our 2025 farmer pricing at tilthsoil.com/gfm. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Planning and siting have a lot to do with the success of a greenhouse project. Whether building your first or your fifth greenhouse, learn best practices for site prep, drainage, snow and wind management and more with Tomm Becker of Nifty Hoops. The company began as a community initiative to support local farmers in Michigan and now offers to build any of the greenhouses they fabricate entirely for growers, or they’ll help build along with friends and family as a “community build,” anywhere in the USA.In addition to the process of building and installing greenhouses, we also talk about essential considerations like orientation, dealing with rocky soil and whether to cover with a single or double layer of plastic. We also discuss the status of the NRCS high tunnel grant program, which has not been affected as much as many of the other federal ag programs and is currently running more or less the way it has in years past. If you have questions about the status of the NRCS high tunnel program you can contact Nifty Hoops at the address below. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @niftyhoopsWebsite: https://www.niftyhoops.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Tilth Soil makes living soils for organic growers. The base for all our mixes is NOP-compliant compost, made from the 4,000 tons of food scraps we divert from landfills each year. And the results speak for themselves. Get excellent germination, strong transplants, and help us turn these resources back into food. Try a free bag, and check our 2025 farmer pricing at tilthsoil.com/gfm.Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Whether you already grow mushrooms or are looking to diversify your market offerings, Erin Hamilton of The Mushroom Conservatory tells us about the varieties and methods we should consider for mushrooms that can be cultured and grown for market. Erin, an expert mushroom grower and agricultural educator, shares her passion for mushrooms and their ecological significance, including how spent mushroom spawn can improve your compost pile. She discusses the role of mycelium in plant growth, types of mushrooms you can cultivate, and the ongoing debate surrounding golden oyster mushrooms.Erin also provides practical advice on how to start growing mushrooms, focusing on oyster mushrooms and functional varieties. She provides a detailed guide on growing mushrooms, discusses the health benefits of functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane, and offers practical tips for selling mushrooms at farmers markets and building relationships with restaurants. This includes ways to dehydrate and package mushrooms that come back from market for sale later in this conversation with host April Parms Jones. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @themushroomconservatoryWebsite: https://themushroomconservatory.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Tilth Soil makes living soils for organic growers. The base for all our mixes is NOP-compliant compost, made from the 4,000 tons of food scraps we divert from landfills each year. And the results speak for themselves. Get excellent germination, strong transplants, and help us turn these resources back into food. Try a free bag, and check our 2025 farmer pricing at tilthsoil.com/gfm. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Harnois has been pioneering greenhouse design since 1965, working with farmers across North America to deliver turnkey greenhouse solutions. Designed to withstand high snow and wind loads, their greenhouses optimize brightness, boost yields, and offer a rapid ROI. And in 2025, they’re introducing a new tunnel starting at just $2 per square foot- and as a GFM listener, you’ll receive an exclusive 5% discount on all new structures at Harnois.com. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Dave Chapman tells us about the origins of the Real Organic Project, and why preserving organic standards is important for all growers whether certified organic or not in this week’s podcast. Dave is the co-director of the Real Organic Project (ROP) and owner of Long Wind Farm in Vermont. The ROP is active in preserving the standards of the National Organic Program (NOP) in the face of lobbying by agribusiness to relax them, particularly in the areas of allowing hydroponics to be certified organic and enforcing animal welfare standards in organic production.This is the first of a two-part conversation about the ROP, this one focusing on hydroponics and the forthcoming episode will focus on preserving animal welfare standards. Dave highlights the impact on consumer trust that comes from weakening the NOP, and the future of organic standards as corporations push for changing them. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by container production and herbicide use in “organic” farming, the health impacts of chemical agriculture and the growth of the Real Organic Certification initiative. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @realorganicprojectWebsite: realorganicproject.org Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Harnois has been pioneering greenhouse design since 1965, working with farmers across North America to deliver turnkey greenhouse solutions. Designed to withstand high snow and wind loads, their greenhouses optimize brightness, boost yields, and offer a rapid ROI. And in 2025, they’re introducing a new tunnel starting at just $2 per square foot- and as a GFM listener, you’ll receive an exclusive 5% discount on all new structures at Harnois.com. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm tells host Rebecca Kutzer-Rice how the need for standards for floral crops at the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market (SWGM) led to the creation of the new book Floral Standards: A Practical Guide for Harvesting and Delivering Professional Quality Products. They also discuss Diane’s journey in flower farming, the establishment of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, and the importance of quality standards in the floral industry. Diane highlights the collaborative efforts of local growers to create the Floral Standards book, which serves as a comprehensive guide for harvesting and delivering the highest quality flowers.The discussion also covers specific crops like dahlias, hellebores and sweet peas, emphasizing the need for careful handling and understanding of harvest stages to ensure product quality. She discusses the importance of harvesting methods, managing geotropism in flowers, and postharvest handling for getting flowers to market with as much vase life as possible. The conversation also touches on unique crops for local growers, pricing strategies in the flower market, and how the group at SWGM collaborated to write the book that will help growers know what the standard is for a wide variety of floral crops and how to meet it. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @jellomoldfarm, @seattlewholesalegrowersmarketWebsite: jellomoldfarm.com, swgm.coop Buy the book: swgm.coop/book/ Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.Sumisansui is Japanese irrigation brought to you by Wetterfrosch Farm Tools. Sumisansui is a proven tool that is highly adaptable for farms and gardens of all sizes. It is quick and easy to deploy, has a broad, rectangular coverage area and uniformly waters multiple beds at a time. It operates on low water pressure, has multi season durability and is exceptionally gentle on seeds, plants and soil. Learn more at wetterfrosch.farm.Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Harnois has been pioneering greenhouse design since 1965, working with farmers across North America to deliver turnkey greenhouse solutions. Designed to withstand high snow and wind loads, their greenhouses optimize brightness, boost yields, and offer a rapid ROI. And in 2025, they’re introducing a new tunnel starting at just $2 per square foot- and as a GFM listener, you’ll receive an exclusive 5% discount on all new structures at Harnois.com. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Started in the late 1980s by Sandy and Paul Arnold, Pleasant Valley Farm in Argyle, New York, helped innovate and share winter growing techniques that lengthened local food season on many market farms. After decades of selling at farmers markets, during the pandemic they switched to online sales only out of necessity. Listen to this interview with their son Robert Arnold to find out how they made the transition on short notice, why they never went back to farmers markets, and tips from how they manage their 100% online sales.We also get some tips from the farm, including an innovative method for long-term storage of head lettuce. In addition to growing up and working on Pleasant Valley Farm, Robert has his own business called Smart Farm Innovations that helps farmers automate tasks around the farm. Robert tells us how and what processes farmers are automating to save time and gain peace of mind. Connect With Guest:Instagram:@pvfproduce@smartfarminnovationsWebsite:http://pvfproduce.comhttps://www.smartfarminnovations.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Sumisansui is Japanese irrigation brought to you by Wetterfrosch Farm Tools. Sumisansui is a proven tool that is highly adaptable for farms and gardens of all sizes. It is quick and easy to deploy, has a broad, rectangular coverage area and uniformly waters multiple beds at a time. It operates on low water pressure, has multi season durability and is exceptionally gentle on seeds, plants and soil. Learn more at wetterfrosch.farm. Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Harnois has been pioneering greenhouse design since 1965, working with farmers across North America to deliver turnkey greenhouse solutions. Designed to withstand high snow and wind loads, their greenhouses optimize brightness, boost yields, and offer a rapid ROI. And in 2025, they’re introducing a new tunnel starting at just $2 per square foot- and as a GFM listener, you’ll receive an exclusive 5% discount on all new structures at Harnois.com. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Farm Action is a nonpartisan agricultural watchdog organization led by farmers, and Research and Policy Development Director Sarah Carden joins host April Parms Jones to discuss how they provide food-system accountability for farmers. Farm Action advocates for a fair and sustainable food system that empowers farmers and rural communities by focusing on holding large corporations and the government accountable for their actions in agriculture. Hear why specialty crop producers often receive less support compared to commodity crops, and the impact on food pricing and diversity, which is part of the reason why processed foods are often cheaper than vegetables.United States food and agriculture policies currently enable a handful of the world’s largest corporations to control our food and farming system at the expense of farmers, workers, and all of us who eat. Hear how Farm Action encourages consumer awareness and education about food labeling as essential parts of supporting local agriculture, and advocates for accountability from both our government and large corporations within the agricultural sector. Connect With Guest:Facebook: @FarmActionUSWebsite: https://farmaction.us Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.comFarmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm.Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and box builder. As a GFM podcast listener, Local Line is offering a free premium feature for one year with your subscription using the coupon code GFM2025 at localline.co. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

In this interview Ana Ljubojević and Nikolina Kovačević tell us how they grew Mali Plac, an innovative food hub in Slovenia that connects farmers directly with consumers. They discuss the mission of Mali Plac, how it helps people “find their tribe,” their customer demographics, the logistics of operations, and the pickup model that allows farmers to interact directly with customers. The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships and respect within the community, showcasing how Mali Plac has evolved over the years to become a vital part of the local food system.They discuss the evolution of their order management system from spreadsheets to implementing the Local Line platform, and how it accommodates the evolving needs of farmers and customers as their food hub grows. The discussion also covers the agricultural landscape in Slovenia, highlighting seasonal variations, types of crops grown, and the innovative solutions they employ to minimize food waste and enhance communication with their community. Ana and Nikolina discuss the importance of cash payments in local markets, the unique payment systems and taxation in Slovenia, and how these factors contribute to community building. They also discuss the cultural aspects of food consumption, advice for starting a food hub and the challenges and opportunities of expanding into new markets. Connect With Guest:Instagram: @maliplaczaprihodnostWebsite: www.maliplac.si Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and box builder. As a GFM podcast listener, Local Line is offering a free premium feature for one year with your subscription using the coupon code GFM2025 at localline.co. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

Have you ever thought of a project that would be perfect for your farm, except that it’s not profitable? It might be possible with a for-profit/nonprofit partnership! In this episode we explore these partnerships with Amber Lambke, cofounder and CEO of Maine Grains. We’ll hear how such a partnership helped her start a gristmill in a repurposed Victorian-era jailhouse, which has spurred the revival of grain production in Maine.Amber shares insights on the challenges of building a business in a rural area, the complexities of funding agricultural projects, the role of nonprofits in supporting local economies, and the implications of tax laws on grant funding. We explore innovative funding models to enhance agricultural sustainability and food security, the intricacies of forming and operating a nonprofit organization, the importance of having a clear mission, understanding the legal requirements for nonprofit status, and the challenges of securing funding through grants. As an example, interviewer and GFM editor Andrew Mefferd describes a greenhouse project for his farm to see if Amber thinks it might be a good candidate for such a partnership.Connect With Guest:Instagram: @mainegrainsWebsite: mainegrains.comPodcast Sponsors:Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that’s tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America. Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and box builder. As a GFM podcast listener, Local Line is offering a free premium feature for one year with your subscription using the coupon code GFM2025 at localline.co. Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com Farmhand is the all-in-one virtual assistant created for CSA farmers. With five-star member support, custom websites, shop management, and seamless billing, Farmhand makes it effortless to market, manage, and grow a thriving CSA. Learn more and set up a demo with the founder at farmhand.partners/gfm. Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial