Claim OwnershipThe Urban Farmer Podcast
Subscribed: 9Played: 203
Subscribe
© 2025
Description
Re-released for its 10th anniversary. The Urban Farmer is a documentary-style podcast that takes you behind the scenes of a real urban farming business to show you what it truly takes to run a successful farm in the city. Follow farmer Curtis Stone's journey over an entire growing season as he produces food on just a third of an acre in Kelowna, BC, Canada. The show was initially recorded in 2015.
This series, hosted by Diego Footer, explores the daily struggles and successes of urban farming. Curtis shares his hard-earned knowledge of intensive production methods, season extension, optimal crop selection, farm planning, and financial management. But this podcast goes beyond the nuts and bolts of growing—it gives an honest look at the entrepreneurial, social, and lifestyle aspects of urban farming.
Whether you are a new grower dreaming of starting your own urban farm or a seasoned producer looking to refine your systems, The Urban Farmer will inform and inspire you. Follow along as Curtis demonstrates how to produce an abundance of food in the most unlikely places and build a viable business supporting a high quality of life. If you've ever wanted to see how profitable and rewarding small-scale farming can be, this podcast is for you.
This series, hosted by Diego Footer, explores the daily struggles and successes of urban farming. Curtis shares his hard-earned knowledge of intensive production methods, season extension, optimal crop selection, farm planning, and financial management. But this podcast goes beyond the nuts and bolts of growing—it gives an honest look at the entrepreneurial, social, and lifestyle aspects of urban farming.
Whether you are a new grower dreaming of starting your own urban farm or a seasoned producer looking to refine your systems, The Urban Farmer will inform and inspire you. Follow along as Curtis demonstrates how to produce an abundance of food in the most unlikely places and build a viable business supporting a high quality of life. If you've ever wanted to see how profitable and rewarding small-scale farming can be, this podcast is for you.
49 Episodes
Reverse
Curtis Stone reveals how jazz improvisation principles can revolutionize your farming approach: learn why constraints actually boost creativity, how to build flexible frameworks that prevent burnout, and the crucial difference between following recipes versus understanding systems. Curtis and Diego also dive into mindset shifts that separate successful adaptive farmers from those who struggle when plans go wrong, plus insider secrets about finding high-value mentors and avoiding costly trial-and-error mistakes. 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 rewind episode, Curtis reveals how thinking like a spy on a reconnaissance mission helped him build a six-figure urban farm in one of the most competitive restaurant markets. We talk about the three-stage intelligence protocol for breaking into saturated markets, including free reconnaissance techniques you can do from your laptop before even planting a single seed. 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 rewind episode, learn why sometimes, it's worth saving one customer, especially when the lifetime value of that one customer can go up to $312,000. We take a look at how urban farmer Curtis Stone kept his restaurant clients for 6+ years, including how to handle product shortages, turn complaints into loyalty, and build relationships that make you irreplaceable. 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 rewind episode, we're taking a look at how Curtis Stone turned a potential $52,000 customer loss into a powerful business strategy by doing what most farmers won't: calling his competition. Diego unpacks the three-step system for building a supplier network that keeps your customers satisfied, creates reciprocal relationships with other farmers, and turns your biggest weakness—crop shortages—into your strongest competitive advantage. 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.
A lot of new farmers fall into the trap of growing crops that they like without sparing a thought for whether or not other people like it, too...which is why many of them fail at crop selection that leads to expensive mistakes. In this rewind episode, we're taking a look at Curtis Stone's proven formula for testing crops profitably, plus Rob Kaiser's hard-earned lessons from going broke on Brussels sprouts to selling out with microgreens in 3 hours. 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 rewind episode, we look back on how Curtis Stone overcame devastating burnout and a $150 paycheck after 100 hours of work to build an unstoppable farming business through the help of his community. We talk about the counterintuitive strategy of showing vulnerability, creating economic relationships with neighbors, and becoming the catalyst that transforms local connections into business success. 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, Curtis Stone shares his strategy for maintaining long-term restaurant relationships even when he finds himself short on product. He also reveals some customer service secrets that have helped build 6+ year relationships with high-value restaurant clients and break into competitive restaurant markets. 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.
A sequel to the last Rewind episode, Diego breaks down why trying to save money on farming education could be the most expensive mistake you'll ever make. We look into Curtis Stone's brutal journey from burnout and tears to building a $75,000 farm, doubling down on how "free" trial-and-error learning actually costs over $25,000 in mistakes, lost time, and emotional trauma. 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 rewind episode, we're taking a look at Rob Kaiser's strategy as he transitioned from a crushing six-figure corporate career to debt-free farming. Diego breaks down why it works: real numbers, realistic timelines, and a multi-stream income approach that 89% of successful farmers actually use. Get the debt freedom formula that could save you thousands in interest and set you up for long-term farming success. 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 Urban Farmer, we shine the spotlight on Rob Kaiser, who walked away from a successful corporate career to pursue market farming...all while still working 50-60 hours a week at his day job. Rob shares the real challenges of transitioning to farming: from dealing with crop failures to finding what actually sells at market. The episode also talks about practical strategies on how to start a farming career without going broke, why focusing on business metrics matters more than ideology, and how to build the community support that will sustain you through the tough times. 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 Rewind episode, we're taking a look at the $500 tool that saved Curtis 95 hours in a single season and helped scale his operation 30% without adding any land or new crops. Diego breaks down the math behind tool investments that pay for themselves 3x over in year one, plus Curtis's proven 3-year equipment progression strategy that took him from $200 market days to a $75K 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 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.
Are you treating your farm like a hobby or a real business? In this episode, Curtis Stone drills down on the critical mindset shift that separates profitable farmers from those who struggle. He talks about why investing $500 in the right tool can save you 95 hours per season, how to value your time properly, and why being "cheap" with equipment actually costs you money. Building the solid foundation of a business isn't about spending more—it's about thinking strategically to make sure your farm pays you and not the other way around. 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 rewind episode, Diego breaks down the reason why most new farmers' CSA programs fail at launch. He digs into Curtis Stone's strategy on how years' worth of relationship- and reputation-building can help secure much-needed trust that eventually led his business to a successful $20-30K seasonal CSA program. 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, Curtis peels back the curtain on why most new farmers struggle with CSAs, what new farmers need to build up to have a successful CSA, and where to tap into to get their first CSA customers. Curtis also dives into farmer's market psychology techniques and the critical reputation-building strategies that separate successful farms from failures. 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, we break down Curtis Stone's farming strategy that generates over $43,000 per equivalent acre using a high-rotation system that turns small plots into profit machines. Learn how his market garden beats traditional farms through data-driven methods, crop selection strategies, and solid efficiency systems while working just 30 hours per week. This isn't about growing more vegetables—it's about growing more value from every square foot of your land. 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, Curtis shares how he transformed his overwhelming 80-hour work weeks into a manageable 20-hour schedule by successfully hiring and training farm employees. This episode reveals the three critical systems every farmer needs before hiring help, plus the mindset shift that separates successful farm owners from those who burn out. 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 rewind episode, Diego breaks down how Curtis Stone revolutionized his urban farm by growing three different crops in the same bed using advanced interplanting techniques – it's a sophisticated approach that transforms underutilized space into profitable production zones. 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, Curtis schools us in on how he transformed his 80-hour burnout farm into a profitable 20-hour operation while boosting revenue. Learn how he utilizes interplanting, smart crop selection strategies, and efficiency hacks that eliminate unpaid work like weeding and maximize your return per square foot. 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.
Curtis Stone shares how he revolutionized his business by firing 80 customers and keeping just 10, resulting in a boosted income and dramatically less stress. This episode reveals the numbers behind CSA and restaurant sales, along with practical strategies for evaluating your market, choosing the right sales model for your personality and location, and building a sustainable farm business that works with your strengths. 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.
When you do it right, farming smaller plots can be more profitable than farming larger acreage! Curtis Stone shares real-world insights from farming both 2 acres and 1/3 acre urban plots, which crops generate the highest profits, and how proximity to customers can transform your farm business. He also talks about the critical differences between CSA and restaurant sales models. 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.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States