The Thriving Farmer Podcast

Latest Episodes:

290. Gabe Madison on Cultivating Hope through Community Engagement Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

How can engaging the community through farming transform lives?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Gabe Madison who is the President of Bonton Farms, a transformative urban farm in South Dallas. Gabe provides strategic oversight for the farm's expanding operations and community programs, leveraging over two decades of corporate leadership experience to disrupt inequitable systems and foster community growth. Tune in to hear how Gabe Madison leverages her corporate leadership experience to guide Bonton Farms' transformative urban farming initiatives and community programs in South Dallas.

Episode Highlights:

Corporate Background: Gabe's role before joining Bonton Farms [1:09]
Farm Overview: What Bonton Farms does [5:03]
The "Barndominium": Its purpose and use [9:56]
Recent Changes: Updates on the farm since Gabe's arrival [13:17]
Staff Size: How big the Bonton Farms staff is [22:55]
Apprenticeships: How apprenticeships work at Bonton Farms [27:00]
Farmer's Market: What's happening with Bonton Farms' farmer's market [34:20]

Don't miss this episode on the transformative power of community engagement through farming!

About the Guest:

Gabe Madison is the President of Bonton Farms, a South Dallas farm and community resource dedicated to disrupting inequitable systems. With over two decades of corporate leadership experience, Gabe provides strategic oversight to the farm's expanding operations and community initiatives. Prior to this role, she served as Director of Community Relations and HR Manager at Thomson Reuters. Gabe graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, and currently lives in Frisco with her wonderful family.

Connect with Bonton Farms:

Website: Bonton Farms
Instagram: Follow on Instagram
Facebook: Like on Facebook

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Growing Farmers!

Are you ready to transform your strawberry growing skills? We want to share our 16 years of experience with growing and profiting from strawberries with you in our free 3-day Strawberry Workshop.

Learn proven techniques for boosting yield and flavor, tips for managing your harvest and even developing your own U-pick operation.

This workshop is perfect for farmers, homesteaders and gardeners looking to extend your strawberry growing season and make some money in return.

The 3-day online workshop is offered weekly but register now as it's only available for a few more weeks. Sign up at www.strawberrysuccess.com

289. Julie Rawson on Mulching, Medicinal Plants, and No-Till Techniques Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

What advice would a seasoned farmer give to those aspiring to start their own farm?

Find out in this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast where Michael is joined by Julie Rawson who is co-owner of Many Hands Organic Farm in Barre, Massachusetts. After growing up on a conventional farm in Illinois, Julie, along with her husband Jack, transitioned to organic farming in 1982, where she has become a pioneer in soil fertility and carbon sequestration.

Tune in to hear Julie Rawson's journey from conventional to organic farming and her insights on sustainable practices.

Episode Highlights:

Conventional Farming: Julie's journey from conventional to organic [1:04]
Farm Goals: Julie's objectives with her Massachusetts farm [4:28]
Orchard Details: More about her farm's orchards [13:14]
Tree Mulching: Learn about how Julie mulches her fruit trees [20:44]
Medicinal Plants: Hear about the medicinal plants Julie grows [25:29]
Tomato Varieties: Julie's favorite tomatoes [30:20]
Educational Offerings: The types of education offered at Julie's farm [45:26]
Advice for New Farmers: Julie's advice for newer farmers [50:39]

Don't miss this episode about the journey from conventional to organic farming, where Julie Rawson shares her insights on soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and sustainable farming practices.

About the Guest:

Julie has been farming at Many Hands Organic Farm since 1982 with her husband, Jack, her kids, many employees, apprentices, volunteers and working shareholders over the years. Their farm is certified organic, no-till, run a CSA since 1992, and also raises chicken, turkey and pork.

Connect with Julie's Farm:

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Growing Farmers!

Are you ready to transform your strawberry growing skills? We want to share our 16 years of experience with growing and profiting from strawberries with you in our free 3-day Strawberry Workshop.

Learn proven techniques for boosting yield and flavor, tips for managing your harvest and even developing your own U-pick operation.

This workshop is perfect for farmers, homesteaders and gardeners looking to extend your strawberry growing season and make some money in return.

The 3-day online workshop is offered weekly but register now as it's only available for a few more weeks. Sign up at www.strawberrysuccess.com

288. Melissa K. Norris on Modern Homestead Living Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Has the homesteading movement finally peaked?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael explores this question and more with Melissa K. Norris who is a fifth-generation homesteader, author and educator in Washington state. Melissa inspires and guides thousands of fellow homesteaders through her website, podcast, and books on creating a self-sustaining home and kitchen to help further preserve the old ways of farm-to-table living.

Tune in to hear about the transformational power of sustainable living and the value of a supportive homesteading community.

Episode Highlights:

Five Generations: More on Melissa's family history in homesteading [1:05]
Health Challenges: The Impact of Food Choices on Health and Holistic Living [7:59]
Sharing with Others: About Melissa's journey to educating others [15:21]
Homestead Living: Learn about the magazine Melissa co-founded [17:45]
Community Sufficiency: Melissa's take on the importance of community [21:14]
Spousal Support: Getting the Spouse on Board with Homesteading [32:38]
Inspiring Others: Melissa's advice to a new or aspiring homesteaders [42:16]

About the Guest:

Melissa K. Norris helps hundreds of thousands of people each month raise their own food and create a homemade and homegrown kitchen, home, garden and barnyard through her website, popular Pioneering Today Podcast, the Pioneering Today Academy and her books. She is a co-founder of the Modern Homesteading Conference as well as owner of Norris Farmstead.

Melissa is a 5th generation homesteader and lives with her husband and two kids in their own little house in the big woods in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains.

Connect with Melissa:

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Growing Farmers!

Are you ready to transform your strawberry growing skills? We want to share our 16 years of experience with growing and profiting from strawberries with you in our free 3-day Strawberry Workshop.

Learn proven techniques for boosting yield and flavor, tips for managing your harvest and even developing your own U-pick operation.

This workshop is perfect for farmers, homesteaders and gardeners looking to extend your strawberry growing season and make some money in return.

The 3-day online workshop is offered weekly but register now as it's only available for a few more weeks. Sign up at www.strawberrysuccess.com

287. Olivia Schoentrup on Farming Journeys and Innovations Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

Why is it important to share the stories of small-scale farmers?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Olivia Schoentrup, a sixth-generation farmer who has transitioned from traditional farming to RV living and farm touring. Olivia shares her unique journey, shedding light on the challenges of scaling up a small farm and the critical importance of sharing the stories of small farmers.

Tune in to learn more about Olivia's transformative journey and the innovative practices shaping the future of farming.

Episode Highlights:

Olivia's Farming Journey: How Olivia's farming endeavors came to be [1:02]
Market Insights: What were the markets for Schoentrup Farms [7:14]
Influential Farmers: Learn about some innovative farmers [15:46]
Farm Visits: Hear about the smaller farms that Olivia has visited [20:21]
Lessons Learned: Hear about what Olivia has learned through her journeys [27:21]
Connect with Olivia: Follow Olivia on their travels [31:21]

About the Guest:

Olivia Schoentrup is a 6th generation farmer from Indiana. She and her husband, Paul, farmed together on 5 acres raising beef, pork, and chicken to sell directly to consumers. After farming for 6 years, they sold everything, moved into a 5th wheel camper, and are now traveling the country visiting small farms and homesteads to share their story on our YouTube Channel, Breaking New Roots.

Connect with Breaking New Roots:

Instagram: Follow on Instagram Facebook: Like on Facebook YouTube: Subscribe on YouTube

Don't miss this episode on Olivia's experiences and perspectives on modern agricultural practices and the evolving landscape of small-scale farming across the US.

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Growing Farmers!

Are you ready to transform your strawberry growing skills? We want to share our 16 years of experience with growing and profiting from strawberries with you in our free 3-day Strawberry Workshop.

Learn proven techniques for boosting yield and flavor, tips for managing your harvest and even developing your own U-pick operation.

This workshop is perfect for farmers, homesteaders and gardeners looking to extend your strawberry growing season and make some money in return.

The 3-day online workshop is offered weekly but register now as it's only available for a few more weeks. Sign up at www.strawberrysuccess.com

286. Melanie Cunningham on the Power of Oxen in Farming Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how traditional oxen power can transform modern farming?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Melanie Cunningham of Shakefork Community Farm in Northern California. Along with her husband, Kevin, they grow a variety of vegetables, strawberries, and pasture-raised livestock using permanent raised beds, low-till methods, and draft oxen power.

Tune in to hear about this oxen-powered and diversified regenerative market & CSA farm!

Episode Highlights:

Melanie's Farming Journey: Hear how Melanie found her passion for farming [1:36]
Shakefork Farm: How they run the farm [8:22]
Draft oxen power: Learn more about how they incorporated oxen [11:04]
No-till: More about their bed preparation process [15:04]
Sales Outlets: Some of the places that Shakefork markets their products [23:17]
Strawberry Success: Learn more about their growing strawberry process [27:30]
Tips for New Farmers: Hear Melanie's advice for new farmers [35:47]
Tool Time: Melanie's favorite tool on the farm [36:37]

About the Guest:

Melanie Cunningham farms 85 acres in the Van Duzen River floodplain in far Northern California with her husband, Kevin, 10 year old son, Clyde and a crew of committed farmhands. Shakefork Community Farm is a highly diversified CSA and market garden AND pasture based operation, growing a variety of vegetables and strawberries, pasture raised eggs, chicken and turkey, grass-fed beef and a home dairy.

Melanie moved to Humboldt County in 2004 to learn to farm, and within a week landed her first farm job. Shakefork was launched in 2008 and has become an anchor of their thriving rural farming community.

Connect with Shakefork Community Farm:

Don't miss this episode on the innovative practices and inspiring journey of Melanie Cunningham and Shakefork Community Farm, from using draft oxen power to achieving strawberry success.

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Farmhand!

When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management?

In a world filled with parts vendors, Farmhand is the only all-in-one virtual assistant built by and for independent farmers. With one single platform, Farmhand helps ensure that even small, local farms can access the same level of support and technology typically reserved for larger factory farms.

The best part? Farmhand's ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.

285. Ray Tyler on Balancing Family and Farm Life May 28, 2024

Show notes

How do you successfully balance family and farm life?

Find out in this episode of the podcast with Ray Tyler! Ray has previously been on the podcast and he also participated in our Thriving Farmer Vegetable Summit this past January. Ray is an inspiring figure in the world of sustainable agriculture and is a dedicated family man, self-made farmer, and innovative educator at Rose Creek Farms.

Tune in to learn how to balance farming with family life and make a meaningful impact.

Episode Highlights:

All about Ray: Ray Tyler's start into farming [1:13]
Essential elements: Basic principles to apply on your farm [6:27]
It's All in the Family: Practical Applications and Family Integration on the Farm [23:26]
Sustainability: Transitioning to a Sustainable Farming Lifestyle [32:03]
Q&A: Implementing Family-Friendly Farming Practices [36:59]

About the Guest:

Ray Tyler, along with his wife Ashley, embarked on a farming journey fueled by passion and determination. Despite starting with zero savings and facing numerous challenges, including navigating stringent regulations and their daughter's battle with cancer, they persevered. By transitioning to focus solely on produce and refining their farming practices, they tripled their income while working fewer hours.

Today, they operate a successful, near weed-free farm with year-round production, emphasizing quality and sustainability. Ray's story underscores the transformative power of resilience, innovation, and prioritizing what truly matters in life: love, family, and contentment.

Connect with Rose Creek Farm:

Don't miss this episode on the importance of disconnecting farm problems from family life, engaging children without forcing them to work, and still increasing farm profitability.

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Farmhand!

When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management?

The best part? Farmhand's ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.

284. Jim Sander on Community-Centered Nonprofit Farming May 21, 2024

Show notes

How can shifting from profit-driven farming to a nonprofit model enhance food production and community well-being?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Jim Sander of Wildflower Lane Farm in North Carolina. After a successful career selling to local markets and CSAs, Jim shifted his farm's focus to growing produce exclusively for local food relief groups using regenerative techniques, increasing both food production and personal fulfillment.

Tune in to hear how Jim has transformed his passion for farming into a powerful force for community good.

Episode Highlights:

Jim's Farming Journey: Discover how Jim's farming journey began. [1:40]
Challenging Beginnings: Hear about Jim's first year of growing. [4:11]
Evolution of Wildflower Lane: Learn how his farm evolved into what it is today. [9:02]
Crop Planning Challenges: Discover the difficulties of crop planning at Wildflower Lane. [23:02]
Soil Fertility Program: Understand how the soil fertility program works. [24:38] Starting a Nonprofit Model Farm: Get Jim's advice for starting a nonprofit model farm operation. [29:33] Advice for Aspiring Farmers: Hear Jim's advice for those looking to get into farming. [35:24] Favorite Farming Tool: Find out what Jim's favorite farming tool is. [38:15]

About the Guest:

Jim began farming at Wildflower Lane Farm in 2010 after attending an introductory farming course at the Breeze Farm in Hillsborough. After successfully farming there for a year, Jim converted 3/4 acre of pasture land at his 24 acre farm into a small organic farm.

For the first 7 years, Jim grew organically-certified produce and sold it to local markets, including Whole Foods, Weaver Street Market, Eastern Carolina Organics and numerous restaurants and CSA's.

At the end of year 7, Jim decided to partner with Table to feed local kids who are food insecure. Jim now volunteers 20 hours each week supervising Table volunteers and couldn't be more fulfilled doing just what he loves, farming and providing fresh produce to locals.

Connect with Wildflower Lane Farm:

Website: Visit Wildflower Lane Farm

Don't miss this episode on how Jim Sander's innovative approach is transforming farming and making a significant impact on local food relief efforts.

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Farmhand!

When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management?

The best part? Farmhand's ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.

283. Will Harris on the Shift from Industrial to Zero-Waste Regenerative Farming May 14, 2024

Show notes

How can a zero-waste ecosystem benefit both the environment and the local community?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Will Harris, a fourth-generation farmer and the owner of White Oak Pastures. His regenerative farm maintains a zero-waste ecosystem that supports 10 species of animals and produces everything from high-quality meats to organic fertilizers, demonstrating their commitment to land, livestock, and community. Tune in to hear about Will's journey from an industrial cattle operation to a zero-waste regenerative farm.

Episode Highlights:

Will's Farming Journey: Discover how Will's farming journey began. [2:56]
Joining Whole Foods: Explore how Will began his journey with Whole Foods. [6:56]
On-Farm Processing: Discover the premise behind White Oak Pastures' on-farm processing [11:24]
Their Commitment: Learn how White Oak Pastures implements its zero-waste policy. [21:01]
The White Oak Team: Get insights into the size and structure of the White Oak team. [30:01]
A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: Understand what inspired Will to write his book. [37:40]
The Joe Rogan Experience: Explore how Will ended up on the Joe Rogan podcast. [39:12]
Future of White Oak: Discover Will's vision for the future of White Oak Pastures. [44:36]

About the Guest:

Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman, who tends the same land that his great-grandfather settled in 1866. Born and raised at White Oak Pastures, Will left home to attend the University of Georgia's School of Agriculture, where he was trained in the industrial farming methods that had taken hold after World War II. Will graduated in 1976 and returned to Bluffton where he and his father continued to raise cattle using pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics. In 1995, Will made the audacious decision to return to the farming methods his great-grandfather had used 130 years before.

Since Will has successfully implemented these changes, he has been recognized all over the world as a leader in humane animal husbandry and environmental sustainability.

Connect with White Oak Pastures:

Website: Visit White Oak Pastures
Instagram: Follow on Instagram
Facebook: Like on Facebook
Will's Book: A Bold Return to Giving a Damn

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion about the amazing transformation of White Oak Pastures!

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Farmhand!

When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management?

The best part? Farmhand's ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.

282. Ari Memar on Saving Time and Increasing Revenue with Farmhand May 07, 2024

Show notes

What could you achieve with an extra 10 hours each week on your farm?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael welcomes Ari Memar, the founder and CEO of Farmhand. Ari combines his tech expertise with a passion for sustainable agriculture to help local farmers boost their profits and cut down their workload, all through innovative technology.

Tune in to discover how this unique service can help you save time and money!

Episode Highlights:

Ari's Farming Journey: Discover how Ari transitioned from tech enthusiast to farming innovator. [1:41]
Exploring Farmhand: Learn how Farmhand supports farmers and enhances agricultural practices. [5:53]
Farmhand in Action: Hear how farmers use Farmhand to streamline their operations and boost business. [16:17]
Simplicity and Accessibility: Find out what makes Farmhand a user-friendly solution for modern farmers. [18:57]
Custom Solutions: Dive into the customization options Farmhand offers to meet diverse farming needs. [21:25]
Website Building: Explore Farmhand's approach to creating effective, farm-focused websites. [27:22]

About the Guest:

Ari Memar is not just the mind behind Farmhand; he's also a hobby farmer in Sebastopol, California. There, he cultivates a variety of fruits and vegetables, applying his tech background to foster a sustainable local food ecosystem.

Connect with Farmhand:

Website: Visit Farmhand
Instagram: Follow on Instagram
Facebook: Like on Facebook

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion about blending technology with traditional farming to create a thriving agricultural business!

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Farmhand!

When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management?

The best part? Farmhand's ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.

281. Briana Bosch on Sustainability, Sheep, and Suburban Farming Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

How can suburban spaces transform into sustainable farming hubs?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Bri Bosch who runs Blossom & Branch Farm in Colorado. On 1.7 acres in the suburbs of Denver, Briana and her husband have been blending budget-friendly farming with environmental stewardship, and offering educational classes and sustainable wedding florals.

Listen in to hear how Bri incorporates cover crops, plastic-free practices, and holistic animal grazing to produce healthy soil and beautiful flowers.

You'll hear:

What it's like to farm in the suburbs 1:39
Why and how Bri's farm has gone plastic-free 14:34
About the mulch they use on their garden 17:23
More about their unique seed starting process using wool 21:44
What the current main focuses are on the farm right now 29:53
About the types of classes they offer 32:22
More about how Briana manages the farm's social media 58:04

About the Guest:

Briana is a fifth generation farmer running her own regenerative flower farm Blossom and Branch Farm near Denver, Colorado. She emphasizes cost saving practices that also consider the health of the planet and soil as top priorities.

Resources:

Website - www.blossomandbranchfarm.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blossomandbranchfarm YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@blossomandbranch TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/discover/blossom-and-branch-farm

The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, FarmHand!

When it comes to buying a truck, you don't look for parts and try to build it yourself. You want something ready to ride. So why settle for parts when it comes to your farm management?

The best part? Farmhand's ready-to-ride platform comes with zero startup costs or long-term commitments. Learn more and take the quiz to see how much you can save at farmhand.partners/podcast.

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