Does a farm run by its workers affect its success and how it operates?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael talks with Hannah Breckbill, who helped start Humble Hands Harvest. This organic farm in Northeast Iowa is run by its workers. Now in her 12th year, Hannah and her team practice no-till farming, showing their dedication to sustainable food and supporting the local community.

Listen in to find out how Hannah runs this community-focused, worker-owned farm.

You’ll hear:

• How Hannah got started in sustainable agriculture 1:00
• About Humble Hands’ journey to owning land  5:01
• What Certified Organic means to Hannah 8:51
• About what the help on the farm is like as a worker-owned farm 11:06
• More about the biggest challenges Humble Hands faces with their business model 18:37
• About what kind of education/encouragement they offer the queer farming community 29:38
• What Hannah’s advice is for beginning farmers 31:43

About the Guest:

Hannah is starting her 12th season with Humble Hands Harvest, a worker-owned vegetable farm growing food for the people of Decorah, Iowa. She holds a vision of a cooperative food web that regenerates rural livelihood as well as soil and ecosystems. She launched the Queer Farmer Convergence in 2018 and loves to be gathered on the land with fellow farmers and land stewards.

Resources:

Website - https://humblehandsharvest.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/humblehandsharvest Facebook - facebook.com/humblehandsharvest

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

At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 

So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

What are the key benefits of integrating advanced technology into greenhouse construction?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Josh Holleb who is the Systems Integration Specialist at Ceres Greenhouse Solutions. Josh combines his construction and farming expertise to help create sustainable growing spaces that blend technology with smart design.

Tune in to hear about sustainable greenhouses that blend technology with smart design.

You’ll hear:

• How Josh got into greenhouses 0:51
• More about the types of greenhouses they build 2:29
• About the estimated costs for Ceres’ greenhouse designs 13:07
• What are the biggest principles Josh has learned while working with Ceres 17:44
• About the new markets Ceres has been exploring 22:17
• More about The Vesta 23:46
• How Ceres’ practices integrate with permaculture 30:12

About the Guest:

Josh Holleb has been working at the intersection of construction and agriculture for over 15 years. From running organic farms to building permaculture sites to growing Ceres greenhouse Solutions as a business, he tries to combine good design with smart farming techniques to help people and businesses succeed in creating efficient growing environments.

Resources:

Website -  www.ceresgs.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/CerescannGreenhouse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CeresgreenhousesFacebook - Ceres Greenhouse Solutions

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

At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 

So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

What are the biggest challenges in fruit farming?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Bryce Loewen of Blossom Bluff Orchards as he shares his journey in agriculture and the challenges of organic fruit farming in California's Central Valley. He discusses the life cycle of orchards, the yield per acre of stone fruits, and the importance of diversity in fruit varieties. 

Tune in to hear about this inspirational, multigenerational farm.

You’ll hear:

• About Bryce’s journey into agriculture 0:56
• More on Blossom Bluff’s average stone fruit yield per acre 9:06
• What some of the growing challenges are 13:19
• About how the seasons go on the farm 15:22
• More about Blossom Bluff’s sales venues 21:06
• What Bryce’s intentions are for the farm’s future 33:37
• Bryce’s advice for people thinking of starting a farm 39:24

About the Guest: Bryce is a fourth generation farmer at Blossom Bluff Orchards. He and his sister Renata grew up in a house on the bluff of the Kings River that their parents (Fran and Ted) still live in today. Bryce and Renata also live on the farm in houses that were acquired from neighbors as the farm grew, and all four work together in various roles and share ownership of Blossom Bluff Orchards. Their farming strategy involves finding niches to fill, developing a brand and a reputation for quality, and selling directly to stores, restaurants and consumers.

Resources:

Website -  https://blossombluff.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/blossomblufforchardsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/blossombluff

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

At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 

So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

How has organic farming evolved over the years and what might the future hold?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Muller who is a part of the pioneering force at Full Belly Farm, a 450-acre certified organic farm in North Central California. For over four decades, the farm has championed economic stability, year-round employment, and a strong community connection, ensuring nourishment for this generation and those to come.

Tune in to hear all about how Paul ensures that this large organic farm continues to thrive!

You’ll hear:

• How Paul got started in farming 0:59
• About the Full Belly team 10:20
• More on the history of organic farming and the Real Organic Project 15:48
• About Paul’s take about soil science 22:28
• How Full Belly uses cover crops 34:39
• What Paul is doing to bring up the next generation of farmers at Full Belly 46:15
• About Paul’s advice for new farmers 56:15

About the Guest: Paul Muller farms with family and partners at Full Belly farm, a diversified 450 acre organic farm in North Central California's Capay Valley. For more than 40 years, Full Belly has been seeking to evolve a model farm that is economically stable, honors employees with a business design that creates year round employment, strives to grow more layers of life on a farm for environmental complexity, and seeks to connect with a community of farm supporters for a broader social impact.

Resources:

Website - fullbellyfarm.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/full_belly_farm/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FullBellyFarm

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

At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 

So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

How does the health of soil directly impact global hunger solutions?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D., who is President and CEO of ECHO, a global Christian organization focused on empowering the undernourished through sustainable hunger solutions. With over 15 years of international experience, Abram leads the charge to help foster sustainable agricultural practices and holistic missions worldwide.

Tune in to hear how Abram leads ECHO to help small farmers thrive around the world!

You’ll hear:

• How Abram got started in his career 1:02
• More about Abram’s time working with government agencies  3:49
• About some of the problems facing small farmers around the world 13:02
• How ECHO helps farmers maintain organic matter in their soil 23:53
• More about how ECHO provides pertinent information to people regarding conventional fertilizers 35:02

About the Guest: Abram J. Bicksler, Ph.D., is the President/CEO of ECHO, a global Christian technical resourcing and networking organization based in Fort Myers, Florida. He is responsible for leading the overall global programs and operations of the organization in order to help it achieve its vision of honoring God by empowering the undernourished with sustainable hunger solutions. 

With more than 15 years of international experience, including five years as Director of ECHO’s Asia Regional Impact Center from 2013-2018, Bicksler most recently served as an Agricultural Officer in the agroecology team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. He is passionate about holistic mission and empowering people to use their gifts, skills, education and experiences to bring healing to people and the creation.

Resources:

Website - www.echonet.org Website - www.echocommunity.org Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/echofightshunger/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ECHOFightsHunger

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

At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 

So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

How can SEO transform your farm's online visibility?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Julia Bocchese, a SEO Consultant for agriculture and horticulture businesses and founder of Homegrown Reach. With a deep passion for supporting local agriculture, Julia focuses on making businesses easily discoverable to their ideal customers through tailored optimization strategies.

Tune in to hear how you can utilize SEO to reach more farm customers.

You’ll hear:

• About what SEO is 2:19
• How you should showcase your images 8:46
• Whether people should use AI to generate their ad copy 13:34
• More on what platforms Julia recommends 14:35
• What specific SEO services Julia offers 19:12
• What Julia’s advice is for someone who wants to dive into SEO 22:38

About the Guest: Julia Bocchese is an SEO Consultant for agriculture and horticulture businesses at Homegrown Reach and is the first SEO professor at Drexel University. Her goal is to make SEO strategies approachable and easy to implement for all small businesses so they can reach their customers organically and help their business bloom. 

She lives in Philadelphia with her family and, on the side, she's working on revitalizing their previously neglected garden, runs a travel photography site, and experiments with spicy recipes in the kitchen.

Resources:

Website - https://homegrownreach.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/homegrownreach

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

At our Growing Farmers store, planting season is in full swing! A treasure trove of plant starts and cuttings await. Our team is shipping everything from elderberry and willow cuttings to strawberry starts and potato slips. 

So if you’ve been eyeing that sunny spot by the fence or considering how to fill that quiet corner of your yard, look not further. Visit shop.growingfarmers.com today for the first step towards a greener, more fruitful farmstead or garden.

How can small farms compete in a wholesale market dominated by large agricultural businesses?

On this episode, Michael is joined by Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou who co-runs Brisa Ranch in California's Pescadero area. Together with his farm partners, their farm offers a variety of crops grown regeneratively on ecologically rich farmland for mainly local wholesale distribution. 

Tune in to hear how Cole’s farm is successfully geared to wholesalers than direct to consumer.

You’ll hear:

• About where Brisa Ranch is located 0:56
• More about how they make their deliveries 3:16
• What a typical week on the farm is like 5:22
• About the soil fertility on the farm 8:35
• More about their two irrigation systems they have 16:13
• About the other owners and the kind of crew they maintain 24:50
• What the biggest challenge has been since Brisa Ranch started  35:37

About the Guest: Cole Mazariegos-Anastassiou, along with Cristóbal Cruz Hernández and Verónica Mazariegos-Anastassiou, co-own Brisa Ranch which grows a diverse range of crops (nearly 40 different crops) on over 30 acres. About 95% of their sales are B2B, selling directly to a range of grocery stores, school districts, universities, hospitals, corporate kitchens, food banks, etc. Beyond being certified organic, they are certified with Real Organic Project to differentiate their soil-focused growing practices.

Resources:

Website - www.brisaranch.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brisaranch Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/brisaranch

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

Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 

With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 

Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.

How many plants does it take to get a pound of tomato seeds?

On this episode we’re joined by Theresa Podoll from Prairie Road Organic Seed in Fullerton, North Dakota. Since 1997, Theresa and her husband, Dan, have been passionate about providing resilient, organic seed varieties with a focus on taste and abundance for their customers. 

Tune in to hear about the important need for regional seed supplies and the role of seed companies in providing resources and support to gardeners.

You’ll hear:

• How Theresa got started in farming and seed production 0:50
• What Real Certified Organic means to Theresa 7:53
• More about which seed crops use the most nutrients 13:48
• About the methods they used to harvest their seeds 17:08
• What is the hardest part of seed production, according to Theresa 26:54
• What advice Theresa would give someone starting in seed production 35:09
• About how many plants does it typically take to get a pound of tomato seed 41:17
• More about their biggest challenges 42:31

About the Guest:

Along with her husband, Dan, Theresa Podoll runs Prairie Road Organic Seed in Fullerton, ND where they focus on providing their customers with strong, resilient seeds of 'work-horse' varieties. They’ve been seed producers and contract growers for other garden seed companies since 1997 and all of Prairie Road’s seed is grown on their farm which has been certified organic since 1977.

Resources:

Website - https://www.prairieroadorganic.co/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PrairieRoadOrganicSeed Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theresa_at_prairie_road/

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

Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 

With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 

Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.

Can agroforestry boost farm profitability?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jeremy Kaufman who is Chief of Operations at Propagate, a leader in Agroforestry. Along with his team, Jeremy is fully committed to integrating agroforestry into farming to increase farm profits, decrease erosion and nutrient loss, and promote the broad use of sustainable farming methods. 

Tune in to hear how integrating agroforestry into traditional farming practices can transform the agricultural landscape.

You’ll hear:

• How Propagate Ag got started 1:03
• About some of the large projects Propagate is currently working on 4:20
• More about the motivation behind moving entirely to agroforestry 15:17
• How Propagate aims to create a domestic wholesale market for chestnuts 18:42
• About Propagate’s partnership with Rodale Institute 20:51
• How Propagate handles marketing and buyer engagement 36:38
• What Jeremy’s favorite tool is on the farm 44:43

About the Guest:

Jeremy is an entrepreneur, designer and operations executive who previously designed digital products for a range of companies from startups to Fortune 500. At Propagate, Jeremy leads technology development & operations. Jeremy holds a B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Miami University. Having worked on organic farms, and being a part of a 3rd generation family timber products business, he is focused on the systemic interplay between agricultural, economic, and cultural paradigms.

Resources:

Website - propagateag.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/propagateag/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/propagate_ag/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/propagateag/

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

Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 

With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 

Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.

Are you looking for more community and education on homesteading?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Amy Fewell, who is the visionary behind Homesteaders of America. As a published author, herbalist, and modern-day milkmaid, Amy nurtures her passion for self-sufficiency on her family’s farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. 

Tune in to hear more about herbalism and community cultivation from this inspiring homesteader.

You’ll hear:

• When Amy got into homesteading 1:24
• Some of Amy’s suggestions for getting kids to eat healthier 4:59
• How Homesteaders of America creates a sense of community 15:39
• About Amy’s favorite herbs 20:33
• What Amy’s advice is for someone just getting into homesteading 25:45
• More on the future plan for Homesteaders of America 42:07
• What Amy’s favorite homesteading tool is 44:24

About the Guest:

Amy Fewell is the author of two published books, and runs a homestead alongside her husband and three children in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She is an herbalist, avid gardener, and modern day milkmaid as well as the founder of Homesteaders of America. 

Resources: Website - https://thefewellhomestead.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amy.fewell Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thefewellhomestead

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

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How long do you think it takes to get a cow from grain fed to fully grass-fed?

On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Joseph, the pioneering founder of Maple Hill Creamery, the largest 100% regenerative, grass-fed organic dairy farm in the U.S. After leaving his corporate job, Tim positioned Maple Hill at the forefront of the dairy industry, championing grass-fed organic dairy and regenerative farming practices.

Tune in to hear all about Tim and Maple Hill’s dairy farming journey.

You’ll hear:

• How Tim got started in farming 1:26
• Where all the milk went after the first 60 cows 5:12
• About the decision on whether they needed a second farm 16:37
• What allowed Maple Hill to scale so smoothly 20:43
• More about when Tim knew he needed an experienced management team 26:12
• Why don’t they make chocolate milk anymore (everybody loves it, nobody buys it!) 39:11
• What Tim’s advice is for someone considering getting into dairy farming 40:49

About the Guest:

In a world dominated by corporate conventional farming, Tim Joseph, Founder of Maple Hill Creamery, chose a different path. He made the decision to leave his corporate job and embark on a journey of owning a farm and raising his four young boys. That same year, Maple Hill Creamery's mission, focusing on "better for the cows, consumers, land, and farmers," began to resonate with a wider audience across the U.S., with this vision going beyond profit margins, seeing dairy farming as a lifestyle to him and hundreds of family farms they work with. 

Resources: 

Website - https://www.maplehill.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maplehillcreamery/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MapleHillCreamery/

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

Unlock the potential of elderberry farming with Growing Farmers! Elderberries, thriving even on marginal land, offer a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Not just the berries, but also sticks, flowers, and leaves are in demand, diversifying income streams. 

With initial investments as low as $12.75 for cuttings, the path to a profitable agribusiness is within reach. This resilient crop can be your gateway to tapping into a growing market for health-conscious consumers. 

Start your elderberry venture today and cultivate success. For more details, visit shop.growingfarmers.com.