Bootstrap Farmer Radio

Join us at the Farm Resort in White Wright, Texas on April 27th and 28th for an event that will transform your farming skills. Learn from JM Fortier, an experienced market farmer and speaker. Get ready for workshops on boosting farm productivity, soil management, and innovative growing techniques. You'll also have the opportunity to see hands-on demos with the latest farming tools and techniques. Connect with local farmers, share insights, and grow together. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts, expand your network, and be part of a groundbreaking event. Get your tickets here ➡️ https://www.farmresort.com/learn

This talk with returning guests from Bouldin Food Forest. Vanessa Bates and Ben McConnell are for individuals interested in or currently engaged in market farming and navigating the new challenges and opportunities that come with being over 50. As we age, our physical capabilities can change, and once straightforward tasks may become more demanding. This discussion will delve into practical ways to adapt farming practices to suit mobility and physical strength changes, ensuring that farming remains a rewarding and feasible endeavor even after reaching this milestone age. We'll cover specific challenges that farmers over 50 might face, such as decreased stamina, joint pain, or other mobility issues, and explore modifications to traditional farming techniques that can help alleviate these problems. This includes leveraging technology, adjusting farm layouts for efficiency, and adopting less physically demanding farming methods. Additionally, the talk will highlight the benefits of continuing to farm after 50, s

In September 2023, Bouldin Food Forest faced a test of strength and spirit when ferocious winds tore through their farm, ravaging structures and leaving chaos in their wake. In this heartfelt video, Vanessa and Ben unveil the reality of severe weather impacts on agriculture and share a powerful testament to resilience and recovery. Watch as they recount the moment destruction hit and how they rose from the ruins, drawing on community support and unwavering resolve. Their tale goes beyond farming—it's about facing adversity, harnessing inner strength, and human connection. This is a must-see if you've ever wondered how to brace for the unexpected or recover from a devastating setback. Join us as we witness Bouldin Food Forest's remaking and rebirth, told by two of the strongest farmers Bootstrap Farmer has ever met.

Meet Ben and Vanessa of Bouldin Food Forest serving the Austin, Texas market. Bouldin Food Forest grows rich, nutrient-dense food using regenerative agriculture methods. It’s a throwback to when agriculture was about craftsmanship, not industrial mechanization and chemicals favored by today’s large factory farms. The result: beautiful vegetables and a surrounding ecosystem that flourishes. Bootstrap Farmer has had the pleasure of spending several days at Bouldin Food Forest over the last few months, and we have been blown away by the quality of their crops, the organization of their farm, and the effortless grit with which they operate. Comment below your biggest takeaways from this great interview with some true heroes of agriculture. Follow Vanessa and Ben on IG  https://www.instagram.com/bouldinfoodforest  Check out their AirBnB:  https://persimmonhill.farm/ and farm at:  https://bouldinfoodforest.com  ************************************  Subscribe and hit the bell to see new videos:  https://www.youtube.

The Greenhouse and Hoop House Grower's Handbook What crops make the most money in a Hoop House? What options do farmers need when growing year-round? What are ways big growers leverage every square inch of protected culture? Andrew Mefferd, the author of The Greenhouse and Hoop House Growers Handbook, discussed his motivation and observations in writing the required reading growing manual for any market gardener.  https://growingformarket.com/  ************************************ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Origin of The Greenhouse and Hoop House Grower's Handbook 08:50 Increasing Yields 11:00 Tomatoes 59:31 Cold Weather Growing 01:22:30 Sunlight 01:31:57 Plant Fertility ************************************ https://www.youtube.com/@BootstrapFarmer  ► Check out our Free Resources:  https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/resources  #bootstrapfarmer #greenhouse #hoophouse #protectedculture #CEA #polytunnel #lowtunnel #cattunnel #caterpillartunnel #marketgardener #farming

We dive deep. And we mean deep into how hybrid seeds are developed and brought to market with Andrew Mefferd. Andrew is the owner/editor of Growing For Market Magazine, author of The Greenhouse and Hoop House Grower's Handbook, and served many years at the trial farm at Johnny's Selected Seeds. His intense knowledge of seeds and the seed industry makes this interview the end all discussions on hybrid seeds. Please note that this podcast was recorded several weeks before the GMO Purple tomato announcement in early February 2024. www.bootstrapfarmer.com

A family reunion of sorts, Bootstrap Farmer welcomes Andrew Mefferd, publisher of Growing for Market Magazine and author of The Greenhouse and Hoop House Grower's Handbook, to the studio, along with Bootstrap Farmers Director of Sales Randy Cummings & Customer Service Specialist Kari Danial. Host Nick, Randy, and Andrew have known each other for close to 12 years and have worked on many projects in the small ag space. This in-person meet-up was long overdue, and this conversation covered many topics related to small farm producers. Here you go if you want to know what farm nerds talk about after hours. From how technology is being presented to small farms, emerging markets, new farm product trends, and consumer diets, we get multiple perspectives of what we're paying attention to. www.bootstrapfarmer.com https://growingformarket.com/

In this reaction video, the Bootstrap Farmer Podcast crew dives deeper into the JM Fortier interview with Bootstrap Farmer            ( https://youtu.be/Kd_jZnRaQbk ) and discus individual takeaways from  @TheMarketGardeners  TIMESTAMPS: 00:17 Intro 00:45 Farm Sustainability 09:59 School and Healthy Living 19:45 Increasing Greenhouse Production 27:38 Keeping Your Market Small 34:30 Writing The Market Gardener ************************************ Thanks for listening to  Bootstrap Farmer! ► Subscribe and hit the bell to see new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@BootstrapFarmer ► Check out our Free Resources: https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/resources FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL HERE FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/BootstrapFarmer INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bootstrapfarmer  TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bootstrapfarmer #bootstrapfarmer #marketgarden #jmfortier

Being a Market Gardener means serving our buyers where they are most likely to convert into repeatable sales at prices to keep you thriving in your agricultural business. In this episode, we look at many sales opportunities small farms have to serve their markets through traditional farmers markets, direct-to-consumer delivery, partnerships, and added-value products. Join Michael Bell of Dallas Half Acre Farm, Karl Binger from Paris Natural Farm, and Nick and Kari from Bootstrap farmer as we explore new options for farmer sales channels. www.bootstrapfarmer.com

No stranger to the DFW growing community, Michael Bell runs a small farm just outside Dallas, TX. He sells direct to consumer seasonal salad veggies directly to his clients on his low-stress terms. If you think you need a lot of acreage or even a water supply, check out what Michael has accomplished, truly keeping a manageable scale as he bootstraps his way to long-term farming goals. www.bootstrapfarmer.com

Nick & Karl Binger of Market Garden Paris Natural Farms discuss the qualities of a great market gardener. Patience, planning, and hard work will go a long way as new farmers leave corporate jobs, start second incomes & plan retirement income goals.  ************************************ Thanks for listening.  Bootstrap Farmer! ► Subscribe and hit the bell to see new videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNAhG5hS7og0jGFGv6uLdTA ► Check out our Free Resources: https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/market-gardening FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL HERE FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BootstrapFarmer/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bootstrapfarmer/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bootstrapfarmer #bootstrapfarmer #marketfarming #marketgarden #fourseasonfarming

Are you a Gardener, Hobby Farm, Farmer, or Market Gardner? Bootstrap Farmer supports all growers no matter where they are scaled. But in this new Market Gardener series, we are diving deep into what drives local food and food economics through the lens of farmers working their land year-round.    In this first episode, Nick & Karl Binger of Paris Natural Farms discuss some of the things that set Market Gardeners apart from other growers.  ************************************ https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/market-gardening ► Subscribe and hit the bell to see new videos at: https://www.youtube.com/@BootstrapFarmer  ► Check out our Free Resources: https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/resources  FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL HERE FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BootstrapFarmer/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bootstrapfarmer/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bootstrapfarmer   #bootstrapfarmer #marketfarmer #marketgardener #localfood #farming  

Bootstrap Farmer engages in an enlightening conversation with legendary Jean-Martin Fortier @TheMarketGardeners  on various subjects concerning the state of small-scale farming as a profession. We share the belief that there's a vast potential to cater to all market sizes, and it's crucial now more than ever for those at the forefront of this sector to assert the essential role of small-scale agriculture in their local region. If you are ready to get inspired in 2024, watch, comment, and subscribe to join the conversation. For more Market Gardening content, visit: https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/market-gardening

Mindful Garden's Sean Pessarra has made hundreds of thousands if not a million soil blocks over his farming career. He is also the inventor of the Mindful Gardener Soil Block Drop Seeder. In this interview, Sean discusses the how-to's, whats, and whys of Soil Blocking for seed starting. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:38 What is soil blocking 01:23 What makes up the soil mix 03:31 How to choose soil mix 07:07 Why you should limit liquid feeds 08:00 How long till the plant receive the benefits from the nutrients in the block 10:00 When to fertilize soil block 11:00 How far in advance can you make soil blocks 14:11 Adding water for soil block mix 16:15 What is the soil block 19:24 Air pruning in soil block 23:02 Advantage of early season soil blocking 27:30 Soil block dibbler sizes 28:50 Garden planning with blocks 30:45 Are soil blocks fragile 31:20 Which size soil block maker should I get 33:20 Which trays to use for soil blocks 34:10 Drop seeder 37:50 Best practices to water soil blocks 43:30 Key components to far

Join Sean Pessarra, Nick, and Karl Binger and learn how Sean, the founder of Mindful Farmer, and learn how he took his part-time beekeeping operation in Texas and transformed it into a full-time sustainable agriculture business rich in experience that has led to an amazing career serving farmers through better tools and consulting. This is part 1 of a two-part Soil Block interview.  https://mindfulfarmerarkansas.com/ @mindfulkitchenarkansas 00:00 Intro 01:40 Mindful Farmer Beginnings 07:08 Heifer International 10:00 starting Mindful Farmer  12:15 $200k on 3 acres 16:50 Sourcing to local restaurants 18:10 Organic growing in the south 20:30 Where it’s grown vs. how it’s grown 21:18 Regional vs. national chain stores 23:30 Wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer prices 25:50 Farmers market options 29:45 CSA model options  30:40 Defining direct vs. wholesale on the farm 32:46 Should a new farmer start with wholesale 34:07 Farmer math= $ per square foot 36:00 Boutique grocer options 37:30 What you need for winter flower

Have you always wanted to start composting but didn’t know where to start or what to buy? In this episode, Neil Kaufman from Dallas College will show you how to get started with zero-waste composting at home or on your market farm. Learn the basics of setting up and managing a zero-waste composting system, and see why it's an easy win for both you and the environment. Learn to keep things simple, what composting rules to break, which ones to bend, and how to scale up your compost as your garden becomes a market garden. Help divert nutrients and biodiversity from the landfill to your growing spaces with confidence and little to no upfront costs. Extra Credit Bonus learning on reusing spent microgreen media: www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/microgreens/reusing-spent-microgreen-trays #composting #vermiculture #zerowaste

Welcome back to Kupu Place, 2023! Bootstrap Farmer revisits Anthony Mau of Kupu Place Farms for a year 5 catch up. Since the last time, we spoke they have acquired a second location to serve the Hawaiian Islands ever growing food needs. This is an interesting look at the differences in how a farm business owner group looks at solving food security for the most remote regions after an additional two years of farm management experience. The scaling of a farm requires an evolving list of considerations that are highlighted in this video. We are proud to have been with Kupu Place as they have grown over the last five years. If you haven't seen their 1st interview from 2021 click https://youtu.be/3-6fiJLRmic to get the full back story of this aquaponic lettuce, microgreen, and edible flower farm. www.bootstrapfarmer.com #hawaiifarming #aquaponics #microgreens #shallowwaterculture #edibleflowers

A re-release of our 1st interview with Kupu Place Farm’s Anthony Mau. In this 2021 Interview, Anthony was beginning year 3 of production on his Honolulu, Hawaii Aquaponic farm featuring shallow water culture raft beds, microgreen production, and edible flowers. Learn about some of the history of agriculture in Hawaii and how this current farm sits on century-old taro fields. You will learn about the shipping, importing, and growing of food in Hawaii and how to work with what you have to grow what your community needs. We wanted to review this interview as we recently revisited Anthony in year 5 as he recently bought a second farm location. This time capsule video shows what a farmer in year two thinks about as the business is rapidly scaling at farmer's markets and chef sales. In the next video, you will see how they are thinking bigger, better, and consciously as they continue to scale to the islands growing food needs. Part 2 : https://youtu.be/sWtlz1yVdJI www.bootstrapfarmer.com #hawaiifarming #aquaponics

Two transplants move to Texas to start new farms.  Karl Binger (Paris Natural Farm) and Bootstrap Farmer's own Karl Russell discuss moving to a new state and starting a farm from scratch. Find out how they carved out their market, moved chickens across America, and how no one ever told them about fire ants before moving into a HOT growing zone. www.bootstrapfarmer.com

Bootstrap Farmers’ Farmer-in-Residence, Karl Binger, recently visited Tanzania to observe and learn about small-scale farming practices in rural parts of the country. From working the land with manual tools to sourcing seeds for crops, Karl learned about some of the challenges that these farmers face every day.   Check out our Free Resources: https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/resources FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL HERE FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BootstrapFarmer/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bootstrapfarmer/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@bootstrapfarmer  #bootstrapfarmer #podcast #sustainablegardening #foodsecurity #agriculture