Libsyn Directory

Meet Sean Pessarra, The Mindful Farmer, Toolmaker, Hoop House Builder, and Small Farm Supporter

Release Date: 09/13/2023

Join Us at Farm Resort: 2 Days of Game-Changing Farming Secrets with JM Fortier

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...

Farming After 50: Adapting for Mobility

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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...

When Disaster Strikes: Real Stories of Farm Resilience & Recovery

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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...

When Disaster Strikes: Real Stories of Farm Resilience & Recovery

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

A Bigger in Texas Market Farm | Bouldin Food Forest

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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,...

8 Profit Crops for Greenhouse Growing

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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. ************************************ 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...

GMO Vs. Hybrid Seeds- A Very Deep Dive with Andrew Mefferd

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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.

What Do Farm Nerds Talk About After Hours?

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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...

Reaction to JM Fortier Interview by Bootstrap Farmer Podcast Crew

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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 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: ► Check out our Free Resources: ...

Market Gardener Sales Channels

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

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

More Episodes

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 growing

39:17 First to market early in the season

41:30 Making the most out of sqft

43:00 Creativity in your farm

44:00 Avoid burnout 4

5:20 Bundling your energy

46:50 Learn to say NO

51:20 Mindful Farmer’s Made in the USA Tools, Drop Seeder

56:20 Broad fork tools

58:10 Making better tools

59:08 Helping home gardeners

01:00:00 Investing upfront to save later

https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/how-to-grow-seedlings/soil-blocking

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