From Backyard to Profit: Scaling a 2500 sq ft. Market Garden in One Year (TRFP 10)
Release Date: 04/11/2025
Cannabis Grower Turns Market Gardener: Lessons from Two Plant Worlds (TRFP 16)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
Derek of Rosemary's Oasis shares how his background in medicinal cannabis cultivation equipped him with unexpected advantages in market gardening. He shares practical insights on transitioning between plant industries, building multiple revenue streams, and applying precise growing techniques to organic vegetable production. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Follow Modern Grower: Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: ...
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Spreadsheet Secrets: Mapping Out a Solid Crop Plan for Your Farm (TRFP 15)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
Brittany Peters of Sun and Soil Farm returns to the show to share her proven methods for deciding which crops to grow, when to plant, and how to maintain consistent harvests throughout the season with her spreadsheet-based system. She talks about practical approaches to succession planting, and even shares access to her free, fully customizable crop planning template that is sure to transform your farm's productivity! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Follow Modern Grower: Listen to other...
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The Sumi Soaker: Could This Japanese Irrigation Tool Transform Your Farm? (TRFP 14)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
In this packed Farm Vlog episode, farmer and podcast host Alec Smith reveals his long-awaited Sumi Soaker verdict: does it work for him and his farm? Afterwards, he answers a listener ask about what a typical farmer's market day looks like for him. He also shares interesting and practical ways he gets customers to stop at his farm booth. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Follow Modern Grower: Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: ...
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Pay Premium, Get Premium: The Real Cost of Quality Farm Tools (TRFP 13)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
In this episode of The Rookie Farmer podcast, the tables are turned as host Alec welcomes podcast host Diego Footer as he shares his journey from finance professional to farm tool innovator and reveals the inside story behind Modern Grower. He breaks down the logistics behind sourcing and supplying tools, the costs that come with it, and the quality associated with different product price points. He also talks about tools and equipment that may or may not be a fit for your farming context. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business...
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Changes We Made to Double Farm Sales (TRFP 12)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
In this episode, host Alec welcomes his farm mentors Nicolas and Jeni of Cryistal Organic Farm in Newborn, Georgia as they talk about their 30-year farming journey: the differences in small-scale farming landscape, the changing market, and the growing amount of farming resources becoming more and more accessible. They also share practical steps about diversifying with high-value herbs that can be sold to retail either fresh, dried, or to wholesale buyers across the country. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! ...
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Honest Talk: Managing Farm Growth, Employees & Market Competition - Farm Vlog (TRFP 11)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
In this episode, Alec looks back at his first year of growing food and selling them. He shares how much they made the past year, talks about some practical advice for navigating farmers markets with established competition, and drops some emotional wisdom that keeps him grounded through the ups and downs of farming. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Follow Modern Grower: Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's...
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From Backyard to Profit: Scaling a 2500 sq ft. Market Garden in One Year (TRFP 10)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
Breaking into market gardening isn't just a dream—it's a tangible reality for those willing to learn and adapt. In this episode, host Alec is joined by fellow rookie farmer Colton Simpson of Simpson's Market Garden in White Plains, Maryland. Colton shares his journey going from a 2,500 square foot plot to a 1.5-acre operation, nailing down how strategic planning and market insight can transform a small backyard garden into a thriving business. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Follow Modern Grower: ...
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Seed Secrets: Choosing the Perfect Varieties for Your Farm (TRFP 09)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
Any farmer worth their salt knows that seed choice can make or break the entire farming season. In this episode of The Rookie Farmer Podcast, host Alec welcomes Michelle Hochkeppel from High Mowing Organic Seeds as she illuminates the world of seeds and the seed supply chain. She dives into the difference between heirloom and hybrid varieties, how to assess seed quality, and how to leverage your favored seed company--and local seed rep--as a valuable resource when it comes to selecting seeds best fit for your farming context. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming,...
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Gearing Up for Year 2 Farming: Hiring, Scaling, and Staying Sane - Farm Vlog (TRFP 08)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
Farming isn't just a job—it's a strategic business that demands constant innovation and personal growth. In this episode, Alec Smith talks about how they're handling scaling up the farm this 2025 growing season: hiring out help, growing in a greenhouse, and exploring new niches to stand out in their market. He also shares a personal realization that comes with running a business while raising a family: learning what to prioritize and what you're doing the business for. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Follow...
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Certified Naturally Grown: The Grassroots Certification That's Changing Small-Scale Agriculture (TRFP 07)
The Rookie Farmer Podcast
Small-scale farmers, the path to low-cost certification is here: Certified Naturally Grown (CNG). In this episode, host Alec welcomes CNG Executive Director Alice Varon to shed light on what Certified Naturally Grown is, how to apply for it, and why it works well as a certification of choice for many small-scale producers. They talk about the mechanics behind its peer-to-peer inspections and how it provides a supportive, community-driven approach to maintaining high agricultural standards. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business...
info_outlineBreaking into market gardening isn't just a dream—it's a tangible reality for those willing to learn and adapt.
In this episode, host Alec is joined by fellow rookie farmer Colton Simpson of Simpson's Market Garden in White Plains, Maryland. Colton shares his journey going from a 2,500 square foot plot to a 1.5-acre operation, nailing down how strategic planning and market insight can transform a small backyard garden into a thriving business.
Click here to learn more about Colton Simpson.
Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm.
Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! 
Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower.
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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.