311. Farming Beyond Frost: Sam Knapp’s Storage Crop Success in Alaska
Release Date: 11/26/2024
335. From Sheep to Soil: Zeb Horrell’s Vision for Regenerative New Zealand
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it look like to transform land, community, and food systems—all at once? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Zeb Horrell, Chief Regenerative Officer at Mangaroa Farms in Whitemans Valley, New Zealand. Zeb is a third-generation farmer turned regenerative land steward, working to reimagine what farming can be through bioregional resilience, collaborative land models, and deep ecological awareness. At Mangaroa Farms—a community food hub and living laboratory—they’re transitioning former dairy and pine operations into regenerative agriculture and native...
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334. Securing the Homestead: Tim Eng on Safety, Resilience, and Community
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What role does security play in building a thriving homestead? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Eng, a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and real estate expert who now helps families transition into resilient, self-sufficient homesteads. After years in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the U.S., Tim and his family made the leap to homesteading in Tennessee. With a background in military engineering and a passion for regenerative living, Tim now teaches homesteaders how to build security into their land, homes, and communities—from the ground...
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333. Teaching Self-Sufficiency: Kody Hanner on Homesteading and Hands-On Education
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can homesteaders empower the next generation through practical, real-world learning? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kody Hanner, a homesteader, author, and educator based in North Idaho. As the founder of The Homestead Education, Kody helps families integrate homesteading and self-sufficiency into their homeschooling journey. What began as a personal health journey turned into a life-changing homestead and a mission to equip children with the tools they need to thrive outside the traditional classroom. Tune in to hear how Kody’s family healed, homesteaded, and...
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332. Building the Fair Trade Movement: Paul Rice on Ethical Farming & Global Impact
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can global trade empower farmers and create a more just food system? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Rice, Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA. After spending more than a decade working with coffee farmers in Nicaragua, Paul returned to the U.S. to launch the Fair Trade Certified™ label—transforming the way we think about sourcing coffee, cocoa, produce, apparel, and more. Since 1998, Paul has partnered with over 1,400 companies, from Whole Foods to Patagonia, helping channel billions of dollars into the hands of farmers and workers worldwide. In this...
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331. Soil, Stewardship & Safe Food: Kyle Becker on Growing Becker Farms
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it take to build a thriving farm business while raising a family and stewarding the land for the next generation? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kyle Becker, owner of Becker Farms in Moorland, Indiana. Since 2007, Kyle and his wife, Emily, have grown their farm from a small freezer beef operation into a diversified livestock farm offering beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, and local milk. In addition to running the farm, Kyle works as a food animal veterinarian, serving dairy and beef farms across Indiana and Ohio. With a deep focus on soil health,...
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330. Pesticide-Free and Purpose-Filled: Taylor Bemis on Running Tumbleweed Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it look like to farm beyond organic on a small scale with big impact? On this episode, Michael is joined by Taylor Bemis, co-owner of Tumbleweed Farm in Oregon’s Hood River Valley. Since 2012, Taylor and his wife, cookbook author Andrea Bemis, have been growing vibrant, pesticide-free produce on just over two acres. Together, they run a 160-member CSA and sell at the Hood River Farmers Market. With a strong focus on educating their community about the nutritional power of fresh, local food, Taylor and Andrea go beyond organic standards—often labeling their vegetables with the...
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329. Collaboration Over Competition: How Two Farmers Built Urban Roots Collective
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What happens when two first-generation farmers decide to team up instead of compete? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jody Prosser and Mady Hastings, co-owners of Urban Roots Collective in Simpsonville, South Carolina. These first-generation female farmers each started out with their own small farms and no prior ag experience—but when they met, they quickly realized they could grow more and serve more together. Now operating as a team, they’re cultivating vegetables, flowers, and animals on regenerative principles and selling through a unique farmstand model...
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328. From Grass-Fed to Wood-Fired: Pizza Farmer Maren Beard of Luna Valley Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can agritourism deepen community connections and support a diversified farm? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Maren Beard, co-owner of Luna Valley Farm in Decorah, Iowa. Maren and her husband, Tom, run a certified organic regenerative farm, raising 100% grass-fed cattle and sheep while also serving up delicious wood-fired pizzas to their community. Tune in to hear how Luna Valley is creating connection through food and what it really takes to run a thriving pizza farm! Episode Highlights: Origin Story: How did Maren and Tom get started with Luna Valley...
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327. Urban Farming for Food Justice: Devon Wilson on Sunlight Gardens
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can urban farming transform communities and increase access to fresh, local food? In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Devon Wilson, founder and farmer of Sunlight Gardens, a two-acre organic urban farm in Battle Creek, Michigan. Devon started Sunlight Gardens to increase access to fresh, local food and inspire the next generation of farmers through their fresh corner store, community events, and Farm Squad youth program. Devon’s passion for food justice stems from personal experience—witnessing multiple family members struggle with diet-related illnesses....
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326. Reinventing Beef: Justin Pettit on Santa Carota’s Carrot-Finished Cattle
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How does carrot-finished beef set a new standard for flavor and sustainability? In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Pettit, third-generation rancher and co-founder of Santa Carota Beef—the only grass-fed, carrot-finished beef on the market. By finishing cattle on a 95% carrot-based diet, Justin has crafted a nutrient-rich, flavorful beef that’s earned praise from top chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsay. Tune in to hear how Justin is redefining high-quality beef with a focus on sustainability, nutrition, and exceptional taste! Episode Highlights: Ranching Roots: How did...
info_outlineHow can farmers thrive in extreme climates while focusing on storage crops and winter sales?
In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Sam Knapp who is the co-owner and primary farmer at Offbeet Farm in Fairbanks, Alaska. With a master’s degree in plant ecology and years of experience on vegetable farms, Sam built his farm from the ground up to focus entirely on storage crops and winter sales through a winter CSA and local markets.
Tune in to hear how Sam navigates permafrost and water access as well as the unique challenges and rewards of farming in a cold climate.
Episode Highlights:
- From Physics to Farming: What led Sam to leave engineering for agriculture? [1:27]
- Alaskan Soil Challenges: What has Sam learned about permafrost and soil conditions? [7:50]
- Storage Solutions: How does Offbeet Farm design its facilities to optimize crop preservation? [22:02]
- Carrot Longevity: What allows carrots to remain fresh for so long in storage? [27:07]
- Pest Control Strategies: How does Sam manage vermin on the farm? [30:27]
- Writing Beyond the Root Cellar: What inspired Sam to write his book, and what’s inside? [37:17]
Don’t miss Sam’s insights into farming in one of the most extreme climates in the U.S. and his innovative approach to creating a sustainable, hand-powered farm that feeds the Fairbanks community year-round.
About the Guest:
Sam Knapp hails from northern Wisconsin but now lives and farms in Fairbanks, Alaska. After earning his chops working for others in Sweden, Alaska, and Wisconsin, Sam ran a part-time farm in the UP of Michigan for three years before moving to Alaska and building Offbeet Farm from the ground up. Offbeet Farm is a 1-acre veggie farm focus entirely on storage crops and wintertime sales, selling primarily through a winter-CSA but also some winter markets and wholesale.
Connect with Sam Knapp:
- Website: Offbeet Farm
- Facebook: Like on Facebook
- Book: Beyond the Root Cellar
The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Harvest Hosts!
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