327. Urban Farming for Food Justice: Devon Wilson on Sunlight Gardens
Release Date: 04/01/2025
346. Running a Year-Round Farm Market with Emma de Long
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. What does it really take to run a small, year-round local market? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to...
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345. Managing 600+ Crop Varieties at Amber Waves Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. What does it take to plan, grow, and manage more than 600 crop varieties each year? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down again with Katie...
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344: The One-Cow Revolution with Shawn and Beth Dougherty
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. Can one grass-fed cow truly become the heart of a food-independent farm? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Shawn and Beth...
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343. Reviving Flax: A Zero Waste Crop with Emma de Long
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How can flax become a sustainable, versatile crop for modern farms? In this Farm in Focus episode, Michael sits down with Emma de Long of Kneehigh Farm to...
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342. Managing a 24-Person Farm Team with Amber Waves Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
A Note from Michael: The Thriving Farmer Podcast is currently on pause as we navigate a busy season on the farm. While we’re taking this break, we’re excited to share Farm in Focus, a special series of short, focused conversations recorded earlier this year. These bite-sized episodes highlight practical insights from farmers and experts across the industry. We hope they’re helpful and encouraging as you continue your farming journey. How do you build—and keep—a thriving farm team? On this special Farm in Focus episode, Michael is joined by Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow,...
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341. From Chef to Community Farmer: Julie Warpinski of Rosewood Farm
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What does it take to turn six acres into a destination for food, flowers, and connection? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael talks with Julie Warpinski, founder of Rosewood Farm in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Drawing on her background as a chef, Julie has transformed six acres into a vibrant destination for seasonal produce, fresh flowers, and memorable events. From CSA programs and farm camps to weddings and cooking classes, Rosewood blends the beauty of farm life with the joy of gathering. In this episode, you’ll hear: From Kitchen to Field – How Julie’s culinary...
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340. Preserving Heritage Through Olives: Karmel Abufarha on Canaan Palestine
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
How can farming protect culture and sustain communities in the midst of conflict? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Karmel Abufarha, Marketing Manager of Canaan Palestine. Since 2013, Karmel has worked alongside his father and Palestinian smallholder farmers to create a route-to-market for ancient olive groves and traditional crops. What started as a local effort to safeguard livelihoods has grown into a global movement, connecting Palestinian farmers with consumers who value sustainability, social responsibility, and regenerative practices. Tune in to hear how Karmel...
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339. The Beekeeper’s Apothecary: Kaylee Richardson on Herbs, Homesteading & Honey Bees
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What happens when we slow down, listen to nature, and “learn something old”? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kaylee Richardson, Virginia-based herbalist, beekeeper, and author of The Beekeeper’s Apothecary. With roots in Appalachia and a heart for old-world wisdom, Kaylee shares her journey from the medical field to full-time homesteading. Tune in to learn how she integrates herbalism and beekeeping to build a thriving, intentional lifestyle—and how you can begin to “learn something old” each day. In this episode, you’ll hear: Getting...
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338. Behind the Scenes with Michael Kilpatrick: A Conversation with Rodger Wasson
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, the mic flips as Rodger Wasson, longtime advocate for farmers and host of the Farm to Table Talk Podcast, interviews our own Michael Kilpatrick. From behind-the-scenes systems to current hurdles, Rodger dives deep into the day-to-day of Michael’s farm, business, and mindset as a leader in the regenerative agriculture space. Tune in for a rare peek into what’s working (and what’s not) at the Farm on Central farm and store — and why Michael remains committed to helping small farms succeed....
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337. Farm4Profit on Profitable Farming and Smart Stewardship
The Thriving Farmer Podcast
What happens when two forward-thinking Iowa farmers team up to help others grow better businesses? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tanner Winterhof and Corey Hillebo, hosts of the Farm4Profit Podcast. With backgrounds in finance, crop and livestock production, and agribusiness leadership, Tanner and Corey are on a mission to help farmers treat their operations like profitable, resilient businesses. Through the Farm4Profit platform, they share tools, technology, and mindset shifts to help farms succeed in today’s complex ag economy. Tune in to hear how they...
info_outlineHow 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. Now, he’s working toward equitable food systems and sustainable change by bringing fresh produce to his community.
Tune in to hear how Devon and his team built Sunlight Gardens from the ground up and what’s next for this thriving urban farm!
Episode Highlights:
- Getting Started: How did Devon get into farming? [1:33]
- Land Access: How did Sunlight Gardens acquire its current property? [5:05]
- Fresh Corner Store: How did Farmacy come to be, and what do they offer? [14:08]
- Global Insights: What did Devon learn from his fellowship in Japan? [27:56]
- Farming in Japan: How is agriculture evolving, and what’s changing for the better? [38:45]
- Looking Ahead: What’s Devon’s vision for the future of Sunlight Gardens? [42:47]
- New Farmers: What advice does Devon have for aspiring farmers? [46:29]
Don’t miss this episode to hear how Devon is building a thriving urban farm and inspiring the next generation of farmers!
About the Guest:
Devon Wilson is the founder and CEO of Sunlight Gardens, a two-acre organic urban farm in Battle Creek, Michigan. Sunlight Gardens’ mission is to increase access to local food and inspire future farmers. The farm features a fresh corner store (Farmacy), six hoop houses, a composting area, an event venue, and a fruit orchard. Through partnerships with local businesses and institutions, Devon and his team are making eating locally fun and accessible.
📲 Connect with Sunlight Gardens:
🌎 Website: Sunlight Gardens
📸 Instagram: Follow @farmervon_
👍🏼 Facebook: Like Sunlight Gardens
The Thriving Farmer Podcast would like to thank our sponsor, Real Organic Project.
Are you an organic farmer looking to communicate the premium quality of your milk, meat, fruits, veggies, or CSA shares to shoppers?
Through a no-cost, add-on certification to USDA certified-organic, Real Organic Project aims to bring organic back to its high-integrity roots, prioritizing healthy soil, humane treatment of animals, labor protections and a more regionally based agriculture for community well-being. The application deadline is coming up on Tuesday, April 15th. Visit https://realorganicproject.org/apply to submit an application and join the movement today!
All applications received by April 15th are guaranteed a 2025 inspection.
👉Visit https://realorganicproject.org/apply to apply today!