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PODCAST

Farm Small Farm Smart

The Modern Grower Podcast Network

Insights for vegetable farmers and market gardeners who earn, or want to earn, a living growing vegetables profitably. In each episode, I talk with a beginning or experienced farmer, diving deep into their story to find out what makes their market farm successful. I focus on in-the-field farming. Soil preparation, weed management, post-harvest processing, appropriate technology, farm tools and equipment, and growing crops. Hosted and produced by Diego Footer"s Modern Grower Podcast Network.

science natural sciences

All Episodes

21:57

Contract Growing Cucumbers for Seeds - Gardening...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2025/01/19

We're smack in the middle of winter, and most farmers are drafting their game plan come spring, thinking about what to grow and maybe considering new additions to their farming operation. Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop talks about one potential add-on project for market gardeners: contract growing crops for seed companies. Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here. Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower

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01:07:19

Adding Farm Profits with You-Pick Blackberries (CC50)

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2025/01/08

Dustin LaBat of Specklebelly Farms in Weimar, Texas shares their you-pick farming model that includes not only vegetables but also cut flowers and blackberries, which is the biggest draw. He talks about the labor, economics, and marketing strategies that go into running their farm, as well as how blackberries can be an incredibly profitable crop for market farmers. Lastly, he touches on plant sales, farm stand sales, and restaurant sales as complementary income that allows their farm to run all year

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56:51

Adapting Your Farm Business to Market Changes - The...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2025/01/07

In this episode, farmer Jodi Roebuck talks about navigating running a farm business during an economic downturn while making strategic investments on the farm. He also drills down the importance of having a financial buffer to cushion expenses during tough times. Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect your valuable crop from rain, wind, cold, and insects using Kwik

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33:19

How to Grow the Best Cucumbers - Gardening Beyond...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2025/01/06

So you want to grow your own cucumbers...but where do you even start? Farmer Jay Tracy of The Cucumber Shop walks us through the whole process of growing the best cucumbers, from choosing which cucumbers to grow, to how to start them, to the kind of soil to grow them in, to how to maintain your cucumber plants to keep them pumping out fruit for weeks and weeks! Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here. Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! Listen to other

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06:56

Common Cucumbers & Specialty Cucumbers - Gardening...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/30

Jay Tracy of CucumberShop.com talks about common—and not-so-common—varieties of cucumbers based on their uses. Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here. Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our YouTube Channel! Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil

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15:03

Cucumber Terminologies & Common Misconceptions -...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/23

In this new series, we invite experts in the field of agriculture—plant breeders, soil specialists, seed specialists, flower experts, you name it!—and take a deep dive into specific topics related to their area of expertise. Starting off the first episode, we have Jay Tracy of CucumberShop.com to shed light on cucumber terminologies and de-mystify common misconceptions about growing cucumbers. Learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop here. Interested in watching the series? Hop on over to our

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01:00:43

Growing Pains and Gains: An Honest Look at the...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/23

In this episode, farmer Jodi Roebuck takes us through his very circuitous journey into farming. He shares how farming has been like for him as he navigated through economic downturns, the importance of adaptability in the face of challenges, and the importance of hard work, persistence, and focusing on the positives in the face of adversity. Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS low-tunnel grants. Protect

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01:11:07

From Dream to Reality: Navigating the Challenges of...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/20

In this raw and honest episode, rookie farmer Alec Smith shares the invaluable lessons he learned during his first year running Crop Culture Farm. Aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs will gain insights into the challenges, triumphs, and surprising realities of starting a profitable farm business from scratch. Alec dives deep into the financial realities of farming, discussing the importance of setting realistic revenue goals, navigating cash flow challenges, and adapting to market conditions. He

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01:24:19

From Breaking Ground to Breaking Even: A Candid Look...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/13

In this episode, host Diego talks to farmer Alec as he reflects on his first year running Crop Culture Farm, with emphasis on dedicating ample time for farm buildout and infrastructure before diving into full-scale production. They also talk about the value of experimentation, staying true to oneself, and not taking things too seriously when entrepreneurial challenges arise—running a business is hard enough, so give yourself some room to laugh and be flexible so you can get back up again. Click

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37:54

Cucumbers and Cashflow: Optimizing High Tunnel...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/09

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about greenhouse efficiency. Farmer Jodi shares his transition from growing in the field to growing in a greenhouse, the benefits of growing in a greenhouse, how he maximizes space, the thought process behind choosing which crops to grow, and irrigation and trellising, to name a few. Hopefully, these tips and tricks help as many farmers gear up for spring! Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm

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01:24:45

The Dark Side of Hustle Culture: Burnout, Depression...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/06

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec talk about the mental struggles, challenges, and hardships of running a business. While making a living from a business can be both fulfilling and exhilarating, it can also get all-consuming and mentally exhausting, especially when financial uncertainty comes into play. Diego and Alec also talk about some practical strategies for handling anxiety and maintaining well-being, as well as the importance of having a support system in keeping mental calm. Click

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01:35:18

The Frugal Farmer's Journey: Cultivating Profits...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/12/04

Tony Barlow of Barlow Roots Market returns to the show to look back on their 10-year market gardening journey. He shares the practical financial mindset with which he ran Barlow Roots, as well as how they manage their finances both inside and outside the business. Sign up to Tony's newsletter here! Click here to learn more about Barlow Roots Market! Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart

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53:31

The First Year Running a Farm Business: A Farmer's...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/11/22

In this episode, host Diego talks to farmer Alec about his reflections on the first year of his journey in entrepreneurship as a new farmer. He shares the challenges and successes he faced while balancing production, sales, and his personal life. He also talks about the key things he's discovered that makes a farm business sustainable: collaboration, adaptability, and steady progress. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern

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41:41

Adapting to Change: Farming in an Economic Downturn -...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/11/18

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about running a farm business during a national economic downturn while navigating the impact and aftereffects of a cyclone on his farm. Jodi shares the strategies he employed to adapt to the changing market including choosing to grow high-value crops, cutting back on production, and exploring new opportunities. Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS

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01:14:13

Growing Pain - Pricing, Crops, and Sales: Lessons...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/11/15

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec welcome guest farmer Jim Marsh of Mile View Acres in Oklahoma to talk about how his first full year of farming is going. Alec and Jim, two first-year farmers talk shop and share insights and challenges as they face the reality of running a market farm in their first year. Learn more about Mile View Acres here. Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts

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56:24

Adapting to Thrive: A Farmer's Recession Playbook -...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/11/04

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk about going through a difficult year as a farmer as an economic recession hits New Zealand. Farmer Jodi shares how he adapted through financial prudence and innovation, and how their greenhouse helped getting through tough times. It's easy to run a farm business when the wind is in your sails, but how do you manage when conditions are less-than-perfect? Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm

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44:31

The 7 Biggest Challenges Facing Market Farmers - Farm...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/11/01

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec list out the 7 biggest challenges that all farmers face: they hit hard at the start of any farm business and pop up throughout the rest of any farmer's career. Find out what they are in this episode of Farm Startup with Farmer Alec Smith! Click here to check out farmer Alec and Crop Culture Farm. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm

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01:10:04

Carrot Cashflow: Cucumbers, From Hobby to Business:...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/10/30

Jay Tracy of CucumberShop.com shares his interesting journey of starting a hobby, which later turned into a business of breeding and selecting the best of over 70 different varieties of cucumbers and selling cucumber seeds online. Click here to learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop! Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

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43:03

Weathering the Storm: A Farmer's Tale of Resilience -...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/10/21

In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego dive into the realities of farming—particularly, the resilience required to run a farm in the face of extreme weather conditions. Farmer Jodi shares their experience with cyclone Gabrielle and how mindset, support from the community, and innovative farming techniques allowed them to bounce back from severe natural disasters. Learn more about farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/ @roebuckfarm Kwik Hoops are eligible for NRCS

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01:36:48

The Long Road to Success: A Farmer to Farmer...

Farm Small Farm Smart ·

2024/10/18

In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec welcome a special guest from across the sea, Rob Moores of Passion4Plants in West Yorkshire, England. An experienced farmer and entrepreneur, Rob shares a farmer-to-farmer conversation with Alec about the work that it takes to build a sustainable business for long-term success in agriculture. He shares what life looks like in the beginning and what life can look like after putting in the work. Click here to learn more about farmer Rob and Passion4Plants.

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