The Market Gardener Podcast

This week, we speak with Benjamin Fahrer, a permaculture designer and farmer, who combines ecological principles with innovative rooftop farm designs across cities in California. Benjamin shares how his background in building and permaculture design shaped his vision for creating resilient food systems. We explore the importance of soil health, biodiversity, and regenerative practices in addressing both climate and social challenges. Benjamin highlights the value of fresh, nutrient-dense produce and the potential of urban agriculture to reconnect communities with truly healthy food. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [03:00] Importance of design in farming. [04:30] Benjamin’s farming and building roots. [07:04] Discovering permaculture design. [10:09] Lessons from pioneers like Bob Cannard. [12:46] Wendell Berry on perfection and humility. [20:39] Urban farming challenges and opportunities. [25:08] Esalen Institute: blending farming and spirituality. [39:33] Food freshness and nutrient density. [50:28] Key steps for regenerative ag: Reckoning, restoration, resilience. [55:08] Tillage and soil health: timing matters. [1:03:36] Farms as ‘refugia’ in climate change. [1:09:18] Insights from rooftop farming projects. [1:26:05] Designing for diversity and nature’s role. [1:31:04] Soil microbiome and farming practices [1:50:01] Rapid fire Q&A [1:50:26] The Tao Of Leadership by John Heider & Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu Sponsors Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10 Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/?utm_source=mg-jm&utm_medium=podcast  New Society Publishing Use code market25 for 25% off all books https://newsociety.com/?utm_source=The%20Market%20Gardener%20Podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Sponsorship  Heirloom www.heirloom.ag   Limited time offer of 20% off yearly subscription and use promocode PODCAST to get an extra month of free trial. https://heirloom.ag/?utm_source=ijm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=season2 Market Gardener Institute https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=masterclass#waitinglistMC  Links/Resources Market Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com/  Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/  Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter Blog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog  Books: https://themarketgardener.com/books Growers & Co: https://growers.co/ Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/ The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/ Follow Us Website: http://themarketgardener.com  Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute  Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners  Guest Social Media Links Benjamin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfahrer  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmtheroof Websites:  https://www.topleaffarms.com/  https://www.deepmedicinecircle.org/  https://regenorganic.org/  JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

This week, we sit down with Alex Meizlish of Ecolibrium Farm, a market gardener from Seattle with a passion for building community through food. Alex shares his journey from studying science in university to teaching environmental education in the Pacific Northwest, and finally to becoming a small-scale farmer.  We explore his experiences working with chefs, the challenges of creating a resilient organic farm, and his vision for connecting people to their food through memorable culinary experiences. The conversation touches on the importance of community, the artistry of sustainable farming, and the fulfillment of reconnecting with nature. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [3:00] Discussion on growing food, personal reflections on childhood food culture. [6:05] Reflections on American food culture vs. international food cultures. [8:22] The emotional significance of food and family gatherings. [15:00] Journey from childhood gardening to farming. [25:17] Transition from outdoor education to farming and environmental awareness. [40:10] Reflections on building food culture through farming and culinary experiences. [57:20] Conversations on the culinary arts, notable food experiences. [1:03:15] Selling to chefs, discussing farm and restaurant collaborations. [1:30:00] Community, connection, and the impact of farming gatherings. [1:36:53] Rapid fire Q&A Sponsors Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10 Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/?utm_source=mg-jm&utm_medium=podcast  Market Gardener Institute www.themarketgardener.com/introduction  Limited time offer of $99 USD on our online course Introduction To Organic Farming. Links/Resources Market Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com/  Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/  Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter Blog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog  Books: https://themarketgardener.com/books Growers & Co: https://growers.co/ Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/ The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/ Follow Us Website: http://themarketgardener.com  Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute  Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners  Guest Social Media Links Alex Meizlish: Website: https://www.ecolibriumfarms.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecolibriumfarms/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecolibriumfarms/  JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

This week we chat with Palisa Anderson, organic farmer, author, and owner of Chat Thai restaurant in Australia. She shares her journey from city life to sustainable farming, driven by family influence and health benefits, and we discuss the challenges of running a closed-loop farm, rewilding efforts, and supplying organic produce to restaurants. The conversation highlights the fulfillment found in homesteading, cooking with fresh ingredients, and reconnecting with nature through sustainable agriculture. Please make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast, DOWNLOAD our episodes, and RATE them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [1:27] Guest background and early inspirations [2:18] Becoming a farmer and family background [4:00] Transition from city life to farm life [10:06] Influence of health on lifestyle choices [17:00] The importance of food sourcing and whole foods [26:36] Environmental impact and rewilding efforts [34:05] Connection to land and traditional farming methods [44:08] The restaurant business and starting a farm [51:16] Transition to organic farming [1:08:26] Farm description and its unique ecosystem [1:18:08] Seasonal produce and crop cycles [1:34:10] Connecting with chefs and restaurant partnerships [1:45:04] Advocacy for agrarian food and homesteading [1:53:17] Advice on selling to restaurants [1:58:56] Rapid-fire questions on books, advice, and culinary memories Sponsors Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10 Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Advancing Eco Ag http://advancingecoag.com/marketgarden  New Society Publishing Use code market25 for 25% off all books https://newsociety.com/?utm_source=The%20Market%20Gardener%20Podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Sponsorship  Market Gardener Institute www.themarketgardener.com/introduction  Limited time offer of $99 USD on our online course Introduction To Organic Farming. Links/Resources Market Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com/  Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/  Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter Blog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog  Books: https://themarketgardener.com/books Growers & Co: https://growers.co/ Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/ The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/ Follow Us Website: http://themarketgardener.com  Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute  Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners  Guest Social Media Links Palisa Anderson: Instagram:  www.instagram.com/palisaanderson     www.instagram.com/boonluckfarmorganics    www.instagram.com/chatthai_official   JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

This week we chat with Luke Sheldrick from Terramor Farm about his journey in building a thriving market garden. We tackle the challenges of parenting while starting a farm, explore the crucial role of professionalism and strategic planning in running a successful farm business, and uncover how Luke supplies over 20 restaurants with his fresh produce. We also dive into Luke’s new online course, The Crop Plan Accelerator, which will teach you how to master the essential skill of crop planning for a profitable farming venture. Succession Crop Planning Cheat Sheet! https://themarketgardener.ac-page.com/succession-crop-planning-lead-magnet-en Online Course - The Crop Plan Accelerator https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-crop-plan-accelerator/  PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [2:23] Starting the farm journey [5:07] Farm setup and expansion [11:05] Canadian Agricultural Loans Act [17:17] Farm growth and scaling [21:03] Crop selection strategy [34:10] Importance of professionalism on the farm [36:20] Delegation and team management [40:20] Hiring and building a strong team [46:21] SOPs and crop planning [52:07] Working with Heirloom crop planning app [1:14:06] Selling to restaurants [1:28:00] Future of small-scale farming [1:34:46] Rapid-fire Q&A Sponsors Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10 Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Market Gardener Institute www.themarketgardener.com/introduction  Limited time offer of $99 USD on our online course Introduction To Organic Farming. Links/Resources Market Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com/  Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/  Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter Blog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog  Books: https://themarketgardener.com/books Growers & Co: https://growers.co/ Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/ The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/ Follow Us Website: http://themarketgardener.com  Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute  Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners  Guest Social Media Links Luke Sheldrick: Website: https://terramorfarm.com/  IG: instagram.com/terramorfarm  JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier