The Market Gardener Podcast

• 28: $380k On 1.5 Acres Of Flowers! Meet The Woman Revolutionizing Flower Farming | Chloé Roy Floramama

  In this episode, we sit down withChloé Roy, seasoned flower farmer, teacher at the Market Gardener Institute, and author of a new book on flower farming. She shares her journey from vegetable farming to building Floramama, a thriving flower farm, and the lessons learned along the way. Chloé discusses the business side of flower farming and sheds light on the hidden environmental and ethical costs of conventional flowers and why local flower farms are part of a growing movement.Chloé also reflects on scaling back production, prioritizing work-life balance, and her dream of documenting a world tour of flower farms. Whether you're a market gardener or a flower enthusiast, this episode is full of insights to help you grow flowers more profitably and sustainably.PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!Join The Flower Farm Online Course and take your flower farm to the next level! Next cohort coming March 2025. Timestamps[06:40] The hidden costs of the conventional flower industry and why local flowers matter[12:12] The rise of the small flower farm movement[18:51] Applying bio-intensive market gardening to flower farming[27:15] Challenges in growing Lisianthus and Ranunculus – Trial, error, and success[32:40] Pricing flowers correctly and educating customers on their value[39:24] Market strategies – Selling at farmers' markets, CSAs, and to florists[45:08] Scaling up to a $380K farm operation – Managing a team and business growth[51:22] Scaling back – Shifting focus to seed and bulb production[56:10] Chloé’s dream – A world tour documenting flower farms[1:10:54] Lessons in business planning and work-life balance[1:24:19] Advice for new flower farmers[1:41:07] Rapid fire Q&ASponsorsTessierhttps://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tessier+MGI+podcastUse 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 https://bootstrapfarmer.com/marketgardenerpodcastMarket Gardener Institute www.themarketgardener.com/introduction  Limited time offer of $99 USD on our online course Introduction To Organic Farming.Links/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com/ Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/ Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.co/Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksFloramama:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floramamafermeflorale Website: https://www.floramama.ca/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floramama JM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

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• 27: $200K Revenue On Just 1 Acre! How They Built A Profitable Small Farm | Doug Wolcik & Kayleigh Boyle Breadseed Farm

  In this episode, we sit down with Doug and Kayleigh fromBreadseed Farm, who share their inspiring journey of leaving salaried farm management positions tostart their own one-acre, no-till, human-powered farmin Vermont. They open up about the challenges and rewards ofmaking the leap to farm ownership, including thefear of financial instability and the excitement ofbuilding something from the ground up.We discuss the realities ofmaking a living as small-scale farmers, how they grew their farm to nearly$200K in revenue in just a few years, and the importance of creatingefficient systems to maximize productivity.PLEASE make sure tosubscribe to the podcast,downloadour episodes, andrate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!Timestamps[10:47] Leaving salaried farm management to start their own farm[15:17] Acquiring land and starting Breadseed Farm during COVID[20:51] HowThe Market Gardener book inspired their no-till transition[26:25] Managing a farm crew: Lessons in communication and efficiency[30:40] The importance of community engagement and on-farm experiences[38:06] Breaking into farmers markets and building strong sales channels[44:12] Why community-driven markets drive farm success[50:15] Balancing work-life and avoiding burnout as farmers[58:39] Expanding revenue streams: Flowers, CSA, and microgreens[1:06:04] Greenhouse production and extending the growing season[1:14:13] The financial impact of selling flowers and value-added products[1:21:21] Kayleigh’s wreath-making and value-added farm products[1:36:24] Rapid Fire Q&A - East Of Edenby John Steinbeck &The Orchard by Adele Crockett RobertsonSponsorsTessierhttps://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tessier+MGI+podcastUse 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). Bootstraphttps://bootstrapfarmer.com/marketgardenerpodcast Growershttps://growers.co/?utm_source=ijm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=season2Use promocode PODCAST for 15% off clothing and accessories.Market Gardener Institutehttps://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=apple-spotify&utm_campaign=saison2Links/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/ Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/ Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog: https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books:https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co:https://growers.co/Heirloom:https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill:https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite:http://themarketgardener.com Facebook:http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram:http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksBreadseed Farm:Website:www.breadseedfarm.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/breadseedfarm/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/breadseedfarm/ JM:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

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• 26: Seed Farming & Growing Your Own Seeds With Master Grower | Dan Brisebois

  This week we chat with Dan Brisebois from Tourne-Sol Farm about the importance of seed saving for market gardeners. Dan shares his journey from agricultural engineering to co-founding a thriving worker co-op farm that balances vegetable production with a successful seed business. We explore the practicalities of growing your own seeds, debunk myths about cross-pollination, and discuss how seed saving can boost resilience and profitability. Dan also highlights the benefits of cooperative farming for work-life balance and introduces his new book, The Seed Farmer, a hands-on guide to seed production. The Seed Farmer by Dan Brisebois. Get the book and start growing and saving your own seeds this farming season! PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Sponsors Tessier Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase. Applicable for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  http://bit.ly/3EAehQN New Society Publishing Use code market25 for 25% off all books. Heirloom  Limited time offer of 20% off yearly subscription and use promo code PODCAST to get an extra month of free trial. Market Gardener Institute Limited time offer of $99 USD on our online course Introduction To Organic Farming. www.themarketgardener.com/introduction  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 Dan: Website: https://danbrisebois.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm Tourne-Sol Farm & Seed Company: https://fermetournesol.qc.ca  JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier  Timestamps [2:21] Dan’s journey into farming and how he co-founded Tourne-Sol Farm. [5:56] Starting a cooperative farm: Challenges and lessons learned. [10:42] Is a fully self-sufficient seed farm realistic or just a dream? [15:14] Open-pollinated vs. hybrid seeds: Understanding the differences. [20:07] Managing cross-pollination anxiety and best practices. [25:32] Why market gardeners should consider growing at least some of their own seed. [30:45] The profitability of seed crops compared to vegetable crops. [35:18] Growing seed in different climates: Adapting to humidity and regional challenges. [40:04] Using greenhouses for seed production and improving quality. [45:39] How market gardeners can integrate seed saving without disrupting production. [50:51] The cooperative structure of Tourne-Sol Farm and its long-term success. [55:20] Holistic management and work-life balance in a co-op farm. [1:00:12] The realities of running a seed business: Marketing, sales, and logistics. [1:05:46] Dan’s book The Seed Farmer: Why it’s a must-read for growers. [1:10:28] The moment Dan realized he wanted to be a farmer. [1:15:14] Reflections on the future of seed sovereignty and resilient farming. [1:30:00] Rapid fire Q&A, Wheel Of Time novel series by Robert Jordan

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• 25: NOW Is The Perfect Time To Start A Small Organic Farm | JM Fortier

  In this solo episode, Jean-Martin Fortier takes a deep dive into the question: Is it still realistic to start a small organic farm today? Addressing both aspiring and seasoned farmers, he explores the financial viability of small-scale farming, the challenges of land access, and the shifting landscape of local food systems. JM emphasizes that, despite obstacles, small farms remain economically viable and play a crucial role in strengthening local economies and food sovereignty. With a call for unity in the face of growing corporate influence and climate change challenges, this episode is a rallying cry for farmers to stay resilient, engaged, and committed to the movement. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [03:22] The need for economic data on small farms [05:01] Challenges with policy & institutional support [08:51] Is it still realistic to start a small farm? [13:01] Social justice & small farming [16:06] The importance of local food systems [19:23] The corporate threat to local food [20:17] Ecology, community & lifestyle [26:17] The mindset of a successful farmer [30:40] The responsibility of experienced farmers [33:00] The global reach of the small farm movement [36:28] The need for farmer leadership & policy advocacy [37:51] The CANOPY program & strengthening farmer networks [38:46] The fragility & power of the small farming movement [40:14] Climate change & small farms as a solution Tessier  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  https://bootstrapfarmer.com/marketgardenerpodcast Heirloom  Limited time offer of 20% off yearly subscription and use promocode PODCAST to get an extra month of free trial. 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 JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

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• 24: From Tech Entrepreneur To Suburban Flower Farmer | Akos Asare

  In this episode, we sit down with Akos Asare from Re.Planted Farm & Floral Studio, who shares her inspiring journey from running a custom wig business to becoming a suburban flower farmer. Akos reveals how the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to pivot and embrace farming as a response to global supply chain challenges and her quest for deeper fulfillment. We discuss the challenges of transitioning into farming without an agricultural background, the importance of following your intuition, and the value of community connections in building a sustainable urban farm. Akos also highlights the innovative ways she has maximized her small plot of land, including her creative crop planning techniques and her focus on flowers over vegetables. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [0:12] Realizing the impact of small communal actions [1:55] Introduction and masterclass announcement [4:16] The journey from wig business to farming [7:42] Transitioning careers: lessons from Dragons’ Den [12:07] Life as a military family and adapting to change [18:00] The concept of "Replanted Farm" and its meaning [24:10] Influences from YouTube and market gardening pioneers [31:25] Soil care and no-dig gardening methods [40:00] Building community through farming collaborations [47:05] Challenges and benefits of urban farming [52:40] Raising children with a connection to nature [1:00:40] The importance of detailed crop planning [1:11:00] Learning to farm: embracing resources and community [1:18:35] Overcoming internal challenges in farming [1:26:00] Urban farming as a model for future food systems [1:36:15] The importance of physical community presence over social media [1:41:44] Rapid Fire Q&A Sponsors Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tessier+MGI+podcast 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).  Growers https://growers.co/?utm_source=ijm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=season2 Use promocode PODCAST for 15% off clothing and accessories. Market Gardener Institute 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 Akos: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/re.plantedfarm  Website: https://www.replantedfarm.ca/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/re.PlantedFarm Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/replantedfarm/  JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

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