How Hydroponic Lettuce is Saving a Province with Mackenzie Warford aka Papa’s Farm | EP 39

In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m talking lettuce—but not just any lettuce. I sat down with the incredibly passionate and slightly wild Mackenzie Warford of Papa’s Farm in Newfoundland, where he’s growing top-tier romaine lettuce year-round using a hydroponic system that puts most operations to shame. We dive into his “hippie greenhouse,” his geothermal setup, his zero-pesticide practices, and why he’s dead set on feeding his family and community the highest-quality food possible—without a dime of government funding. We go deep on why Canada’s food system is broken and how local, small-scale farmers like Mackenzie are the solution. If you’ve ever doubted hydroponics, this episode will flip the script and maybe make you crave some crunchy romaine while you’re at it.

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Episode Highlights: hydroponics, romaine lettuce, food sovereignty, small farm business, greenhouse growing, kids in agriculture, local food systems, nutrient density, Canadian farming, off-grid innovation, gut health, circular economy

Takeaways: 

• You don’t need a massive setup to grow food year-round
• Hydroponics can be sustainable, ethical, and local
• Canadian-grown food is essential for national food security
• Flavor and nutrient density are drastically better when grown locally
• Small farms can feed entire communities with one crop
• Government isn’t the solution—community is
• Kids thrive when raised close to food production

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

MacKenzie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PapasFarmHydroponics 

MacKenzie’s Website: https://www.youtube.com/@papasfarm721 

Canadian Hydroponics Association: https://www.can-hydro.com/ 

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Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

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