Farm Small Farm Smart
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.
- Update frequency
- every 4 days
- Average duration
- 49 minutes
- Episodes
- 478
- Years Active
- 2015 - 2025
Common Cucumbers & Specialty Cucumbers - Gardening Beyond Basics E02
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? H…
Cucumber Terminologies & Common Misconceptions - Gardening Beyond Basics E01
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…
Growing Pains and Gains: An Honest Look at the Realities of Running a Farm Business - The Profitable Mini-Farm E26
From Dream to Reality: Navigating the Challenges of Starting a Profitable Farm Business - Farm Startup - Episode 36
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 insigh…
From Breaking Ground to Breaking Even: A Candid Look at Year One on the Farm - Farm Startup - Episode 35
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 …
Cucumbers and Cashflow: Optimizing High Tunnel Production for Profit - The Profitable Mini-Farm E25
The Dark Side of Hustle Culture: Burnout, Depression and Overwhelm as an Entrepreneur - Farm Startup - Episode 34
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 exhilara…
The Frugal Farmer's Journey: Cultivating Profits Through Prudent Spending (CC49)
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…
The First Year Running a Farm Business: A Farmer's Perspective - Farm Startup - Episode 33
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 bala…
Adapting to Change: Farming in an Economic Downturn - The Profitable Mini-Farm E24
Growing Pain - Pricing, Crops, and Sales: Lessons from a First Year Farmer - Farm Startup - Episode 32
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 farme…
Adapting to Thrive: A Farmer's Recession Playbook - The Profitable Mini-Farm E23
The 7 Biggest Challenges Facing Market Farmers - Farm Startup - Episode 31
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 car…
Carrot Cashflow: Cucumbers, From Hobby to Business: The Journey of a Niche Seed Seller (CC48)
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…
Weathering the Storm: A Farmer's Tale of Resilience - The Profitable Mini-Farm E22
The Long Road to Success: A Farmer to Farmer Conversation - Farm Startup - Alec Smith - Episode 30
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 …
The Challenges of Farmer's Markets and Expanding Farm Business - Farm Startup - Episode 29
In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec take a close look at farmer Alec's current farmer's market: is it a good market worth staying at? Is it a good enough market to stay in but the farm will n…
Cover Crop Mastery- Secrets of a Successful Farm - The Profitable Mini-Farm E21
Summer Farming Challenges & Solutions - Farm Startup - Episode 28
In this episode, host Diego and farmer Alec talk about farming in the peak season: summer. They dive into the challenges that come with being a solo farmer surviving the summer season by balancing pr…
The Tools That Make or Break a Market Farm: Starting a Farm on a Shoestring Budget - Farm Startup - Episode 27
In this episode, Diego and Alec talk all about tools. If you plan on starting a farm, you're probably thinking about a mountain of tools you think you need to get started, but waiting to buy every si…