The Thriving Farmer Podcast

How long do you think it takes to get a cow from grain fed to fully grass-fed? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Joseph, the pioneering founder of Maple Hill Creamery, the largest 100% regenerative, grass-fed organic dairy farm in the U.S. After leaving his corporate job, Tim positioned Maple Hill at the forefront of the dairy industry, championing grass-fed organic dairy and regenerative farming practices. Tune in to hear all about Tim and Maple Hill’s dairy farming journey. You’ll hear: How Tim got started in farming 1:26 Where all the milk went after the first 60 cows 5:12 About the decision on whether they needed a second farm 16:37 What allowed Maple Hill to scale so smoothly 20:43 More about when Tim knew he needed an experienced management team 26:12 Why don’t they make chocolate milk anymore (everybody loves it, nobody buys it!) 39:11 What Tim’s advice is for someone considering getting into dairy farming 40:49   About the Guest: In a world dominated by corpor

What are the unique challenges of growing and milling your own grains?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Alexis Dragovich, co-operator of Mud Run Farms in northeast Ohio. What started out as a 1st generation dairy farm has turned into a father daughter team working hard to make certified organic grains and fresh stone-ground flours more commonplace. Tune in to hear about Alexis’ passion for healthy grains, small business and their local community.  You’ll hear: How Mud Run Farm got started in growing grains 1:21 About the kind of mill Mud Run uses 3:11 What the difference is between hard red wheat and soft red wheat 6:38 More about how Mud Run Farm markets their products 12:07 What Alexis’ advise would be to herself at the start of her journey 18:37   About the Guest: Alexis Dragovich is co-operating Mud Run Farm, a small, certified organic farm in Northeast Ohio. What started out as a 1st generation 6-head family dairy farm has turned into a certified organic, diverse s

How does your local climate influence your agricultural decisions?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jodi Roebuck who is the trailblazing market gardener and mentor at Roebuck Farm in Taranaki, New Zealand.  With over two decades of experience, Jodi guides fellow growers toward more economically viable farming practices, embodying his belief that when environmental and financial health go hand in hand, true sustainability is achieved. Tune in to hear all about farming in windy and wet New Zealand!    You’ll hear:  What farming is like in New Zealand 1:55 How Jodi got started in farming 3:43 What a high-wind hoop house/greenhouse looks like 12:02 About what a typical day looks like on Jodi’s farm 20:53 What Jodi’s thought process was leading up to the big greenhouse project 28:29 What key principles Roebuck Farm follows to sustain their success 39:17 More on what the next years hold for Roebuck Farm 45:19 What would Jodi do differently given the opportunity to start over 47

What unique challenges and rewards come with chestnut farming? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Brad Russell of Chestnuts in the Ozarks in Omaha, Arkansas. Brad’s lifelong respect for nature along with his dedication to sustainable agriculture has guided him and his wife, Sandy, to revive and sustain the long-forgotten legacy of chestnut farming in the United States.  Tune in to hear all about Chestnuts in the Ozarks and the world of chestnut farming! You’ll hear: How Brad got started in chestnuts 0:49 What varieties of chestnuts does Brad’s farm work with 8:13 About the care methods for chestnut trees 12:29 How someone who wants to plant chestnut trees would need to plan 14:03 About which insects people should watch out for 18:19 About what bare roots trees typically cost 22:31 How you can learn more about Chestnuts in the Ozarks 27:37 About the Guest: In the picturesque countryside of the Ozarks in Omaha, Arkansas, Brad and Sandy Russell discovered their farm’s purpose

How do you take your homestead from beginner to profitable?    On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Ann Accetta-Scott, a dedicated first-generation homesteader and the author behind "The Farm Girl's Guide to Preserving the Harvest." While managing her family farm in Middle Tennessee, Ann shares her journey from self-taught beginnings to becoming a community cultivator and advocate for a simpler, more sustainable way of life. Tune in to hear how Ann teaches others how to establish a life centered around clean eating, food ownership, and homesteading skills. You’ll hear: About why Ann got started in farming 0:47 What their biggest challenge was when increasing their farm’s acreage 2:18 What Ann’s goal was when she started the garden 12:04 What challenges Ann experienced when moving cross country 14:44 How Ann designed her garden for preservation 20:08 Ann’s tips for making a homestead profitable 39:03 What is covered in The Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest 54:19 Ab

Are you ready to take your vegetable farming to the next level?     On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael shares about this year’s Thriving Farmer Summit and this year is all about Vegetables. The Summit is a free event happening January 12-14th and features a lineup of expert speakers covering topics from fertilizer-free farming methods and winter production to balancing family and farming, soil tests, compost and much more.   Tune in to hear about how this year’s Summit offers valuable insights and practical tips for farmers to improve their farming practices and grow better quality vegetables. Click here to register for the Vegetable Summit. You’ll hear: About what the Thriving Farmer Vegetable Summit is all about  Some details about each of this year’s Session Speakers What some of Michael’s biggest takeaways were from his interviews How to register for the Vegetable Summit About the Guest: Michael Kilpatrick is a farmer and educator in Carlisle, Ohio. Along with his wife, Savannah,

Do you take the time to reflect on the past year of your farm?    On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by his wife, Savannah. Together, they chat about how this past year went at their farm in Ohio called The Farm on Central. From building a farm store to strawberries and sourdough, they share the up's and down's of 2023. Tune in to hear about this Year in Review and how they are taking the lessons they learned into the New Year. You’ll hear: Why they started The Farm on Central 1:01 About what all has changed with their store this year 5:19 What they’ve been doing with sourdough bread 11:35 About how they did their hiring and team management 15:17 An update on their farm’s soil and water 24:47 What is currently going on with their wellness line 29:52 An update on some new land they recently leased 39:35 About the Guest: Michael & Savannah Kilpatrick are farmers and educators in Carlisle, Ohio. Together they run The Farm on Central, where they pursue their passion of p

What lessons can Southern gardeners learn from Melissa Smith's experience with dahlias?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Melissa Smith of Fraylick Farm who is a passionate gardener, dahlia enthusiast, and experienced flower farmer. As a Clemson certified Master Gardener and a self-taught expert in the art of cut flower cultivation, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep love for nurturing beauty in every bloom.  Tune in to hear how Melissa markets her flower farm and her passion for dahlias.  You’ll hear:  How Melissa got started with growing flowers 0:56 What Fraylick Farm’s marketing looks like 7:30 How does their wholesale model work 11:30 About Melissa’s criteria for covering versus not covering the flower buds 32:36 How much fertilizer farmers should use on dahlias 43:06 What Melissa’s advice is for someone looking to get started in flower farming 49:47 About Melissa’s favorite farming tool 54:01 About the Guest: Melissa Smith is a seasoned gardener and far

What can you learn from a food hub model of connecting local producers with chefs and consumers?   On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jeff Bednar, the innovative force behind Profound Foods in North Texas. Since 2014, Jeff and his wife, Lee, have been revolutionizing local food systems and specializing in hydroponic produce. Jeff connects consumers directly to locally-grown food through his online marketplace, all while fostering community education and supporting future food entrepreneurs.  Tune in to hear all about how Jeff built a farm and food hub with a solid reputation for quality, consistency and education.   You’ll hear: About how Jeff got started in farming  0:58 How they started selling to chefs and restaurants 6:05 About how the food hub pricing model works 10:20 What their marketing looks like 14:28 How Jeff has assembled the Profound Foods team 18:10 About how the Profound Foods dinners work 23:06 What Jeff would do differently if he could start over again 33:08

In what ways can transforming our front yards into edible landscapes impact our local food systems and communities?   On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Laura Fernandez who is the visionary behind Front Yard Foods in South Carolina. Laura's journey began with a simple garden at the age of 12 and has blossomed into a mission to reconnect people with their food through personalized garden designs, educational courses, and a passion for community-driven sustainability. Tune in to hear all about how Laura built this thriving garden operation from the ground up! You’ll hear: How Laura started getting interested in plants 0:59 How Front Yard Foods got started 5:09 About Laura’s biggest surprise in how the business has grown 7:54 What Laura does for marketing 13:25 How Laura runs the books 19:30 About what Laura would change if she could start again 29:06 What Laura’s advice is for new gardeners 36:09   About the Guest: Laura Fernandez founded Front Yard Foods in 2022 in order to

Ever thought about shifting your farm to a U-Pick model?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is diving into the world of agritourism with Megan Neubauer of Pure Land Farm located in McKinney, Texas. Megan literally wrote the book on pick-your-own farming and her farming journey offers invaluable insights into transforming local agriculture into a profitable, community-driven experience. Tune in to hear about Megan’s thriving U-Pick operation and her new book!   You’ll hear: How Megan got into farming 0:52 What led Megan to shift her farm to Upick 4:52 What the average customer expects when participating in U-pick 10:37 How their crops are priced 11:42 About how they package their berries for U-Pick customers 15:08 What software Megan uses for booking 21:23 About how they deal with “problem people” 25:00 About their marketing focus 30:19 What Megan’s advice is for newer farmers or farmers looking to change things up 38:04   About the Guest: Megan Neubauer is a farmer in North Texas. She

How does the concept of value-added thinking apply to both farming and our daily lives?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Billy Bond, owner of Perma Pastures Farm, located in North Carolina. From hands-on workshops to online education, Billy and his family share their knowledge and love for permaculture. When he’s not on their farm, he is helping transform damaged and destroyed landscapes into abundant permaculture farms.  Tune in to hear about permaculture and value-added thinking for your farm! You’ll hear: How Billy got started in farming 0:50 About the kind of property Perma Pastures Farm is 7:29 What new homesteaders should focus on first 12:01 About what Billy’s Bone Sauce is 25:10 What Billy would do differently given the ability to start from the beginning 31:14   About the Guest: Billy was a city kid. He went to college for a short while before joining the US Army to become an Airborne Sapper. After military service, Billy became an IBEW electrician and complete

What challenges and opportunities arise when starting a farm and retail venture from scratch? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Jacob Towe of Jubilee Farms in Pauline, South Carolina. After helping with his family’s Christmas tree farm from an early age, Jacob launched his own regenerative farm as well as a local grocery store focused on real food and farm-to-table connections.   Tune in to hear how Jacob boot-strapped his way into a successful farm life!   In this episode, you’ll hear… How Jacob got started in regenerative farming 0:55 What his biggest takeaways were from his time at Polyface Farm 3:11 What kind of farmland Jubilee Farm has 9:16 More about the farm’s grocery store 10:45 What Jacob would do differently given the opportunity to start over 24:21 About their store’s customers and what they purchase most 31:08 What Jacob’s advice is for newer farmers 32:45   About the Guest: Jacob Towe is the owner of Jubilee Farms and co-owner of Farmfare Grocery in Spartanbu

Is it the grass or the genetics that helps most with grass-fed dairy farming? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Suzanne Karreman of Reverence Farms in North Carolina.  Along with her veterinarian husband, Dr. Hubert, they run a 400-acre, 80-cow grass-fed dairy. Their farm is a thriving polyculture where animals are ‘passionately pastured’ and the land benefits from careful, healing stewardship. Tune in today to hear about Suzanne’s passion and knowledge about grass-fed dairy cows.  In this episode, you’ll hear… How Suzanne got into farming 0:59 How long it took for Suzanne and her husband to go commercial 8:20 What Suzanne’s stance is on whether or not going grass-fed is worth it 15:42 About where the milk from the current herd is going 26:48 What the Reverence Farm team looks like 33:02 What a typical year looks like at Reverence Farms 39:12 About the other enterprises they work on 46:45 What Suzanne’s advice for newer farmers is 49:32   About the Guest: Suzanne and her

Do you know what all goes into garlic growing? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Julie Olberding of Rustic Roots Farm in Alexandria, Minnesota. Their farm balances natural resources with a blend of innovative techniques and traditional methods to produce the highest quality products for their customers.  They specialize in hardneck garlic, maple syrup, asparagus and more using these natural and regenerative methods.  Tune in to hear about Julie’s award-winning garlic and her advice for new farmers.    You’ll hear: How Julie and Chad got started in farming 1:35 Why Rustic Roots choose garlic to start with 5:07 Why Rustic Roots does farmers markets 9:35 About Rustic Roots’ marketing 14:03 More on the other garlic products they offer 16:57 How many varieties of garlic they grow 20:30 What Rustic Roots offers in terms of education 27:01 About their fertility program 33:53 What other enterprises and products their farm offers 42:41 What Julie’s advice is for newer farmers 45:03

What are ways you can get involved in your local community? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim and Sophia Eng who are both first-generation Asian American farmers who left their Silicon Valley careers to start a 5-acre micro farm in northeast Tennessee. Tim is a homestead-focused realtor and Sophia is the author of The Nourishing Asian Kitchen cookbook.  Tune in to hear how they are cultivating a community and the next generation. In this episode, you’ll hear… About Tim and Sophia got started in their real food journey 1:41 What is typical of Asian American food offerings 4:03 More on Sophia’s biggest learning experiences while writing her cookbook 8:31 About their move from California to Tennessee 11:20 What the word “community” means to Tim and Sophia and what kind of community they aim to build in Tennessee 21:29 All about the different enterprises that Sophia and Tim are involved in 27:02 How the cookbook has become a lead qualifier for their real estate business 30:

Can going back to more sustainable ways be the key to modern beekeeping success? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Adam Martin of Bee Kept Farm in middle Tennessee. Along with his wife, Leslie, Adam got into beekeeping using commonly taught methods. After an unsuccessful first year, they decided to think “outside the bee box” and shifted their beekeeping to more natural and sustainable methods.  Tune in to hear how Adam has gone back to more traditional methods to allow the bees to be bees.  In this episode, you’ll hear… About how Adam got started in beekeeping 1:33 How feral swarms tend to behave 7:35 What Adam does to ensure that his bees thrive 10:38 How Adam harvests honey in a horizontal hive 14:36 What they do to handle pests 18:51 How Adam makes money with his Bee Kept Farm 23:25 What other animals Adam has on his farm 30:52 About the biggest question people have during Bee Kept classes 41:17 What bee species Adam recommends for late crops 44:17 About the Guest: Ada

Can “regenerative filmmaking” help with our current agricultural challenges? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Josh and Rebecca Tickell who are the filmmakers of the recently released documentary Common Ground. This highly anticipated follow-up to their first film Kiss the Ground is an urgent call to action and offers a plan for how we can save the future, heal our climate, and fix our broken food system – all through regenerative agriculture. Tune in to hear about their journey with “regenerative filmmaking”.  In this episode, you’ll hear… What got Rebecca and Josh into “regenerative filmmaking” 1:14 How they realized Kiss the Ground had become such a hit 3:22 About the impacts conventional farming has made on the earth and our health 14:35 How they refused to have the movie censored in any way 21:15 About the project called 100 Million Acres 27:46 What did they learn the most from the making of Common Ground 31:42   About the Guest: Josh and Rebecca Tickell a

How do you keep productivity up on your farm? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by John Arbuckle of Singing Pastures Farm. Along with a network of farm partners, John and his family raise heritage breed pigs in the grassy fields of coastal Maine. Hear more about the day-to-day operations and decisions behind this sustainable farm and the uniqueness of their Roam Sticks.. Tune in as we explore their shift from traditional pork production to a product-centric system.   In this episode, you’ll hear… What John’s farming journey was like growing up 2:34 About the transition from pork to snack sticks 9:26 How they set their farm up to be a product-centric system 13:26 About the big system farm changes to help alleviate John’s workload 17:26 More on where the pork get processed 23:23 What a typical day on the farm is like for John 25:15 John’s advice for new farmers 34:24 About the farm’s distribution 41:43 What makes Singing Pastures’ Roam Sticks different from other meat sticks 42

What are the challenges and rewards of transitioning a hobby into a thriving business? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Craig Odem who runs a retail nursery in northwest Alabama. Starting with just a few dozen plants six years ago, Craig and his family have taken their business to a full-scale production and propagation nursery without any background in the industry. He also shares about their nursery growth on YouTube as the Savvy Dirt Farmer. Tune in to hear how Craig documents their growth and teaches others how to start their own thriving nurseries.  In this episode, you’ll hear… How Craig got interested in plants 1:43 About the process of taking cuttings and making new plants with them 9:13 Why Craig recently moved 18:44 What a typical year in a nursery looks like 20:10 How Craig runs his clearance sales 28:32 What specific nursery mix does Craig prefer, if any 40:29 Where Craig expects his business to look like in 2 years 43:08 About his nursery’s checkout system on