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 selling cucumber seeds online.  Click here to learn more about Jay Tracy and Cucumber Shop! Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Brian Sakurada of Shiwa Green Farm in Iwate, Japan joins host Diego to share his interesting farming journey and how he began selling organic produce not just in his local area but all over Japan. He also talks about the differences between farming in the US and farming in Japan, as well as the reality of organic farming in Japan.  Click here to learn more about Brian Sakurada and Shiwa Green Farm!  Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

This is the audio version of my newsletter Seeding Thoughts. Subscribe and read previous issues of the newsletter here.   Time slips away quickly, especially when raising children, leaving parents wishing they could relive precious moments. The key is to proactively manage your present by implementing "Sacred Time" - non-negotiable slots in your schedule dedicated to important relationships and activities. By deliberately planning and prioritizing these moments, you can shape your life around what truly matters, ensuring that when you look back, you'll see a story of love, connection, and time well spent.   Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

This is the audio version of my newsletter Seeding Thoughts. Subscribe and read previous issues of the newsletter here.   Going to bed on time is a crucial yet often overlooked strategy for boosting productivity and overall well-being. It sets off a positive chain reaction, leading to more energetic mornings, better focus, and improved performance throughout the day. By prioritizing consistent sleep habits, you're not just preparing for a productive day, but creating a foundation for success in various aspects of life, from work to relationships and personal health.   Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Farmer, business owner, and author Megan Neubauer from Pure Land Farm returns to the show to give us an update of her latest growing season running a Pick-Your-Own Farm. Megan talks about the changes they made with their growing practices and the strategies they use when there's either too much or not enough produce to pick, and she also shares the new season passes that they offer their pickers. You can learn more in Megan's book: Pick-Your-Own-Farming Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

In this episode of 'Carrot Cashflow,' host Diego follows up on a past episode exploring the subject of ADHD and general strategies you can use to improve focus.  Subscribe and read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

In this episode of 'Carrot Cashflow,' host Diego reflects on his 11-year podcasting journey, sharing the key lessons he's learned over the years. He discusses his early love for talk radio and the influence of Howard Stern, his unexpected venture into podcasting, and the formative experiences that have shaped him. Diego highlights the importance of giving freely, recognizing invisible impacts, finding purpose, and being authentic. He emphasizes consistency, content that resonates personally, and vulnerability. The episode also serves as a personal time capsule for his family, expressing gratitude and love while encouraging listeners to pursue meaningful endeavors. Subscribe and read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

In this episode of Carrot Cashflow, host Diego discusses the pitfalls of chasing 'shiny objects' in business and the importance of properly vetting new opportunities before diving in. He uses examples like the Denver Broncos' acquisition of quarterback Russell Wilson and the impulsive decisions of new homesteaders to illustrate how easily attractive but ultimately detrimental ideas can seduce people. Diego emphasizes the value of starting small, testing concepts, and having an exit strategy to avoid long-term damage and wasted resources. The key takeaway is to think clearly, remain cautious, and avoid impulsive decisions that could harm your primary business.   Subscribe and read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

In this episode of Carrot Cashflow, the focus is on managing ADHD and the tendency to chase new and exciting ideas, which are often to the detriment of ongoing projects. Diego touches on how ADHD traits like curiosity, risk-taking, and impulsivity align with entrepreneurial behavior. He discusses how these traits can be both beneficial and detrimental, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus on productive work. Diego outlines several common traps entrepreneurs fall into, such as new business idea syndrome, the grass is greener trap, and being constant pivoters. He urges listeners to balance the thrill of new ideas with the necessity of completing foundational work, providing practical advice on avoiding distractions and emphasizing action over perpetual learning.   Subscribe and read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

In this episode of Carrot Cashflow, host Diego discusses reasons for shutting down a business, including personal and financial factors. Personal reasons include losing interest, stress, and better opportunities elsewhere. Financial reasons include poor product quality, overwhelming debt, and cash flow issues. Diego also outlines weak reasons for keeping a business running, such as fear of failure and altruism. He emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions based on regular reassessment of motives and circumstances. Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Rarely do people come into farming as their first career choice, as told by the countless stories of farmers who came from diverse career backgrounds—from healthcare to IT to sales to education to human resources—you name it.  Farmer Lindsey Hauger's story is not so different: having served in the Marines, he also worked in automotive repair and even ran his own trucking company before getting into farming. He shares his story of how he entered the world of farming and how he found his niche farming small-scale in Watkins, Iowa.  Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Read More  

Jackie Hinchey, who has a background in agriculture, transitioned from a mom with a simple veggie garden to establishing Blue Dog Farm, known for its premium 'really fancy salad.' Initially started as a hobby, her farm grew into a successful business. Jackie discusses growing diverse crops on a small scale, ensuring high product quality, managing the business efficiently, and adapting to challenges, including climatic conditions. They delve into pricing strategies, market targeting, and maintaining ethical and high-quality food production. The conversation concludes with reflections on life choices, the impacts of the podcast on Jackie's journey, and advice for both young and older aspiring farmers. Blue Dog Farm: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dog_farm Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF  

Jill Duncan introduces her small-scale urban farm, Loving Roots Urban Farm, located in Ferguson, Missouri. Operating on just an eighth of an acre, Jill discusses the practices she uses, such as no-till farming and focusing on high-value, quick-growing crops like salad mixes and cherry tomatoes. Despite the limited space, she makes a living wage and shares insights into her methods for efficiency, problem-solving, and building a strong relationship-based customer base.  Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF  

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.moderngrower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast

Read my newsletter, Seeding Thoughts. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

Megan Neubauer from Pure Land Farm joins me to discuss her revolutionary you-pick farming model. The model is extremely profitable and gives her a lot of extra time each year to do things off the farm. Megan goes through her strategies for sales, marketing, and crop planning. You can learn more in Megan's book: Pick-Your-Own-Farming Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF  

Alec Smith is a farmer planning to start his own farming business after working on farms. He discusses the details of his past experiences, his motivation to start his farm, and the steps he has taken or plans to embark upon to achieve this. This includes working part-time on his farm project while still working at his full-time farm job, the financial considerations, the specific goals for the first year and subsequent years, technological advancements he's excited about, and apprehensions about starting his own business. Get time and labor-saving farm tools at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF  

(0:00) Scale into a new product slowly. Expand as there is demand. (0:21:45) Farmer Becky Hume from VRDNT Farm talks about her road to building a successful farm business. https://www.instagram.com/vrdnt.farm/ (1:52:45) Drunk Ideas - Phone blocking technology. Show feedback: [email protected] Check out my book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF    

(0:00) Pay attention to business analytics and face the numbers—they don't lie.  (08:50) Listener Q&A with a Twist: How do you evaluate yourself as a parent?  (0:19:50) Farmers Amber Broxon and Justin Miller join me to discuss how the evaluate success on their farm. How they balance farm with life, farm budgeting, and more. (1:51:30) Drunk Ideas - F1 everything. Broxon Berry Farm: http://instagram.com/broxonberry Show feedback: [email protected] Check out my new book, Sell Everything You Grow, which is only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF    

Paul Dysinger, co-founder of Seedtime, joins me to talk about his journey to build the best farm and garden software ever. He shares lessons that have helped him manage time, prioritize tasks, and balance work and life.  Learn more about Seedtime [Affiliate link] Shop all of our farm tools and equipment: https://shop.moderngrower.co/

(0:00) Thanksgiving food talk. Is the food better the next day? Top 5 sides. Pumpkin pie is gross. (0:31:56) Farmer Mark DeRespinis describes how he has built a very successful no-till farm raising high-quality vegetables and selling them to restaurants in the Boulder, CO area. (2:05:35) Drunk Ideas - The Michelin Star guide for produce. Mark's farm: https://www.instagram.com/esoterraculinary/ Check out our Black Friday Sale: https://shop.moderngrower.co/  

(0:00) Be careful who you take an opinion from. (0:15:53) Farmer Liz Calvelage talks about running her farm part-time with kids.  (1:11:20) Listener Q&A - Productivity Hack (1:15:49) Drunk Ideas - Car Siri Little Bean Farm: https://littlebeanfarm.com/our-story/ Check out my new book, Sell Everything You Grow - only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

(0:00) Be careful who you take an opinion from. (0:24:00) Farmer Ian Jerolmack talks about how they are crushing it on their farm and will do $500k in sales. (1:27:15) Listener Q&A - Cut expenses or grow revenue? (1:39:47) Drunk Ideas - The Auto Warner Check out my new book, Sell Everything You Grow - only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

(0:30) When life gives you hard times, how do you react - crumble or take it head-on.  (12:35) Farmer Ian Caselli talks about his farming journey. Ian started farming part-time and tries to manage his hours to earn extra income for his family.  (1:08:50) Listener Q&A - Is a $500 farmers market worth it? (1:16:30) Drunk Ideas - The Foot Tent Check out my new book, Sell Everything You Grow - only $0.99 on  Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF

(0:30) The purgatory of mediocrity. What happens when you aren't good enough to succeed but not bad enough to fail? (14:25) Michael Russo a former chef, discusses his transition into farming. How he is making it work while working an off-farm job. (1:02:22) Listener Q&A (1:09:58) Drunk Ideas - The "It's OK to say NO" sign. Check out my brand new book Sell Everything You Grow - only $0.99 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF   Mike's Farm - https://www.instagram.com/chefsharvestfarmllc

What makes a farm successful - the farmer or the system? People think it's the tools and other items that make it work, I argue it's the farmer that makes it work. (10:42) Jennifer Brand joins to discuss transitioning from the software field to farming. Raising unique vegetables and carving out a unique niche in her market. (1:26:51) The debut of Drunk Ideas. Partially thought out "good" business ideas. The mobile farmers market booth. Check out my brand new book Sell Everything You Grow - only $0.99 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF   Sonaterra Farm - https://www.instagram.com/sonaterrafarm

Broxon Berry Farm- https://www.instagram.com/broxonberry Want to learn more?  Check out my book Ready Farmer One - The Farmer's Guide to Sales and Marketing - Get it on Amazon. 

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Many people start market gardening in the hopes of becoming an established farm that consistently provides fresh, local food to their community. But what if that niche is already filled and there’s already a lot of other people doing what you want to do? You can certainly try keeping at it. Or you can pivot and lean on your other skills to fill a different niche. In this episode of Carrot Cashflow, we’ve invited Bruce Young of Blue Gate Farm in Warren, Connecticut to talk about their journey into small-scale farming as well as how they shifted gears from growing vegetables to raising animals, and finally, to successfully selling bread at a booming farmer’s market.   Learn more about Blue Gate Farm on their website and Instagram.    Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

Many farms have different programs to draw people to their location—from tours to workshops to parties. If you’re someone who’s managing your farm’s CSA program while running an on-farm farm stand, what can you do to draw people in and keep them coming back? In this episode of Carrot Cashflow, we’re talking to Will Conway of Stone Acres Farm to share some useful tips and tricks on how to run a successful farm stand, what they’re doing to keep customers coming back, and how they’re managing their unique CSA program alongside it.   Learn more about Stone Acres Farm on their website and Instagram.   Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

Tony Barlow of Barlow Roots Market joins me to talk about balancing an off-farm job, homeschool and running a successful farm on the side. If you are interested in following Tony and learning more about the things we spoke about today he has just started a new channel called Homestead Money. He is looking forward to sharing more on homesteading, market gardening and finance. Specifically, he hopes to help homestead dreamers purchase their homestead, and current homesteaders manage their finances wisely. You can join his email list here: http://eepurl.com/ijcC61. Or follow him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/homesteadmoney/   Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

Learn more about different marketing strategies in my book Ready Farmer One - The Farmer's Guide to Selling and Marketing, available on Amazon or at readyfarmerone.com.

Stephanie Haynes of the Vancouver, Washington Farmer’s Market joins us to talk about why they created an online store for their local farmer’s market, how they pulled it off, and the CSA-type program they have to increase to further increase their vendors’ sales while introducing more unique produce to their market. Learn more about the Vancouver, Washington Farmer's Market through their website and get updates through their Instagram.   Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter

Learn more about different marketing strategies in my book Ready Farmer One - The Farmer's Guide to Selling and Marketing, available on Amazon or at readyfarmerone.com.

Farmer and consultant Ellen Polishuk joins Diego to discuss running a successful farm business. Ellen has over 30 years of experience growing vegetables and cut flowers in the Washington, DC area. Learn more about Ellen: https://www.planttoprofit.com/ https://www.instagram.com/planttoprofit_farmerellen   Want to learn more?  My new book Ready Farmer One - The Farmers' Guide to Create, Design, and Market an Online Farm Store is finally out!!!  Get it on Amazon. 

Subscribe to Seeding Thoughts - https://modern-grower.ck.page/posts Reach me on Instagram @diegofooter