The Market Gardener Podcast

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/

Guest Social Media Links

JM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

13: Episode Swap! Real Organic Podcast w/ Dave Chapman & Jean-Martin Fortier

18 juli 2024 | 75 min

12: Does Human Health Start In The Soil? | Jeff Tkach CEO Rodale Institute

11 juli 2024 | 105 min

11: Re-Introducing Farming To Urban People & Beyond | Christa Barfield 'FarmerJawn'

4 juli 2024 | 133 min

10: From Industrial To Regenerative Agriculture, How Do We Get There? | Beth Hunter

27 juni 2024 | 111 min

In this episode, we chat with Beth Hunter, founder of Foodbridge, a non-profit dedicated to shifting our food and agriculture system to more regenerative and sustainable practices. Beth has been at the forefront of environmental advocacy since she co-founded the pioneering environmental organization, Equiterre, and helped create the first CSA network in Quebec in the 1990s. In this conversation, we explore the complex issues involved in industrial farmers transitioning to more ecological practices, the role of culture in industrial vs. small-scale ag, and why we need bold collaboration with big food companies in order to create meaningful change at all scales of farming.

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Timestamps

[1:40] Equiterre story, Supermarket Tours in the 90s, Hungry For Justice booklet

[7:16] History of CSA's

[24:37] Working with Greenpeace on responsible seafood campaign

[32:20] Addressing "systems" to create real change, local food in hospitals and institutions

[40:55] Foodbridge, transitioning industrial farmers to more regenerative practices

[48:01] Cost of transition is too high for farmer's to bear alone

[51:23] Cultural divide as barrier to transition

[55:26] Bold collaborations with big food and ag, difficulty of measuring ecological benefits

[1:15:28] Role of personal actions and responsibility

[1:18:54} Donella Meadows and how to change systems

[1:23:13] Power of marketing, spreading awareness, cultural wave of change

[1:29:54] Collaborating With The Enemy by Adam Kahane and advice to live by

Sponsors

Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10

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).

Links/Resources

Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/

Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/

Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/

Guest Social Media Links

Beth Hunter:

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/beth-hunter-44a1034a

Website: https://www.foodbridge.ca/

JM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

9: Slow Tools Pioneer And Veteran Organic Farmer | Rob Rock

20 juni 2024 | 121 min

8: The Woman Behind 'The Market Gardener' | Maude-Hélène Desroches

13 juni 2024 | 100 min

In this episode we chat with Maude-Hélène Desroches, JM’s wife and farming partner, who has been operating their home farm, La Grelinette, by herself since 2015. Maude-Hélène not only has a wealth of knowledge and experience in small-scale organic farming but is also a committed environmentalist who believes in the power of eco-citizenship and community to shape a better future. We delve into the innovative farming methods at La Grelinette, the farm's evolution over the years, the pressing issue of overdevelopment, and the importance of rewilding spaces. Maude-Hélène also shares insights on how individual actions can create a ripple effect of positive change in the world.

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Timestamps

[1:34] Intro

[2:37] Discovering farming in the early 2000's through travel in Mexico and New Mexico

[9:41] Returning to Quebec, having a child and starting a farm, living in a teepee

[17:59] The origin of 'La Grelinette' Farm and it's evolution over time

[22:35] Realizing the farm was onto something, JM writing The Market Gardener

[27:49] Soil health, ecological practices, mulch/compost/fertilizer/plastic

[40:57] The future, over development, spreading of small farms, conservation

[53:17] Eco-citizenship

[59:53] Local farms' impact on communities and society

[1:07:08] Older and seasoned farmers inspiring the next generation

[1:12:11] Advice for team management, work/life balance,

[1:21:10] Past employees starting their own farms

[1:25:55] Soil by Matthew Evans

[1:28:48] Inspired by Eliot Coleman, visiting Frith Farm in Maine

[1:30:45] Personal growth through overcoming challenges

[1:35:08] The future of 'La Grelinette'

Sponsors

Activevista https://www.activevista.com.au/

Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10

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).

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

Maude-Hélène:

Website: https://lagrelinette.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LesJardinsdelaGrelinette/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_grelinette/

JM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

7: From World Famous Chef To Small-Scale Farmer | David McMillan

6 juni 2024 | 153 min

In this episode we chat with David McMillan, chef, author, and co-founder of the famous Joe Beef restaurant in Montreal. David left the restaurant business in 2021 and now resides and works on his small farm, Hayfield Farm, where he is re-discovering the ‘art of living’ in the countryside. In this wide-ranging and colorful conversation we explore the power of cooking with homegrown foods, how social media is hurting regional cuisine, viticulture & natural wines, traditional French food culture, and how David has found true happiness in his new life on the farm.

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Timestamps

[4:52] Intro

[5:44] Chef's relationship with farmers

[10:49] David's background working in french kitchens

[12:25] The famed Bresse chicken

[17:27] The story of Joe Beef

[23:55] The art of living - from city chef to countryside farmer

[26:15] The joys and challenges of growing grapes and making wine

[42:16] Deer overpopulation and wild game in restaurants

[55:52] Natural wine deep dive

[57:14] Why has the craft beer movement not embraced organic agriculture?

[1:25:54] Why David is cooking the best food of his career right now at home on his farm

[1:31:23] History of food and the bread of ancient Rome

[1:32:49] Are we losing precious things in our modern culture?

[1:42:23] Is social media ruining regional cuisine?

[1:53:52] Importance of home cooking

[1:57:37] Anthony Bourdain - kitchen culture - Gen-Z vs Gen-X

[2:08:15] Finding happiness on the farm

[2:11:20] New book and TV show in the works (World's oldest restaurants?!)

[2:20:32] A History Of Food by Maguelonne Toussaint-Samat

[2:20:56] Nothing If Not Critical: Selected Essays on Art and Artists by Robert Hughes

[2:23:49] The mystery of David's grandmother's toast

Sponsors

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/

Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10

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).

Links/Resources

Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/

Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/

Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute

www.instagram.com/davidmcmillanmtl/

Guest Social Media Links

David:

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/hayfieldfarm/

www.instagram.com/hayfieldfarmcottage/

Twitter (X):

https://x.com/davemcmillanmtl

JM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

6: Transforming Our Cities Through Urban Farming | Orlane Panet

30 maj 2024 | 103 min

5: Permaculture Meets Market Gardening In French Polynesia | Thierry Lison

23 maj 2024 | 101 min

Thierry Lison is a market gardener, permaculture teacher, AND marine biologist from French Polynesia. In this episode we explore how Thierry's career in marine biology and a passion for surfing led him to focus on the devastating effects of industrial agriculture on coral reefs, and ultimately start a market garden on a tiny tropical island. His farm, Vaihuti Fresh, blends the principles of permaculture with the strategies of high-yield market gardening while making a positive social impact in the unique context of the Polynesian islands.

From coconut-peat soil mix and crabs as garden pests to worldwide biodiversity loss; this wide ranging conversation will give you plenty to think about!

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Sponsors

⁠Bootstrap Farmer⁠ ⁠https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/⁠

⁠Market Gardener Institute⁠ ⁠https://themarketgardener.com/courses⁠

Use promo code podcast15 for 15% off these select courses:

Mastering Greenhouse Production
8 Most Profitable Crops
Season Extension Strategies
Market Gardening & Organic Farming for Beginners
Winter Farming Strategies

Timestamps

[5:51] Background in marine biology studying coral reefs

[9:45] Starting a farm in Polynesia

[14:59] Link between permaculture and market gardening

{24:01] Crabs as garden pests

{24:49] Research with biochar, coconut husk, and mycorrhizal fungi

[34:14] Rewarding farmers for benefitting ecosystem

[36:00] Loss of biodiversity

[38:46] Cooperative cold-storage and nurseries on the island

[43:31] Making coconut-peat

[49:25] Unique history and economy of Polynesia

[50:12] Covid as turning point for food sovereignty

[55:39] Conventional farmers transitioning to organic

[1:02:05] Education on the farm

[1:07:08] Unique challenges of farming on a tropical island

[1:17:05] Indigenous tradition on the islands

[1:26:10] Permaculture Design Handbook by Bill Mollison

[1:26:42] Jean-Marc Jancovici's 'World Without End'

[1:33:16] Quote from Charles Eisenstein

Links/Resources

Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/

Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/

Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute

⁠Bootstrap Farmer⁠ ⁠https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/⁠

Guest Social Media Links

Thierry:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaihuti/

Website: https://vaihutifresh.com/

JM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

4: Can Small Farms Reclaim Agriculture In The Tech Age? | Pete Russell

16 maj 2024 | 101 min

In this episode, we speak with Pete Russell, founder of Ooooby, an online platform helping growers to increase sales, simplify packing, and optimize deliveries. We go deep into understanding our current food system, exploring how we got here and where we are going. We explore the history of food shopping, shifting consumer behavior post-covid, innovative business models, and why Pete believes we are at the beginning of a new paradigm in our food system.

Ooooby: https://www.ooooby.com/

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Sponsors

⁠Market Gardener Institute⁠ ⁠https://themarketgardener.com/courses⁠

Use promo code podcast15 for 15% off these select courses:

Mastering Greenhouse Production
8 Most Profitable Crops
Season Extension Strategies
Market Gardening & Organic Farming for Beginners
Winter Farming Strategies

Timestamps

[2:01] Intro

[3:06] Pete's mission to put small-scale back at the heart of the food system

[6:04] How Ooooby helps farmers sell online / customer shopping experience

[11:15] Supply chain deep-dive

[14:01] Impact of 2008 financial crisis on the food system

[18:01] How the 1990 Australian recession influenced Pete to play outside the system

[25:22] How COVID-19 shifted consumer behavior toward online shopping and local food sourcing

[35:29] How new tech is allowing small farms to compete with industrial agriculture

[43:33] Story of Soul Farm

[49:29] How online shopping is bringing a new demographic to local food

[54:30] Centralized v. Decentralized food system

[56:18] Ooooby's innovative ownership model

[1:03:46] Hidden downside of democratic/cooperative business models

[1:12:18] How to get started with Ooooby

[1:21:40] Ooooby features; automatic packing lists, automatic delivery routes, online shop front etc.

[1:28:22] Society is at a turning point, have we gone too far?

[1:31:10] Concept of 'home' and its deeper societal meaning

[1:34:49] The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson & Lord William Rees-Mogg

[1:35:50] Importance of family

Links/Resources

Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/

Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/

Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.com/newsletter

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/

Guest Social Media Links

IG: https://www.instagram.com/oooobyhq/

X: https://twitter.com/Ooooby

FB: https://www.facebook.com/oooobyuk/

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/ooooby

Website: https://www.ooooby.com/

3: Food Sovereignty & The Future Of Farming | Stephanie Wang

9 maj 2024 | 107 min

1: Why We're All Going Back To The Land | Chris Moran And JM Fortier

1 maj 2024 | 98 min

In this very first episode of The Market Gardener Podcast hosts JM Fortier and Chris Moran tell their stories and discuss the importance of the small farm movement and how so many people are finding a better and more meaningful life by going back to the land. JM goes into great detail telling his story of how he got into farming and how he developed multiple businesses over the years, always with the mission of helping to multiply small farms around the world. Chris explains his story of discovering farming in his early 20s and the ambitious and chaotic farm project he was a part of in New Jersey, and then how he ended up in Quebec where he now resides making videos with JM and The Market Gardener Institute.

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Sponsors

Ooooby https://www.ooooby.com/ (mention the podcast for 75% off onboarding fee)

New Society Publishing https://newsociety.com/ (use code smallfarm25 for 25% off all books)

Timestamps

[2:44] Introduction

[9:28] JMs travels after university

[9:50] Starting farming in Quebec

[13:36] Starting La Grelinette

[16:57] Writing The Market Gardener

[25:08] Starting FQT farm

[28:23] Creating The Market Gardener Institute

[32:23] Founding Growers & Co

[33:50] Heirloom crop planning software

[38:13] Chris's background story

[38:56] Chris's story starting a farm in NJ

[46:00] Chris's wife visiting his farm for the first time

[49:23] How Chris and JM met and started working together

[52:49] Quote from Living The Good Life

[53:10] Finding meaning through going back to the land

[55:00] The magic of growing things

[56:05] The decline of farming in North America

[58:03] How people farmed in the past

[59:46] Discussing hopes for the podcast (with a name blooper before we decided the podcast name!)

[1:01:52] The importance of these discussions

[1:04:18] Quote from Charles Eisenstein

[1:06:05] Is our future headed in the wrong direction?

[1:07:22] Are people living on screens too much these days?

[1:08:05] How gardening can change the suburbs

[1:11:04] Connecting people to the land through the Old Mill restaurant

[1:11:40] France's food culture

[1:13:23] Eating together is central to being human

[1:13:47] Importance of chefs in the small farm revolution

[1:14:51] Importance of entrepreneurship and business in the small farm revolution

[1:17:28] What book have you read more than once?

[1:18:44] Incredible french book Le hasard n'existe pas

[1:19:52] Be open to serendipity

[1:20:58] Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic

[1:21:41] Rick Rubin and creativity

[1:22:32] Finding spirituality through farming

[1:23:01] What advice did you hear when you were young but only appreciated later?

[1:23:46] Ready, shoot, aim

[1:26:09] Thinking long term with business

[1:27:00] You're a spiritual being living a human experience

[1:29:31] Thoughts on AI

[1:36:10] Wrapping up

Links/Resources

Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/

Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/

Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.ac-page.com/newsletter-subscription

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute

https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier

Guest Social Media Links

JM:

https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

Chris:

https://www.instagram.com/chris_m_moran

2: The Fight To Save Organic | Dave Chapman

1 maj 2024 | 115 min

Show Notes

In this episode, featuring Dave Chapman from the Real Organic Project, the discussion explores the struggles and philosophical shifts within the organic farming community, especially concerning the corporate influence on organic certification standards.

Dave recounts the historical context of organic farming, emphasizing its roots as a movement against conventional agricultural practices and its evolution into a significant market force. He explains how this has sparked a debate within the community about the essence of organic farming and led to the creation of the Real Organic Project, which aims to uphold more traditional organic practices.

Real Organic Project:

https://realorganicproject.org/

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you!

Sponsors

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/

Ooooby https://www.ooooby.com/ (mention the podcast for 75% off onboarding fee)

New Society Publishing https://newsociety.com/ (use code smallfarm25 for 25% off all books)

[2:53] Intro

[4:19] Organic has always been an insurgency

[7:14] History of organic

[8:26] Ivy league kids growing their own food in the 60s

[10:26] Dave's farming story

[13:59] You couldn't find organic at the grocery store in the 90s

[15:03] Early adopters of organic and its importance

[16:32] Fraudulent organic grain in the US

[18:10] The moment it stopped being a "movement"

[19:00] Patrick Holden, Lady Eve Balfour, and Albert Howard

[20:34] Corporate forces co-opting the cultural movement

[23:37] The rapid loss of meaning with "regenerative"

[27:56] Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

[34:43] History of ag in Asia - F.H. King's Farmers Of 40 Centuries

[36:44] Hydroponic becomes organic and the start of the Real Organic Project

[42:00] CAFO's in organic

[44:30] Zephyr Teachout's Break 'Em Up

[45:43] Monopolies were being broken up before Robert Bork changed things in the 1980s

[48:56] 70% of organic berries in the US are Driscoll's berries

[53:23] How can small organic farmers compete with the prices of big organic?

[54:47] Majority of our food production moving to central America

[58:26] Thoreau and ML King's activism

[1:02:48] There has always been bad farming even before chemical agriculture

[1:04:59] Why big companies love "regenerative"

[1:07:12] Monsanto's "climate smart" agriculture

[1:08:04 Is "No-Till" being co-opted too?

[1:12:04] Pepsi claims regenerative?!

[1:13:25] Hope for the future

[1:18:33] The world's best manipulators have all the money, and they're working tirelessly to mislead you

[1:19:09] Seth Godin on the internet

[1:20:20] It was hard for the pioneers in the past, and it won't be easy in the future either

[1:25:30] Europe's field to fork initiative

[1:42:50] The Real Organic Project

[1:45:19] What book have you read more than once?

[1:46:56] What advice did you only appreciate later in life?

[1:49:05] What's the best difficult decision and best mistake you've ever made?

Links/Resources

Market Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com/

Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/

Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.ac-page.com/newsletter-subscription

Growers & Co: https://growers.co/

Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

Follow Us

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute