The Market Gardener Podcast20 Jun 2024

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

In this episode we chat with Rob Rock of Pitchfork Farm in Vermont. Rob has been organic farming since 2002 and has been an innovator in the field of "slow tools", tools made for human scale, ecological farming. In this wide ranging conversation we dive deep into topics such as the role of technology in small-scale farming, community building and the importance of local business, the future of small farms amidst climate change, and how we all need to take part in designing the future we want.

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Timestamps

[2:36] Importance of farmer gatherings and meeting other farmers

[6:36] Designing and creating tools for small farms

[8:34] Farm flooding, climate change, future of ag in Vermont

[22:55] Why do we need small farms?

[30:22] Pitchfork farm, importance of crew relationships, community developing from the farm

[42:12] Farm relationship with chefs and restaurants

[48:31] Importance of "supporting cast" in the small farm movement

[55:43] Slow Tools, becoming a tool inventor, future of tech in slow tools, AI

[1:31:01] Where is small-scale farming going as a movement?

[1:35:09] Will the future be "solar punk" ?

[1:41:39] The One Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, farming in Japan

[1:48:31] Learn other skills! Take part in designing the future

Sponsors

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

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

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

Rob:

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

Farm IG: https://www.instagram.com/pitchforkfarm/

Tool design IG: https://www.instagram.com/upstream_ag/

Farm Website: https://www.pitchforkfarmvt.com/

JM:

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

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

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Episoder(59)

58: 5 Costly Mistakes New Market Gardeners Make (And How to Avoid Them)

In this solo episode, Jean-Martin Fortier breaks down the five critical mistakes that new market gardeners make and explains how to avoid them. Addressing common traps, he advises against working seve...

24 Sep 56min

57: How They Started A Farm At Age 50! The Inspiring Story of Harmony Farm | Greg & Kate Stainton

In this episode, we sit down with Greg and Kate from Harmony Farm in Brockville, Ontario, to explore their journey of starting a multi-enterprise farm in their 50’s! They discuss how a desire for purp...

10 Sep 1h 57min

56: $300K From 3/4 Acre Market Garden & Pastured Chickens (And They're Not Overworking?!) | Noah East

In this episode, we sit down with Noah East, co-owner of Wild East Farm and founder of Small Scale Revival, to explore how human-scale design, efficient systems, and clear values create a thriving sma...

27 Aug 1h 59min

55: From Vegan To Animal Farmer: Why Animal Agriculture Matters For Health, Ecology & Climate | Abey Scaglione

In this episode, we sit down with Abey Scaglione, author of Radical Farm and farmer at Ruckle Heritage Farm in Salt Spring Island, BC, to explore the ecological, nutritional, and ethical case for well...

13 Aug 1h 59min

54: How To Stop Fighting Nature & Grow A High-Yield Orchard | Permaculture Orchard Design with Stefan Sobkowiak

In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Sobkowiak, permaculture educator and renowned Youtuber at The Permaculture Orchard, to explore how to design and manage holistic, diverse agricultural ecosyste...

30 Jul 2h 17min

53: How To Make Any Soil Amazing With Cover Crops: Grow Your Own Fertility! | JM Fortier

In this solo episode, Jean-Martin Fortier reveals the ultimate secret weapon for healthy soil and high-yield market gardening: cover crops and green manures. While beginner market gardens often focus ...

16 Jul 37min

52: Why We Should Be Feeding Ourselves With TREES: Nuts, Forests, And The Future Of Food | Elspeth Hay

In this episode, we sit down with Elspeth Hay, Cape Cod journalist and author of Feed Us with Trees, to explore how we can solve our collective separation from nature through the power of tree crops. ...

2 Jul 1h 58min

51: How This Alaskan Farmer Makes 85K On JUST Storage Crops (With 49% NET!) | Sam Knapp

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Knapp, an Alaskan grower and author of Beyond the Root Cellar, to explore what it means to solve the biggest gaping hole in the local food system: winter food sec...

18 Jun 2h 5min