The Market Gardener Podcast

38: Small-Scale Farming Is The Coolest Counterculture Of Our Time


Listen Later

In this heartfelt solo episode, Jean-Martin Fortier reflects on the idea that small-scale farming is the true counterculture of today; a colorful, creative, and deeply rooted way of life that stands in contrast to mainstream consumerism and the obsession with wealth. He explores three key pillars: culture, diversity, and resiliency, highlighting how small farms foster biodiversity, preserve tradition, and offer an authentic alternative to homogenized food systems. Jean-Martin shares his personal journey and observations from farms around the world, emphasizing that these local, human-scale farms are not only feeding communities but also nurturing ecosystems. This is an uplifting, passionate tribute to the global movement of growers fighting back with resilience, creativity, and community.


Timestamps

[0:00] When did it become cool to get rich? Reflections on what “being cool” used to mean.

[4:31] Why small-scale farming is the ultimate counterculture today.

[8:06] Farms as colorful, original spaces that resist mainstream homogenization.

[13:05] The farm as a lifestyle: freedom, connection, and shared struggle.

[21:39] Rediscovering crate art and the creativity of early 20th-century farms.

[23:11] Diversity in farming and why it's essential to human health and culture.

[34:07] Small farms as key players in restoring biodiversity and rewilding.

[39:28] Scaling out, not up: how a network of small farms builds resiliency and food sovereignty.


Sponsors

Tessier: Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tessier+MGI+podcast


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


JM:

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

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



...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Market Gardener PodcastBy JM Fortier

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

43 ratings


More shows like The Market Gardener Podcast

View all
Cultivating Place by Jennifer Jewell / Cultivating Place

Cultivating Place

348 Listeners

The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers by Epic Gardening

The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

1,582 Listeners

The joe gardener Show - Organic Gardening - Vegetable Gardening - Expert Garden Advice From Joe Lamp'l by Podcast – joe gardener® | Organic Gardening Like a Pro

The joe gardener Show - Organic Gardening - Vegetable Gardening - Expert Garden Advice From Joe Lamp'l

1,851 Listeners

Farm Small Farm Smart by The Modern Grower Podcast Network

Farm Small Farm Smart

264 Listeners

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast by John Kempf

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

515 Listeners

The Flower Podcast by Scott Shepherd, Host and Flower Educator

The Flower Podcast

241 Listeners

Growers Daily by Farmer Jesse

Growers Daily

397 Listeners

Beyond Labels Clips by Joel Salatin & Dr. Sina McCullough

Beyond Labels Clips

256 Listeners

Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler by Lisa Mason Ziegler

Field and Garden with Lisa Mason Ziegler

390 Listeners

Real Organic Podcast by Real Organic Project

Real Organic Podcast

104 Listeners

The Dirt on Flowers by Shannon Allen and Lyndsay Biehl

The Dirt on Flowers

332 Listeners

Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne by Lisa Mason Ziegler & Layne Angelo

Seed Talk with Lisa & Layne

156 Listeners

Growing For Market Podcast by Andrew Mefferd, Katie Kulla, April Parms Jones

Growing For Market Podcast

62 Listeners

The Backyard Bouquet Podcast: Cut Flower Podcast for Flower Farmers & Backyard Gardeners by Jennifer Gulizia of The Flowering Farmhouse

The Backyard Bouquet Podcast: Cut Flower Podcast for Flower Farmers & Backyard Gardeners

93 Listeners

Six Figure Flower Farming by Jenny Marks

Six Figure Flower Farming

163 Listeners