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.

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

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