Greenhorns Radio

Episode 194: Peasants’ Plot


Listen Later

Julia and Todd met in 2002 around a barbecue in the backyard of a Chicago apartment. Todd revealed his “not very ambitious” desire to become an organic vegetable farmer. They married in 2007 and started Peasants’ Plot. Seven years later, the couple is living in a trailer outside of Manteno with 20 acres, chickens, a machine shed/woodworking shop, three high tunnels, two “guest trailers,” two tractors, a corn crib, a skateboard ramp, a massage practice, and a dog named Merle. They have realized that their dream to grow vegetables sustainably is possibly one of the most ambitious career goals around. Funded by their own savings, a farm mortgage, an FSA Loan, USDA Specialty Crop Grants, the Frontera Farmer Foundation and a Kickstarter, they have built up their farm slowly and steadily from 60 CSA members in 2009 to 250 members. Todd’s background in house-building, carpentry, woodworking, basic mechanics and organic gardening compliments Julia’s inclination towards marketing, outreach and farm advocacy. In addition to building their own business, Julia has been a leader in the Chicago CSA community, organizing annual events that help spread awareness about Community Supported Agriculture. They are committed to proving the viability of sustainable farming with the help of an equally committed community! Thanks to our sponsor, Bonnie Plants.



“A lot of CSAs are going to be like us in that they will have to approach non-traditional forms of funding. Many banks won’t look at these kind of business plans because they haven’t seen them before.” [12:00]

Julia McDonald on Greenhorns Radio

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

Greenhorns RadioBy Heritage Radio Network

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

16 ratings


More shows like Greenhorns Radio

View all
Cutting the Curd by Heritage Radio Network

Cutting the Curd

67 Listeners

A Taste of the Past by Heritage Radio Network

A Taste of the Past

405 Listeners

Cooking Issues by Heritage Radio Network

Cooking Issues

407 Listeners

The Speakeasy by Heritage Radio Network

The Speakeasy

192 Listeners

Radio Cherry Bombe by The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network

Radio Cherry Bombe

569 Listeners

Japan Eats! by Heritage Radio Network

Japan Eats!

68 Listeners

The Grape Nation by Heritage Radio Network

The Grape Nation

122 Listeners

Modernist BreadCrumbs by Heritage Radio Network

Modernist BreadCrumbs

87 Listeners

Inside Julia's Kitchen by Heritage Radio Network

Inside Julia's Kitchen

94 Listeners

Meat + Three by Heritage Radio Network

Meat + Three

111 Listeners