Growers Daily

Today, Alex Ball has conversations with two of his favorite farmer friends and mentors, Adam Mitchell and Lindsey Steele, who have both helped over the last few years develop his individual business, become a better farmer, and grow his understanding of what it means to be feed his community. They dig deep on soil building through deeper woodchip application, scaling-up and fine-tuning a greens business, and aggregating fresh produce from and for other farmers in your local community. So any further ado, let's have Alex's last interview with Adam Mitchell at Country Valley Farm and then Lindsay Steele of Garden Fort.

Folks who make the show possible...

Farmhand is the only all-in-one virtual assistant built by and for farmers. Sign up for a free trial with the link in the show notes, because NOW is the best time to dial in those systems for the next growing season.

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) will offer the Business of Farming Conference on Saturday, February 22, in Asheville, North Carolina. Find out more at asapconnections.org.

Since 1972 Ohio earth food has been the go-to source for soil testing, consulting, fertilizers, seed starting soils, foliar sprays and disease and insect controls. Visit them at ohioearthfood.com.

... and, as always, our work is powered by the individual growers who support us every month over at patreon.com/notillgrowers. You can pick up a copy of The Living Soil Handbook if you don't have one already, as well as a No-Till Growers hat or other merch, check out our YouTube channel, and you can ask you questions or share your insights into ecological market gardening on our free growers forum at notillgrowers.community.chat

We cover: Lasagna gardening, why farming is the great mingling space, and it's feedback friday (farmer Grant freeze, farmer business plan, farming with kids, holding farming to a different standard).

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

Tesla Cotnract for $400 milliion : https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/us/politics/trump-tesla-musk-cybertruck.html

Farm Business Book: https://amzn.to/3X1JQK1

MUSIC TODAY

https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

We cover: how to raise kids on a farm, how to grow peas?

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

NTMG Episode with Mastodon Valley Farm: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-no-till-market-garden-podcast/id1441886206?i=1000690779742

NIFA family farms: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/family-farms

Trampoline (pretty sure this is the one): https://amzn.to/4aX7soM

MUSIC TODAY

https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

We cover: What I am good at and bad at in farming + Farmers Market Etiquette

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

What is a farm ACTUALLY link: https://youtu.be/G8Ifq7vQeCo

Caset Piscura Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-no-till-market-garden-podcast/id1441886206?i=1000465133464

MUSIC TODAY

"You Make Me Feel" By Staffan Carlén

https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

We cover: Making the most of Your Spring Lettuce + Managing Excess Phosphorus

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

Asheville Chef GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-brian-canipelli-support-his-loved-ones?qid=0b259da83aececec7674dd54b819c1bb

Great article on P and compost: https://www.biocycle.net/phosphorus-compost-use-dynamics/

Head lettuce video: https://youtu.be/0_kG14pFPpw

Summer Lettuce Viideo: https://youtu.be/589sGmOhKlE

Nversink gridder: https://neversinktools.com/collections/gridder

MUSIC TODAY

https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

We cover:

Are foliar sprays worth it, is farming gambling, and the government is currently witholding funds from farmers---what gives?!

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

Asheville Chef GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-brian-canipelli-support-his-loved-ones?qid=0b259da83aececec7674dd54b819c1bb

Good foliar spray article from agronomist: https://www.mofga.org/resources/crops/foliar-fertilization/

And another one: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/foliar-feeding.pdf

Funding Freeze breakdown: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/usda-freezes-farmer-funding-some-programs-conservation-contracts-2025-02-08/

Historically underserved farmers breakdown: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/underserved-farmers-ranchers

Executive order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/

MUSIC TODAY

"I'll be Me" by Penny Lane via https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

Peter Allen of Mastodon Valley Farm in Wisconsin studied ecology and was particularly inspired by restoration ecology and the idea of humans as keystone species. Peter and his wife Maureen left academia to homestead in 2012 and their journey has rivaled that of the eponymous incognitum that they named their farm after.

Folks who make the show possible...

Farmhand is the only all-in-one virtual assistant built by and for farmers. Sign up for a free trial with the link in the show notes, because NOW is the best time to dial in those systems for the next growing season.

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) will offer the Business of Farming Conference on Saturday, February 22, in Asheville, North Carolina. Find out more at asapconnections.org.

Since 1972 Ohio earth food has been the go-to source for soil testing, consulting, fertilizers, seed starting soils, foliar sprays and disease and insect controls. Visit them at ohioearthfood.com.

... and, as always, our work is powered by the individual growers who support us every month over at patreon.com/notillgrowers. You can pick up a copy of The Living Soil Handbook if you don't have one already, as well as a No-Till Growers hat or other merch, check out our YouTube channel, and you can ask you questions or share your insights into ecological market gardening on our free growers forum at notillgrowers.community.chat

We cover:

What is a farm actually, what pos system to use for farmers, and it's feedback friday!

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

Frostbite book (that clearly stole the name of my memoir): https://amzn.to/3CCrU1x

Barn2door: https://www.barn2door.com/blog-all/looking-for-farm-pos-know-which-works-best-for-your-business

Local Line: https://www.localline.co

MUSIC TODAY

via https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

We cover:

Troubleshooting Poor Germination + Do You Need a Walk-Behind Tractor? + Dealing with snow and row cover.

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

Lost relationship to fire episode: https://youtu.be/ox6gg_K68t4

Earth Tools: https://www.earthtools.com

BCS America: https://www.bcsamerica.com

MUSIC TODAY

via https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: http://www.Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers

We cover: Kickstarting the Ornery Compost Pile + Does Wool Make a Good Mulch + what size cell trays to use based on the crop

‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8

Links from this episode:

Swift Blocker: https://www.swiftblocker.com

Soil Blockers: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=soil+block&search-button=&lang=en_US

Cell Trays: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=cell+trays&search-button=&lang=en_US

Winstrips: https://neversinktools.com/products/winstrip-trays?srsltid=AfmBOoq_M96kvEhvo_RIkX_Y7Vv43PIWpCkBqygzY8zkB5BTkfL3tRjD

MUSIC TODAY

via https://www.epidemicsound.com

Show Sponsors:

Rimol: https://www.rimol.com

Farmhand: http://gofarmhand.com

groSMART: hhtp://Grosmart.com (CODE: daily)

MY BOOK!

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

French copy of The Living Soil Handbook: https://amzn.to/4h2bYot

Italian Copy https://www.terranuovalibri.it/libro/dettaglio/jesse-frost/il-manuale-del-suolo-vivente-9788866819967-236828.html

German Copy: https://www.oekom.de/buch/das-grosse-boden-handbuch-9783987261374

Other stuff and ways to support stuff like this 👇

5% off Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizers and More (offer Code: NOTILL)

👀: https://store.turbify.com/cgi-bin/clink?yhst-20803342241356+tt4W2F+shop.html+NOTILL🚨

ORDER Dan Brisebois' Seed Book! 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

The Living Soil Handbook 📕 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Hats 🧢 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Forum 💬 👉 https://notillgrowers.community.chat

Music 🎵 👉 via www.empidemicsound.com

👕 MERCH 👉 https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook

Support our work (👊) at www.notillgrowers.com/support or www.Patreon.com/notillgrowers