The Market Gardener Podcast

This week we're sharing with you an episode of 'The Real Organic Podcast' in which JM sits down with Dave Chapman to discuss the potential of promoting a replicable, decentralized food and farming system that relies on people building relationships with both land and community, by engaging their powers of observation and connection.

Real Organic Podcast: https://realorganicproject.org/get-educated/podcasts/

Real Organic Project: https://realorganicproject.org/ 

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

Sponsors

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/?utm_source=mg-jm&utm_medium=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 

Guest Social Media

Real Organic Project:

Website: https://realorganicproject.org/

Podcast: https://realorganicproject.org/get-educated/podcasts/

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

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/realorganicproj

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/real-organic-project 

JM:

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

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

This week, we chat with Jeff Tkach, CEO of the Rodale Institute, the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture. For over 75 years, the Rodale Institute has been at the forefront of organic agriculture research and education, guided by the belief that healthy soil = healthy food = healthy humans. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore how Jeff brings his own passion for health into his role as CEO, discuss the 40+ years of research comparing organic and conventional agriculture at Rodale, delve into the concept that healthcare truly begins in the soil, and examine the cultural shift that is drawing more people back to the land.

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

Timestamps

[4:01] History of Rodale Institute - J.I. Rodale story - Land Grant system

[16:41] Jeff's past health problems and how it led him to farming

[28:05] Healthcare to farming connection - Doctors conference on a farm

[38:26] Research comparing organic to conventional ag - Nutrient density of food

[49:56] "Regenerative Organic" and Rodale's ROC certification

[55:58] Transitioning from conventional to organic - Rodale's consultancy program & farmer training

[1:03:05] Cultural shift of people going back to the land - Food has energy and meaning

[1:13:20] Food as medicine - meal at the Old Mill

[1:22:54] Critics of organic farming and how they misuse science

[1:29:32] "The earth is healing us, not the other way around."

[1:34:09] Jeff's "ikigai" (reason for getting out of bed in the morning)

[1:37:43] The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

[1:39:34] The miracle that is soil

Sponsors

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/?utm_source=mg-jm&utm_medium=podcast 

New Society Publishing https://newsociety.com/ (use code smallfarm25 for 25% off all books)

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

Jeff Tkach (Rodale Institute):

Website: https://rodaleinstitute.org/

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/rodaleinstitute/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rodaleinstitute/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodaleinstitute/channel/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/rodaleinstitute/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rodaleinstitute/ 

JM:

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

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

In this episode we chat with Christa Barfield, founder of FarmerJawn, a Philadelphia based farm focused on reintroducing farming into the lifestyles of underserved communities. Farmerjawn is the largest black-woman owned regenerative organic produce farm in the United States and hosts a variety of educational programs and experiences that bring healthy food and nature back into the lives of urban people. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss the stigmatized relationship that many black & brown people have with the land and how to fix it, the power of amplifying one's voice to spread a message, how we can make healthy local food more accessible and convenient for urban people, and how agriculture is equally a part of all our lineages. 

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

Timestamps

[2:25] Agriculture is the culture

[6:06] Christa's journey to agriculture started with a trip to a Caribbean island

[12:49] RE-introducing farming to underserved communities

[15:35] Christa's farm, education, helping black people "see themselves" in farming

[35:30] Reimagining corner stores with 'CornerJawn'

[46:41] Getting pushback as a black woman in farming

[49:54] Winning the James Beard Leadership Award, perception/marketing/awareness

[1:07:44] Land access, community gardens, marketing & branding for farmers

[1:27:38] Making local food more convenient, stories behind seeds

[1:32:35] Visibility and amplifying your voice, 93% of US farms are small

[1:44:11] Social media gift & curse

[1:50:31] Bridge To Terabithea by Katherine Paterson - reading Oscar Wilde

[1:53:34] "Give me my flowers while I can still smell them"

[1:58:32] Farming reality show

Sponsors

Bootstrap Farmer https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/?utm_source=mg-jm&utm_medium=podcast 

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

New Society Publishing https://newsociety.com/ (use code smallfarm25 for 25% off all books)

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

Christa Barfield:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/farmerjawn_ 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/farmerjawncsa Website: https://www.farmerjawn.co/

Twitter (X): http://twitter.com/farmerjawn_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christa-barfield-2b608486/ 

JM:

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

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

In this episode, we chat with Beth Hunter, founder of Foodbridge, a non-profit dedicated to shifting our food and agriculture system to more regenerative and sustainable practices. Beth has been at the forefront of environmental advocacy since she co-founded the pioneering environmental organization, Equiterre, and helped create the first CSA network in Quebec in the 1990s. In this conversation, we explore the complex issues involved in industrial farmers transitioning to more ecological practices, the role of culture in industrial vs. small-scale ag, and why we need bold collaboration with big food companies in order to create meaningful change at all scales of farming.

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

Timestamps

[1:40] Equiterre story, Supermarket Tours in the 90s, Hungry For Justice booklet

[7:16] History of CSA's

[24:37] Working with Greenpeace on responsible seafood campaign

[32:20] Addressing "systems" to create real change, local food in hospitals and institutions

[40:55] Foodbridge, transitioning industrial farmers to more regenerative practices

[48:01] Cost of transition is too high for farmer's to bear alone

[51:23] Cultural divide as barrier to transition

[55:26] Bold collaborations with big food and ag, difficulty of measuring ecological benefits

[1:15:28] Role of personal actions and responsibility

[1:18:54} Donella Meadows and how to change systems

[1:23:13] Power of marketing, spreading awareness, cultural wave of change

[1:29:54] Collaborating With The Enemy by Adam Kahane and advice to live by

Sponsors

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

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

Beth Hunter:

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/beth-hunter-44a1034a

Website: https://www.foodbridge.ca/ 

JM:

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

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

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 

In this episode we chat with Maude-Hélène Desroches, JM’s wife and farming partner, who has been operating their home farm, La Grelinette, by herself since 2015. Maude-Hélène not only has a wealth of knowledge and experience in small-scale organic farming but is also a committed environmentalist who believes in the power of eco-citizenship and community to shape a better future. We delve into the innovative farming methods at La Grelinette, the farm's evolution over the years, the pressing issue of overdevelopment, and the importance of rewilding spaces. Maude-Hélène also shares insights on how individual actions can create a ripple effect of positive change in the world.

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

Timestamps

[1:34] Intro

[2:37] Discovering farming in the early 2000's through travel in Mexico and New Mexico

[9:41] Returning to Quebec, having a child and starting a farm, living in a teepee

[17:59] The origin of 'La Grelinette' Farm and it's evolution over time

[22:35] Realizing the farm was onto something, JM writing The Market Gardener

[27:49] Soil health, ecological practices, mulch/compost/fertilizer/plastic

[40:57] The future, over development, spreading of small farms, conservation

[53:17] Eco-citizenship

[59:53] Local farms' impact on communities and society

[1:07:08] Older and seasoned farmers inspiring the next generation

[1:12:11] Advice for team management, work/life balance,

[1:21:10] Past employees starting their own farms

[1:25:55] Soil by Matthew Evans

[1:28:48] Inspired by Eliot Coleman, visiting Frith Farm in Maine

[1:30:45] Personal growth through overcoming challenges

[1:35:08] The future of 'La Grelinette'

Sponsors

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

Activevista https://www.activevista.com.au/

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

Maude-Hélène:

Website: https://lagrelinette.com/

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

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

JM:

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

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

In this episode we chat with David McMillan, chef, author, and co-founder of the famous Joe Beef restaurant in Montreal. David left the restaurant business in 2021 and now resides and works on his small farm, Hayfield Farm, where he is re-discovering the ‘art of living’ in the countryside. In this wide-ranging and colorful conversation we explore the power of cooking with homegrown foods, how social media is hurting regional cuisine, viticulture & natural wines, traditional French food culture, and how David has found true happiness in his new life on the farm.

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

Timestamps

[4:52] Intro

[5:44] Chef's relationship with farmers

[10:49] David's background working in french kitchens

[12:25] The famed Bresse chicken

[17:27] The story of Joe Beef

[23:55] The art of living - from city chef to countryside farmer

[26:15] The joys and challenges of growing grapes and making wine

[42:16] Deer overpopulation and wild game in restaurants

[55:52] Natural wine deep dive

[57:14] Why has the craft beer movement not embraced organic agriculture?

[1:25:54] Why David is cooking the best food of his career right now at home on his farm

[1:31:23] History of food and the bread of ancient Rome

[1:32:49] Are we losing precious things in our modern culture?

[1:42:23] Is social media ruining regional cuisine?

[1:53:52] Importance of home cooking

[1:57:37] Anthony Bourdain - kitchen culture - Gen-Z vs Gen-X

[2:08:15] Finding happiness on the farm

[2:11:20] New book and TV show in the works (World's oldest restaurants?!)

[2:20:32] A History Of Food by Maguelonne Toussaint-Samat

[2:20:56] Nothing If Not Critical: Selected Essays on Art and Artists by Robert Hughes

[2:23:49] The mystery of David's grandmother's toast

Sponsors

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

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

David:

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/davidmcmillanmtl/

www.instagram.com/hayfieldfarm/ 

www.instagram.com/hayfieldfarmcottage/

Twitter (X):

https://x.com/davemcmillanmtl 

JM:

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

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

In this episode we speak with Orlane Panet, co-founder of Microhabitat, an urban farming company creating roof top gardens in cities all around the world. We discuss urban population growth and why we need to re-imagine the cities' unused spaces and how rooftop gardens can be a gateway for city dwellers to learn about sustainability, ecological agriculture, healthy eating and more. Orlane shares her belief in business as a way to make positive change in the world and how the urban farms of Microhabitat have much greater impact than meets the eye.

To learn more about Microhabitat visit: https://microhabitat.com/ 

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

Timestamps

[3:56] Microhabitat model and origin story

[10:05] Re-thinking the urban environment

[16:28] Importance of living soil in urban farming

[18:13] Standardization v. improvisation for success in farming and business

[21:54] Social and community impact of urban farms

[29:09] Container growing v. green roofs

[32:48] Alternative career opportunities for farmers

[35:30] Environmental reporting - pollinator tracking with sound and air DNA

[42:41] Covid's effect on urban farming

[49:29] Importance of education in creating change

[53:35] How a grower or property owner can get involved

[1:01:30] How urban gardens help small farms outside the city

[1:05:02] Orlane's personal journey from health issues to organic farming

[1:10:47] Why hydroponics is not the answer

[1:14:10] The meaning of "sustainability"

[1:15:16] Why for-profit business can be more impactful than non-profit

[1:20:30] Why collaborating with the "bad guys" may be the best way to change them

[1:28:47] The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Sponsors

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

Activevista https://www.activevista.com.au/

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

Microhabitat:

Website: https://microhabitat.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/microhabitat.ca/ 

Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/microhabitat 

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/microhabitat_ca 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/microhabitat.ca 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2b2oLw3wSmH5azWjALI7Ig/videos 

JM:

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

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

Thierry Lison is a market gardener, permaculture teacher, AND marine biologist from French Polynesia. In this episode we explore how Thierry's career in marine biology and a passion for surfing led him to focus on the devastating effects of industrial agriculture on coral reefs, and ultimately start a market garden on a tiny tropical island. His farm, Vaihuti Fresh, blends the principles of permaculture with the strategies of high-yield market gardening while making a positive social impact in the unique context of the Polynesian islands.

From coconut-peat soil mix and crabs as garden pests to worldwide biodiversity loss; this wide ranging conversation will give you plenty to think about!

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

Sponsors

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

⁠Market Gardener Institute⁠ ⁠https://themarketgardener.com/courses⁠  

Use promo code podcast15 for 15% off these select courses:

Timestamps

[5:51] Background in marine biology studying coral reefs

[9:45] Starting a farm in Polynesia

[14:59] Link between permaculture and market gardening

{24:01] Crabs as garden pests

{24:49] Research with biochar, coconut husk, and mycorrhizal fungi

[34:14] Rewarding farmers for benefitting ecosystem

[36:00] Loss of biodiversity

[38:46] Cooperative cold-storage and nurseries on the island

[43:31] Making coconut-peat

[49:25] Unique history and economy of Polynesia

[50:12] Covid as turning point for food sovereignty

[55:39] Conventional farmers transitioning to organic

[1:02:05] Education on the farm

[1:07:08] Unique challenges of farming on a tropical island

[1:17:05] Indigenous tradition on the islands

[1:26:10] Permaculture Design Handbook by Bill Mollison

[1:26:42] Jean-Marc Jancovici's 'World Without End' 

[1:33:16] Quote from Charles Eisenstein

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

Thierry:

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

Website: https://vaihutifresh.com/ 

JM:

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

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

In this episode, we speak with Pete Russell, founder of Ooooby, an online platform helping growers to increase sales, simplify packing, and optimize deliveries. We go deep into understanding our current food system, exploring how we got here and where we are going. We explore the history of food shopping, shifting consumer behavior post-covid, innovative business models, and why Pete believes we are at the beginning of a new paradigm in our food system. 

Ooooby: https://www.ooooby.com/ 

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

Sponsors

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

⁠Market Gardener Institute⁠ ⁠https://themarketgardener.com/courses⁠  

Use promo code podcast15 for 15% off these select courses:

Timestamps

[2:01] Intro

[3:06] Pete's mission to put small-scale back at the heart of the food system

[6:04] How Ooooby helps farmers sell online / customer shopping experience

[11:15] Supply chain deep-dive

[14:01] Impact of 2008 financial crisis on the food system

[18:01] How the 1990 Australian recession influenced Pete to play outside the system

[25:22] How COVID-19 shifted consumer behavior toward online shopping and local food sourcing

[35:29] How new tech is allowing small farms to compete with industrial agriculture

[43:33] Story of Soul Farm

[49:29] How online shopping is bringing a new demographic to local food

[54:30] Centralized v. Decentralized food system

[56:18] Ooooby's innovative ownership model

[1:03:46] Hidden downside of democratic/cooperative business models

[1:12:18] How to get started with Ooooby

[1:21:40] Ooooby features; automatic packing lists, automatic delivery routes, online shop front etc.

[1:28:22] Society is at a turning point, have we gone too far?

[1:31:10] Concept of 'home' and its deeper societal meaning

[1:34:49] The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson & Lord William Rees-Mogg

[1:35:50] Importance of family

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

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

X: https://twitter.com/Ooooby 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/oooobyuk/ 

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/ooooby 

Website: https://www.ooooby.com/