Jack Zech, a fourth-generation farmer, talks about coming back to his family farm after several years moving up the ladder of a large clothing company. We discuss what he learned through managing retail stores and overall strategy for Uniclo and what motivated him to leave corporate America to return to his family's farm in the California delta.

Jack shares how he is adjusting to the change and how he has started in filling whatever gaps the farm needs. In addition to helping with the farming operation, Jack is starting a distillery business as a sister-company of the family farm. We dive into some of the early wins and challenges he has faced with building this business. Enjoy!

Connect with Jack Email

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Margaux Alvarez, a 5x CrossFit Games athlete, shares how she has built a successful wine business around her personal brand. We cover everything from how she grows her own grapes to the winemaking process to all of the regulatory challenges of the alcohol industry.

She has scaled her business by leveraging her personal brand as a CrossFit athlete and coach, focusing on direct-to-consumer sales and marketing. She connects with others by being honest about her story, while engaging well in her community. This is a great episode that everyone can learn from, no matter the sector of agriculture.

Connect with Margaux Instagram | YouTube

Connect with Vine Yard Wine | CrossFit

Connect with The Modern Acre Website | Instagram | Twitter

Margaux Alvarez, a 5x CrossFit Games athlete, shares how she has built a successful wine business around her personal brand. We cover everything from how she grows her own grapes to the winemaking process to all of the regulatory challenges of the alcohol industry.

She has scaled her business by leveraging her personal brand as a CrossFit athlete and coach, focusing on direct-to-consumer sales and marketing. She connects with others by being honest about her story, while engaging well in her community. This is a great episode that everyone can learn from, no matter the sector of agriculture.

Connect with Margaux Instagram | YouTube

Connect with Vine Yard Wine | CrossFit

Connect with The Modern Acre Website | Instagram | Twitter

In this episode, we dive into the beverage business, SAP!, with co-founders Chas Smith and Nikita Salmon. SAP! offers sparkling water that's flavored with maple and birch sap, straight from Chas and Nikita's home state of Vermont.

We discuss their upbringing in Vermont and how the maple industry has evolved. They share how they started the ag business and have scaled it through supply chain optimization, local and regional sales distribution, and marketing through social media. We could not stop asking questions and digging into how they've grown their business from nothing. Tune in!

Connect with SAP! Website | Instagram

In this episode, we dive into the beverage business, SAP!, with co-founders Chas Smith and Nikita Salmon. SAP! offers sparkling water that's flavored with maple and birch sap, straight from Chas and Nikita's home state of Vermont.

We discuss their upbringing in Vermont and how the maple industry has evolved. They share how they started the ag business and have scaled it through supply chain optimization, local and regional sales distribution, and marketing through social media. We could not stop asking questions and digging into how they've grown their business from nothing. Tune in!

Connect with SAP! Website | Instagram

Launch Giveaway: Scope the details HERE

In episode 6, we talk with Alli Cecchini, Executive Director of First Generation Farmers, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of the next-generation of organic farmers. Alli grew up on her family's asparagus farm and eventually came back and convinced her parents to let her use a half an acre for community farming.

That half acre turned into a massive community and education program, including school field trips and agritourism. Alli has since created the Urban Edge Sustainable Farming Program, a program which provides organic farmer training to first generation farmers passionate about agriculture. Alli shares her journey, what she’s learned, and why she is passionate about creating change.

Connect with FGF Website | Instagram | Facebook 

Launch Giveaway: Scope the details HERE

In episode 6, we talk with Alli Cecchini, Executive Director of First Generation Farmers, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and training of the next-generation of organic farmers. Alli grew up on her family's asparagus farm and eventually came back and convinced her parents to let her use a half an acre for community farming.

That half acre turned into a massive community and education program, including school field trips and agritourism. Alli has since created the Urban Edge Sustainable Farming Program, a program which provides organic farmer training to first generation farmers passionate about agriculture. Alli shares her journey, what she’s learned, and why she is passionate about creating change.

Connect with FGF Website | Instagram | Facebook 

Launch Giveaway: Scope the details HERE

In this episode, we talk about the importance of education in inspiring the next-generation of farmers and ag entrepreneurs with the president of the California FFA, Luke O’Leary. 

Luke talks about his experience with FFA in high school, the transition to college in Texas, then back to California for a year spent traveling around the state inspiring and educated the next generation. We discuss the importance of educating others about the importance and breadth of agriculture, as well as the role FFA plays.

Connect with Luke HERE

Connect with the California FFA HERE

Launch Giveaway: Scope the details HERE

In this episode, we talk about the importance of education in inspiring the next-generation of farmers and ag entrepreneurs with the president of the California FFA, Luke O’Leary. 

Luke talks about his experience with FFA in high school, the transition to college in Texas, then back to California for a year spent traveling around the state inspiring and educated the next generation. We discuss the importance of educating others about the importance and breadth of agriculture, as well as the role FFA plays.

Connect with Luke HERE

Connect with the California FFA HERE

Launch Giveaway: Scope the details HERE

On episode 4, we have a hugely valuable conversation with Jesse Vollmar, Co-founder and CEO of the farm management technology company, FarmLogs. Jesse discusses his passion for technology and software development, and how he brought that passion back to the agriculture community. We talk through the difference between maximizing yields and maximizing profits, as well as what lessons he has learned as a CEO. Jesse touches on the importance of net neutrality and how technology will continue to impact agriculture.

FarmLogs is a platform of easy-to-use tools and software that enables farmers to more effectively leverage data on the farm. There are over 50,000 farms covering over 80M acres that use FarmLogs, allowing thousands of farmers to run more efficient and profitable businesses. That's a LOT of modern acres.

Check out FarmLogs HERE

Connect with Jesse HERE