The Market Gardener Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Francisco Vio of ‘Huerto Cuatro Estaciones’ farm in Chile, to explore the wild world of living and farming in remote Patagonia. From early mentors in Ecuador to building an organic farm at the edge of the world, Francisco shares how beauty, land stewardship, and community have shaped his choices. The conversation weaves together farming, conservation, and the influence of figures like Doug Tompkins who helped create some of the world’s largest protected wilderness areas. Francisco reflects on how small-scale market gardening fits in to the vision and context of national parks and he reminds us that farming is not just a business, but a way of life; a beautiful way of life.

Timestamps
[6:45] A life-changing stay on an organic farm in Ecuador and the role of early mentors.
[12:40] Discovering small-scale organic farming and the search for a meaningful way of life.
[18:05] Doug Tompkins, conservation, and the creation of national parks in Patagonia.
[26:30] Choosing to farm in extreme isolation and what it demands on a daily basis.
[33:20] Living far from markets: logistics, importing tools, and building local solutions.
[40:15] Farming as a cultural act: beauty, place, and community beyond productivity.
[48:10] Why staying small matters and resisting the pressure to scale at all costs.
[55:30] Learning from global farm visits and the value of traveling to stay inspired.
[1:03:40] Parenthood, responsibility, and redefining success as a farmer.
[1:11:55] Failure, long-term vision, and committing fully to a chosen path.
[1:13:28] Rapid fire Q&A: books, advice to young farmers, food, and pivotal life decisions.

Sponsors
Real Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.
Activevista: Specialised Tools and Seeds for Diversified Crop and Home Growers
Market Gardener Institute: Join the Masterclass waiting list today!

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

Francisco Vio:
Website: https://huertocuatroestaciones.cl
Instagram: https://instagram.com/huertocuatroestaciones 
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/huertocuatroestaciones 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@huertocuatroestaciones5844 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105164245 

JM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

In this episode, we sit down with Woody DeLauder, founder of Rootbound Farms, a small but highly productive suburban farm based in Southern Maryland. Woody shares how he transformed his suburban lawn into a thriving, human-powered market garden that generates over $100K annually, with the help of his secret best-seller: handmade soap, all while navigating zoning restrictions, skeptical neighbors, and the realities of farming in a residential neighborhood. 
We explore Woody’s journey from being a fourth and fifth grade teacher to becoming a full-time grower and entrepreneur, and how growing food in his front yard became a catalyst for rebuilding community in the suburbs. Woody reflects on the cultural challenges of suburban life, the loss of shared spaces, and how food production can reconnect neighbors through visibility, conversation, and generosity. 
Rootbound Farms: https://www.rootboundfarms.com/ 

Timestamps
[0:00] Intro
[3:40] The good, the bad, and the ugly of social media 
[7:30] What’s broken in modern suburbia and the idea of “living room kids”
[13:00] Turning lawns into gardens and rethinking suburban norms
[19:30] Front-yard farming, neighbor resistance, and zoning challenges
[27:15] Building community through visibility, food, and conversation
[35:30] From teacher to farmer: changing careers and redefining success
[43:00] Farm economics: small footprint, low overhead, and real revenue
[52:30] Influences from Curtis Stone, Eliot Coleman, and small-scale pioneers
[1:01:00] Social media, virality, and the cost of visibility
[1:23:40] Seasonality, local food culture, and rebuilding appreciation for real food
[1:29:00] Long-term vision: education, community farms, and inclusive spaces
[1:44:50] Rapid Fire Q&A: books, advice, influences, and staying small

Sponsors
Real Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Sign up for Johnny’s newsletter to receive the latest news, products, and more. New members get $10 off their next order of $50 or more!
Market Gardener Institute: Join the Masterclass waiting list today!

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

Rootbound Farms:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootboundfarms/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurRootboundLife
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rootboundfarms?_t=8h03SuFkTBD&_r=1
Website: https://www.rootboundfarms.com/ 

JM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

In this episode, we sit down with Yuzuru Kajiya, a famous farmer from Japan who supplies top-tier, three-star Michelin restaurants across Japan and Asia. Yuzuru shares his journey from touring elite French restaurants in his youth to starting his own farm focused on growing unique, exotic, and high-quality produce, a contrast to traditional Japanese farming. We explore Japanese culture and how values like craftsmanship and perfection translate into his farm and the restaurants he works with, and how Japan’s uniquely low land cost is failing to attract new young farmers. Yuzuru also reflects on how his Canadian education in horticulture and exposure to Western culture shaped his mindset, enabling him to succeed by adopting new methods and focusing on the culinary farmer niche.
Consider this episode your gateway into Japanese farm and food culture; we’re sure you’ll find it as interesting as we did!

Kajiya Farm: https://kajiyafarm.jp/ 

Timestamps
[0:00] Intro
[8:00] Yuzuru’s farming education and youth in Canada
[10:18] Touring 3-Star Michelin restaurants around the world
[13:15] Discovering unique farmers in Europe and Asafumi Yamashita’s influence
[24:18] Yuzuru’s strategy to focus on unique, exotic crops and direct sales to chefs
[27:31] The taste-test trip to Paris to gain confidence and connections
[30:42] Business explodes with the launch of the Michelin Tokyo guide
[32:01] Finding and training the right workforce
[43:24] Japan's changing economy and the farming landscape
[53:51] Japanese small tools and market gardening techniques
[1:00:44] High-value specialty crops, edible flowers, and foraging
[1:18:41] Japan’s incredible shipping system
[1:33:53] Rapid Fire Q&A: One-Straw Revolution, Personal Advice, and Snowboarding

Sponsors
Real Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.
Market Gardener Institute: Join the Masterclass waiting list today!

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
Yuzuru Kajiya:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kajiyafarm/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kajiyafarm/ 
Website: https://kajiyafarm.jp/ 
JM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Adams, New Jersey grower and founder of Eastbound Acres, to explore what it really means to be a small-scale farmer in the most densely populated state in the United States. We dive deep into the challenges of farming in a landscape dominated by suburban sprawl, fast-food chains, and skyrocketing land prices, and we explore Chris’s mission to rebuild local food awareness in a place where agriculture has all but disappeared from daily life. Chris breaks down how he built multiple farms over 13 years; why sales, not production, remain the biggest barrier for growers in his region; and how he’s using tools like Local Line, CSA credit systems, and ultra-efficient market gardening practices to build a viable business on under half an acre.
Learn more about Chris’s work at Eastbound Acres: https://eastboundacres.com/

Timestamps
[2:15] Farming in a densely populated and developed area.
[3:29] The need for agriculture education and awareness in New Jersey.
[9:57] Historical context of farmland loss in New Jersey due to urban sprawl.
[12:23] Chris's journey to farming: from soil science to starting a farm from a class project.
[15:20] "Food Inc." documentary as a catalyst for change.
[16:58] Evolution of the farm model: transitioning from tractor-oriented to super-small market garden style.
[23:00] Achieving high efficiency and streamlining labor (working three hours a week on a half-acre).
[27:01] The difficulty of sales and marketing in a densely populated area and the problem with fake farm markets.
[30:02] Using local line software for sales, forecasting, and streamlining the business.
[41:17] Juggling the farm with a main business and the importance of setting hard boundaries.
[1:28:24] Rapid fire Q&A (books, advice, failures, and the link between wrestling and farming discipline)

Sponsors
Real Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.
Market Gardener Institute: Join the Masterclass waiting list today!

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

Chris Adams:
Website: https://www.eastboundacres.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastboundacres 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089652433399
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-adams-a9b451382/ 

JM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

In this episode, we sit down with Julia Shanks, consultant, teacher, and author of The Farmer’s Office, to talk about the crucial role of business acumen in small-scale farming. We dive deep into financial management practices, routine bookkeeping, using QuickBooks, and how to properly deal with debt as a small farm business owner. Julia stresses that farmers are entrepreneurs who must understand their numbers, especially profit, not just revenue, to create sustainable, fulfilling farms. You’ll get loads of actionable advice, relatable stories, and examples of small farm owners who are financially successful and happy. 
Learn more about Julia’s books, courses, and more at The Farmer’s Office

Timestamps
[2:47] Contrast of business savvy farmers vs. those who ignore their numbers
[6:00] Why frequent financial tracking and setting profit goals are essential. 
[19:38] Julia's journey from aviation and culinary arts to farm financial consultant.
[28:10] Advice for new farmers: starting with a clear desired take-home income. 
[32:14] Navigating cyclical cash flow and the challenge of building a financial runway. 
[44:28] Deciding what to grow: prioritizing personal goals over sheer lucrativeness.
[1:05:15] Strategies for managing debt stress and scenario planning for investments. 
[1:10:00] The business pivot: how frequent financial checks enable rapid course correction.
[1:26:14] Calculating cost of production (e.g., for a tomato) and factoring in labor. 
[1:43:23] Rapid Fire Q&A

Links Julia mentioned
How to track POS sales in QuickBooks: https://youtu.be/lZKEdZSXHSA?si=piT11k_9jCbF_7ae
Upcoming Excel Templates workshop:
www.thefarmersoffice.com/excel 
Free webinar: How to Grow Your Farm Business: More Profits (Not More Production).
https://thefarmersoffice.com/freewebinar/ 
Quickbooks 7-Day Challenge: https://thefarmersoffice.com/qbo-7day/

Sponsors
Real Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.
New Society Publishing: Use code market25 for 25% off all books

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

Julia Shanks:
Website: https://thefarmersoffice.com/ 
Book: https://newsociety.com/book/the-farmers-office-second-edition
Instagram: https://instagram.com/TheFarmersOffice 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmersOffice 

JM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier