Wed, 30 November 2016
![]() For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.
Direct download: MICRO-E3-2016.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Sun, 27 November 2016
Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/27 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Ben Falk from Whole Systems Design, LLC joins me talk about permaculture design and what he has learned on his research site over the years. Have a good access plan for your site. Don't box yourself out. Start and maintain a clear access pattern which is based on the water flow throughout the site. Practice the mass selection of genetics. Identify the best genetics from your site by growing trees from seed. Plant as many tress as you can on a site, way closer than you would ever imagine, and cut out the ones that don't do well. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/27 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.
Direct download: PVP027-REPLAY.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 7:07am PST |
Fri, 25 November 2016
Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/139 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support If you have kids and you are self-employed and you work from home, getting work done in that environment can be a challenge. Today Rob Avis is going to talk about some of his methodologies for balancing out working at home and what techniques he uses to plan out his week. Rob is a busy guy co-running two companies (Adaptive Habitat and Verge Permaculture) with his wife Michelle, and he does it from his house, raising two young kids, so he has had a lot of experience getting serious work done in the heat of it. Rob's also one of the smartest guys that I know. He's an avid reader and he thinks a lot about this type of stuff, so I was really curious how he is approaching raising kids, how he is choosing to school his kids and why. He's one of those guys that I go to when I am questioning a decision that I am making. He usually has a lot of insight into things that make me really think about what I am doing and why. It's something that I think we all need in our life. Overall this message is part life hacking, part parent hacking, part hard dose of reality. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/139 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support |
Wed, 23 November 2016
![]() For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.
"They weren't just buying the product, they were buying the whole package."
That's how Chris Thoreau was able to go to a farmer's market selling one crop. Just one. Sunflower shoots. He was able to go to market with just one crop because he was selling a product that had a great story.
It was a product that was produced hyper-locally and one that was delivered to market via pedal power on a bike.
Since Chris started his microgreen business nearly 10 years ago he has grown the business into one that has multiple employees and one that will do over $200,000 in sales in 2016.
If you want grow microgreens commercially, listen to today's episode. You'll see how important it is to systemize your production and constantly record and analyze your results.
It's the constant testing, analyze and adaptation that has made Chris' business hugely successful.
I think that you will really get a lot out of this interview.
You'll learn how Chris introduced a brand new crop to his market. How he priced that product.
And how and why he thinks about new products to sell.
There's a lot of in depth applicable business content in here for the experienced growers. And for the beginners you will learn what Chris suggests for some good crops to grow
There's a lot in this one and at it's core this interview focuses heavily on core success principles - relentless testing and experimentation, constant record keeping and analysis, and knowing what to focus on.
Let's get into it Tips and Tricks for Growing, Harvesting, and Selling Microgreens as a Business with Chris Thoreau...
For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.
Direct download: MICRO-E2-2016.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Sat, 19 November 2016
![]() Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - What are you thoughts on combing biochar and fungi?
Direct download: ASKPeter-15-Biochar.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Fri, 18 November 2016
Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/138 |
Thu, 17 November 2016
Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - Any advice for processing one to two birds at a time on a homestead level without having to purchase a bunch of equipment?
Direct download: AskJustin-31-Process.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Wed, 16 November 2016
For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.
Today we are going to start the series, by going back to the beginning. This is the story of how urban farmer Chris Thoreau started his microgreens farm almost 10 years ago.
Chris will take on questions such as:
Why microgreens? Why did he start with microgreen?
Who did he model and how much did he start with?
And how did he handle startup and work life balance.
As you will hear it was tough at times, because Chris started his farm at what on paper looks like an inopportune time.
He started this part time while in school full time and 2.5 months into his first semester his son was born.
Despite life presenting challenges that some people would say aren't worth the risk, Chris made a go of it taking on these early challenges he has managed to grow his operation to one that will do around $200,000 in sales in 2016.
And all that sales are coming from a farm that's in a shipping container taking up 320 sq. ft.
That's where Chris is at today, but it didn't happen overnight, let's get into it and find out how it all started.
For notes related to this episode visit permaculturevoices.com/growmicrogreens.
Direct download: MICRO-E01-2016.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Sun, 13 November 2016
Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/79 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. In Woody Agriculture, crops would be planted only once in a lifetime. The use of woody perennials for agricultural staple commodities production would result in little or no use of tillage, as well as the presence of a permanent cover during both the growing and the dormant seasons. Not only would this lead to a vastly lower rate of soil loss and less runoff into water supplies and aquatic environments, but there would be a reduced need for the fossil fuels consumed in plowing and tilling. In addition, use of pesticides needed for the establishment of annual plants could be sharply reduced. A further important benefit would be the reduction of soil compaction, since far fewer trips through the fields with heavy equipment would be required. Key Takeaways: Breeding: You cannot work with more than two traits at the same time. The most important trait is to have a population that actually survives. When you sell products off of your farm (like nuts) you are exporting a lot of minerals. It is important to remineralize your soil. You can use sheep and chickens in hazelnut systems to remineralize and fertilize the soil. Hickory and Pecan work well with hazelnuts. Chestnuts don't do as well given different soil pH requirements. Find the old timers growing tree species that you want to grow in your area. They may have long tested genetics suited for your area. Hazels are wind pollinated, so you don't' need immediate close proximity for insect pollination. Coppicing to the ground every 10 years can help to rejuvenate the plants. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/79 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.
Direct download: PVP079-REPLAY.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Sat, 12 November 2016
![]() Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - I have been curious how an aspiring homeowner could make prefab parts of their home using mycelium on a straw based substrate? Wouldn't be amazing and incredibly empowering if we could literally grow the walls of our homes? Is this something the average person could realistically pull off? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support
Direct download: ASKPeter-14-Prefab.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Fri, 11 November 2016
![]() Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/58 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. An interview with Phil Rutter of Badgersett Research Corporation. We talk about why perennial based woody agriculture is important and how chestnuts and hazelnuts fit into that. We also talk a lot about plant breed and using mass selection to find genotypes that have the traits that you are looking for. This episode is pretty dense and has a ton of information in it for anyone looking to breed plants. Phil is brilliant and I think I learned more about plant breeding my conversations with him than I ever have anywhere else. Given how much information is in this episode and how long this episode is, I have split it into two parts. This is part 2 of 2. Take it all in, enjoy it, and most importantly do something with this information. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/58 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.
Direct download: PVP058-REPLAY.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Thu, 10 November 2016
Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - I have noticed that your kids do a lot of work on the farm, what has been yall's approach to introducing the kids to work and chores on the farm? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.
Direct download: AskJustin-30-Kids.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Wed, 9 November 2016
![]() Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/jodi
Direct download: TUFS2E32-2016.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Sun, 6 November 2016
![]() Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/16 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. Darren Doherty of Heenan Doherty and Regrarians joins me from Australia to fill in some of the gaps surrounding Keyline design. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/16 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.
Direct download: PVP016-REPLAY.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 2:00am PST |
Sat, 5 November 2016
![]() Mycologist and author Peter McCoy of RadicalMycology.com takes on the question - What are your thoughts on the integration of fungi into septic, grey water, swales, and/or other water catchment systems? To learn more about Peter and see all of the ASK Peter episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/peter. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support
Direct download: ASKPeter-13-Water.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Fri, 4 November 2016
![]() Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/57 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE. An interview with Phil Rutter of Badgersett Research Corporation. We talk about why perennial based woody agriculture is important and how chestnuts and hazelnuts fit into that. We also talk a lot about plant breed and using mass selection to find genotypes that have the traits that you are looking for. This episode is pretty dense and has a ton of information in it for anyone looking to breed plants. Phil is brilliant and I think I learned more about plant breeding my conversations with him than I ever have anywhere else. Given how much information is in this episode and how long this episode is, I have split it into two parts. This is part 1 of 2.With the second part dropping this Friday, July 11 as episode 58. Take it all in, enjoy it, and most importantly do something with this information. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/57 Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support THIS EPISODE IS A REPLAY OF PREVIOUS PUBLISHED EPISODE.
Direct download: PVP057-REPLAY.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Thu, 3 November 2016
Homesteader Justin Rhodes of AbundantPermaculture.com takes on the question - You have been raising turkeys for a few months now - how has it been, and has it been worth it? To learn more about Justin and see all of the ASK Justin episodes visit permaculturevoices.com/justin. Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support.
Direct download: AskJustin-29-Turkeys.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |
Wed, 2 November 2016
![]() Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support Today Curtis takes on the question - Let's say you are starting a a new farm. And I gave you a bunch of land, 15 acres. All pretty flat, all pretty usable. How would you go about deciding how much of that land you would farm? We get into the ideas around how much land he would farm and why. Learn more at permaculturevoices.com/theurbanfarmer Support the show at permaculturevoices.com/support
Direct download: TUFS2E31-2016.mp3
Category:permaculture,agriculture,farming -- posted at: 3:00am PST |