The Urban Farmer Podcast
The Urban Farmer Podcast is a documentary-style series that follows farmer Curtis Stone over a full growing season as he runs a successful urban farming business on a third of an acre in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Hosted by Diego Footer, the show covers intensive production methods, season extension, crop selection, farm planning, and financial management. It also explores the entrepreneurial, social, and lifestyle sides of urban farming. Re-released for its 10th anniversary, the original episodes were recorded in 2015.
Episodes
"Scraping By" Isn't Sustainable, So Fix Your Business (TUF S1W35)
In this flashback episode, Curtis Stone tackles one of the hardest questions in farming: when do you push through the struggle, and when do you admit the model just isn't working? He and Diego dig into calculated risk-taking, why "scraping by" isn't sustainable, and how paying for high-grade information and consulting can save you years of trial and error. Watch the video version over on our YouTu
From Bare Lawns to a Profitable Farm Plot in Weeks (S1W34)
Hindsight is always 20/20, so differently how would your farming journey look like if you start again, knowing what you know now? In this flashback Q&A episode, urban farming expert Curtis Stone looks back on his lived experiences and answers real questions on starting a farm from scratch, finding and securing land, converting lawns into productive growing beds, and pitching restaurants for sales.
The Hidden Economics of Every Task on Your Farm (S1W33)
Ever wonder if the tasks eating up your day are ACTUALLY worth your time? In this flashback episode, Curtis Stone breaks down the simple economics every small farmer needs to run: from washing tables to case-lot pricing, that can save you hours every week. Watch the video version over on our YouTube Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insi
The Boring Path to Full-Time Farming That Actually Works
The romantic story goes: quit the soul-crushing job, buy some land, start a farm, never look back. Here's what actually happens: most people who do that fail within a few years because they run out of money before the farm can support them. Meanwhile, the un-sexy group who kept their jobs and farmed on evenings and weekends? Three to five years later, they're the ones still farming. Watch the vide
How to Diagnose Farm Problems Fast AND Fix Them Fast (S1W32)
Ever wonder why one bed of arugula thrives while the other fails, even when both were planted on the same day? In this flashback episode, Curtis Stone and Diego Footer break down how standardized systems help you zero in on and troubleshoot problems fast, why a walk-in cooler is non-negotiable for commercial growers, and the exact flame-weeding timing trick for weed-free carrots. Watch the video v
Why the Best Farm Rarely Wins
Liquid Death convinced people to pay $2 for a can of water — the most commoditized product on the planet — by refusing to look like every other water brand. They didn't make better water. They made memorable water. In a crowded market, the product that wins isn't the best one. It's the one people remember. This video breaks down six ways to differentiate, whether you're selling salad mix, water, o
Why New Farmers Quit (It's Often Not the Money)
The most common reason new farmers quit isn't money. It isn't exhaustion either — not exactly. It's that most of that exhaustion is self-inflicted. Bad decisions made with good intentions. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. F
5 Selling Strategies for Greens That Most Farmers Never Think About
You can grow the most beautiful head of lettuce on the planet. If you sell it the wrong way, at the wrong time, for the wrong price, you lose. These five strategies happen after harvest — not in the field. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at
Work to Learn, Not to Earn: Planning Your First Farm Years (S1W31)
How much money do you actually need to make as a farmer to survive? Not how much you want to make, what's the real floor? Most people dramatically overestimate that number. Curtis Stone's framework: calculate your actual cost of living, set your production goal (say $80,000), then budget your first year at one-third of that (~$25,000). Year two: two-thirds. Year three and beyond: the full target.
4 Reasons Why Growing Your Farm Could Shrink Your Profit
Four reasons expansion can hurt you, and the 5 questions to ask before taking on any new space: What exactly will I grow there? Who's already buying it? Can my labor handle it? Does it connect to my existing infrastructure? What's my rotation plan for months one, three, and six? Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips,
Stop Asking What Tool to Use for Weeding
What's the best tool for weeding? Wrong question. That question assumes weeding is inevitable. The best market gardeners don't have a favorite weeding tool, they've built solid systems so they barely need to weed at all. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds,
4 Ways to Make More Money Without Adding More Land
How many of your beds are actually in production right now? Not how many you have — how many are earning revenue today. For most small farms, the honest answer is: not all of them. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Mo
Stop Chasing More Land! Plan Better Instead (S1W30)
Have you ever felt the pressure to expand your farm just because more land was available? In this episode, Diego and Curtis challenge the "bigger is better" mindset that has shaped agriculture since the 1970s and explore why small-scale, intentional farming is a smarter, more sustainable path. They talk about solid ways to maximize the land you already have through tighter cropping strategies, sma
How to Know When a Crop, a Market, or a Method Isn't Working
How long do you give an underperforming crop before you cut it? One season? Two? Most farmers don't have an answer — and that's the problem. A benchmark isn't a goal. It's the floor. Drop below it, gone. Without a benchmark, everything always gets "one more chance." Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and busines
There Are Only 3 Ways to Make More Money on Your Farm
If you want to make more money on your farm, you have exactly three options. Not five, not ten. Three: sell to more customers, sell higher-value products to the same customers, or sell more volume. Every strategy, every conference tip, every new idea fits into one of those buckets. Most farmers pull lever three first — more beds, more crops, more volume. It's the most expensive lever and the most
The 80/20 Crop Audit: One Spreadsheet That Changes Your Whole Farm
How many of your crops actually make you money? Most farmers have never sorted the list. When they do, the math is shocking: 8–12 products typically generate 80% of total revenue. Everything below that line is seed cost, bed space, labor, and stress that drags your operation down. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming ti
The 80/20 Crop Audit: One Spreadsheet That Changes Your Whole Farm
How many of your crops actually make you money? Most farmers have never sorted the list. When they do, the math is shocking: 8–12 products typically generate 80% of total revenue. Everything below that line is seed cost, bed space, labor, and stress that drags your operation down. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming ti
Cutting 80 Crops Made This Farmer RICHER (S1W29)
In this episode, Curtis Stone and host Diego Footer break down how applying the 80/20 rule to your crop lineup can dramatically boost your farm's profitability and your quality of life...sometimes by doing less work, not more. Watch the video version over on our YouTube Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming too
What Can You Do That Someone Will Pay You For?
What can you do that someone will pay you for? Not what degree you have. Not what you're passionate about. What can you actually do that creates enough value that someone will hand you money for it? Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Moder
How Some Farmers Harvest 50 Weeks a Year
Most farmers lose four to eight weeks of production every year during transition gaps, i.e., clearing, prepping, replanting. At $500/week per greenhouse, that's up to $3,000 lost from the same space. Timing systems are often worth more than infrastructure upgrades. It's about being smart, not buying more. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable f
7 Records Every Market Farmer Should Track
After interviewing hundreds of farmers over the past decade, the pattern is consistent: the farms that survive aren't the best growers...they're the best record keepers. Watch the video version over on our YT Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Growe
The $50/hr Crop vs. The $250/hr Crop
You harvest lettuce for an hour. $300 in revenue. Great, right? But you also spent 30 minutes planting, an hour weeding, an hour washing and packing. That's 3.5 hours total — $86 per hour, not $300. Click here to watch the full episode on our YouTube Channel. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and suppl
How to Never Overproduce (or Underproduce) a Crop Again (S1W28)
In this episode, find out the one habit that separates profitable urban farmers from those who struggle: meticulous record keeping. Curtis walks us through how tracking shortages, sales trends, and planting dates has made this his best shoulder season yet, with virtually zero wasted production. Watch the video version over on our YouTube Channel! Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming
7 Numbers That Separate $80K Farms from $20K Farms (Rewind S1W27 - 2)
In this episode, Diego breaks down the seven metrics that separate $80K farms from $20K farms on the same amount of land: revenue per square foot, cost per unit produced, harvest ratio, labor hours per $1,000 in revenue, customer acquisition cost, cash flow gap, and gross profit margin by channel. Click here to watch the video version over on our YouTube Channel! Subscribe for more content on sus
The REAL Cost to Start an Urban Farm (Rewind S1W27 - 1)
How much money do you ACTUALLY need to start a profitable urban farm? One farmer turned $7,000 into a six-figure operation on a third of an acre. In this Urban Farmer Rewind episode, Diego breaks down the five real expense categories every new farmer needs to budget for: including the hidden costs that nobody talks about. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, an
Stop Waiting for Perfect: Start Your Farm With $5,000 (S1W27)
This episode pulls no punches about starting a new farm: the sacrifices, struggles, and tough decisions that separate dreamers from doers. Curtis Stone and Diego Footer discuss why successful farmers like Jean-Martin Fortier started in tents and teepees, how to prepare for worst-case scenarios, and the one question that will either motivate or haunt you for decades: "Why didn't you just go for it?
Why Working to Learn Beats Working to Earn in Your First Farm Year (Rewind S1W26 - 2)
Why do the most successful farmers barely break even in year one? How could chasing profits too early destroy your farm business? In this episode, we're answering all that and more as we dive into the counterintuitive strategy that transforms struggling growers into profitable operations by year three, including actionable exercises to track what really matters: your cost per square foot, true pro
The Hidden Trap of Starting Too Big: Why 5,000 Square Feet Beats 2 Acres (Rewind S1W26 - 1)
In this episode, Diego schools us in on the four critical principles that separate successful farms from the 90% that fail within three years. We dive deep into all the reasons why starting small (just 5,000 square feet) gives you the validation, data, and sustainability you need before scaling up. Siego also breaks down how to track unit economics, understand your true capacity, and avoid the com
Work to Learn, Not Earn: Building a Sustainable Farm (S1W26)
Thinking about starting a farm? In this episode, Curtis and Diego talk about why most new farmers fail and the counter-intuitive strategy that leads to long-term success. They double down on the value of working for knowledge instead of profits in your first year, starting with less land, and how building systematically will set you up for a thriving farm business. Curtis shares his hard-earned le
The 10-Day Pivot: Why Fast Feedback Loops Save Businesses (Rewind S1W25 - 2)
In this episode, we take a look at how farmer Curtis Stone survived a 75% revenue drop by using 10-day feedback cycles to pivot before losses mounted. We'll talk about ways to detect failures fast, test cheaply, and adapt quickly to rapidly changing markets. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supp
Why Most Small Businesses Burn Out by September (Rewind S1W25 - 1)
In this rewind episode, we're taking a look at how farmer Curtis Stone achieved a 35% revenue increase while taking daily naps during peak season: by completely restructuring his workflow. We're breaking down how to stage work across optimal time windows, avoid burnout, and build systems that work with natural rhythms instead of against them—helping you scale sustainably without sacrificing your h
The Biggest Winter Vegetable Growing Mistakes to Avoid (S1W25)
The Urban Farmer Curtis Stone shares some practical strategies that helped increase his farm revenue by 35% without adding more land or working longer hours. He'll talk about exact planting dates for fall crops, heat management techniques that protect both you and your employees, and why strategic napping might be your secret weapon against burnout. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farmi
Automation and The Real Cost of Manual Systems (Rewind S1W24 - 3)
In this rewind episode, we're breaking down why automating simple tasks like invoicing doesn't just save you 10+ hours per season...it also unlocks your farm's growth. We're looking at automation strategies you can implement this week—from digital invoicing to voice-to-text workflows—that will free you from repetitive manual work and give you more time to focus on sales, strategy, and scaling your
The Fresh Sheet System That Increased Farm Sales by 30% (Rewind S1W24 - 2 of 3)
In this rewind episode, we're breaking down how farmer Curtis Stone increased his farm sales by 30% without adding land or changing crops—just by consistently sending weekly fresh sheets to his restaurant customers. We'll take a closer look at his email template, timing strategy, and follow-up system that transforms sporadic orders into predictable revenue. Subscribe for more content on sustainab
The Restaurant Distributor Strategy: From $100 Orders to $1,500 Orders (Rewind S1W24 - 1 of 3)
In this episode, we take a look at how urban farmer Curtis Stone scaled from $100 restaurant orders to $1,500 distributor deals—and why he almost lost everything when one customer disappeared overnight. In this rewind episode, we're looking at the exact three-phase framework (overflow, negotiate, diversify) that helped Curtis manage high-stakes distributor relationships while protecting his busine
Why Chefs Forget to Order: How to Stop Losing Restaurant Sales (S1W24)
In this episode, Curtis talks about the simple weekly marketing tool that can transform any farm's restaurant sales: he reveals how his consistent fresh sheet system increased sales by over 30% while reducing time spent on marketing from hours to just 10 minutes per week. He shares the exact format, timing, and strategies that keep busy chefs ordering regularly, plus insider tips on pricing, inven
The Hidden Cost of Farm Burnout...It's a Lot More Than You Think (Rewind S1W23 - Part 3)
In this episode, Diego talks about evidence-based strategies that helped one farmer go from 100-hour burnout weeks to a sustainable 20-hour work schedule. He breaks down the science of burnout recovery, including boundary-setting techniques, sleep optimization, and task prioritization methods that actually work. Remember: working yourself into the ground is NOT noble—it's preventable. If you're st
The $1,000 Mistake That Could Save You $10,000: Why Farmers Need Mentors (Rewind S1W23 - Part 2)
Curtis Stone wasted $3,000 and three years on failed irrigation systems...when just one conversation with the right mentor could have prevented it all. In this episode, we talk about why investing in high-grade knowledge from active practitioners is the fastest way to avoid costly mistakes and accelerate your farming success. Diego breaks down Curtis's mentor strategy and shows you exactly how to
Why Small Farmers Should Think Like Jazz Musicians: The Framework vs. Recipe Approach (Rewind S1W23 - Part 1)
In this rewind episode, we look into the critical mindset shift that separates thriving farmers from those who fail: thinking in frameworks instead of rigid recipes. Diego takes a closer look at how Curtis Stone transformed his operation from 100-hour burnout weeks into a profitable 10-20 hour workweek on just 1/3 acre by embracing adaptability over perfectionism. This practical approach will help
From Sheet Music to Freestyle Farming: The Art of Agricultural Innovation (S1W23)
Curtis Stone reveals how jazz improvisation principles can revolutionize your farming approach: learn why constraints actually boost creativity, how to build flexible frameworks that prevent burnout, and the crucial difference between following recipes versus understanding systems. Curtis and Diego also dive into mindset shifts that separate successful adaptive farmers from those who struggle when
How to Break Into Saturated Markets - The Reconnaissance Strategy (Rewind S1W22 - Part 3)
In this rewind episode, Curtis reveals how thinking like a spy on a reconnaissance mission helped him build a six-figure urban farm in one of the most competitive restaurant markets. We talk about the three-stage intelligence protocol for breaking into saturated markets, including free reconnaissance techniques you can do from your laptop before even planting a single seed. Subscribe for more con
Why Your Best Customers Are Worth 10X What You Think - Lessons from a $100K Urban Farm (Rewind - S1W22 Part 2)
In this rewind episode, learn why sometimes, it's worth saving one customer, especially when the lifetime value of that one customer can go up to $312,000. We take a look at how urban farmer Curtis Stone kept his restaurant clients for 6+ years, including how to handle product shortages, turn complaints into loyalty, and build relationships that make you irreplaceable. Subscribe for more content
the Win-Win Business Model Nobody Talks About - Sourcing from Your 'Competition' (Rewind - S1W22 Part 1)
In this rewind episode, we're taking a look at how Curtis Stone turned a potential $52,000 customer loss into a powerful business strategy by doing what most farmers won't: calling his competition. Diego unpacks the three-step system for building a supplier network that keeps your customers satisfied, creates reciprocal relationships with other farmers, and turns your biggest weakness—crop shortag
Why 90% of New Farmers Fail at Crop Selection...And How to Fix It (Rewind - S1W21 Part 2)
A lot of new farmers fall into the trap of growing crops that they like without sparing a thought for whether or not other people like it, too...which is why many of them fail at crop selection that leads to expensive mistakes. In this rewind episode, we're taking a look at Curtis Stone's proven formula for testing crops profitably, plus Rob Kaiser's hard-earned lessons from going broke on Brussel
The Community Momentum Effect: Building Your Farm's First 100 Customers (Rewind - S1W21 Part 3)
In this rewind episode, we look back on how Curtis Stone overcame devastating burnout and a $150 paycheck after 100 hours of work to build an unstoppable farming business through the help of his community. We talk about the counterintuitive strategy of showing vulnerability, creating economic relationships with neighbors, and becoming the catalyst that transforms local connections into business su
The Win-Win Strategy for Small Farmers: Sourcing from Competitors (S1W22)
In this episode, Curtis Stone shares his strategy for maintaining long-term restaurant relationships even when he finds himself short on product. He also reveals some customer service secrets that have helped build 6+ year relationships with high-value restaurant clients and break into competitive restaurant markets. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and bus
The Hidden Cost of "Starting Cheap": Why Trial & Error is Killing Your Farm (Rewind - S1W20 Part 2)
A sequel to the last Rewind episode, Diego breaks down why trying to save money on farming education could be the most expensive mistake you'll ever make. We look into Curtis Stone's brutal journey from burnout and tears to building a $75,000 farm, doubling down on how "free" trial-and-error learning actually costs over $25,000 in mistakes, lost time, and emotional trauma. Subscribe for more cont
From Six-Figure Corporate Job to Debt-Free Farmer: The 3-Year Plan That Worked (Rewind - S1W21 Part 1)
In this rewind episode, we're taking a look at Rob Kaiser's strategy as he transitioned from a crushing six-figure corporate career to debt-free farming. Diego breaks down why it works: real numbers, realistic timelines, and a multi-stream income approach that 89% of successful farmers actually use. Get the debt freedom formula that could save you thousands in interest and set you up for long-term
Corporate Executive Quits to Become a Market Farmer - Here's What Happened (S1W21)
In this episode of The Urban Farmer, we shine the spotlight on Rob Kaiser, who walked away from a successful corporate career to pursue market farming...all while still working 50-60 hours a week at his day job. Rob shares the real challenges of transitioning to farming: from dealing with crop failures to finding what actually sells at market. The episode also talks about practical strategies on h
The Tool Investment That Turned Hobby Farming Into $75K Business (Rewind - S1W20 Part 1)
In this Rewind episode, we're taking a look at the $500 tool that saved Curtis 95 hours in a single season and helped scale his operation 30% without adding any land or new crops. Diego breaks down the math behind tool investments that pay for themselves 3x over in year one, plus Curtis's proven 3-year equipment progression strategy that took him from $200 market days to a $75K farm business. Sub
Farming Reality Check: Are You Building a Business or an Expensive Hobby? (S1W20)
Are you treating your farm like a hobby or a real business? In this episode, Curtis Stone drills down on the critical mindset shift that separates profitable farmers from those who struggle. He talks about why investing $500 in the right tool can save you 95 hours per season, how to value your time properly, and why being "cheap" with equipment actually costs you money. Building the solid foundati
CSA Reality Check: The Real Way to Build a Profitable CSA (Rewind - S1W19)
In this rewind episode, Diego breaks down the reason why most new farmers' CSA programs fail at launch. He digs into Curtis Stone's strategy on how years' worth of relationship- and reputation-building can help secure much-needed trust that eventually led his business to a successful $20-30K seasonal CSA program. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and busines
The CSA Mistake And How to Fix It (S1W19)
In this episode, Curtis peels back the curtain on why most new farmers struggle with CSAs, what new farmers need to build up to have a successful CSA, and where to tap into to get their first CSA customers. Curtis also dives into farmer's market psychology techniques and the critical reputation-building strategies that separate successful farms from failures. Subscribe for more content on sustain
Fast vs Focused Crops: High-Profit High-Rotation Strategy (Rewind - S1W18)
In this episode, we break down Curtis Stone's farming strategy that generates over $43,000 per equivalent acre using a high-rotation system that turns small plots into profit machines. Learn how his market garden beats traditional farms through data-driven methods, crop selection strategies, and solid efficiency systems while working just 30 hours per week. This isn't about growing more vegetables
From 80 Hours to 20: How I Hired My First Farm Employee (S1W18)
In this episode, Curtis shares how he transformed his overwhelming 80-hour work weeks into a manageable 20-hour schedule by successfully hiring and training farm employees. This episode reveals the three critical systems every farmer needs before hiring help, plus the mindset shift that separates successful farm owners from those who burn out. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, ma
How to Harvest 3 Crops From One Greenhouse Bed (Rewind - S1W17)
In this rewind episode, Diego breaks down how Curtis Stone revolutionized his urban farm by growing three different crops in the same bed using advanced interplanting techniques – it's a sophisticated approach that transforms underutilized space into profitable production zones. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming too
Interplanting Secrets: Triple Your Production in the Same Space (S1W17)
In this episode, Curtis schools us in on how he transformed his 80-hour burnout farm into a profitable 20-hour operation while boosting revenue. Learn how he utilizes interplanting, smart crop selection strategies, and efficiency hacks that eliminate unpaid work like weeding and maximize your return per square foot. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and busin
Stop Chasing 100 Customers: The 10-Customer Strategy That Works (Rewind - S1W16)
Curtis Stone shares how he revolutionized his business by firing 80 customers and keeping just 10, resulting in a boosted income and dramatically less stress. This episode reveals the numbers behind CSA and restaurant sales, along with practical strategies for evaluating your market, choosing the right sales model for your personality and location, and building a sustainable farm business that wor
1/3 Acre vs 2 Acres: The Truth Behind Farm Size & Profit (S1W16)
When you do it right, farming smaller plots can be more profitable than farming larger acreage! Curtis Stone shares real-world insights from farming both 2 acres and 1/3 acre urban plots, which crops generate the highest profits, and how proximity to customers can transform your farm business. He also talks about the critical differences between CSA and restaurant sales models. Subscribe for more
$1,000 Market Days: The Math That Changes Everything (Rewind - S1W15)
In this rewind episode, Diego reverse engineers the math behind how to consistently hit a four-figure income on market days. He breaks down the importance of paying attention to your customers' average transaction value, the psychology of premium pricing, and which crops actually generate profit. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Ge
How to Get Land Offers WITHOUT Asking (S1W15)
In this throwback episode, Curtis Stone shares how he built a thriving urban farming business without owning a single acre of land. He divulges his proven strategies that helped him secure 15 different farming sites through relationship building rather than cold prospecting. He also talks about the common mistakes that kill new farming ventures and how to avoid them. Subscribe for more content on
Market Responsive Farming: Selling What Grows vs. Growing What Sells (Rewind - S1W14)
In this rewind episode, Diego talks about the single most important trait that separates struggling farms from highly profitable ones: the ability to rapidly adapt to market changes. He breaks down a three-part framework for market responsive farming that can significantly increase revenue on the same growing space. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and busin
Why 300 Crops Will KILL Your Farm Business (S1W14)
In this throwback episode, urban farmer Curtis Stone shares his hard-earned wisdom about adapting quickly when market demands shift unexpectedly. He talks about the critical mistakes that cause many small farms to fail and shares actionable strategies to avoid those mistakes and create a resilient, profitable urban farm business. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming t
Balancing Family, Ministry & Farming Dreams in Alaska's Harsh Climate (Rewind - S1W13)
A self-proclaimed "greenie," Luke Magnesson shares his journey balancing family life with four children, ministry work, and bringing to life his dream of starting a small farm business in Alaska's challenging climate. Luke talks about his career transition from video production to ministry to hopefully farming, the realities of Alaska's unique growing conditions, and his practical approach to buil
Summer Urban Farming: Maintaining Profits While Beating the Heat (S1W13)
In this throwback episode, Curtis Stone talks about essential strategies for maintaining a profitable urban farm smack in the middle of summer. He shares his time-tested techniques for efficient harvesting, restaurant sales, and avoiding burnout. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern
The Lean Green Money Machine: Making $1,000 Off Salad Greens (Rewind - S1W12)
Greens are the economic powerhouse of almost all small farm operations...and for good reason! In this rewind episode, Diego breaks down the profit potential of salad mix and specialty greens, generating up to 30% of a market farm's income. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower
How to Triple Your Greens Harvests: The Cut and Come Again Secret (S1W12)
Curtis Stone reveals how he generates up to $1000 from a single bed of greens through multiple harvests. He talks about which premium varieties restaurants are willing to pay $8-10/lb for and how to maximize your farm's space and profitability through optimal timing, cutting techniques, and variety selection. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business ins
Not a Farm's Cash Crop: Why Jodi Roebuck STOPPED Growing Tomatoes (Rewind - S1W11)
At the tail end of spring until the height of summer, tomatoes are the star cash cows of market gardens...but not for all of them. While they may work for some market farms, they might not work for you. In this rewind episode, Jodi Robuck breaks down the economics of growing tomatoes versus other crops, sharing surprising insights about labor requirements, price points, and market demand where he'
Interplanting Gold: The Secret Tomato Strategy to $10,000 (S1W11)
Curtis Stone transforms urban farming with his strategic tomato growing that generates 20% of his farm revenue. He talks about his no-till methods that virtually eliminate weeds while producing 4,000 pounds of tomatoes on just 1/3 acre. Curtis also sheds light on the counter-intuitive approach of growing "generic" tomatoes that chefs actually prefer over heirlooms, plus innovative interplanting te
Trapped On Small Acreage? How To Double Your Farm Income Anyway (Rewind - S1W10)
In this rewind episode, Diego talks about practical strategies for maximizing your farm's profitability through optimized sales channels, strategic growing practices, and innovative space utilization techniques. Whether you're struggling to break even or looking to take your operation to the next level, these immediately implementable tactics will help you extract more value from every square foot
The Urban Farming Blueprint: Building a Profitable Farm From $7,000 (S1W10)
Curtis Stone shares his journey from zero experience to running a successful multi-location operation. He reveals exactly how much land you need, essential startup equipment, efficient growing methods, and strategies for selling to restaurants—all tested over six years of urban farming. Whether you're looking to transition careers or start a profitable side hustle, this episode doles out practical
The Small Farm Advantage: Why Bigger Isn't Always Better (Rewind - S1W9)
In this episode, Diego talks about accessing land as a new farmer, the value of properly identifying a profitable market niche for a sustainable business, and why working smarter is the key to a successful farm business. He also touches on the importance of taking breaks and setting aside time for self-care to maintain healthy relationships while running a business. Subscribe for more content on
No Land? No Problem! How to Get Free Farming Properties in the City (S1W9)
In this episode, Curtis Stone shares his secrets to making over $40,000 on just a quarter acre of borrowed land while avoiding the massive debt of property ownership. He talks about strategies to find, secure, and transform urban plots into highly productive micro-farms, even if you're just starting out with zero capital. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and
The $600 Tool That Will Transform Your Farm Forever (Rewind - S1W8)
In this episode, Diego breaks down the Jang Seeder: the $600 professional-grade tool that transforms seeding from a back-breaking chore into a precise, efficient process. He talks about how the Jang Precision Seeder works and why it's a worthy investment for every farm business. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming too
Maximize Your Market Garden: The Bed Density Game-Changer (S1W8)
Curtis talks about the single most common mistake he sees on farms across North America: under-planting beds. In this eye-opening episode, he discusses how to potentially double your farm income by optimizing bed density with direct-seeded crops. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Moder
How Small Farms Thrive: Building a Community That Has Your Back (Rewind - S1W7)
In this episode, Jodi Roebuck shares how building strong relationships with retailers, restaurants, and local businesses has made his farm more resilient and profitable than focusing on crops alone. He shares practical strategies for creating your own support network: from hosting business owners at your farm to creating mutually beneficial partnerships with complementary producers. Subscribe for
From Haters to Watchdogs: How Urban Farming Changes Communities (S1W7)
In this episode, Curtis shares how he turned skeptical neighbors into his biggest supporters and why even strangers respect the hard work visible in well-maintained urban gardens. He talks about how urban farming reaches beyond growing food: it touches neighborhoods and becomes a catalyst for community change. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business in
Stop Wasting Time Babying Your Transplants (Rewind - S1W6)
Stop overthinking transplanting and start making money. In this Urban Farmer Rewind episode, Diego breaks down the crucial fundamentals new market gardeners miss while chasing fancy equipment and advanced techniques. He talks about how to save time transplanting in the field by sticking to Curtis Stone's advice: "Green side up." Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming ti
Interplanting Mastery: How to Double Your Farm's Output (S1W6)
In this episode, urban farmer Curtis Stone shares how he doubles his farm's output through interplanting strategies. He reveals his step-by-step approach to efficient transplanting and interplanting strategies that maximize space. Curtis discusses which crops are worth transplanting versus direct seeding, as well as the key timing secrets that allow for continual harvests throughout the season. S
Weather-Proof Your Farm: How to Grow Year-Round in Any Climate (Rewind - S1W5)
In this episode, farmer Jodi and host Diego talk all about unpredictable weather and implementing crop protection to keep production beds safe. They also talk about how crop protection shields beds from the elements and helps accelerate growth even in challenging weather conditions. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farmi
