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Sauvie Island Organics started in 1993 with one small acre and two hard working women. We sold our vegetables at the Portland Farmers Market and to three area restaurants. As our experience grew so did the demand for locally grown produce. In 1996 we expanded to three acres, bought our first tractor and incorporated a … Continue reading Shari Raider of Sauvie Island Organics

JFR’S first walking interview. Visit Oregon Olive Mill and get some olive oil.

Jeff Boden welcomed me to Portland, Oregon with open arms. He treated me like an old friend. A very smart man, creative in how he manages his successful farm. A really good listen. Visit West Union Gardens website

Bob Wiker from Old Homestead Farm joins me on this episode of JFR.

The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative operates urban farms in Detroit. This is a great group of young folks committed to urban farming and reinvigorating the city of Detroit. In this Skype conversation Molly Hubbell- Vice President and Pinky Jones – Farm manager talk with me about urban farming, the struggles of intercity folks to access … Continue reading The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative

You should be giving. A great place to give, if you’re into food, is your local food bank. In this episode I visit with Larry Welsch of the Chester County Food Bank. Larry gives me an overview of the food bank system. Did you know that over 10% of the United States population receives some … Continue reading Fresh Vegetables at your local Food Bank with Larry Welsch

Theresa Mycek manages Colchester Farm in Georgetown, Maryland a 10 acre non profit vegetable farm. Theresa has been at the farm for over 5 years. This is a great interview with a lovely person who has followed what I’d call a classic small farm career path from intern to farm manager.  

The Schmidt’s are extremely active in the farm industry as advocates for agriculture in general and are focused on trying to dispel some of the myths they see as villainizing family farms and larger farm enterprises. Visit Jenny’s Facebook page and her blog The Foodie Farmer. This is a fascinating conversation with the owners of … Continue reading The Foodie Farmer- Jenny Schmidt and Her Husband Hans.

In this episode I talk with Alison Howard of Homestead Farms in Millington, Md. Homestead Farms is a USDA Certified Organic produce and small grain farm. Allison shares her experience with starting Homestead with her husband, Luke. This is a very good conversation which includes the subtle struggles of a true working farm: paying the … Continue reading Paying the Bills with Alison Howard of Homestead Farms

I visited several food industry people on the Eastern Shore of Maryland this spring. This is my conversation with Steve Freeman a traditional seedsman who supplies his farmer clients with seeds and service. This is an interesting discussion about the practical aspects of supplying seeds and the seed industry. A big takeaway from this is … Continue reading A Traditional Seedsman- Steve Freeman

Recently I talked with Lisa Kershner from North Star Orchard in Cochranville, Pa. North Star is synonymous with fruit and producer only farmers markets in the Philadelphia area. They seem to be at all the best, busiest markets. Lisa and her husband Ike have grown their orchard business along with the growth in the local … Continue reading Fruit Geeks- Lisa Kershner from North Star Orchard

Jenny Rhodes Is an Eastern Shore chicken farmer and a Maryland Coop Extension educator.

Erich McEnroe from McEnroe Organic Farm joins me on this episode of JACKS FARM RADIO. In their words: Farming over 1000 acres in the Harlem Valley, New York, McEnroe Organic Farm is committed to organic and sustainable agriculture. The farm produces certified organic produce, meats and garden transplants. Our compost and soilis approved for organic production and … Continue reading Making and Selling Compost as Part of a Diversified Farm with Erich McEnroe

In 1986 Terry Brett was running a humble farm store in Chester County, Pennsylvania, selling organic yogurt made on-site at a biodynamic dairy farm, now known as Seven Stars Farm. During the ensuing 27 years he has grown that store into a group of natural grocery stores that actively reflect his commitment to local farming … Continue reading Retailing Whole and Local Foods with Terry Brett – Kimberton Whole Foods

Tom Reinhardt from Nev-R-Dun Farm joins me in this episode. This is a lifestyle farm in Westminster, MD. The goal of the Nev-R-Dun Farm cooperative is to provide organically grown produce to Carroll County residents along with the neighboring counties. As the demand for fresh organically grown produce increases, the amount of such produce available is less … Continue reading 50 share Certified Organic CSA- It’s a Lifestyle

One Straw Farm is the largest Food Alliance Certified vegetable farm in Maryland. Lovingly tended by Drew and Joan Norman since 1983, One Straw Farm supplies families, restaurants and wholesalers with the finest certified produce. The goal of farming is more than simply growing a satiable crop, but also the responsibility of safeguarding the integrity … Continue reading Born to Farm – Joan and Drew Norman from One Straw Farm

Kevin Folta from The University of Florida joins me on JFR this episode. Kevin is an expert on GMO in food production. Here’s how he describes himself: I’m a plant biologist. My job is to contribute to the understanding of gene function, then use this knowledge to inform crop improvement. In the long run I … Continue reading GMO- Science, Fear and Facts with Kevin Folta of The University of Florida

John and Amy Good of Quiet Creek Farm are a true organic farming success story. I talked with John recently and he shared his enthusiasm and true deliberate journey in farming. John is an articulate guy and this is a really good story. Listen!

I talked with Mike Nolan from Earth Spring Farm recently. Here’s his story in his own words: Mike Nolan, Farmer My farming days started back when I was a kid in 7th grade.  My parents were friends with a local beef farmer who was also helping out with the Dutchess County 4-H club in New … Continue reading 580 CSA Shares going on 600 and more- Mike Nolan of Earth Spring Farm

I visited with Andy Andrews from Pennypack Farm and Education Center in the Philadelphia Suburbs. Andy has done a great job of growing the farm over the past 8 years. Here’s the Pennypack story in their own words: Pennypack Farm grew from the commitment of a handful of citizens who responded to a letter in … Continue reading 26 Acre Dense Suburban Farm- Pennypack Farm and Education Center