The Market Gardener Podcast

This week, we speak with Shane Harper, chef-turned-farmer who combines culinary expertise with innovative farming practices to bridge the gap between the farm and the table. Shane shares his journey from running pastry kitchens in Toronto to becoming a grower for one of Canada's premier farm-to-table restaurants. He explores how his structured approach in fine dining kitchens informed his farming methods, focusing on efficiency, flavor, and the lifecycle of plants. We dive into his philosophy of creating self-sustaining systems on the farm, his insights on working with chefs to redefine "farm-to-table," and the importance of reconnecting people with the land. Shane highlights the value of precision in farming, his experiments with unique crops, and his belief in the "great reskilling" movement—encouraging a return to hands-on, sustainable trades. This conversation is a deep dive into the intersection of hospitality and agriculture, offering inspiration for chefs, farmers, and food enthusiasts alike. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [03:29] Transitioning from fine dining to establishing a farm-to-table garden. [07:15] Starting the garden at a Michelin-starred restaurant and earning a Green Star. [10:10] Building a sustainable farm and experimenting with new crops. [15:00] Understanding crop lifecycles and their applications in culinary farming. [18:50] Developing self-regulating farm systems and animal integration. [22:15] Challenges in learning through trial and error as a new farmer. [26:30] Working directly with chefs to craft menus and ingredient strategies. [31:45] Transitioning from market gardening to hospitality-driven farming. [35:20] The importance of flavor-driven agriculture and chef collaborations. [40:30] Learning from mistakes and adapting farm practices. [45:50] Exploring the future of farming as a celebrated profession. [50:10] The power of storytelling in connecting guests with farm experiences. [55:20] Advice for farmers working with chefs and understanding their needs. [01:00:40] Economics of running a farm for a restaurant. [01:05:20] Joys and challenges of farming life. [01:10:15] The "great reskilling" and its cultural significance. [01:15:00] Final reflections on farming as a timeless and essential profession. [01:21:10] Rapid Fire Q&A - The French Laundry by Thomas Keller Sponsors Tessier https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10 Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Growers https://growers.co/?utm_source=ijm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=season2 Use promocode PODCAST for 15% off clothing and accessories. Market Gardener Institute https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=apple-spotify&utm_campaign=saison2 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 Shane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pirate.produce https://www.instagram.com/garden_pearlmorissette https://www.instagram.com/pearlmorissette  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantpearlmorissette  JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

In this solo episode, Jean-Martin Fortier dives into the evolving landscape of sustainable farming, exploring the differences and connections between organic, regenerative, and small-scale agriculture. He highlights the importance of maintaining organic certification to ensure transparency and accountability while addressing concerns about greenwashing in the regenerative movement. JM emphasizes the need for localized, decentralized farming systems rooted in healthy soils and human-scale operations, advocating for unity within the movement to combat the challenges posed by industrialized agriculture.  If this episode inspires you to rethink the possibilities of small-scale farming, we invite you to take it a step further. From January 14 to 16, join our FREE and LIVE workshop Money Talks where we’ll dive into the numbers behind real farms. This practical and inspiring event will show how small farms can be both a solution and a profitable path forward. Register here: https://themarketgardener.easywebinar.live/event-registration-jan-2025 PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [6:40] Evolution of organic farming: From pioneers to present day [10:09] Regenerative agriculture: The new buzzword [13:13] Greenwashing concerns: Loosely defined standards [15:29] Organic certification: Why it still matters [16:49] Scale in agriculture: Localized versus industrialized [20:24] Soil and scale: Core to sustainable farming [22:01] Movement clarity: Avoiding manipulation and staying united [23:28] Economic impact: Local farms as community drivers [24:23] Workshop announcement: “Money Talks” free event in January Sponsors Tessier  Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Market Gardener Institute⁠  Join the Masterclass waiting list! Bootstrap  https://bootstrapfarmer.com/marketgardenerpodcast 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 JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

In this episode, we dive into the world of market gardening with Jodi Roebuck, a globally inspired farmer from New Zealand. Jodi shares his journey from surfing on volcanic coastlines to building a thriving farm from compact subsoil, emphasizing soil health, composting, and efficient farming techniques. Drawing on lessons from traveling the world and visiting diverse farms, he highlights the value of learning through hands-on experience and cross-disciplinary inspiration. We discuss the principles of bio-intensive farming, lean systems, and the art of balancing productivity with sustainability. This conversation explores the resilience, innovation, and passion it takes to create a farm that’s not just a livelihood but a meaningful connection to the land and community. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [1:48] Turning volcanic subsoil into thriving farmland. [5:33] Surfing as a metaphor for farming: Observation and timing. [10:04] Building resilience through composting and soil health. [15:27] The importance of traveling and learning from other farms. [20:12] Lessons in bio-intensive farming and managing weed pressure. [25:05] Lean systems: Eliminating waste and maximizing efficiency. [33:14] Transitioning from seed production to market gardening. [40:08] Year-round growing: Challenges and strategies for winter crops. [50:22] Creating strong community connections through local markets. [1:04:18] Long-term investments and scaling sustainably. [1:15:42] The future of small-scale farming and expanding potential. [1:24:33] Family, fitness, and finding balance in farm life. [1:30:12] Designing farms for efficiency and reduced labor. [1:40:45] Reflections on the global movement for sustainable farming. [1:50:12] Rapid-fire Q&A and final thoughts on farming inspiration. Sponsors Tessier  Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Market Gardener Institute⁠  Join the Masterclass waiting list! Heirloom  Limited time offer of 20% off yearly subscription and use promocode PODCAST to get an extra month of free trial. 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 Jodi: Website: https://www.roebuckfarm.com/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jodiroebuckofroebuckfarm2967 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiroebuck JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier 

In this episode, we explore the connection between natural wine and terroir-focused vegetables with our guest, Myrtha Zierock, a biodynamic vineyard manager turned small-scale vegetable farmer. Myrtha shares her journey of integrating diversified farming into a wine estate, emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and the artistry of farming. Discover how vegetables can be celebrated with the same prestige as wine through concepts like tastings and storytelling. We also delve into the challenges of sustainable farming and the importance of embracing beauty and culture in agriculture. PLEASE make sure to subscribe to the podcast, download our episodes, and rate them! Your support means the world to us. Thank you! Timestamps [1:45] Introducing Myrtha [4:05] Imagining farm produce as celebrated as wine [8:00] A veggie tasting inspired by wine culture [12:00] The concept of veggie sommeliers [17:00] Vegetable tourism and experiences around farms [25:00] Challenges of selling high-quality produce [31:00] Markets, food co-ops, and consumer access to fresh produce [43:00] Making vegetables cool and celebrated like wine [53:00] Historical practices in winemaking and farming integration [1:04:00] Biodynamic principles at the wine estate [1:15:00] Artisanal versus natural wine [1:24:00] Personal journey into farming and veggie. [1:31:00] The case for radicchio: “Winter’s colorful crunch” [1:40:00] Challenges facing small farms in Europe [1:43:12] Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson [1:43:14] Rapid-fire Q&A Sponsors Tessier Use promocode MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions (Ontario, the Maritimes, and the states of Vermont, Maine, New York, and New Hampshire).  Advancing Eco Agriculture Market Gardener Institute⁠  Join the Masterclass waiting list! Growers & Co Use promo code PODCAST for 15% off tools and accessories 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 Foradori: https://www.agricolaforadori.com/en/ Culinary Breeding Network: https://www.culinarybreedingnetwork.com/ Instagram: @agricolaforadori @myrthazierock ⁠https://www.instagram.com/agricolaforadori/ https://www.instagram.com/myrthazierock/ JM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier