Dawn's Dirt – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Trent Koehn from GreenEase to talk real farm business—how SOPs, culture, and faith turn chaos into profit, and how tiny, daily improvements can 3x your yields without selling your soul to the system. We get into lean farming, hiring right, and why problems should make you smile—because they're roadmaps to better processes, safer teams, and healthier greens. Trent shares how his family greenhouse bounced back after COVID restaurant drop-offs, why they now keep ~50¢ on the dollar, and the nerdy-but-sexy oxygen trick that crushes root rot in hydroponics. If you care about farm-to-table, small-scale profitability, servant leadership, and building tools that actually help farmers, this one's for you

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Episode Highlights: farm-to-table, hydroponic greenhouse, lean farming, SOPs, standard operating procedures, farm profitability, servant leadership, faith in business, dissolved oxygen, pythium/root rot, plug poppers & drop seeders, small-farm innovation

Takeaways: 

• Tiny improvements compounded daily beat big swings
• SOPs create freedom, safety, and consistency
• Culture is a strategy when leaders lift people up
• Checklists first, then SOPs for complex tasks
• Track root causes, not people, to fix problems
• Oxygenation can solve hydroponic disease at the root
• Profitability follows focus, process, and servant leadership
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Trent's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/greenease.us/ 

Trent's Website | https://greenease.us/ 

Trent's YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreenEase 

2 Second Lean by Paul Akers | https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/2-second-lean-play/id1503694993 

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Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started!

Book Your FREE Call Today! 

Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/

Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Abey from Ruckle Farm to dig into her new book, Radical Farm: Animals, Food, and Our Future. We get real about why well-sourced animal foods support human health, animal welfare, and the land, and how to bridge the "vegans vs. ranchers" divide with curiosity instead of name-calling. Abey shares her journey from teen vegetarian to animal farmer, the ethics behind "there is no deathless diet," and practical homesteading know-how—from raw milk and cheese making to raising chickens, sheep, and cattle. We talk Victory Gardens, kids' nutrition, the true cost of food, and rebuilding resilient local food systems. If you care about nutrient-dense meals, regenerative agriculture, and taking back your food sovereignty, this one's for you.

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Episode Highlights: faith-farming-freedom, ethical meat, raw milk, regenerative agriculture, Ruckle Farm, Salt Spring Island, nutrient-dense eating, homesteading 101, Victory Gardens, kids' real food, grocery labels vs. reality, farm-to-table sales

Takeaways: 

• There is no deathless diet—own your choices
• Well-raised animal foods can benefit land, animals, and people
• Start small: herbs, a microgarden, or six backyard hens
• Victory Garden math still works for modern families
• Labels mislead—know your farmer and ask questions
• Budget by growing some food and prioritizing protein
• Curiosity builds bridges; outrage burns them
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Abey's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abeyonthefarm/ 

Ruckel Farm Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rucklefarm/ 

Ruckle Farm Website | https://rucklefarmsaltspringisland.com/ 

Abey's TikTok |  https://www.tiktok.com/@abeyonthefarm 

Abey's Book | https://www.radicalfarmbook.com/ 

Abey's Substack | https://abeyonthefarm.substack.com/ 

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started!

Book Your FREE Call Today! 

Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn Dirt's Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I'm in the hot seat and my friend Hayley is firing off the questions—no sugarcoating, just real dirt. We dig into the myths about homesteading (spoiler: those pretty colored eggs aren't paying the bills), why vegetables are the most overlooked cash crop, and the brutal truth about making your acreage profitable. I share how women can crush it in farm-based businesses, the one mindset shift hobby farmers must make to go pro, and why community is at the heart of everything I do. We talk failures, firing stories, black markets in Cuba, and my dream for more small farmers feeding their communities. This is raw, funny, a little fiery, and packed with the kind of farm truth you won't find on Pinterest. Whether you're dreaming of chickens or ready to scale your garden into a business, this episode will light a fire under your boots.

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Episode Highlights: colored egg myths, vegetable production profits, entrepreneurship on small acreage, women in farming, community over competition, Cuba's producer culture, hard truths of homesteading, profitable farm mindset, running it like a business, overcoming industry stereotypes, my dad's farming legacy, feeding people in tough times

Takeaways: 

• Pretty doesn't pay—production does
• Vegetables can be the most profitable crop
• You don't need a big acreage to succeed
• Mindset shift from hobby to business is essential
• Women can and do run successful farms
• Community connection is as valuable as profit
• Your farm must pencil out to survive
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land — selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started!

Book Your FREE Call Today!

______________________________________________

Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today's episode of Dawn's Dirt, I'm spilling my hard-earned secrets on turning canning into cold, hard cash. From humble beginnings as the "Pickle Partners" at age 15 to raking in $150K a year in canned goods, I'm breaking down exactly how you can turn extra zucchini, tomatoes, or fruit into high-value products your customers will line up for. I'll share the best low-risk items to start with, why beautiful displays sell more, and how to price for profit. We'll talk canning tips, smart marketing, navigating those pesky health regulations, and how even city-dwellers can run a homestead side hustle right from their kitchen. Whether you're sitting on a bumper crop or just want a sustainable income stream, this episode will light a fire under your entrepreneurial apron.

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Episode Highlights: canning for profit, value added farming, turning surplus produce into income, best-selling canned goods, pricing strategies for farmers markets, low-risk canning items, making products shelf-stable, marketing and display tips, sourcing ingredients, starting small and scaling, navigating food safety rules, building loyal customers

Takeaways: 

• You can start a profitable canning business with as few as 12 jars
• Value adding transforms $2 produce into $10+ products
• Start with low-risk, high-acid or high-sugar items for safety
• Beautiful, abundant displays sell more product
• Mix-and-match pricing encourages larger purchases
• Be transparent with customers about where ingredients come from
• You don't need a farm to run a home-based canning business
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I get grilled by none other than Jamie Stewart—the poop queen herself! Jamie flips the script and puts me in the hot seat with questions about pesticides, glyphosate, raw milk, GMOs, soil health, and the messed-up reality of food regulations. We talk about how farmers actually make decisions, what's realistic vs. ideological, and why the truth often lies somewhere in the muddy middle. We cover everything from butterfly worms in your cabbage to bird flu conspiracies, raw goat milk in my coffee, and why I'd never call the CFIA. If you've ever wondered what the heck is really going on with our food system, this one's for you. It's gritty, it's real, and there's a whole lotta dirt—pun intended.

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Episode Highlights: pesticides, soil health, food freedom, bureaucracy in farming, CSA support, bird flu, glyphosate truth, Roundup desiccation, raw milk benefits, backyard chickens, seed myths, regenerative farming, food system control

Takeaways: 

• Most farmers don't want to spray unless they have to
• "Organic" doesn't always mean no spraying—it just means certified inputs
• Backyard chickens + scraps = rich yolks and healthy eggs
• Raw milk can be incredibly healing for the gut
• Supporting local farmers shifts the food system
• Big farms are a symptom of broken policy, not villainy
• Ideals are great—but practicality keeps the lights on

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Jessica's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constipationfixqueen/ 

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Rebecca Croden, a backyard gardening queen right in the heart of Toronto. We get into everything from shady yard solutions to tomato troubles and even how to use rabbit poop as plant food. Yes, you read that right. Whether you're a city slicker with a patch of grass or just garden-curious, this one's for you. Rebecca shares how her grandpa's farm sparked her passion and how growing a few heads of lettuce can lead to major satisfaction (and salad victories). We chat compost, crop choices, pests, and why you might want to grow microgreens in a tent all winter. This is real talk for anyone who wants to eat better, spend less, and grow something worth harvesting, even in the shade.

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Episode Highlights: backyard gardening, food cost savings, shady crop tips, composting basics, tomato pruning, pest control, rabbit deterrents, microgreens, crop rotation, organic sprays, permaculture, crochet business

Takeaways: 

• Cold weather crops like kale and lettuce thrive in shady spots
• Trimming tomato leaves helps encourage fruiting over foliage
• Compost needs to be turned to decompose properly
• Bunny poop tea is a surprisingly effective plant fertilizer
• Investing in a grow tent can save money long term
• Organic sprays still exist—but physical barriers like netting also work
• Grow high-value crops in small gardens to maximize savings
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

Rebecca's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccas.crochet.culture/ 

Rebecca's Website: https://crochetculture.ca/ 

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today's episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sat down with Abey Scaglione from Ruckle Heritage Farm and holy smokes, this one is a gem. Abey went from California vegetarian to regenerative meat and dairy farmer on Salt Spring Island. We got into everything, raw milk (yes, the illegal kind), orange-yolked eggs, pastured chickens, garden scraps, and how animals are vital to real sustainability. Abey shares her full-circle story of reclaiming her health, getting back to the land, and raising animals with deep reverence. We dive into the real meaning of local, the illusion of grocery store "freshness," and why everyone should be a producer in some way. Whether you farm or just eat, this episode will challenge your beliefs and inspire your next bite.

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Episode Highlights: raw dairy, nutrient-dense food, pastured poultry, farm life, regenerative agriculture, reconnecting to your food, animal ethics, local food systems, agritourism, egg quality, food freedom, sustainable living

Takeaways: 

• There is no such thing as a deathless diet
• Raw dairy can nourish and heal in powerful ways
• True regenerative farming is a full-circle system
• Pastured animals produce better food and healthier land
• Real food comes from relationships, not barcodes
• Farm tours can heal the disconnect between city and soil
• Every person can become a producer in their own way
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Abey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abeyonthefarm/ 

Ruckel Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rucklefarm/ 

Ruckle Farm Website: https://rucklefarmsaltspringisland.com/ 

Abey's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abeyonthefarm 

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today's episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sat down with Becky from Toby Way Farm and oh baby, did we go there. We're talking raw, real farm life: goat guts, chicken math, and why your organic ideology might be killing your animals (not to mention your wallet). Becky and I don't sugarcoat things because life on a homestead isn't Pinterest-perfect, it's dirty, hard, heartbreaking, and 100% worth it. We dig into goat parasites, feed decisions, farm math, and what it really means to be a modern homesteader with integrity. We even get into government overreach, raw milk laws, and why you can eat the Twinkie if you damn well want to. This episode is pure gold for anyone navigating the tension between doing it "right" and doing what actually works.

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Episode Highlights: goat math, raw milk, organic myths, animal loss, real farming, parasite management, farm-to-table realities, farm community, food freedom, government overreach, holistic animal care, starting small

Takeaways: 

• If you have livestock, you're going to have dead stock
• Parasite management in goats is essential and requires learning, not guessing
• Organic doesn't always mean better—it has to make financial sense
• Community is key—barter, trade, and connect with local farmers
• Chickens are not vegetarians—stop pretending they are
• Real homesteading isn't perfect, it's practical
• Grace is just as important as grit on the farm
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

Becky's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toby_way_farm/ 

Becky's Website: https://www.tobywayfarm.com/ 

Becky's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TobyWayFarm

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

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Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today's episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Chef Mikey from Chef's Harvest Farm—a total character and an absolute legend in the urban farming world out of Knoxville, Tennessee. Y'all, this man turned his backyard into a full-blown vegetable empire and is making a six-figure living growing salad greens. From slinging veggies under his cubicle desk to supplying top-tier resorts and chefs, Mikey breaks down exactly how he did it with grit, strategy, and heart. We talk community, soil, seasonal eating, and why lettuce from Peru just ain't it. This episode will light a fire under anyone with a backyard and a dream. Get ready to be inspired, laugh a little, and maybe cry (just a little) over celery. Let's get dirty!

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Episode Highlights: urban farming, backyard business, chef turned farmer, salad greens, seasonal eating, local food systems, food security, farm to table, farming burnout, hiring help, farming in the South, community over competition

Takeaways: 

• You don't need a giant farm to make a living—just a plan and some grit
• Salad greens can be a high-profit crop when grown smart
• Know your market and tailor your crops accordingly
• High-quality produce sells itself when it's fresh and local
• Build community with chefs, neighbors, and fellow farmers
• Document your journey from day one to grow your brand
• Hiring help early can prevent burnout and accelerate growth
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

Chef Mikey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefsharvestfarmllc/ 

Chef Mikey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chefsharvestfarm 

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

______________________________________________

Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com

In today's episode of Dawn's Dirt, I'm talking lettuce—but not just any lettuce. I sat down with the incredibly passionate and slightly wild Mackenzie Warford of Papa's Farm in Newfoundland, where he's growing top-tier romaine lettuce year-round using a hydroponic system that puts most operations to shame. We dive into his "hippie greenhouse," his geothermal setup, his zero-pesticide practices, and why he's dead set on feeding his family and community the highest-quality food possible—without a dime of government funding. We go deep on why Canada's food system is broken and how local, small-scale farmers like Mackenzie are the solution. If you've ever doubted hydroponics, this episode will flip the script and maybe make you crave some crunchy romaine while you're at it.

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Episode Highlights: hydroponics, romaine lettuce, food sovereignty, small farm business, greenhouse growing, kids in agriculture, local food systems, nutrient density, Canadian farming, off-grid innovation, gut health, circular economy

Takeaways: 

• You don't need a massive setup to grow food year-round
• Hydroponics can be sustainable, ethical, and local
• Canadian-grown food is essential for national food security
• Flavor and nutrient density are drastically better when grown locally
• Small farms can feed entire communities with one crop
• Government isn't the solution—community is
• Kids thrive when raised close to food production
  
  

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Links & Resources Mentioned

Visit Dawn's Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ 

Dawn's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/

MacKenzie's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PapasFarmHydroponics 

MacKenzie's Website: https://www.youtube.com/@papasfarm721 

Canadian Hydroponics Association: https://www.can-hydro.com/ 

______________________________________________

Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love!

______________________________________________

Have you ever started a garden that didn't go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what's right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That's where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I'll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let's talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let's get growing together!

https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online 

______________________________________________

Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com