Explore every episode of the podcast Growing Microgreens Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Profits: How Two Friends Grew a Microgreen Empire | 02 Sep 2024 | 01:02:37 | |
Blake Cowling and Austin Collins on Scintilla Farms in San Diego, California share their microgreens journey starting on a very small scale and expanding to growing in a warehouse to service over 30 restaurant customers. They also share why they chose to sell to restaurants, how they built their solid customer base, and their strategy for curating their crop offerings based on their customers' needs. Lastly, they also talk about their future plans to expand their microgreens business to include mushrooms. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| To Blackout or Not: What Our Microgreens Trials Revealed | 26 Aug 2024 | 00:10:01 | |
In this episode, Chris and I discuss using the blackout stage in growing microgreens, particularly broccoli, and whether it’s beneficial. The blackout stage involves keeping plants in the dark after the germination stage to make them taller and potentially increase yield. The trial tested different blackout durations (0 to 3 days) to observe effects on crop height, yield, appearance, flavor, and storage. Key findings include:
The conclusion is that the blackout stage is not particularly beneficial for broccoli. A one-day blackout might help slightly with height but doesn’t justify the extra effort. The results might vary for other crops, like amaranth, which will be tested in future trials.
Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Common Microgreen Diseases and Solutions to Them | 23 Nov 2019 | 01:09:50 | |
Molds, fungus, viruses - oh my! Depending on your growing environment you may encounter one or perhaps even all of these diseases. And what do you do once you encounter them? If there’s a small section of mold on your tray, for example, what do you do with that tray? Do you scrap the whole tray or can you harvest the unaffected part? We ask these questions with long-time grower and microgreen expert Chris Thoreau. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| The Advantages and Benefits of A Co-Operative Business Structure | 09 Nov 2019 | 00:54:53 | |
When you start your farm business, one think that you need to think about is your business structure. Sole proprietorships and LLCs are common ways to go, but there are also other options, like co-operatives... That's how farmer Chris Thoreau of Food Pedalers structure his business, and that's the subject of today's show... Today I'm going up to Vancouver to talk to microgreen farmer Chris Thoreau about a topic that you don't hear discussed a lot in small scale farming circles - how he organized his business.. Chris initially started his business as a sole proprietor, but as he began to grow, both in the size of the business and the amount of people working in the business, he realized he needed to change that. After looking at all of the options, Chris decided that he wanted to do something different, something that went more against the status quo, and something that was equitable for everyone involved - so Chris organized his business as a co-operative. It's an interesting business structure and it's one that most people wouldn't think of when organizing their business. If your business is growing, or if you are thinking about expanding your team, then a coop structure might make sense for you... Today Chris will talk about why he chose that structure, the advantages and disadvantages of it, and what it takes to have a successful member-owner business.
Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| The Many Reasons Why Microgreens Might NOT Be a Fit For You | 19 Oct 2019 | 01:05:19 | |
Microgreen Grower Chris Thoreau and I discuss a variety of reasons why microgreens might not be a fit for you. This is a realistic look at what growing microgreens as a business is really like. From quick turn around times week after week to attention to detail to scaleability to the day to day drudgery - they aren't a perfect business, yet nothing is. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| How to Grow Microgreens Year Round | 05 Oct 2019 | 00:54:16 | |
When you are only growing a 10 day crop, how much of an affect does light quality and temperature have on the crop?
Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Making New Crops Pay - The Economics, How, and Why of a New Crop | 22 Sep 2019 | 00:54:21 | |
If customers keep asking if you have certain crop, and you don't, should you grow it? Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Advice for Selling Microgreens at Farmers' Markets, Restaurants, and Stores | 14 Sep 2019 | 00:55:06 | |
When you think about what your selling, don't forget that what you are selling isn't just what's in the cooler behind your booth. You're selling yourself, your story, and the role that you play in a bigger movement; all intangible assets that can allow you to succeed without having a diversity of products. But if you want to grow, and you don’t have more products to sell to customers, then you need to find more customers, and that likely means diversifying beyond the farmers market. That’s the subject of today's show where the farmers market is one of the market streams that we dig into as Chris talks about his experiences selling to a diversity of market streams without a diversity of crops.
Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| The Tedious, Detail Oriented Reality of Growing Microgreens | 14 Sep 2019 | 00:54:35 | |
Given the relatively low capital investment required to start a microgreens business, it's a business that attracts a lot of people.
When over 60% of your time will be spent harvesting, cleaning, and sanitizing trays, some of the allure of that $50 tray goes away. Add in the need for rigorous observations and recording keeping, and you will find yourself in a position that Chris describes as part automaton and part scientist. Not for everyone. Especially when people enter the business looking to make a quick buck. If you are thinking about starting a microgreens operation, there's a lot to consider, especially the negatives.
Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Tips and Tricks for Growing, Harvesting, and Selling Microgreens | 14 Sep 2019 | 01:00:21 | |
"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. There's a lot in this one and at its core this interview focuses heavily on core success principles - relentless testing and experimentation, constant record keeping and analysis, and knowing what to focus on.
Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| 10 Base Principles For Successfully Growing High Quality Microgreens | 14 Sep 2019 | 01:09:41 | |
Microgreen Farmer Chris Thoreau and I discuss 10 base principles for growing high quality microgreens.
Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| How Chris Thoreau Started a $200,000 Microgreens Business | 14 Sep 2019 | 00:48:05 | |
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? How much did he start with? And how did he handle startup and work life balance. Chris made a go of it taking on early challenges he has managed to grow his farm to eventually do over $200,000 in sales from a shipping container taking up 320 sq. ft. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business http://bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Microgreens and Montana Dreams: Joe Sessions on Building a Local Brand | 19 Aug 2024 | 01:11:17 | |
Joe Naiman-Sessions of N Bar S Microgreens in Helena, Montana shares his microgreen growing journey, from reaching out to other microgreen growers in the area and selling to grocery stores, to broadening their product offering to include edible flowers, to their success in selling live cut microgreens at farmer's markets. Joe also shares his edible flower cultivation methods, his plans to expand to market gardening, as well as how he effectively keeps on top of bookkeeping and cashflow management. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| From One Rack to 2,000 Trays: How Jacob Goldfarb Grew Goldfarm Canada | 12 Aug 2024 | 00:53:32 | |
Jacob Goldfarb of Goldfarm Canada shares his microgreens journey and how he moved his growing operation from his kitchen in his 1-bedroom apartment, to his 3-bedroom apartment, to a commercial growing space, before finally ending up in a larger, fully decked out growing space. He also shares his criteria for new growing spaces, his experience renovating the growing space, as well as the challenges he faced not just growing microgreens in tight spaces, but also the issues that came with moving a growing operation from one location to another. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Adapting and Expanding: Six Years of Lessons from a Microgreen Farmer | 05 Aug 2024 | 01:22:58 | |
Catch returning guest microgreens grower Vincent Cuneo of Agrarian Feast to share how his business has fared since it began in 2018. Vincent details his strategy of partnering with grocers and supermarkets, which helped cushion the impact of the restaurant industry's downturn. He talks about diversifying into specialty mushrooms and underscores the importance of producing high-quality products. Key topics include inventory management, product pricing strategies, effective marketing, and maintaining strong packaging. The episode also offers practical advice for starting a microgreens business, emphasizing consistent practice, business knowledge, and market research, with a suggestion to initially test market demand on a small scale. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF | |||
| Growing and Improving a Microgreens Business with Max Beecher and Chris Thoreau | 07 Mar 2020 | 01:53:29 | |
The benefits of building a microgreens business, and how to keep improving it. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses
Increase farm efficiency with the Paperpot Transplanter and Other Small Farm Equipment at https://www.paperpot.co/ Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Podcasts by Diego Footer: Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/
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| Growing Great Microgreens Starts with the Great Soil | 15 Feb 2020 | 01:09:36 | |
Microgreen grower Chris Thoreau joins me to talk about the importance of soil in growing microgreens. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| The 10 Year Evolution of a Microgreen Farmer and a Microgreen Business | 26 Jan 2020 | 01:10:36 | |
Chris Thoreau has grow microgreens for over 10 years, but he recently reached the point where he Chris realized it was time to do something else and move on. Find out what changed and why Chris is changing with it. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Tips and Advice for Selling Microgreens to Grocery Stores with Vincent Cuneo | 04 Jan 2020 | 01:34:32 | |
Vincent Cuneo talks about what has made him successful selling microgreens to small independent grocery stores. He discusses giving samples, shelf placement, packaging, and credit for unsold product. Then Chris Thoreau joins the conversation to troubleshoot some growing issues Vincent is having. Connect with Vincent Cuneo: http://www.agrarianfeast.com/ Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Can You Make a Living Growing Microgreens? | 15 Dec 2019 | 01:13:25 | |
In this episode Chris Thoreau joins me to explore the idea - Can you actually make a living growing microgreens? Is it actually possible or just an unrealistic dream? If it is possible what does that look like? How big does the business need to be? How much do you need to be selling? Would you need employees? TLDR: It is possible, with the right combination of luck, skills and hard work. Some people will find it’s a fit for them and their lifestyle, but they’ll need to be committed. Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses Follow Diego on IG https://instagram.com/diegofooter Small Farm Tools and Microgreens Supplies https://www.paperpot.co/ Support my content while you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/32FYCqW | |||
| Building a Farm from the Ground Up: The All-In Entrepreneur's Journey | 09 Sep 2024 | 00:46:14 | |
Lily Evans of Short Roots Farm in Kenosha, Wisconsin shares her entrepreneurial journey into microgreens starting from how she bootstrapped her business with minimal investment, to scaling up her business by transforming a spare room into a grow room, to expanding her product offering to include mushrooms. She also shares the challenges and successes she faced as she built up a good market for microgreens in their area while balancing multiple jobs along the way. Click here to learn more about Lily Evans and Short Roots Urban Farm. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Greens & Dreams: Building a Microgreen Empire | 30 Sep 2024 | 01:04:15 | |
Lupe Smith, owner of Barons Microgreens in Los Angeles, California shares his startup journey. He talks about how he canvassed the LA area and ultimately ended up growing microgreens. He also shares the challenges of educating people about microgreens and how his business evolved from the early days of driving through LA traffic to pivoting to farmer's markets and selling both fresh microgreens and value-added products that use their microgreens. Click here to learn more about Lupe Smith and Barons Microgreens! Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| The Seed Dilemma: Rethinking Farm Sustainability | 23 Sep 2024 | 01:09:14 | |
In this episode, long-time microgreens grower Chris Thoreau joins host Diego to talk all about seeds, specifically, local seed production...or the lack thereof. He talks about what it means to purchase seeds responsibly and how possible or realistic that is. He also takes a look at the local seed movement, how practical and viable it is, as well as some of the challenges that come with both supporting local producers and being local producers. Click here to learn more about Chris Thoreau and his work. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| The Power of Microgreens: Growing Big Profits Year-Round | 16 Sep 2024 | 00:56:52 | |
Farmer and educator Jodi Roebuck of Roebuck Farms in Taranaki, New Zealand jumps on the show to discuss how they grow microgreens as part of their market garden operation. Farmer Jodi shares some interesting ways they leverage microgreens as a way to expand their product offerings, such as enhancing existing salad mixes and picking up the slack by filling in production gaps when field crops are having issues. Learn more about Farmer Jodi and Roebuck Farm on Instagram and their website. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Insights and Innovations in Indoor Farming | 14 Oct 2024 | 01:23:19 | |
Alex Dale of Hunters' Dale Microgreens in Chilliwack, BC joins host and veteran microgreens grower Chris Thoreau to share her story of how she started her farm with her mother, who initially began market gardening. Alex talks about how they scaled the business, as well as the challenges they faced along the way. Click here to learn more about Hunters' Dale! Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Mastering Microgreens: Essential Sanitation and Food Safety Considerations | 28 Oct 2024 | 00:48:01 | |
Long-time microgreens grower Chris Thoreau joins co-host Diego to talk about the nitty-gritty details of sanitation when it comes to growing microgreens. Since microgreens are considered higher-risk produce compared to regular field vegetables, it's important to know the proper procedures and protocols to put in place to produce a crop of microgreens that are safe, sanitary, and regulation-compliant. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Growing Pains: The Real Talk on Launching a Microgreen Business | 11 Nov 2024 | 00:45:56 | |
Michael Quinn of Mourne Microgreens joins host Chris Thoreau to talk about his journey of starting a microgreens business in Northern Ireland. He shares the challenges of growing and selling a niche crop in a new market, how he leveraged his previous career experience to navigate the business, and how he has set up the business to create social impact from day one. Click here to learn more about Michael Quinn and Mourne Microgreens. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| From Farmers Markets to Grocery Stores and a Farm Stand: Scaling a Microgreens Business | 25 Nov 2024 | 01:13:25 | |
Mother-son duo Robin and Kellen Kanzius of Fred's Urban Farm in San Diego California share their journey of journey of growing a successful microgreens operation in Southern California. They talk about the challenges & rewards of growing outdoors, working with family, and diversifying revenue streams. They also drill down on the importance of consistency, honesty, and community engagement in running a successful farm stand that accounts for a significant slice of the farm's income. Learn more about Fred's Urban Farm here. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Building a Sustainable Microgreens Business for Retirement | 16 Dec 2024 | 01:06:32 | |
Veteran microgreens grower Chris Thoreau is joined by entrepreneur Pierre Marlow to talk about starting a microgreens business after having the main business shut down during the pandemic. They talk about a slow approach to scaling while maintaining a high-quality product and building a business for retirement rather than scaling into a large-scale operation. They also touch on finding a work-life balance when building and running a microgreens operation. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||
| Keeping It Simple: Thriving By Streamlining Your Microgreens Crops | 30 Dec 2024 | 00:55:27 | |
Market gardener and aggregator Max Becher joins hosts Diego and Chris to talk all about how he grows microgreens: he discusses the difference between growing microgreens and field crops, adding new microgreen varieties to grow and when to do it, and spotting when there's just too much when it comes to growing microgreens. Get time and labor-saving farm tools and microgreen seeds at shop.modern grower.co Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:
Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF Chris's online course Growing Your Profitable Microgreens Business https://microgreens.teachable.com/courses | |||