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Growing Microgreens Podcast

Diego Footer

Diego Footer and grower Chris Thoreau share 10+ years of microgreens experience in each episode, giving insights for people who operate or want to operate a profitable microgreens business. We touch on topics such as farming challenges and struggles, sales and marketing, soil and media, climate control, sanitation, post-harvest processing, appropriate technology, farm startup, market selection, and work-life balance.

In some episodes, we are joined by beginning or experienced microgreen growers who dive deep into their stories to find out what makes their operations successful.

The show is hosted by Diego Footer of Modern Grower.

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20 episodes
Avg 1 hr 5 min
English

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Dec 30, 2024 · 55 min
Keeping It Simple: Thriving By Streamlining Your Microgreens Crops
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Dec 16, 2024 · 1 hr 6 min
Building a Sustainable Microgreens Business for Retirement
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Nov 25, 2024 · 1 hr 13 min
From Farmers Markets to Grocery Stores and a Farm Stand: Scaling a Microgreens Business
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Nov 11, 2024 · 45 min
Growing Pains: The Real Talk on Launching a Microgreen Business
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Oct 28, 2024 · 48 min
Mastering Microgreens: Essential Sanitation and Food Safety Considerations
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Oct 14, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min
Insights and Innovations in Indoor Farming
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Sep 30, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Greens & Dreams: Building a Microgreen Empire
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Sep 23, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
The Seed Dilemma: Rethinking Farm Sustainability
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Sep 16, 2024 · 56 min
The Power of Microgreens: Growing Big Profits Year-Round
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Carrot Cashflow Podcast In Search of Soil 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
Sep 9, 2024 · 46 min
Building a Farm from the Ground Up: The All-In Entrepreneur's Journey
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast 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
Sep 2, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
Fresh Profits: How Two Friends Grew a Microgreen Empire
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast 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
Aug 26, 2024 · 10 min
To Blackout or Not: What Our Microgreens Trials Revealed
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: Height: One blackout day produced the tallest plants (7.5 cm), while three days resulted in weak, bent plants. Yield: Longer blackout periods slightly reduced yield, with three days of blackout giving the lowest yield. Appearance: The longer blackout made the plants paler, with smaller leaves and weaker stems, making them look worse overall. Texture and Flavor: Longer blackout made the plants chewier, though flavor wasn't significantly affected. Storage: All plants stored well for 10-14 days, with minor differences. 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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast 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
Aug 19, 2024 · 1 hr 11 min
Microgreens and Montana Dreams: Joe Sessions on Building a Local Brand
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast 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
Aug 12, 2024 · 53 min
From One Rack to 2,000 Trays: How Jacob Goldfarb Grew Goldfarm Canada
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast 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
Aug 5, 2024 · 1 hr 22 min
Adapting and Expanding: Six Years of Lessons from a Microgreen Farmer
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: Farm Small, Farm Smart Farm Small, Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast Check out Diego's book Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Everything-You-Grow-Homestead-ebook/dp/B0CJC9NTZF
Mar 7, 2020 · 1 hr 53 min
Growing and Improving a Microgreens Business with Max Beecher and Chris Thoreau
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 Follow PaperpotCo on IG https://instagram.com/paperpot Podcasts by Diego Footer: Microgreens: https://apple.co/2m1QXmW Vegetable Farming: https://apple.co/2lCuv3m Livestock Farming: https://apple.co/2m75EVG Large Scale Farming: https://apple.co/2kxj39i Small Farm Tools https://www.paperpot.co/
Feb 15, 2020 · 1 hr 9 min
Growing Great Microgreens Starts with the Great Soil
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
Jan 26, 2020 · 1 hr 10 min
The 10 Year Evolution of a Microgreen Farmer and a Microgreen Business
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
Jan 4, 2020 · 1 hr 34 min
Tips and Advice for Selling Microgreens to Grocery Stores with Vincent Cuneo
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
Dec 15, 2019 · 1 hr 13 min
Can You Make a Living Growing Microgreens?
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

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