The Farmers Beet

In this episode we travel to Chico, California to meet with Kyle Burns of Burns Blossom Farm, a certified organic vegetable and flower farm he runs with his wife Mel. We talk about how they built their farm's brand from the ground up - from the story behind their name and logo to how they balance farmer's markets, wholesale accounts, and social media to reach customers. You'll also hear about their relationship with BriarPatch Food Co-op, their move into value-added products like hot sauce, and Kyle's honest take on what makes marketing hard for a small farm.

In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Cathryn Henning from BeeWorthy Farms, a certified organic cut flower and herb farm located in Encinitas, CA. At BeeWorthy Farms, they grow a diverse variety of cut flower products, as well as herbs, and currently market exclusively through the San Diego Flower Collective. In this episode, Brandon talks with Cathryn about BeeWorthy Farms, the San Diego Flower Collective, the challenges and opportunities of partnerships, and the joys of being a small business owner growing local flowers for your local community.

Vino Farms manages about 3,500 acres of vineyards in Lodi, California and on 750 of those acres, they carry four different certifications: Organic, Biodynamic, Xerces Bee Friendly, and Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC). Viticulturist Daniel Meyers walks us through why a single farm management company ends up using multiple sustainability certifications at once, what each one actually requires…

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In this episode, we connect with Marsha Habib of Oya Organic Farm, a woman and immigrant owned organic family farm located in Hollister, California. We learn about the origin of Oya Organic Farm, what it means to be an organic farmer, and her successes and challenges with marketing organic produce especially, as it relates to small-scale highly diversified certified organic produce farmers on California's Central Coast.  Throughout her farming journey, Marsha has learned that marketing looks different for small-scale diversified farmers. We learn more about Oya Organic Farm’s marketing journey in this episode!

In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Chris Holcomb from Russian River Lavender, a 33 acre farm based in Sebastopol, CA. At Russian River Lavender, they grow approximately 5 acres of organic lavender, primarily for Traditional Medicinals, an organic tea company. Russian River Lavender was recently certified organic by CCOF. Brandon recently connected with Chris inside of a restored Airstream trailer overlooking the old apple orchard on their farm. In this episode, Brandon talks with Chris about their organic certification process, their relationship with Traditional Medicinals, how they use sheep in their operation for rotational grazing and organic weed management, and how he ended up growing lavender.

In this episode, host Brandon Wickes talks with Alex Cummings from Seas Greens Farm, a small urban farm located in Vista, CA.  Alex started the farm along with his wife Dana in 2018.  At Seas Greens Farm, they grow a variety of microgreens products and sell them at local farmers markets and fine dining restaurants in the greater San Diego area. Seas Greens Farm was recently certified organic by Oregon Tilth. In this episode, Brandon talks with Alex about their organic certification process, their marketing strategies, and some of their growing practices. 

In this episode of The Farmer’s Beet Podcast, host Gisele Herren sits down with Ed Sills of Pleasant Grove Farms, a third-generation, family-owned certified organic grain and bean farm in the Sacramento Valley. Ed was one of the first grain farmers in California to transition to organic production, planting his first organic popcorn crop in 1985. The conversation covers the crop rotations that…

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In this episode we continue the conversation on the impact of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Linden, California. You’ll hear from the father and son duos of Colombini Ranch and Chinchiolo Farming Company about the impact BIOS had on the different generations of their farm, and why they continue to follow BIOS practices like cover cropping and integrated pest management.

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The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project has brought together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. In this episode we head down to the Northern San Joaquin region to interview early BIOS collaborating growers, Chris and Christy Locke, and PCA, Jeannine Lowrimore…

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In this episode we travel to Southern California to meet with Samuel Guitron of Gospel Swamp Farm in Santa Ana and Johnny Wilson from The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano to talk all about Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, in urban farms. You’ll also hear about how soil health is monitored using potatoes at Gospel Swamp Farm, how wheat and rice bran are being used to manage soil-borne…

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