This is a continuation of the last post which I shared some informative YouTube channels in relation to farming and gardening. As I was sharing , I realized my list was pretty long! So I decided to split it up into 2 parts. And I will also share more as I discover new people doing cool things in the garden. .
I would be doing an injustice to this list if I did not mention JM Fortier, who wrote a book The Market Gardener, which I reference on the reg. He has taken many of the tips a la Eliot Coleman and run with them. He operates a farm in Quebec called Le Jardins de la Grelinette (doesn't it just sound beautiful? It actually translates to "Broadfork Farm") with his wife Maude-Helene. He has also started a program called the Masterclass, in which all his secrets of market garden success are revealed in step-by-step instruction with beautiful video. I hope to enroll for the next session in April..we will see!
I am often outside and think "hmm, wonder what is the best way to go about doing this thing?" Many times I look to MIGardener for tips. From what I can tell, he has a backyard garden with mostly raised beds. He has some really to-the-point helpful garden info and I have used many of his techniques a number of times.
I found a lot of gardening, and just all around useful homesteading information from Marjory Wildcraft. She has a huge network of friends who are well-known in their respectful industries and she hosts an online summit each year that I make a point to be a part of. Her YouTube channel Backyard Food has great short videos too.
Another one to mention is Rough Draft Farmstead. They have a Podcast called the No-Till Market Garden Podcast. (ooh, just sparked another idea for a later post!) and have just started a series for beginning farmers and gardeners. Jesse is one of those people I feel like I am already friends with though we have never met.
I could go on for a few more posts I am pretty sure, but I think I have covered most of my favs.
Till next week!
Or should I say, No-till next week? I should share that with my friend Farmer Jesse, he could use it for his podcast. Everyone needs a catchphrase, right?
Monday, February 18, 2019
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
With a little help from my (online) friends
Currently, I am looking down at the floor of my office at hundreds of seed packets. They will be eventually be put in their newly labeled, enveloped homes before they end up tucked in the ground. This task I find arduous and fulfilling at the same time, but instead of completing the thing at the top of my to-do list, I am instead immersed in a world where the answers I seek are right at my screen. That is right friends, I am talking about YouTube.
This time of year I find I am scrambling around for a plan, grasping what memories I have of last season (see: last post about keeping a farm journal :/) and coming up with new ways to improve upon what I have already done. And that is where the old Tube comes in.
Honestly, how did anyone do anything before this? They just like, figured out how to do a fishtail braid, or to unclog a bathroom sink, or put up a caterpillar tunnel themselves?*
.
While I love to read and have (too) many books on my shelves that would probably answer many of my most urgent farm questions, most of the time I have my phone in my hand and I use Mr. Googlepants** to find the answer for me. Which most often leads to a selection of videos posted about the very specific thing I am looking for.
Before this farm, I had no previous experience growing anything (see:NONE). So I have utilized a lot of Google to help me figure out how to come up with ways to do things. Everything from planting dates to installing irrigation to the best ways to use mulch. I have found many ways to do things, and also what hasn't worked.
So I have narrowed my searching to a few key leaders in the field (no pun intended!) that I really respect and learn so much from. I am in awe of those who not only have figured out a formula for what works on their farm, but they also have the where-with-all to share it with the world in a professional format. Many of these guys just carry a GoPro around with them, and the result is nothing short of fun and easy to watch.
Here is my shortlist of people, in no particular order, where I look first for The Answers:
Justin Rhodes was the first I started watching, after a friend introduced his work to me. Some of the videos he posts are a little longer and tend to include his family, which makes for some very sweet camera moments. Last year they remodeled an old school bus and traveled across the country, visiting farms in every state. Check out The Great American Farm Tour on YouTube or the documentary.
The next one I found just recently and I was instantly a fan. This video was what introduced me, and then found his website and here it will stay in my tabs for what I am sure will be a long time. John Suscovich offers real-life advice on everything from how to get chores done efficiently to how to best market your farm to how to keep the farm's finances in order.
The next I found just recently as well, although I get the feeling this guy has been in the game for a long time. After watching this video, I bought the tools he developed with the great Eliot Coleman for Johnny's Seeds. Conor Clickmore is a pioneer in his field, and his neat, weed-free crops are the stuff of farmers' dreams.
Curtis Stone has a ton of educational content on his site Urban Farmer. He also has a book of the same name which is on my list to buy. His videos are also a treat to watch. He visits farms all over the country as well and shows different techniques they use.
I have decided to make this a multi-part post, because there are so many I want to share! I think it is so important to learn from what others have done , and then take that knowledge and do what works for you. Farming can be one overwhelming, frustrating, teeth-grinding, tool-throwing endeavor (the latter, so I have heard..). It can also be rather isolating at times. You feel like you are the only one out there trying to achieve a productive farm. I am fortunate I have pigs and also the neighbor's sheep to talk to out in the field, and while they make pretty good buddies they are not much for conversation. But for real, it is important to find a network and some camaraderie in farming. I suggest finding a group locally, such as a Meetup, but you can always find like-minded friends out there in the world in the palm of our dirty callused hands. :)
*Yes, I have searched and subsequently learned how to do all of these things, thanks for asking.
**Term credited to Justin Rhodes
This time of year I find I am scrambling around for a plan, grasping what memories I have of last season (see: last post about keeping a farm journal :/) and coming up with new ways to improve upon what I have already done. And that is where the old Tube comes in.
Honestly, how did anyone do anything before this? They just like, figured out how to do a fishtail braid, or to unclog a bathroom sink, or put up a caterpillar tunnel themselves?*
.
While I love to read and have (too) many books on my shelves that would probably answer many of my most urgent farm questions, most of the time I have my phone in my hand and I use Mr. Googlepants** to find the answer for me. Which most often leads to a selection of videos posted about the very specific thing I am looking for.
Before this farm, I had no previous experience growing anything (see:NONE). So I have utilized a lot of Google to help me figure out how to come up with ways to do things. Everything from planting dates to installing irrigation to the best ways to use mulch. I have found many ways to do things, and also what hasn't worked.
So I have narrowed my searching to a few key leaders in the field (no pun intended!) that I really respect and learn so much from. I am in awe of those who not only have figured out a formula for what works on their farm, but they also have the where-with-all to share it with the world in a professional format. Many of these guys just carry a GoPro around with them, and the result is nothing short of fun and easy to watch.
Here is my shortlist of people, in no particular order, where I look first for The Answers:
Justin Rhodes was the first I started watching, after a friend introduced his work to me. Some of the videos he posts are a little longer and tend to include his family, which makes for some very sweet camera moments. Last year they remodeled an old school bus and traveled across the country, visiting farms in every state. Check out The Great American Farm Tour on YouTube or the documentary.
The next one I found just recently and I was instantly a fan. This video was what introduced me, and then found his website and here it will stay in my tabs for what I am sure will be a long time. John Suscovich offers real-life advice on everything from how to get chores done efficiently to how to best market your farm to how to keep the farm's finances in order.
The next I found just recently as well, although I get the feeling this guy has been in the game for a long time. After watching this video, I bought the tools he developed with the great Eliot Coleman for Johnny's Seeds. Conor Clickmore is a pioneer in his field, and his neat, weed-free crops are the stuff of farmers' dreams.
Curtis Stone has a ton of educational content on his site Urban Farmer. He also has a book of the same name which is on my list to buy. His videos are also a treat to watch. He visits farms all over the country as well and shows different techniques they use.
I have decided to make this a multi-part post, because there are so many I want to share! I think it is so important to learn from what others have done , and then take that knowledge and do what works for you. Farming can be one overwhelming, frustrating, teeth-grinding, tool-throwing endeavor (the latter, so I have heard..). It can also be rather isolating at times. You feel like you are the only one out there trying to achieve a productive farm. I am fortunate I have pigs and also the neighbor's sheep to talk to out in the field, and while they make pretty good buddies they are not much for conversation. But for real, it is important to find a network and some camaraderie in farming. I suggest finding a group locally, such as a Meetup, but you can always find like-minded friends out there in the world in the palm of our dirty callused hands. :)
*Yes, I have searched and subsequently learned how to do all of these things, thanks for asking.
**Term credited to Justin Rhodes
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