The Hello Farmlife Podcast: Recent Episodes
Cavaleiro Farm
The Hello Farmlife Podcast is the show where you learn how to live the farm life and build a self-sufficient, profitable farm. Hosted by Antonio Gomes and Janice Ho from Cavaleiro Farm in Schomberg, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
In the final episode of The Hello Farmlife Podcast season one, Janice and Antonio talk about the always-timely topic on inheriting a farm. We discuss the challenges that come with inheriting a farm property as well as the goals and motivations that make heirs see the value of their inheritance.
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode as well as the rest of the first season of The Hello Farmlife Podcast. Help us reach more people who want to learn more about how to do farm life better!
Timestamps:
00:24: This is our last episode for the season: How’s the journey been?
01:02: Introducing the main topic for the last episode: inheriting a farm
01:48: Why are there so many people inheriting farms and what are the challenges that come with it
03:30: The skyrocketing land crisis
04:15: How should people decide on what to do with inherited farmland
04:51: Goals and motivations that make people see the value of having a farmland
07:43: On resilience and self-sufficiency
09:50: On knowing what type of farm you have
11:03: On building a community and systems
12:23: On what infrastructure is available
12:53: On helping the environment and combating climate change
16:02: Looking back to Cavaleiro Farm’s story
16:40: The opportunities for innovations
18:40: Inherited farm as an investment
20:27: Good farmland vs. shitty farmland
21:39: The farm is not just the land - it’s a whole system
22:19: The big takeaway
23:14: We’re passionate about helping people through farm property decisions
23:35: How to get in touch with Antonio for farming advice
24:05: Leave us a review and rate The Hello Farmlife Podcast - see you in season two!
Summary
This episode is an insightful conversation with one of our closest farmers, Sarah Dolomore from Mount Wolfe Farm. In this episode, Sarah shares her journey in transitioning to the farmlife by inheriting a family farm property and making it progress. She also shares some tips for starting a farm business and for creating an effective farm community. Moreover, Sarah discusses the programs and methods Mount Wolfe Farm applies to make their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) a success.
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Connect with Mount Wolfe Farm on:
- Instagram: @mount.wolfe.farm
- Facebook: @mountwolfefarm
- Twitter: @MountWolfeFarm
- Website: https://mountwolfefarm.ca/
- Online store: https://www.localline.ca/mount-wolfe-farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
00:24: Introducing our closest vegetable farmer Sarah Dolomore (Mount Wolfe Farm)
02:38: Sarah shares background and history about their family farm property
04:32: Seeing an opportunity to create a possibility for the family farm’s ‘rebirth’
05:15: When Sarah started getting into farming and moving back home
06:00: The opportunity of access to land through family inheritance is an advantage
06:59: Mount Wolfe Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business story
09:18: Developing several options for CSA members such as the Point System
12:00: Considering customers’ needs and providing people a good experience
13:06: Eating vegetables, grocery dollars, the economy, and ecological integrity
13:40: Things that helped Mounte Wolfe Farm be progressive and profitable
15:45: What happened when COVID-19 hit
16:23 Sarah’s advice for farmers starting a business:look for opportunities that your land based provide in terms of how you can diversify your income streams
17:06: The family and team behind Mount Wolfe Farm
19:30: A farm is not just a place to buy produce, it’s also a place for relationship building with people and nature
23:02: Mount Wolfe Farm’s Work Share Program as affordable, interactive, and inclusive option for CSA members
26:22: Insights from community members: people want to feel involved in something bigger than themselves
27:45: The novel opportunity of having people from very diverse backgrounds get together and relate with each other
28:50: To be an effective farm manager: invest in people and communication skills
29:59: People’s perception of producing and consuming local food
31:42: Eco-anxiety, access to food, and self-sufficiency
34:05: Farmlife is not all rainbows
34:40: Transitioning to farmlife: how farmers can move forward and take advantage of opportunities
36:25: What a farm’ community members value: it’s more than just the vegetables, it’s the experiential element
39:20: Summarizing lessons and insights from Sarah
40:05: Sarah acknowledges all the people who made Mount Wolfe Farm possible
41:33: How to connect with Mount Wolfe Farm
Summary
In this episode, our guests Jacqueline and Noel from the Toronto Black Farmers Collective share about their food and farming journeys. They discuss their experiences growing up in Jamaica to observing the differences in food quality, accessibility, and culture in Toronto. They also share why they got into growing food for their local communities, and provide some insights and tips for how they’ve engaged people to become more connected with their food.
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Connect with Jacqueline/Noel and the Toronto Black Farmers Collective on:
- Website:https://www.torontoblackfarmers.ca/
- Email: blackfarmersto@gmail.com
- Phone: (416) 457-3403
- Farm address: Downsview Parc, 70 Canuck Ave., North York, Ontario (middle greenhouse, enter from the field) (Keele St. & Sheppard Ave. W.)
- Instagram: @torontoblackfarmers
- Facebook: @blackfarmerscollectivetoronto
Timestamps:
0:35: Painting the picture at Jacqueline and Noel’s farm in the city (Toronto)
1:50: Jacqueline’s farming experience growing up in Jamaica – sharing food with neighbours, eating in-season food, etc.
5:40: Differences in the food culture and availability that Jacqueline observed when coming to Canada
7:07: Noel’s farming experience growing up in Jamaica – abundance of food, village bartering aspect, no one went hungry
10:40: Noel’s experience eating food when coming to Canada and understanding the importance of food security
12:40: Jacqueline and Noel’s motivation for growing their own food and food for local communities
14:35: Their challenges accessing farmable land
15:45: What they grow!
17:50: The TFBC’s community food model, which includes gardening but also creating diverse products; building collaborative partnerships with other farmers; and food programming with community leaders
20:16: How COVID has changed the food shopping and eating culture for people – and the need for good, diverse food in Toronto
22:56: The TBFC’s recent partnership with the Black Community Consultative Committee from the Toronto Police Services and other community partners and leaders to distribute 185 food boxes to communities in need
24:42: Jacqueline and Noel’s experience searching for farmland
27:52: Their advice for doing a community food business successfully, including providing education to “animate” food
32:44: How the TBFC has gotten young kids (and adults) to love eating fresh, local veggies!
37:58: Jacqueline’s advice to all eaters: “Know your source” (including visiting farms)
40:57: Final words from Jacqueline and Noel (send your farmer a note of “thanks,” governments need to make land more accessible to farmers, etc.)
45:10: The importance of breaking down oppressive barriers so everyone can eat well
46:59: How you can connect with Jacqueline/Noel and the Toronto Black Farmers Collective
Summary
In this episode, Antonio and Janice talk about what community farming is and why it’s ideal to build a community at a farm. They also share some tips on how to create a farm community and discuss how building good relationships brings value to the farm by having members share their skills and expertise.
Resources:
Learn how to be part and get involved in our community at Cavaleiro Farm: http://cavaleiro.farm/get-involved
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
00:36: Farming alone is like swimming against the tide
02:05: Community farming and civilization
03:33: The current deterioration of rural communities and its consequences
08:07: How to cultivate a community at the farm
11:20: There’s different levels of communities – and it’s more than just the people
16:44: Reading nature, adapting with natural communities
20:36: Ways that members of a farm’s community bring value to the farm
23:41: Relationship-building plays a role in building the community
27:27: Other strategies Antonio used to create a community at Cavaleiro Farm
30:06: The formalized community farming system we use on our farm
35:46: How landowners can engage community members to help with doing farmwork and support their farm goals
39:20: The big problem of farmers accessing farmland: How can landowners help?
42:12: How do we actually get it done? Walk and talk.
43:41: Communities in the city versus rural communities
46:20: You don’t wanna burn bridges – make good with the people and build a relationship
46:55: So what do you get out of having a community? What are the benefits?
49:11: How to connect with us
Summary
In this episode, our guest Ivan Wadgymar (Maizal) shares his insights and experiences on the other side of farming: eating and the restaurant industry. He talks about how the pandemic has affected his own food business and what he sees as the role of restaurants in food security. Antonio and Janice also share how Cavaleiro Farm’s relationship with Ivan and his restaurant has impacted the farm and created a beneficial circular economy.
Resources:
- This Mexican Restaurant In Toronto Is Leading The Way For Zero Food Waste (Narcity)
- This might be Toronto’s first zero waste restaurant (BlogTO)
- People just like you are stewarding zero waste meals from seed to table (David Suzuki Foundation)
- 2021 Nourish Trend Report (Nourish Network)
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Connect with Ivan Wadgymar and Maizal on:
- Instagram: @maizalto
- Facebook: @maizalTO
- Website: www.maizal.ca
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
2:12: Ivan shares: What’s the current vibe in the city (Toronto)?
3:10: What motivated Ivan to start Maizal, a restaurant in Toronto serving authentic Mexican cuisine (later named Libertad)
4:45: How market and demand shaped Ivan’s next venture: a tortilleria (Maizal) producing handmade tortillas made from farm-grown corn
6:17: How the pandemic has impacted Ivan’s restaurant
8:03: How Ivan works with Cavaleiro Farm and other farms to support his business
13:35: Why Ivan started his Zero Food Waste initiative with our farm (which has been recognized in the press and by the City of Toronto)
17:47: How food waste has positively contributed to our farm and farm animals
19:52: Current customer trends Ivan is seeing in the city in terms of local food, sustainability, and culturally appropriate food
21:47: What Ivan thinks works in terms of food businesses successfully connecting with their customers
24:13: The key thing Ivan thinks people need to know about food (and his intriguing perspective on restaurants being a luxury, not a necessity)
25:59: How COVID has actually helped people reconnect with their food more
26:47: “Restaurants don’t fit into food security”: Ivan and Antonio’s differing perspectives on the role of restaurants in our food system
30:05: Ivan’s future projections on the role of restaurants and how eaters access food, given the pandemic
33:28: Why it’s been important for Ivan to connect to farms and food systems outside of Canada
37:00: Why Antonio has found interacting with farmers from different cultures to be a perspective-shifting and rewarding experience (and how Ivan has helped to bridge that gap)
39:48: What Ivan sees as the opportunity in urban businesses connecting with peri-urban farms or farmland
41:30: How you can connect with Ivan and Maizal
In this episode, Antonio and Janice discuss why being able to observe and read nature are essential skills for landowners and farmers, and the challenges that come up when we don’t learn how to work in harmony with nature. They also share some strategies for how people can improve their nature-observing skills to increase productivity and efficiency on their farms, and examples of nature patterns to watch out for and what they mean.
Resources:
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
1:06: What does “reading nature” actually mean?
1:45: Why is reading nature so critical for anyone wanting to get into the farmlife and have self-sufficiency?
3:32: What are the obstacles we have to learning how to read nature?
6:36: Common pitfalls that result when landowners and farmers don’t know how to work with nature (or actually try to work against it)
10:11: Positive outcomes and life lessons learned being in harmony with nature (“What would nature do?”)
15:13: Strategies for how landowners and farmers can improve their skills in observing nature to increase productivity and efficiency on their farm
24:30: Examples of nature patterns you can observe, and what they mean
34:22: How you can connect with us
Summary
In this episode, our guest Angie Koch (Fertile Ground Farm, London, Ontario) talks about how she managed to get onto someone else’s farmland as a new farmer, and has since grown a profitable farm and market garden by building community, doing effective marketing, and helping people make stronger connections with their food. Whether you’re an aspiring farmer or someone who’s been in the game for a few years, you’re sure to gain a ton of insights and inspiration from Angie’s interview!
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Connect with Angie Koch and Fertile Ground Farm on:
- Facebook: @FertileGroundCSA
- Website: https://www.fertilegroundcsa.com/
Timestamps:
1:55: Introducing Angie Koch from Fertile Ground Farm – and the sights and sounds on her farm
4:17: Angie’s life before farming: a blend of community development and urban agriculture work (and how she “found therapy” in the garden)
6:59: How Angie’s past, seemingly unrelated work experiences have helped her in the farmlife
8:47: Why Angie fell in love with farming and kept doing it (even though she started with the belief that she didn’t want to farm)
11:40: Factors contributing to our current problem of not attracting and retaining enough people into the farming profession
14:07: How solving the problem can be helped by people becoming more connected to their food and addressing the need for affordable farmland that is close to markets
16:25: Angie’s experience renting farmland versus buying – why and how she did it
22:45: Why starting a CSA was both brilliant and stressful as a new farmer
24:37: Tips for new farmers on how to begin growing and selling veggies
26:10: Challenges with vegetable farming, and the importance of asking for help from community
29:25: How Angie has used social media (and other marketing channels) to get community help on her farm (great tips for workday events!)
32:48: Why keeping it real on social media about the hard side of farmlife can be effective
34:51: How Angie uses storytelling to create a stronger connection between people and their food
37:14: What Angie does to help kids create stronger connections with their food
39:04: What keeps Angie wanting to farm after 13 years
41:08: Benefits of developing more landowner-new farmer relationships
45:50: Angie’s answer to the question she always gets: “What is one of the most important skills a farmer needs?”
48:30: How you can connect with Angie and her farm
In this episode, Antonio and Janice talk about why marketing is so critical for farms these days, and bust 3 common myths that keep farmers and other entrepreneurs from doing this essential business activity. They also offer 3 foundational tips for marketing beginners to get started on their marketing journey, and share the steps they took to successfully market their farm’s vegetable box program.
Resources: Learn more about how we help other farmers and food business owners build their own marketing campaigns to promote their products and services: http://cavaleiro.farm/services
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
1:01: The agenda for today’s episode
1:40: “I hated it” – How Antonio used to feel about marketing and why he now sees it as essential for his farm business
4:37: Janice’s love-hate relationship with social media and marketing and ultimately discovering that EVERYONE needs marketing
6:34: Why it’s so important for farms (especially new farmers) to do marketing
8:07: What direct marketing can look like for farms: wholesale to local restaurants, direct to customers (e.g., CSA program), farmers markets
9:27: How social media and having a website can help farmers gain more customers
10:21: Marketing myth #1: My product is so great that people are bound to find it and buy it. And the reality check …
14:13: Marketing myth #2: Marketing doesn’t seem to be very scientific or logical – it’s artsy and about nice packaging. And the reality check …
15:47: Marketing myth #3: There’s so many other important things I need to do to farm – the marketing can wait until later. And the reality check …
18:08: Where do farmers who don’t know anything about marketing begin? Tip #1: Look at who’s doing what, and what’s already working (i.e., start with the customers’ needs).
20:13: Tip #2: Build an ongoing relationship with your customers (i.e., send free, engaging content your audience wants to build trust).
22:15: Tip #3: Use storytelling to differentiate yourself from other farms (and also get YOUR ideal customers).
25:43: Example of marketing a food business: How we promoted our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program our first season
26:25: Step #1: Talk to people and learn their language.
29:10: Step #2: Create your marketing materials (e.g., website, videos, flyers) using tried-and-true marketing templates and processes.
32:52: Step #3: Communicate to your customers through the right marketing channels (e.g. mom groups, Facebook ads).
35:24: Getting feedback from customers can give you useful data for the next season.
36:05: Other things farmers can market and sell – and the challenges and huge opportunities of marketing your product or service online
40:05: How you can connect with us!
Summary
In this episode, our guest Lara Mrosovsky (a.k.a. “The Queen of Balcony Gardening”) (Miinikaan) shares tips and tricks for how to grow fresh food on your balcony in the city. She also shares some of the common reasons why people have been more and more interested in growing their own food, plus some great benefits of gardening at home (like gardening therapy!).
Register for Lara’s free webinar, HOW TO BALCONY GARDEN and Eat Fresh Every Day, to learn even more essential tips for how to grow an abundant, tasty harvest in your tiny space. "It's easier than you think!" The webinar goes live Thursday, April 8, 2021 (7 PM EST). Grab your spot here!: https://www.miinikaan.com/webinar
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Connect with Lara Mrosovsky and Miinikaan on:
- Instagram: @miinikaan
- Facebook: @miinikaan
- Website: https://www.miinikaan.com/
Timestamps:
0:45: Introducing Lara’s upcoming free webinar: How to Balcony Garden and Eat Fresh Everyday webinar. Register here to learn Lara's top secrets for how to successfully grow a fresh harvest at home!
2:59: Introducing Lara Mrosovsky, the "Queen of Balcony Gardening," and her business Miniikaan
4:15: Lara’s experience shifting from teaching in-person to online due to the pandemic
5:55: The pros of teaching her first balcony gardening course online last year
6:38: How one of Lara’s participants went from no gardening skills to successfully growing fresh food on her tiny balcony
8:41: Common reasons people want to grow their own food at home (including how the pandemic inspired a lot of folks to think about food and grocery stores differently)
10:20: Lara’s personal motivations for growing her own food, especially in the city
12:02: Lara’s top 3 tips for beginner gardeners
14:30: Bonus tip: What to do if a plant dies...or you make a mistake in gardening...
15:50: Farmer Antonio’s top 3 tips for beginner gardeners
18:20: Bonus tip: What to learn from more experienced gardeners
20:17: Bigger-picture reasons for why people should participate in local food (hint: growing our own food can actually impact the environment)
23:35: Gardening therapy! Plant healing! How growing your own food boosts your mood and brain performance
24:49: How to approach turning your empty balcony into an abundant garden: “It’s easier than you think!”
27:30: What kind of tasty vegetables and herbs are in Lara’s beautiful balcony garden
29:34: Lara’s warning about when to harvest (before the squirrels get at your food first!)
30:49: How gardening in the city can help people bridge the gap between city and farm life
33:27: How building relationships with gardeners and former farmers in the city can teach you how to interact with plants and cultivate your food culture
34:09: The fun of learning different ways to eat the foods you grow
37:20: Wise words: “The hardest thing to grow is your attitude”
38:22: Sign up for Lara’s FREE upcoming webinar (April 8, 2021) to get inspired and excited about starting your own balcony garden! Grab your spot here: https://www.miinikaan.com/webinar
39:43: How to connect with Lara on social media
Summary
In this episode, Antonio and Janice discuss some of the ins and outs of buying a farm, including the different ways people can use farmland (no, you don’t have to become a farmer) and what to look out for when visiting farms for sale. They also explain why farmland is such a good investment, and how some farms may bring you more value than others.
Resources:
Get our FREE Buying Farmland Checklist here so you know what to look out for when visiting farmland for sale.
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
1:45: The agenda for this episode
2:26: Antonio’s experience of not having the capital to buy a farm, and why his family resisted helping him at first
4:42: What motivated his family to change their mind about buying farmland (including the financial gains)
7:41: Why folks from other countries know not to give up farmland
8:48: Weighing the options for buying land: Cottage or farm?
11:58: Want a farm, but don’t want to become a full-time farmer? The pros of buying farmland to become a homesteader
17:10: Why it’s so much work to start building a farm on “virgin land”
18:23: The benefits of buying farmland that’s already been lived on for many years
20:06: Cavaleiro Farm helps folks who are looking to buy farmland. The number one thing we do with clients to start off their search in the right way.
22:03: Good questions to ask when visiting farmland for sale
23:45: Common problems that happen when someone buys the wrong kind of farm
26:18: Antonio’s story: An example of how to buy the right farm
29:24: How to “walk the land” (things to look out for) when visiting farmland for sale
33:34: Get our free Buying Farmland Checklist here
34:34: What to look for in a farm if you’re looking for self-sufficiency and sustainability
35:37: How to get your family’s buy-in when trying to move to farmland (and why it’s critical)
38:27: How your kids can help with the buying farmland process
Summary
In this episode, our guest Chris Krucker (Manorun Farm, Lynden, Ontario) talks about his experiences farming alongside his wife Denise and four kids over the last 25 years. He shares the well thought-out plan for how he and Denise weaned their kids onto farm work (and ensured they wouldn’t hate it), and how all four kids now play a role in running the farm business. Chris also discusses his journey moving to farmland, building a farm slowly, farming full-time, and now handing off the farm to his kids.
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Connect with Chris Krucker and Manorun Farm on:
- Instagram: @manorunorganicfarm
- Facebook: @manorunorganicfarm
- Website: https://www.manorun.com/
Timestamps:
0:20: What impressed Antonio and Janice about their conversation with Chris
1:15: How you can connect with us
2:06: Painting the picture: the sights and sounds at Chris’ farm
3:02: Introducing Chris and Manorun Farm
3:41: What Chris did before farming (probably not what you’d expect)
4:27: What inspired Chris to jump from his first career to farm life
5:19: Getting on the same page about farming with his spouse Denise
7:39: Slowly building from no farming experience to working full-time on the farm
8:27: Chris’ experience starting farm life with young children
9:57: What shape Chris’ farm was in when he first got it
10:48: Growing from a 5- to 150-member CSA
11:16: Reality check: How having wealth can allow you to grow your farm slowly (or farm at all)
13:08: Keeping strict hours for work and play when running the farm business with family
14:44: The meaningful “other” things that Chris gains from farm life in trading off making money
16:28: The flexible approach Chris took to involving his kids on the farm
18:07: Chris’ structured “program” for weaning his kids onto farm work
20:45: “Farms are a great place to break relationships and give kids a very negative farm experience” – how Chris created a different story for his family
22:15: The importance of giving his kids rich learning experiences
22:49: Why Chris’ kids kept coming back to work on the farm every year after they turned 18
24:09: Formalizing the kids’ involvement in the farm business + each of the kid’s roles on the farm
26:58: Next-level talks: How to go from being a seasonal-income farm to making money year round
27:24: Transitioning the farm business from “the older farm couple” to their children taking the reins
29:02: The challenge of dividing up the wealth of a farm among the kids
31:29: How Chris and Denise collaborate as partners (with different approaches) in running the farm
33:05: Why Chris sees other farm kids never wanting to farm again
34:06: Chris’ sage advice: Key questions that anyone wanting to move to a farm needs to ask themselves
36:26: The challenge of paying for life’s expenses and incurring debt through farming
37:49: Big expenses that new farmers may have to shoulder when starting a farm (Chris gives dollar figures)
39:13: The pros of moving away from the farm internship model
40:49: Piggyback farming: the benefits of landowners inviting new farmers to grow on and animate their land
43:50: Considering a fair contract for piggyback farmers
45:09: Chris’ must-read educational resources and books for anyone wanting to farm
46:49: How to connect with Chris on his website and social media channels
Summary
In this episode, Antonio and Janice break down why it’s so tough for farmers nowadays to make money from farming. They share 8 big reasons why farmers are still attracted to the farm life anyway, including their own personal stories explaining why they wouldn’t trade it in for anything. They also discuss the very real challenges new farmers currently face in trying to make their farm dream a reality and how we can solve this problem.
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
0:50: The agenda for this episode
1:56: Overview: why people dream of living the farm life
3:09: It’s not just older farmers wanting to live the farm life: who else is moving to farms these days
4:25: The big knowledge gap and loss between older and newer farmers
5:40: Our list of 8 reasons for why farmers keep farming despite its challenges
5:40: Reason #1: Cash out or farm for life?
6:56: Reason #2: How farming keeps you in physical and mental balance
7:49: How Antonio’s mindset had to change moving from the city to farm life
8:53: Learning the lesson of acceptance through working on the farm and with nature
10:02: How Antonio has gained more mastery over his body through farming
11:33: Reason #3: Artificial versus natural ways of being
14:38: Reason #4: Farmers are entrepreneurs – how that {helps} farmers design the work/lifestyle they want and not let age (or anything else) become a limitation to continue farming
17:33: Reason #5: The hustle versus the simple life
18:48: Let’s be real: sometimes farming is the hustle + how that changes over time
19:59: What Janice’s work break looks like after too much time on the computer
21:43: How Janice’s experience eating food has changed from her office cubicle to the farm
22:28: Reason #6: Variety is the spice of farm life
23:39: The different business ventures Antonio has tried on his farm over 6 years that have kept things interesting
25:25: Various ways that farmers provide value and make money outside of farming full-time
27:24: Reason #7: Possibly the most obvious reason why farmers live the farm life
28:45: Reason #8: The bigger picture of why many of us farm
29:30: How Antonio uses food to build relationships with people in his community who support his farm in turn
31:38: We don’t just grow on our farm: how Antonio and Janice work with other landowners and farmers to build better farms
32:54: Win-win: how landowners can help new farmers access the farm life while making their land better
36:45: How you can connect with us
Summary
In this episode, Antonio and Janice introduce themselves and The Hello Farm Life Podcast. Antonio shares about his experience working in the city and how he went from being an engineer building race cars and robotics for brain surgery to growing his own food and finally getting onto farmland. Janice shares about the life-changing events that took her from living in downtown Toronto and doing research in the criminal justice field to moving to the farm and becoming a freelancer. (You can read all about her farm adventures on her Nature Immersed blog!) Antonio and Janice share about the work they now do together along with their company team and community of farm members. They also give a sneak peek of what’s to come in Season 1 of The Hello Farm Life Podcast!
Connect with us on:
- Instagram: @cavaleirofarm
- Facebook: @cavaleirofarm
- Website (Cavaleiro Farm): http://cavaleiro.farm/
- Website (Urban Crops): https://urbancrops.ca/
- Email: antonio@cavaleiro.farm
Please subscribe + leave the podcast a review and 5-star rating if you’re enjoying the show. It’ll help others who want to learn more about how to do farm life better find the podcast!
Timestamps:
1:03: Painting the picture: Welcome to our farm!
3:30: The agenda for this episode
4:05: Introducing Antonio Gomes: Antonio’s life and work in the city + wanting to live a life with more purpose
6:21: His family’s history with farming (and how they didn’t want to farm anymore)
8:25: The conversation Antonio overheard in Portugal that changed his whole perspective on how he was living his life in the city
10:15: How the pandemic has impacted people’s fears around food
11:50: How Antonio started the journey of growing his own food
14:00: Why Antonio realized that growing food in his city loft was Plan B (and that Plan A was getting onto his own farm)
17:00: Antonio’s dream and challenges of getting onto farmland
18:49: The story of how Antonio mom’s schooled him when they visited a farm together
20:26: How Antonio’s farm has grown over the years + what we do on the farm
24:40: Introducing Janice Ho: Her life growing up in downtown Toronto + falling in love with nature through backcountry camping
26:08: Janice’s dream to live more of her life in nature and travel, but not knowing how to do it.
26:55: Her ups and downs of her first career + not being happy working to live
28:04: Two big life changes that happened for Janice in 2015 that set her on a new path
29:14: How Janice got connected with Cavaleiro Farm + falling in love with the farm life
30:30: Leaving her career and the city to move to the farm
32:32: Janice’s travels + her return to live on the farm during the pandemic
34:25: Janice’s freelance practice + how she works with Antonio and the farm
35:08: Cavaleiro Farm as a place for community and self-development
37:06: Shouting out the farm team – we don’t do this alone! (Also, how old Antonio and Janice are.)
41:59: The community of farm members Antonio has built – and how you just can’t farm alone.
44:00: Why the Hello Farm Life Podcast? And who is it for?
47:12: Topics we’ll be covering on the podcast this season
49:42: How you can connect with us