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Wanna be a flower farmer?
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA Farm to Vase. Slow Flowers. Floral Foraging. Handcrafted Heirlooms. Seasonal Blooms. The 50 Mile Bouquet. Sound sort of familiar? All the groundbreaking trends that powered the local food movement are now doing the same for local flowers. Is it a good time to get...
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Use Your Natural Advantage
A big benefit of backyard farming is that you can make the same level of income as traditional farmers, but eliminate their expensive and sometimes environmentally harmful practices. Take pest management. A lot of the concern about the safety and quality of our food is because of pesticides. Backyard Riches...
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Do You Ever Get Too Old For Backyard Farming?
Courtesy of Wally S., Wally’s Urban Market Garden, Saskatoon SK Over the 10 years I’ve been doing SPIN-Farming workshops this question comes up at just about every one. SPIN-Farming is certainly more labor intensive than riding around on a tractor all day. And I know I’m not getting any younger,...
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Create Your Own Supply Chain
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA It took several generations to dismantle local food supply chains but SPIN farmers like Mary Ackley, owner/operator of Little Wild Things City Farm in the heart of DC, are rebuilding it pretty quickly, without Trump-size infrastructure investment or government policy changes. All she’s using...
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Farming in Plain Sight
Courtesy of Roxanne C.,Philadelphia PA The beauty of SPIN-Farming is that it can use spaces that are not suitable for traditional farming. Any remnant of land that measures at least 1,000 sq. ft. can contribute enough production and revenue to be worth a farmer’s time. So when you put on...
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Stand and Plant
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia PA Backyard farmers have a unique set of fitness gear. It's designed to make their workouts easier to do, not harder. Like this tool here. It's the Stand and Plant planter. It was invented by a Tennessee farmer who specializes in sweet potatoes. He grows...
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RX for Keeping Your Business Healthy
Courtesy of Roxanne C., Philadelphia, PA Whatever else the ever-expanding ecosystem of food activists, advocates, bloggers, media celebrities and nonprofits has accomplished, it has convinced consumers that the big food companies can’t be trusted to be honest about how they make food, and what’s in it. Ketchum, the big public...
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10 Characteristics of Successful Backyard Farmers
Courtesy of Roxanne C.,Philadelphia PA We get asked all the time, “Who is the typical backyard farmer?” The question comes from those who want to make money growing food in their yard or neighborhood lot, but have doubts about whether they have what it takes to succeed. It’s their round-about...
