Small Farm Nation: Farming | Marketing | Homesteading

Small businesses routinely fail in every industry segment, but what   causes small farms to fail? In this episode I share 7 reasons why small farms fail, so you learn what not to do so that your farm thrives. I'll walk you through seven reasons why small farms fail.

The phrase hobby farm is cute and all, but what’s the difference between a hobby farm and a farming business? In this episode, I’m going to tell you why you might have a farm hobby that costs you money rather than a thriving farm business that earns you money.

Want to know How to Start a Farm Business? Here are 11 rules that will guide you so that your farm business is profitable, sustainable and enjoyable!

When you search for rural land you’ll find all sorts of places that look promising. But how do you know if you’ve found your dream property? Today, I’ll share what we’ve learned and cover the 23 questions you should answer before buying that rural property. Listen to the Podcast Subscribe to Small Farm Nation on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn So, Liz and I have bought rural property twice now. It’s both an exciting and exhausting time, Before you plunk down that deposit on the first rural property that screams your name, consider this: you are planning to make a move there for life. A new life, a better life and, perhaps, not only the rest of your life but a homestead that future generations will cherish.  So, yeah, it’s appropriate to take time and weigh the decision against criteria that are important to you and your family. With that in mind, I’ve come up with a list of 23 important questions you should ask and answer when looking for rural property. But, really, these 23 questions are more like 23 c

Whether you're selling market vegetables, pastured meats or raw milk and farmstead cheese, one thing's for certain. You gotta keep your products cool to preserve shelf life. In this episode, we learn how farmers use Coolbots to do just that.

You’ve probably heard how important it is to define and communicate with your ideal customer. So is it? In this episode, I’ll tell you why it’s a waste of time focusing on mythical ideal customers and walk you through what you should be doing, instead!

This week I’ll answer a listener’s question on whether it’s best to start a Facebook page or a Facebook group for her farm. I cover the pros and cons of each and describe what you can do with a Facebook page that you can't do in a group, and vice versa.

Let's discuss a crisis in small business. A crisis in most businesses, actually, but particularly in farm businesses. It’s a problem that creates undue stress, panic and results in farmers not building their brands, getting enough customers and growing their farm business. I’m talking about Random Acts of Farm Marketing.

If you’re planning to start a farm—or any small business—when should you start marketing it? In this episode I explain why you should start marketing your farm BEFORE you even open for business.

Building a recognized brand for your farm business is one of your most important priorities. This episode discusses why and how to do it.

This week I tackle three questions. One is about the tricky issue of selling meat by product weight online. A related question is about managing inventory of meat when selling both online and at a farm store. And the third question is about managing the reservation and payment process for farm tours.

This week I’m speaking with a farmer turned online marketing expert about how to use Google Ads to attract customers to your farm business. If you're interested in farm marketing, you'll get a lot out of Robert's expertise, as I did.  Enjoy the episode!

This week I address listener questions on: When to buy farm equipment, whether to buy new or used equipment, and how to set wholesale prices for farm products.

Lots of farmers struggle with how to share their story. In this week's farm podcast, I share the advice I gave to a farmer about how to share her story and create a great about page for your website.

In this farm podcast, I discuss why you may not want to use automated sales funnels and marketing gimmicks in marketing your farm business. I describe the Jeff Walker Product Launch Formula, what it's designed to do and why I recommend that farmers exercise caution with this strategy.

In this farm podcast, Joel Salatin and I have a provocative discussion about how to quit an unfulfilling job and start a farm business. Joel offers some real gems in this episode, as he outlines his seven rules for starting a profitable farm. We talk at length about his latest book, Your Successful Farm Business, which can be thought of as a graduate course to the book that got so many people started in farming, You Can Farm!

People have been talking about the importance of local food for years but what about local flowers? In this farm podcast, I'm speaking with a "farmpreneur" who found the courage to quit her job and start a thriving flower farm. Even though she had never farmed before.

As sustainable livestock farmers, we want to honor the whole animal. But what about when it comes to using the animals hides? Joining me in this farm podcast, is Sarah Scully founder of Vermont Natural Sheepskins. Sarah and her husband, Rick, started the first commercial organic tannery in America.

Guess what? You CAN start a pastured poultry business and scale it to a size that supports a family. Or multiple families. Tune in as Paul Grieve from Pasturebird and Primal Pastures shares the story of how his family has done just that.

In this farm podcast, I talk about the sometimes long and steady process of setting up a new farm. My guest is Jenn Colby of Howling Wolf Farm in Vermont. We also tackle the touchy issue of why it's sometimes more challenging for women farmers than men. Listen in to see what you think.