Farmer Tip: Don’t Expect to Be a Farmer On Day One

Kate Haverkampf runs Tassinong Farms in Crested Butte, Colorado. Kate started her farm because she was dissatisfied with the amount of time she spent away from her family.

If she could farm with only 20 hours a week, however, she would have time to spend with her husband and three daughters. Her research into container farms told her this was possible.

Farmer Tip: Know How to Grow Before Hiring a Grower

Yesterday, Farmer Tyler told us how important it is to balance growing with selling. Most farmers tend to lean towards one side of running the farm more than the other; for Tyler, a self-proclaimed plant science geek, learning to sell wasn’t his first inclination. For others, it might be the other way around.

Farmer Tip: 2 Things That New Farmers Forget About

Planning a farm can be an exciting process. Lots of new farmers look forward to farming so much, however, that they forget important parts of the planning process. We can't blame them - we have a hard time containing excitement ourselves - but unfortunately things that new farmers forget can cause problems later on!

Farmer Tip: How to Avoid Seasonal Lag in Yield

Lee Spiegel runs a youth training program through her hydroponic and aquaponic farm, Pulaski Grow.

The farm is the epicenter of training programs for business management and farming for youth ages 14-25. By the time they finish, the students at Pulaski Grow are work-force ready. (Learn more about that here.)

Farmer Tip: Good Farmers Are Willing to Learn All Day, Every Day

Eric Bergeron is co-founder of Smart Greens, a Canadian food production company that is expanding into a network of farmers across the country.

Farmer Tip: Distribution Model Is Just As Important As Growing

Ryan Sweeney is the owner of Localize Farm, a hydroponic farm that grows herbs in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Farmer Tip: What Happens When You Use Galvanized Tanks in Hydroponics?

Brian and Kate Wharton use nearly every square inch of their backyard to produce herbs, chillies, and greens. They've got a great climate for growing in Los Angeles, California, but have learned to grow through mistakes like any farmer.

Farmer Tip: Overcome Obstacles to Be a Better Farmer

Nick Marasco runs Triple Threat Farm in Aurora, Illinois. The farm is part of a larger organization (Triple Threat Mentoring) which works to connect communities to a cause. In this case, the cause is under-resourced youth.

Farmer Tip: The 2 Most Important Things To Do When Starting a Farm

Jeff Pernell is a teacher and the founder of Galactic Farms in Missoula, Montana.

Jeff builds systems and currently runs an experimental aquaponic system for the University of Montana.

Through his first years in farming, Jeff has learned several precious lessons about growing for profit.

Farmer Tip: Stay Focused When Things Get Tough

Matt Marsh operates American Heartland Acres, an aquaponic basil farm that serves the Raleigh-Durham market in the heart of North Carolina.