Designing a Profitable Vegetable Farm

Learn more on the podcast apple.co/2lCuv3m 🎙
Tools and horticultural techniques make up the best part of what makes a diversified vegetable operation profitable, but in this presentation, JM Fortier, will discuss how the design stage of any farm might be even more important. Gleaning for the experience of his own 2-acre market garden and that of a new 5 acres one, he’s currently setting up, JM will elaborate on some of the design principles he has followed.
JM's book The Market Gardener: amzn.to/2BYbZHl
🎙Learn more on the podcast apple.co/2lCuv3m 🎙
🌱Learn how to start a Profitable Microgreens Business bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens
✔️ Follow Diego on IG / diegofooter
Podcasts by Diego Footer:
▶️ Microgreens: apple.co/2m1QXmW
▶️ Vegetable Farming: apple.co/2lCuv3m
▶️ Livestock Farming: apple.co/2m75EVG
▶️ Modern Farming: apple.co/2kxj39i
My Online Courses:
🌱Learn how to start a Profitable Microgreens Business bit.ly/learntogrowmicrogreens
🐔Learn how to raise Pastured Poultry, Pigs, and Cattle as a business in the Pastured Profits Course - farm-business-essentials.teac...
🛠 Small Farm Tools www.paperpot.co/
✔️ Follow PaperpotCo on IG / paperpot
🎙Learn more on the podcast apple.co/2lCuv3m 🎙
🛒 Support my content while you shop at Amazon: amzn.to/32FYCqW

[@Larkinchance]

An honest man! Over the last few months situation is the US has become dire. Answering these apprehensions are shipping container farming schemes featured on KZbin. They describe it as simple way to make a profits. I'm sure the company will provide you with everything you will need at a substantial mark-up. They might also offer credit and if your investment fails you will have continued obligation.. “This is not farming” They mention little about the system they were selling and nothing about the nutrients that the plants need which I'm sure they will provide.. I knew you were an honest man when you suggested that the first step would be to go to work on a farm as a lowly peon to see if you even like farming..This is the most valuable advice.. Thank you..

[@crpth1]

Starting a new farm 1.2 hectare, after taking the area for a house, workshop/wharehouse, paths, etc. I´m pretty much with similar area. This lecture seem to fit the bill perfectly. Couldn´t agree more regarding a walk behind tractor. A work horse by it´s own right, able to operate all sorts of farm implements, water pump, generator, etc. etc. The perfect "tool holder" for a small farm. Going "no till" so the power arrow and flail mower are exactly my first choices. :-) Thanks for sharing.

[@roshanjayatillake]

ll

[@Malerba3]

Hi! I just came upon your video, while researching farming. I love my kids and want to leave a foundation. I can't wait to listen to your teaching. I would love to meet with you and your family. YAY!

[@titanlurch]

I have been following J M for some time and this is not resent . La Ferme de Quatre Temp is rolling along quite well. So much so that now La ferme has a satellite operation on the north shore of the lower St. Lawrence river serving the local population. Thank you Diego . I know you must be super busy with P P T but Keep them coming.

[@amalhansi5049]

This is the greatest presentation, i have seen so far. Thank you

[@megavision3291]

I see every empty field as a potential food forest, plus everyone can have a home. The forest would have a home and a family would have a home on the land, works like dream.

[@rosemueni8681]

What's the name of your book

[@JNYC-gb1pp]

I see every lawn as sterile, wasted land! I can understand a seating/relaxing area that is beautified with flowers, but what's the use of land if there's nothing to eat?

[@vvdv3444]

How much time is required for this?

[@haynelnegueruela4769]

I am Cuban and to see you mentioning your experience in my birth country was somewhat surprising to me. Yes, there are still “organoponicos” , sadly, the production is not enough to feed the people. Thank you for this presentation, I will definitely look for your book since I am in the process of starting my small farming in North Florida soon.

[@ernestochavez2959]

Following the cuban methodology we were able to increase organic production applied to medicinal plants in Colorado and Oklahoma. The topics we learnt about "organoponic" cultivation back in the 90's have been realistically successful in both these states especially in areas where the endemic soil is incompatible for such cultivation. I have been quite surprised by conferences about soil microbiology on topics we knew back in the 90's at the Central University of Las Villas. I think the notion of organic production based on the soil health was forgotten for some time in the western world and they are now realizing its importance. Unfortunately in our birth country they tend to prioritize objectives without fully stablishing planning and logistics plus other challenges I am sure we both know very well, however the success of “organoponicos” is clear (at least to my knowledge) in places needing high intensity and demand for quality products (e.g. feeding & beverages within the hospitality industry). I wish you good luck, prosperity and success in your farming enterprise Haynel. Warm regards.

[@haynelnegueruela4769]

@@ernestochavez2959 thank you so much for your insights on the topic. I’d love to read/know more about your experience in medicinal plants in Colorado and Oklahoma, and soil testing/ enriching, if you can reference a link here I’d appreciate it. See, part of my interest in this journey is precisely motivated to grow aromatic plants and spices( most of the time the same plant we use for flavor has healing benefits as well)

[@mustavogaia2655]

@@ernestochavez2959 I think her point is about the ability of such system to provide for food security to the cuban people.

[@pyrusmalus3829]

@@mustavogaia2655 Oh ... that's very clear. Thanks for the follow up !!

[@TheRainHarvester]

I use free cement blocks. On my channel you can see what i used. I line with poly to retain moisture and all my soil is made from leaves!

[@Rymorin4]

JM is the man! Respect for the inspiration he provides to young people who will be market gardeners like myself.

[@davidd2285]

Best of luck!

[@PsychicIsaacs]

I like my weeds. I do my weeding and feed my weeds to the chickens! In the summer when the weeds die back, I wonder what greens I'm going to feed to my chickens. The chicken pen is right next to the vegetable garden and it is all surrounded by five or six foot high fences to keep the kangaroos out (I live in Australia). Sometimes the chickens are rotated through the vegetable gardens and they like this, a lot, although as time goes on, I am moving more towards perennial vegetable systems, and I can't let the chickens into these systems, because they will destroy them.

[@justinrees2400]

I want to see a successful vegetable farm in zone 4 or 5. Many farms can only raise livestock with the knowledge they have. Many have the mindset that nothing else can be done besides grazing cattle and growing alfalfa or grass.

[@zepherzepher1228]

trying in Five

[@matts3729]

Nook & Cranny Farm in Brooktondale, NY.

[@c3mac55]

Both Neversink and Quatre Temps are in zone 5. Most would consider them successful.

[@bigwilderness3006]

For the compost you should look into using a powered hopper trough feeder they use on big feed lots/dairy farms. They can move and dump as you walk with it.

[@smileyjason3035]

Excellent. We worked for a year using permaculture concept and we are improving by your clear and excellent way of design. We have committed lot of mistakes but those mistakes serve as lessons for us..

[@mwiyainambao8950]

⁸

[@jameschisasula3287]

Am a farmer here in Malawi,Africa I loved your speech

[@garamabe6891]

Watching from Kenya. You live the good life

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Thank you for sharing this important information listening from Brownwood Texas

[@chrismo9473]

Thank you Diego for sharing. I love your channel.

[@leokangwa9422]

Thank you, Sir! I am interested so much in the management aspect (especially, what type of records are key) for this kind of business. Wonderful!

[@charliecarper7631]

Thank you! I appreciate this very much.

[@cherokeetackle2412]

The kind of wood used plays a huge roll as well. Ie willow vs hickory. Great video guys!

[@jennablorezone8Band9A]

I would love for the follow up on how financially it productive it became with the new implementations and such. :)

[@MafiaArne]

Can't wait to explore this type of gardening myself!

[@johnchristian7615]

I appreciate your efforts all around. Being a single parent 2 boys I try🤗to teach my young boys the importance of just having personal skills as I always say everything in life starts within the home first. Many people find a skill set and sometimes forget the importance of some including growing food. Really enjoyed learning from your lecture.

[@urgencepc4563]

Yes, it does!

[@calisthenix5987]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge JM.... Some very valuable points I learned here.....

[@gregnzuza4332]

I'm learning lots more sir thanks for sharing with us I'm interested to start growing the vegetables

[@kulwamadaha3190]

thanks for your experience

[@MrLandslide84]

Definitely buying the book.

[@robertfekete4827]

Thanks for lot of good idea. I’m starting my garden, I go to make design. 👍

[@euniceedemsemordzi-kpogli6427]

Great video. we will get there. Thank you for the education

[@joselitovilla6016]

Thanks. Very inspiring.

[@NewNormalDigital]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

Hello from Virginia. You are a great speaker, and this was quite the informative video. I am looking to start a much smaller one-man operation, but this gave me a lot of quality ideas. Thank you.

[@foxinsox4019]

How did it go??? I’m in VA as well

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

@@foxinsox4019 I've been having some lower back troubles, so I haven't done anything this year.

[@foxinsox4019]

@@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023 sorry to hear that!! Hope you can find some relief 🤙🏻

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

@@foxinsox4019 Thank you. I'm trying a new hamstring stretch (I've tried most stretches) this week, and it seems to be working somewhat. Are you planting a Virginia garden this year?

[@maungatilimamichelo2995]

This is powerful. Thanks for this Knowledge.

[@wadiyaVideos]

Agree with you

[@godswillchimdieberenwachuk3574]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm grateful!

[@aquaponicssource5005]

Thanks for explaining things

[@yourfavouritequotes9897]

This man is such a good speaker and teacher and involves audience very well

[@ONEwithNature]

Thank you! I learn a lot

[@josetaverasmusic]

This is wonderful, I've gained tremendous insight just within the first 30 minutes. Thank you!

[@williamreeder3660]

Thank you for this video !

[@danbreedchain2791]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@maxamudabuukar8992]

uk ewq p

[@MrAHIANYO2]

Thank you very much dear One

[@Lupinsx]

Fantastic Video thanks!!!

[@Alpengrower]

great info! is there a way to do rotation crops taking in mind mycorrhizae association ?

[@siphomabusela]

Really enjoyed the talk.

[@gartenrebell]

Yeah man 😉

[@mcOscarmann]

About the diseases. I think it could be because if you don't kill all the microorganism in soil, they can get to the leaves an cover them producing a barrier that doesn't let the patogens attack. Dr Elaine Ingham talks about that in a conference about Compost Tea and "how to make good soil". The videos are here in youtube, and each minute of them worth it.

[@dr.justusaluka4229]

Enhancing the capacity of such systems to promoting sustainable in the community

[@oliviercantin5926]

Very interesting! Would love to do something similar! If the interns are working full time for 4months without pai, is it really sustainable tho?

[@scrubbymate8644]

sounds like he was also free from outside source of contamination , thanks good video

[@will-smith-nh]

Excellent.

[@anthonyrespass3090]

I use cold tolerant weeds/plants for covet crops

[@garyclarke8862]

Hi You mentioned crop rotation. Do you rotate root for above ground.

[@BurgerRatt]

Thanks for sharing this valuable video!

[@sospeterndichu2911]

I will share this ideal with my father and see he can give three acres. I must must must try this. thanks for sharing this

[@cruzkb]

Did you ever get to farm on your father's land?

[@DIYSolarandWind]

Thank you

[@jasonsimmons4319]

Thank you diego

[@captainbandini]

classic...brilliant !

[@borjavivanco8600]

Thank youu

[@wadiyaVideos]

Thanks for share

[@thomasreto2997]

Great lecture. Very interesting on how you compare metrics to standard farms and your high intensity model. I have heard it said (on tube of course) by a very experienced farmer that only used hand tools that an acre is about all 1person is capable of farming effectively. Neat how Cuban people find ways to develop production without the convenience of having money. I am not a farmer, only a very small backyard gardener trying permaculture technique and principles while trying to reduce grocery bill a bit😃🌈🤙

[@garethbaus5471]

An acre was traditionally the amount 1 man could plough in a day with a yoke of oxen and a wooden plough. Which is not necessarily the maximum amount 1 man could farm exclusively with hand tools but it was used to calculate the number of people needed to work a given field.

[@acctsys]

What's the model of the excavator?

[@805productions3]

good video. But we've had really good results doing companion planting as well. Try for 4 or more plant families if possible. See some of Dr Christine Jones more recent video's like the excellent 4 part series over at green cover seeds

[@evy1624]

Is there an online forum for connecting new market gardeners with people that have organic land for sale or rent? We have 10 acres (3 which are organic) in Eastern Iowa (potential to expand to 60 acres with a creek). It has four-lane highway access/frontage road that is centrally located for three cities and plenty of smaller towns. 30 minutes from the Mississippi river. Underground spring, craftsman farmhouse, finished double garage with apartment, and three barns with fenced pastures. Thanks!

[@waltspears8179]

Golden info .thanx for all this important imfo gained by yrs.of pain and suffering .knowledge is never cheap . P T L

[@tlhabologochingapane6504]

Great

[@paulraymondamoah564]

Please kindly send me the details information about the book with the website 😀

[@jeremyalner1977]

Hello thank you I am so grateful It Could be an idea that You could size your project down to the household size to be able to sustain a healthy lifestyle with Back garden growing

[@immortalsofar5314]

I'm definitely going to need a commune. Vegetables may be where the profits lie but they're so *boring*! I can happily spend years building soil and looking after animals but I need to find someone who's money-driven and enjoys growing vegetables.

[@ajb.822]

U can just do animals & just garden for yourself, profits per labor are actually better with animal enterprizes, according to Richard Perkins. Other than the 24/7 responsibility ( one generally never gets woken up in middle of night to be told the cabbages got out & are out on the highway, or running through neighbors garden ;) ! ) - and it is best to have part of the year with no animals or minimals animals/labor .

[@wesmurphy9725]

@@ajb.822 my cabbages have only got out once.

[@chadwickhjones]

1:19:00 The Farm of Four Strokes; The Four Stroke Farm

[@higgiesdad]

Started it with his brother. It was very high and tight. Hi Jeans!

[@nodigBKMiche]

Love what you & yours are doing💛. What do you do against deer, rabbits, moose etc.? TY💕

[@HarrisonCountyStudio]

We hunt our property. It helps, but we have to stay active with it. We are blessed with abundant deer and rabbits.

[@annacompan7219]

Brilliant

[@davewygonowski984]

1,000,000,000 thumbs up...

[@PhoenixMack-iu5ny]

i will buy this book

[@joepeeer4830]

ty

[@mindatorres2707]

Where can we buy your book? Thanks

[@RErikWeigand]

There is an energetic property to cement/concrete that enhances the growth process when surrounding the plants.

[@alexhuntley3810]

It's called latent heat capacity.

[@sshumkaer]

Diego Footer is it possible to do this is small communities say in North Dakota where it gets brutally cold?

[@WendysWorldTX]

I have inherited 15 acres in Madison County, TX about 6 years ago. I dream of doing this, small scale intensive farm and the Joel Salatin chicken model. Plus, I want a pretty extensive medicinal herb garden. I'd really love some input into designing the farm layout in relation to my topography and climate. Do you do consults or can you refer me to someone who does, maybe even someone experienced in my warm climate? I have read your book and been learning about market gardening and small scale regenerative agriculture for a few years, but I'm ready to get started! My 15 year old son and I are moving to an RV on my aunts land (a couple pastures down the road). By October I'll be out there and ready to start making real plans for building my farm. Please advise. Thank you.

[@bruceswabb7145]

Check out lectures by Gabe Brown as well.

[@naturesessions.studio]

Good content

[@annacompan7219]

Hi I would like if insteat of cement bricks it is possible to use bricks clay for permanent beds?

[@jazldazl9193]

Just use earth

[@garrettprosser7336]

How do you find someone with a market farm though? Around me is all industrial scale mono crops. How do I find work at someones market garden if I can't find them?

[@andykeywest]

Can anyone name the flowering hedge rows in the new project at the end of the video? Thank you

[@miguelmarquez4192]

I kept looking for them!... but i have to admit im turned off by this guy. Sort of an uppity snot. "Ok?" I looked and looked and didnt see the flowering hedge! Put the time stamp when it shows up and ill let you know what it is.

[@miguelmarquez4192]

He didnt soecify what he uses but it would depend more on your location not his. If youre in the south u.s. a dwarf crepe myrtle , colder states a hawthorn, viburnum or hydrangeas. Here in colorado something low maintenance and low water would be a dwarf burning bush. Hope that helps.

[@David-oe1xj]

If you're growing next to a conventional farmer have you had to deal with drift from his farm?

[@WASS291]

hey david :) according to GAP the product you are planting should be at least 2 km away from cars and other farmers so it should be pretty isolated to officially produce organic produce

[@karinleigue7595]

Would this work on a tropical climate? Lots of rain, very hot sun, and lots of bugs, live in the border between Bolivia and Brazil forest. just want to grow vegetables for my family. Need you're input. Thank you in advance, God bless.

[@dustinstephens8659]

In the temperate climate he grows in weed pressure is much less intense than you will experience. This concept can absolutely work, but you will probably find yourself needing lots of physical mulch (landscape fabrics)

[@davidgardner1675]

@@dustinstephens8659 life has taught me that selling produce is more important than production

[@fredrickcherono7694]

Need to know where I can get a walk behind potato harvester

[@tpanden]

really inspiring

[@abdulazizmansaray7425]

how can get your book? I am from Sierra Leone, West Africa and, I am a farmer.

[@sven5415]

Does he also use cover crops on his farm? For example in the winter time when the beds rest between December and March?

[@kerribarrientos-folkert762]

Good question; Cover crop Curious also. Maybe answer in book, (better be) along with much more. Impressive video.

[@jasona.neverforgetfukushim647]

yes he does this is a couple of years old and he has moved on to green manure cover crops

[@PazLeBon]

@@jasona.neverforgetfukushim647 reen manures, alfalfas, peas, mix them into the soil, ideally some deep rooted cover to bring up the phosphorous.

[@SenorMeinKrafter]

HAHAHAHAHA try growing stuff in the middle of snow.

[@sven5415]

Of course the cover crop will stop the growth process at 150cm snow height, but nevertheless there is still a living plant root in the soil that is interested in maintaining soil life. @@SenorMeinKrafter

[@adeolaoyediran200]

How can I get the book in uk please is it on amezon

[@gra0195]

Yes, it's I Amazon. The link is above, in the expanded description.

[@billcarter4670]

THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK, AMERICAN STRONG, "KENTUCKY"

[@AYOGAgriVenture]

wow good luck farmer

[@PazLeBon]

I 'think' that what much of this shows to me is that one is limited by what one can do on a certain size plot. It just isnt very practical in some ways :) tho at the same time its homestead stuff and a big thumbs up, not a criticism at all

[@PazLeBon]

for sure,depends if commercial or self sustainable

[@donc9275]

This seems to be a return to small town living....even if you live in a major metropolitan city.

[@RamHomier]

Well it takes about 3 years to get organic certification, so how do you make it profitable in one year?

[@stevenwicks6451]

I understand it can take a few years if the land had previously been used for agriculture. I think its alot quicker if it hasnt.

[@misamisa2677]

Thats how my Mom and Family bought items from a market that came to our towns like this people had jobs

[@watisonikaloulia3890]

Do you have e copy of your book?

[@kurtcooper3699]

We have mushrooms compost where were @. Before the big awakening for "no till gardening" the compost, wood chips, etc was free. Now that the word is out on alternative gardening the real money is now those selling compost, wood chips, & the garden veggies are to cheap as greed for these supplies kicked in. Now u have this big push to grow micro greens for less room, faster turnover & less multiple large expenses. The one thing in common with both is the certificate of Organic. This is what is leftover after prices for materials kicked in. Sadly, government determines that stamp & last I checked they weren't that good @ managing anything let alone determining whats naturally grown & whats not. Once there becomes enough money into a certain business & growth is realized the multitudes jump in. I wonder if microgreens have a place in your green house future. Be blessed.

[@newys01]

What’s the farm he was referring too at the end

[@Ratienne]

"La Ferme des Quatres Temps" which in English would be something like "The Four-Weather Farm"

[@ghmichel72]

Or The Four Season Farm

[@21factsbyAI]

Can someone explain to me, why raised beds are called permanent beds? What makes them permanent? Just the structure of the bed, or smth more and Ive missed it?

[@DiegoFooter]

You form the bed once and then never re-form it.

[@davidworley3945]

I noticed that most all of the lecture is about how to be able to produce lots of food as easily or cheaply as possible. But what good is it if you can do this, if you do not have a market for it. You have to make money off of the produce. How do you go about selling all of this produce? Do you set up deals with local grocery stores? I mean, the Farmer's Market around here does not do that much business.

[@DiegoFooter]

That's a fair point and a complex topic. Check out the podcast www.paperpot.co/podcast There are a lot of episodes focusing on this exact subject.

[@mrlozano]

Don't forget restaurants! There's tons of those who probably always need supply!

[@pizzaki582]

yep, sorry to say this sounds to good to be true. you got 4 workers working on 1.5 acres? are u growing Weed?

[@mr.stackyverticalplanterhy8483]

Very impressed with your farming procedure how would i be able to get the most out of our vertical planters in a farming situation simular to yours. We sell vertical farming planters that only take up 3 cubic ft and would like to get the most out of our product. If you can help us please reply so we can better understand how to be more profitable thank you MrStacky.

[@w4447]

What about deer and moose. How do you keep the mooses out of your crops. I heard they reall y like vegi's espcially the vegan mooses.

[@SomeInterestingInfo]

A rifle and a big freezer. Too many moose and deer on your land is a bonus not a problem!

[@dustinstephens8659]

Dogs, electric fences, soap strings, guns, guns, and guns all work well.

[@1982MCI]

@@dustinstephens8659 dont forget to let them know about guns and ammo Dustin. If you are going to have a successful market garden then its gonna require guns and as many cases of ammo as you can afford to buy and then fill the freezer full of meat to go along with all the fresh veggies you have year round

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Quebecers do not fear the stinking vegan moose. The carnivore moose... that they do fear.