The Time I Almost Quit Farming

Growing organic vegetables is an amazing feeling, but you have to be resilient to make it your profession. In this week's episode, JM Fortier shares a bit about his past when he thought he didn't have what it takes to be a grower and why he continued his journey in market gardening.
If you need help here’s a list of mental health resources:
Canada
Do More Agriculture Foundation: List of resources, crisis lines and websites across Canada www.domore.ag/
Farm Credit Canada: publication of tools for farmers to better their mental health. www.fcc-fac.ca...
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association - Difficult Times: Stress on the Farm www.casa-acsa....
Identifying and Managing Stress: A Business Owner’s Guide: www.omafra.gov....
Women in Agriculture: Understanding Stress www.casa-acsa....
Young Agrarians: Transition toolkit for non-family farm transfer youngagrarians...
Stigma-Free Society: Rural Mental Health Toolkit stigmafreesoci...
États-Unis
Better Help: List of affordable psychologists, clinical social workers and counsellors www.betterhelp...
Real Farmer Care: Programs to support farmers' self-care needs www.realfarmer...
Young Agrarians: Transition toolkit for non-family farm transfer youngagrarians...
Québec
Association des centres d’écoute téléphonique du Québec: Lignes d’écoute et services téléphoniques www.lignedecou...
Au cœur des familles agricoles: Réseau d’aide psychosociale pour les producteurs et les productrices agricoles et leur famille acfareseaux.qc...
Centres de crise: Regroupement des Services d’Intervention de Crise du Québec www.centredecr...
Relief: Association québécoise de soutien aux personnes souffrant de troubles anxieux, dépressifs ou bipolaires www.revivre.org/
Réseau Avant de craquer: Fédération d’organismes voués au mieux-être de l’entourage d’une personne vivant avec un problème de santé mentale www.avantdecra...
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Cultiver des légumes biologiques est une sensation incroyable, mais il faut être résilient pour en faire son métier. Dans l'épisode de cette semaine, Jean-Martin Fortier nous parle un peu de son passé alors qu'il croyait ne pas avoir ce qu'il faut pour être un maraîcher et pourquoi il a continué son parcours en agriculture bio-intensive.
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#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #RegenerativeFarming #NoTill #MarketGardenerInstitute #OrganicFarming #IntensiveFarming #VegetableGrowing #MarketGardening #SmallScaleFarming #ProfitableFarming #Gardening #Agriculture #JeanMartinFortier

[@lorenabarron3]

We are at the very beginning of this farming adventure and I constantly struggle with doubt and insecurity sometimes to the point of freezing in place. When that happens, I try to let myself breathe a little, look for inspiration, allow myself some grace and remember why I chose to pursue this path. (Not always easy) Thank you for sharing, its good to know I am not the only one with the struggles.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

We are all in this together Lorena 💚

[@kevinj2334]

The first three years we did incredible then expanded to a new property and it was 2 years of looking like a joke dealing with growing pains, just getting back to being successful this past year. It's all part of it.

[@rocknrolla257]

We just finished our first year. Sometimes we also get stuck on the "how to" and forget about the "why".

[@bastis_hof]

I’m not doing market gardening but I’m trying to feed my family and friends with the garden. So with a one year old at home plus a regular job I’m thinking often to just stop. Thank you for the new motivation you gave me with the video! Ps: I love your book ❤

[@jamesofallthings3684]

It's not even that hard. Why are people so soft now.

[@bastis_hof]

@@jamesofallthings3684 Do my job and try to work in the garden with a one year old home! Then call me soft again!

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Harvest is a goal, learning from mistakes is just as important and is part of it. Sometimes it is hard, but we are on the right path. Let it grow!

[@frogsongfarm1303]

every season there are challenges. The farmer must be equanimous...equanimity is the way. Thanks J.M. I love these insights.

[@nathonhall5638]

Thank you JM. We're experiencing the hard stuff right now. Your message gives me hope :-)

[@barefootlivin]

Thank you for sharing the human side of the farming equation and not being scared to open up and talk about the hard times. We sometimes feel like we are being buried under the preasure of family and farm life. That pressure makes us transform into something great much like the seeds we plant

[@dorothee_ou_dominic]

This is so inspiring. I just love truthful stories like that JM, we have so many moment as a farmer, where decision fatigue is strong and clarity is out of touch and hearing other farmers stories is a real gift. Thanks for your generosity, this is gold. ✨

[@TheMarketGardeners]

💚

[@asvolleyball01]

Thank you so much JM, I'm super inspired, and much appreciated!🙂👍

[@Jacques.Bodaire]

Last year was my hardest with crop failures, market woes, and the stress on my family but it also had thr most upside as I was invited to a much higher end market than what I'm at now. I've spent all winter planning on how to be a more efficient and effective farmer. This was appreciated.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

We wish you an amazing 2023 growing season Blake!

[@JB-yg3ew]

Thanks for keeping it real and sharing your experience JM!

[@MrEboug]

Merci, tes mots font du bien. Farm on!

[@ehabkamel6197]

This is sincere and honest words from the heart, I do appreciate you doing this video, thank you so much.

[@damanifesto]

Early February in Michigan. Can't wait to get starting seeds, breaking ground for my wife's flower farm and being outside. Thanks for another great video JM.

[@emk5332]

JM- Thank you so much for sharing these messages of hope and perseverance- I’ve just found this video- Struggling with the decision to go all in and start my own this year- I found this as I am looking at my seed orders this morning and know that divine timing is real. With your book as a cherished guide- I set out to continue the ripple of farming this way. Thank you for your encouragement- Farm with heart- Farm with faith- And “Farm On” 🤘🏻🌱🌻

[@TheMarketGardeners]

wow so glad to hear this! thanks for sharing Em and best of luck to you this season ❤️ you got this! 👊

[@kellynbtln8234]

Thankyou, this is just what I needed. Worst year in NZ to have put in huge strawberry patch hoping to earn money from home. NZ has had so much rain over summer. We are only getting two punnets strawberries and a lot of rotten ones. Ya think what have I done. All the work time spent away from my kiddies. Money that could have been spent wisely elsewhere. Needed this vid. I know what I need to do over winter to make next year more productive and definitely need to systemise things. Less stress that way! Can't wait for next season but still pushing the limits with diff veg to make most last month of summer. Planted 220 tomatoes which are coming along nicely. So excited for many to ripen. I found the healthiest tomatoes in the world. Orange and yellow tomatoes from heritage food crops research. Before they were crossed to make red ones we like the look of, they actually have tetra-cis-lycopene. They are very good for us and disease fighting... Thanks for your videos. Always enjoy and refer back to them thankyou

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Farm on Kelly! 💚

[@antoinebellande6273]

Hi! Big thanks for the video! Starting my 2nd season here in France with a little kid at home. i really appreciated the message and the stories! Feeling super inspired now ;)

[@silvialacez]

Pour moi et mon mari c’est notre année d’installation, avec un enfant de 2 ans 🙈 ça va le faire 💪🏼

[@damanifesto]

I'm going to tour Bordeaux, but where is a good region to go and see market gardening?

[@antoinebellande6273]

@@damanifesto there are plenty all over the country! I'm pretty sure you could find some around Bordeaux although the high cost of land might be a problem for market gardeners. Otherwise, you'll find plenty around Nantes or Toulouse.

[@silvialacez]

@@damanifesto I am south of Toulouse and there are loads of organic market gardeners around!

[@breezafarms8043]

This was very sweet and honest! I have kids and sometimes have days that I feel like a failure but then look at all the things I’ve already done and keep going. Thank you for this.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Thanks for sharing Breeza Farms, it always means a lot to hear this! ❤️

[@ben8606]

Very inspiring! Thanks for the honesty

[@jasonhatfield4747]

Unbelievably timely video/advice for me right now. Thank you! I'm leaving my career and trying to make a new career in farming. It's such a mental game right now, constantly doubting if it's the right move or if I'll be capable of pulling it off. It's so helpful to hear that even the market gardening guru, JM Fortier, has had similar doubts and pushed through to be successful.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Best of luck Jason! 💚

[@markus_selloi]

Thank you

[@AurelienS12]

J'en suis à ma troisième saison et, comme tout maraîcher, je suis passé par des moments difficiles. Pourtant l'essentiel du contenu youtube sur le sujet idéalise beaucoup notre quotidien. Même très bien formé et avec de l'expérience comme ouvrier ce métier reste difficile et demande beaucoup d'investissement personnel. Merci beaucoup d'en parler !!

[@jeromebadollet5818]

Merci Jean-Martin, de nous rappeler que parfois, il faut juste y aller! Cela m'aide beaucoup

[@rogeriolisto]

Very thru. I'm farming in South Brazil going for my 4th summer and not having a problem solving community is hard. I feel like an ideologist so I kind going crazy and de ideas are folling apart. Thanks❤

[@jamieaulbach5120]

Entering my third year and last year nearly ended it all. We are not giving up but scaled back to focus on things and make what we do grow exceptional. I am fortunate to have an American Air Force pension to keep us afloat.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Thanks for sharing Jamie, and best of luck of moving forward. Farm on! ❤️

[@jamieaulbach5120]

@@TheMarketGardeners Keep putting the videos out. When I have a rough day it is nice to come and get a pick me up. A little motivation on what is possible goes a long way.

[@BigMikeLoses]

Great advice, JM! Thanks.

[@kostisalexandros]

I love you Man !!!

[@tianafamos3810]

Thank you for this JM, hearing it from you really does make an effect. I'll do my best!

[@kitis052]

Merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo Vraie et Sincère ! C'est la 2ème que tu fais sur un sujet bien plus personnel et c'est tellement enrichissant de voir l'autre côté de JM ! La sensibilité qui en émane me parle énormément et me touche. Je suis en pleine germination de ma micro ferme (c'est ma plus que seconde carrière) et, forcément, souvent confrontée aux doutes. Monter sa propre entreprise est un sacré chemin ! Je suis de ta génération et chargée de famille, donc, j'ai l'impression de ne pas avoir droit à l'erreur. Mais quand je pense à celui déjà parcouru et à tous ceux passés par là ( principalement toi et ta petite famille), ça me tient à flot et m'encourage toujours plus. Merci pour tes mots et tes encouragements ! 🙏🙏❤❤

[@TheMarketGardeners]

❤️❤️❤️

[@earthsteward76]

So many cool messages 🙏 Thanks JM 👍

[@mikewalter8547]

Well Said. Thanks

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Don’t be ashamed to quit farming and follow where God leads you.

[@anibaldamiao]

Plowing through? Did he really said that? ;)

[@TheMarketGardeners]

😅 pun intended?!

[@econos-pratico-mamanslafer5182]

Pourquoi ne pas faire en français Québec??? Ça serais tellement bien !

[@mountaintownfarm]

thanks jm, feel like i almost quit every august 😂

[@nunooliveira1628]

Happens to everyone.

If you're going through hell, why stop there? F*ck you're in hell, MOVE!! :D

[@jamesofallthings3684]

If you're going into farming to make money just stop now. If you want to grow healthy food for yourself, make enough money to live and enjoy the lifestyle, keep going.

[@ryansitter3459]

Thank you