Episode 113: The Economics and Ethos of Market Gardening with Jean-Martin Fortier
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Jean-Martin (JM) Fortier has over 20 years of experience developing, testing, and perfecting biointensive and regenerative growing techniques on his small-scale farms in Quebec that increase the soil’s biology to achieve maximum yields on small surfaces.  Jean-Martin’s mission is to promote the importance of human-scale regenerative agriculture in creating sustainable and resilient food systems. He achieves this goal by sharing his knowledge and expertise with thousands of farmers through the Market Gardener Institute. JM’s multifaceted roles range from CEO to technical specialist, mentor, and positive leader. In this episode, Jean-Martin and John discuss:

The economics of marketing gardening and direct selling

Benefits of bio-intensive growing 

How marketing gardening is an avenue for young people to get into farming

How the right tools enhance efficiency and reduce workload

The need to balance productivity and maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle

The importance of the local food movement and getting people onto farms

Additional Resources

To learn more about Jean-Martin Fortier, please visit: https://www.en.jeanmartinfortier.com/)

To check out his courses, visit: https://themarketgardener.com/)

To get your copy of The Market Gardener: https://themarketgardener.com/books/the-market-gardener/)

To get your copy of The Winter Market Gardener: https://themarketgardener.com/books/the-market-gardener/)

To check out apparel created by Jean-Martin, visit: https://growers.co/pages/growing-change-program)

Software for small growers, Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/)

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.  AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.  Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com ~  VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk