Meet Sean Pessarra, The Mindful Farmer, Toolmaker, Hoop House Builder, and Small Farm Supporter

Bootstrap Farmer Radio

Join Sean Pessarra, Nick, and Karl Binger and learn how Sean, the founder of Mindful Farmer, and learn how he took his part-time beekeeping operation in Texas and transformed it into a full-time sustainable agriculture business rich in experience that has led to an amazing career serving farmers through better tools and consulting. This is part 1 of a two-part Soil Block interview.

https://mindfulfarmerarkansas.com/

@mindfulkitchenarkansas

00:00 Intro

01:40 Mindful Farmer Beginnings

07:08 Heifer International

10:00 starting Mindful Farmer

12:15 $200k on 3 acres

16:50 Sourcing to local restaurants

18:10 Organic growing in the south

20:30 Where it’s grown vs. how it’s grown

21:18 Regional vs. national chain stores

23:30 Wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer prices

25:50 Farmers market options

29:45 CSA model options

30:40 Defining direct vs. wholesale on the farm

32:46 Should a new farmer start with wholesale

34:07 Farmer math= $ per square foot

36:00 Boutique grocer options

37:30 What you need for winter flower growing

39:17 First to market early in the season

41:30 Making the most out of sqft

43:00 Creativity in your farm

44:00 Avoid burnout 4

5:20 Bundling your energy

46:50 Learn to say NO

51:20 Mindful Farmer’s Made in the USA Tools, Drop Seeder

56:20 Broad fork tools

58:10 Making better tools

59:08 Helping home gardeners

01:00:00 Investing upfront to save later

https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/how-to-grow-seedlings/soil-blocking