GFP 002: Josh Volk of Slow Hand Farm: Innovative Farm Marketing Techniques, The Importance of Community Building, Balancing Life, and A Life Long Learning Process

Summary: Show Summary: With the success of the first episode, I am really excited to be bringing you the second episode of the Growing Farms Podcast. The podcast is meant to do two things: follow my story as I start a farm so that we can learn from each other, and to share advice from other farmers from all over the map.I start this episode with a look into what my life is like right now, winter 2013. I am on the hunt for land, and I am at it tirelessly. I am speaking with land trusts, meeting with land owners, other farmers, and anyone whose ear I can grab for a minute or two. I am making every effort to keep it all organized with my computer, my paper maps, my trusty notebook, and my white board (see picture below). I am sharing this experience because I know I am not the only one out there looking for farm land. Whether you're just starting out, or your expanding your farm, I know I have helpful advice to share.Then begins the featured interview I did with Josh Volk of Slow Hand Farm out near Portland, OR. Josh has a lot of wisdom to share, and is doing some very interesting and innovative things when it comes to running his farm. In this episode you will learn about:How I intend to monetize the site through affiliate links. How I go about finding land based on a proven system. A reality I am facing in a poor job market. Networking with other farmers and building a community. Innovative farm marketing techniques. Setting prices and farm planning. Balancing life by farming part time. Accepting that life is a learning process.Interview with Josh Volk of Slow Hand Farm: Josh operates a 40 member vegetable CSA which services the city of Portland, OR. In addition to his farming efforts, he also runs a consulting business to help get farmers off the ground (no pun intended). Josh is an all around good guy and has great advice when it comes to running a farm, whether you do it part time or full time.Plus, Josh shares with us his innovative farm marketing technique that is helping him connect with his customers and build a community around his farm.Right Click Here to Download the MP3  Items mentioned in this episode include:Ecology Action with John Jeavons Delivering Mattresses by Bicycle Foxglove Farm in B.C. with Michael Ableman Northwest Farm to Farmer Exchange (08' article) PACSAC, Portland Area Community Supported Agriculture Cooelition Slow Hand Farm with Josh Volk, Portland, ORFarming Books Mentioned (Affiliate links = I earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. I already own these books, that is why I am recommending them.)How to Grow More Vegetables, Eighth Edition (Book by:John Jeavons)Take Aways: How good is your book keeping? Are you able to track how well a crop is doing? Is there something you can be doing to make your life easier and your work more beneficial toward increasing your bottom line?What simple yet innovative marketing techniques can you apply to your farm? A little bit goes a long way.What are you doing to build a community around yourself and your business? What more can you be doing, even if it just to smile a little more often?--My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.Click to subscrible to iTunes Click to Subscribe via RSS (non-iTunes Feed)