From Six to Thirty: Farmer Mac’s Journey of Growth and Resilience

Farmer Mac or Mara of Ad Astra Farms—returns to One Bite is Everything with an inspiring update. Since receiving a For Farmers grant in 2023, Farmer Mac has expanded from a third of an acre to nearly three acres, doubled the number of her growing beds, increased her CSA membership fivefold, and put up her first high tunnel.In this episode, she shares the realities of scaling up as a one-woman farm, the joy of partnering with other small farmers, and the hard truths about federal grant delays, immigrant labor, and the mental health toll of farming. We’re also joined by For Farmers interns Liana Kolenovic and Shahid Islam, who bring fresh, thoughtful questions to the conversation.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep a small farm thriving—and why supporting these farmers matters—this episode will open your eyes and inspire you to take action.🔗 Learn more and support: www.forfarmersmovement.com