Leading with Love and Carrots: Inside Meredith Sheperd’s Urban Farming Success

In this episode of the Foodscaper Podcast, host Matt Lebon interviews Meredith Sheperd, founder of Love & Carrots in Washington, D.C. Meredith shares the journey of her business from its humble beginnings in 2011 to a team of 26 employees. The conversation delves into the challenges and rewards of urban farming, pricing strategies, the importance of team-building and giving feedback, and maintaining a business during the off-season. The episode highlights the essentials of being organized, fostering leadership within the team, and staying resilient in the face of demanding work conditions. This episode is supported by garden supply sponsor Epic Gardening and fruit tree nursery Stark Bros. 00:00 Introduction to Meredith Shepard and Love and Carrots 03:00 Meredith's Background and Journey 04:46 Defining Urban Farming and Foodscaping 05:34 The Origin of Love and Carrots 07:02 Client Stories and Personal Reflections 07:54 Mentorship and Networking in Urban Farming 14:44 Building and Managing a Team 17:42 Skills and Qualities for Foodscaping 20:55 Organizational Systems and Tools 28:21 Pricing and Estimating in Foodscaping 32:27 Spreadsheet and Estimating Systems 32:56 Maintenance and Time Tracking 33:41 Handling Invoices and Client Communication 34:58 Pricing Models for Maintenance 37:30 Challenges of Early Business Years 40:27 Diversifying Services Beyond Vegetable Gardens 44:20 Hiring and Retention Strategies 53:33 Winter Work and Seasonal Adjustments 57:12 Reflections and Future Excitements Love & Carrots Stark Bros Epic Gardening JOIN US FOR THE FOODSCAPER CONFERENCE FEB 12 & 13, 2025 Ready to turn your passion for edible landscapes into a profitable business? Join us at The Foodscaper Conference February 12 & 13th! Here’s what you can expect at this two-day, online conference: Two jam-packed days of online presentations, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions Find your pro foodscaping family and mentors, connect with peers, and leave with new connections Learn how to make a living as a pro-foodscaper from experts around the country who have been where you are Join interactive workshops & breakout sessions Deep-dive into specialty topics with experienced workshop leaders like foodscape design, installations, business management, and much more Learn more and register here at www.thefoodscaper.com/conference- use code PODCAST at checkout for 10% off your all-access ticket!