The Seed Farmer Podcast

Carol Deppe is on the pod this week to talk about a new grant from OSSI (Open Source Seed Initiative) for  Independent Plant Breeders Developing Organic-Adapted Open Source Varieties.   The deadline to apply is Sept 15 and is open to all farmers and freelance breeders.   All the details are in the episode and on OSSI's website https://osseeds.org/ossi-plant-breeder-grants/   A head's up that though this episode does get  a bit into Carol's personal seed story, this episode focuses on OSSI. Carol will come back in the future to talk about her seed work and her books (including Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties).   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Episode link   OSSI website https://osseeds.org/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook     ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Brett Grohsgal runs Even'Star Organic Farm in Lexington, Maryland alongside his wife Dr. Christine Bergmark. They grow vegetables for CSA and farmers markets but they also keep a number of their own seed lines that are a large part of the success of their farm. In this episode, Brett and I talk about how to breed adaptive crops for a region and for extreme weather resilience. Brett has also eliminated most overhead irrigation and significantly reduced the amount of fertilizer that he applies on his fields, which adds even more selection pressure to his crops. We get into his work with brassicas, especially his Icebred and Coyote Arugula. We also talk about when you should keep your own seeds and when you might rely on purchased seeds. In the deep dive, Brett and I discuss cherry tomatoes for seed: how he dehybridized two hybrids by crossing them with op varieties, how he's been selecting them for years for exceptional flavor and disease resistance, and what seed harvest looks like, Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Episode links Even'Star website https://evenstarfarm.bigcartel.com Even'Star on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/evenstarfarm.org/ You can find some Even'Star brassicas at Fedco https://fedcoseeds.com/search?search=Brett+Grohsgal You can read Brett's seed articles in the Growing For Market Archives https://growingformarket.com/?s=Brett+Grohsgal     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

The fruiting seed crops are starting to pile up in buckets and it's time to decide whether to ferment or not! In this minisode we get into why you might want to ferment a wet seeded crop, what crops are generally fermented, and why you should be cautious with squash. Enjoy the show! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links Thursday Aug 20 at 7pm Eastern Seed Growers Open House Call https://seedalliance.org/osa-quarterly-calls/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook     ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Gregg Muller operates Useful Seeds out of Bendigo, Australia. His seed journey began when Carol Deppe's writing inspired him to start breeding colorful snowpeas right in his own yard. This home-scale plant breeding effort quickly expanded into many different breeding projects and running a small seed company. In this episode, Gregg shares how his breeding work has shifted from selecting for specific traits to developing resilient landraces tuned for local adaptation. We discuss the logistics, challenges, and opportunities behind grassroots seed distribution and community-based breeding. Gregg also highlights some of his breeding projects, including red-podded peas and compact, drought-tolerant butternut pumpkins. In the deep dive, Gregg and I explore growing fava beans (broadbeans) for seed. Gregg tackles the challenge of selecting for culinary traits within a diverse genetic mix sourced from global gene banks. He explains his practical approach to breeding for multi-use value from tender green shoots and edible baby pods to rehydratable dry beans, not to mention beautiful flowers. And we get into threshing and winnowing favas too. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Episode links Useful Seeds website https://www.usefulseeds.com/ Useful Seeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/useful_seeds/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links Thursday Aug 20 at 7pm Eastern Seed Growers Open House Call https://seedalliance.org/osa-quarterly-calls/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

In this minisode, we head into the field to evaluate eight bok choy varieties and see how they fared in the summer heat. This was part of a national variety trial organized by CANOVI, a collaboration between the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm and the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security at SeedChange. Let's break down how you can run quick small-scale trials that don't take much space on your farm. Then we'll see how the different F1 and OP Bok Choy varieties performed.   Enjoy the show!   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   News links   Thursday Aug 20 at 7pm Eastern Seed Growers Open House Call https://seedalliance.org/osa-quarterly-calls/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Welcome to another special crossover edition of the Seed Farmer Podcast!  Here is episode 37 from the podcast Seeds & Their People. It features a conversation with Maria Hernandez of Cruz Family Little Farm and is about Cempaxochitl, Papalo, and more tastes of Mexico.  Enjoy the episode! And if you want to listen to moreSeeds & Their People episodes, you can find them where you find podcasts. Or head to their website https://trueloveseeds.com/blogs/satpradio   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

nd make some room in your seed drying area. This minisode is all about tackling that critical first seed cleaning to save space, protect your harvest, and manage farm sanity! In this episode, we'll get into… •  The 3 main goals of your first rough seed cleaning •  DIY screens made with hardware cloth  •  The differences of winnowing in the wind and using box fans •  Why you shouldn't cover your seed bins right away So grab your winnowing bins, set up your fans, and enjoy the show!   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook     ❤️ Thanks for listening!

At the end of every Seed Farmer conversations I ask my guests two questions 1- What would you tell your younger seed-growing self? 2- What would you say to market growers & gardeners to inspire them to start growing seed? Here are the answers from episodes 26-35 to inspire you in your seed work. In this episode we hear words of advice from … • Heron Breen of Fruits of our Labors • Kim Delaney of Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds • Mark Luterra, designer of the Winnow Wizard  • Gabriel Bravo of Semillas Plantae • Manish Kushwaha of Gaia Organic Seeds • Ellen Rignell of Winnow Farm Seeds • Katie Kulla, author of Farm-Raised Kids • Stephen Silverbear McComber, Mohawk Seedkeeper • Léa Martinet Jannin & Ferdinand Beau of Buzuruna Juzuruna • Jared Zystro of Organic Seed Alliance Enjoy the episode! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook     ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Ever wonder if your seeds are actually ready to harvest, or if you're jumping the gun? This minisode is all about learning how to listen to your plants and read the clues they give us that their seeds are mature.    In this episode, we'll get into…   •  Ripeness indicators for fleshy fruit crops and seed pods •  The bite tes •  Beating the weather •  When to harvest for farm efficiency Enjoy the show!   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   News links Request for proposals for the OSA seed conference March 26th & 27th in Asheville, NC https://seedalliance.org/osgc-rfp/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Welcome to a special crossover edition of the Seed Farmer Podcast!  I am thrilled to share an episode from the Seed Heads podcast published by the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security.  This episode features Steph Benoit in conversation with Rav Singh and Ekow Stone. In this episode they get into their farming and seed work. They also talk about an okra breeding project they are both working on. Enjoy the episode! And if you want to listen to more Seed Head episodes, you can find them where you find podcasts. Or head to their website https://www.seedsecurity.ca/en/resources/seedheads-podcast     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links Request for proposals for the OSA seed conference March 26th & 27th in Asheville, NC https://seedalliance.org/osgc-rfp/     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook     ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Say cheese! In this minisode, we are diving deep into part two of our seed photography series. (Part 1 was in episode 62). This episode is about taking product shots of your vegetables and flowers for your online store and seed packs. In this episode, we'll get into… •  The three types of photo to capture for each of your crops •  How to use your greenhouse plastic or wash station to cheat bad lighting •  My system for organizing and naming picture files •  How to edit your pictures so you can use them Enjoy the show! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links Request for proposals for the OSA seed conference March 26th & 27th in Asheville, NC https://seedalliance.org/osgc-rfp/   Tell me what crops you think I should cover in my summer Seed Farmer school. Fill out this form to let me know: https://forms.gle/sZES93eNahtXi44y7   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook     ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Chris Sanford runs Yonder Hill Farm with Garrett Lauten on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Her seed journey is deeply anchored in a commitment to regional resilience from working to preserve the local Tancook Island Cabbage to breeding and establishing hardy hazelnut, chestnut, and walnut orchards. In this episode, Chris shares the logistics of running a small-scale seed farm. We talk about how having  backburner crops lets you adapt to the natural rhythms of the farm.Chris reflects on the power of community seed partnerships, highlighting how seed producers can work directly with market gardeners to stabilize and select regional strains.  In the deep dive, Chris and I get into growing eggplant seed. We break down how to plan your fruit harvest and seed extraction to get great germination. And we talk about why patience is a virtue for eggplants. Enjoy the conversation!   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Episode links Yonder Hill Farm website https://yonderhillfarm.ca/   Yonder Hill Farm on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yonderhillfarm   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Tell me what crops you think I should cover in my summer Seed Farmer school. Fill out this form to let me know: https://forms.gle/sZES93eNahtXi44y7   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

I've been encouraging you to go out and find any accidental crosses that might be in your fields. These can be the beginning of exciting breeding projects. But once you've found those very special individuals, what should you do? That's what this minisode is about! In this episode we get into  •  The difference between crossers and selfers  •  How many crossed up plants you need to start a breeding project •  How to grow out your F2 generation tp get the best results •  What to do if your crossed up plants want to go in many directions. Enjoy the show!     🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Tell me what crops you think I should cover in my summer Seed Farmer school. Fill out this form to let me know: https://forms.gle/sZES93eNahtXi44y7   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Petra stewards  Fruition Community Seed Farm with Matthew Goldfarb in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Petra's seed journey began at a young age in her father's garden, harvesting seeds and packing them into homemade seed packets to then share them with others. This early love for the magic of sharing seeds eventually led to founding Fruition.   In this episode, Petra shares the evolution of Fruition from a commercial regional seed company to a community seed farm. We discuss the structural pivot away from running a commercial online business toward a non-commercial gift economy model. Petra shares how they use interactive community storytelling, theater, and Seed Feasts to move past simple transaction-based seed swaps and cultivate collaborative relational seed stewardship instead.   In the deep dive, Petra and I get into two seed crops. First, we talk about breeding the Dulcinea carrot for uniformity and reliability in a market farm. Then, we talk about crossing collards and cabbage to develop Mermaid's Aurora, a gorgeous gene pool of tender greens with kaleidoscopic diversity. We also get into the technical seed production of each crop: growing second year carrots in high tunnels, harvesting seed umbels by hand, and how to thresh carrot seeds. For the brassica cross, we talk about how they harvest first year plants, how they overwinter in a root cellar, and of course how they clean the seeds.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast     Episode links Fruition's Website https://www.fruitionseeds.com/   Fruition on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fruition_seeds Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Have you ever noticed a single red lettuce in a bed of green oakleaf, or a pepper that doesn't look like anything you planted? While some growers see these as mistakes to be culled, they are also opportunities to start a new breeding project.   This minisode is all about hidden treasures, specifically looking for crosses in your fields that could be the start of your next favorite variety.   In this episode, we'll get into…   •  Why you should always carry flagging tape and a camera on your field walks •  Telling the difference between a handling mistake and a true cross-pollination event •  Techniques to get your special plants to seed •  How an unexpected cross turned into our own Carrot Bomb pepper   Enjoy the show!   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links   Use code HARVESTREADY until May 30 for 50% off the Harvest System Designs course https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//courses   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Fanny Lebrun is the driving force behind Les Marequiers, a Belgian non-profit dedicated to regional food autonomy. Through their flagship program, Semences d'Ici (which translates to Seeds from Here), Fanny works to strengthen the local organic seed sector. Prior to that, Fanny started the seed company Cycle en Terre by herself then built it into a citizen-owned seed cooperative.   In this episode, Fanny shares the logistics and challenges of scaling a seed business from a one-person operation to a ten-person team. We discuss Fanny's transition into Les Marequiers and how she is trying to bridge the information gap from academic research to the practical realities of the farm. We also talk about the organic disease and pest management guide she has recently written.   In the deep dive, Fanny and I talk about growing carrots for seed. We get into the difficulties of growing seed carrots in humid, short-season climates, covering overwintering roots in a simple cellar and how to balance the harvest of primary and secondary umbels.   Enjoy the conversation!   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Episode links   Les Marequiers website https://lesmarequiers.be/   French organic disease and pest management guide: Gestion des bioagresseurs en production de semences potagères biologiques. https://lesmarequiers.be/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SDI-Dossiers-LesBioagresseurs.pdf   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Use code HARVESTREADY  for 50% off the Harvest System Designs course https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//courses   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch   Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Today, let's talk about how to set you up for successful seed harvests this summer. Taking a little time right now to make sure you have the right tools on hand means you can just head to the field and get those seeds when the weather is right! Today's minisode is all about •  Setting up your Seed HQ for your summer seed work •  Choosing your seed harvest tools •  Building field screens •  And protecting your lungs and bodies from all the dust and sharp bits Enjoy the show! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Use code HARVESTREADY  for 50% off the Harvest System Designs course https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//courses 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Josh Volk runs Cully Neighborhood Farm on a one-acre lot in Portland, Oregon, where he grows vegetables for a CSA. Josh also operates Slow Hand Farm, where he helps grow market gardens and community through his writing and technical support. He is the author of Compact Farms and Build Your Own Farm Tools. Across all his work, Josh brings an engineering mindset to farming. In this episode, Josh explains how he integrates seed production into a busy market garden and grows seed mainly for his own use. Josh tells us how he determines what crops to keep for seed. We discuss Josh's "lazy" approach to growing seed which includes natural selection rather than intentional roguing, getting seed clean enough but not perfect, and embracing genetic diversity instead of trying to avoid all cross pollination.  In the deep dive, Josh and I talk about growing fava beans for seed. We get into fall-sown versus spring-sown crops, selecting for cold hardiness, and  threshing using a vintage roller thresher.  We also talk a lot about bean weevils. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   Episode links Slow Hand Farm website https://slowhandfarm.com/ Slow Hand Farm on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/slowhandfarm/ Cully Neighborhood Farm website https://cullyneighborhoodfarm.com/ News links May 21 Open House quarterly seed call https://seedalliance.org/events/virtual-open-house-quarterly-call-2/   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Have you been feeling scared to keep the seeds from your crops? Have those seed books with their 1 to 2 mile isolation distances gotten you down? This minisode is all about how to cheat those formal isolation distances and still harvest seed that works for your farm.   In this episode we get into    •  The four main isolation crop groups and what distances you can get away with •  How to create physical barriers are your farm to grow things even closer •  What crops you can grow in easy to make isolation cages   Of course, it wouldn't be a Seed Farmer episode if we didn't get into how a little bit of crossing is a good thing.   Enjoy the minisode! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links   June 18 webinar: Breeding to Purple: Crossing & Selecting Brassicas  https://farmfolkcityfolk.ca/event/breeding-to-purple-crossing-selecting-brassicas/   Watch the Seed Farmer book promo video https://youtu.be/liHQmUz227E   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Mélanie Ouellette runs the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library from her home in Orleans, Ontario. This all began when she asked "What's preventing people from growing native plants in our region?" In this episode, Mélanie shares the logistics of how the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library works. How hundreds of volunteers harvest the seeds, pack seed packs, fulfill orders, and attend events to distribute the seeds to gardeners. We talk about the importance of genetic diversity, the difference between straight species and cultivars, and the importance of reciprocity in community stewardship. In the deep dive, Mélanie and I focus on growing swamp milkweed for seed. We explore how it is a host plant for monarch butterflies, the technical nuances of harvesting and cleaning milkweed's fluffy seeds, and the importance of cold-moist stratification to ensure successful germination. Enjoy the conversation!   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Episode links Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library website https://wildflowerseedlibrary.ca/ Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library on Instangram https://www.instagram.com/ottawawildflower/   Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CV6G1cvGY/   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 News links May 16: Seed Library Conference: Sustaining a Seed Library https://givebutter.com/sustaining-a-seed-library?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email   Register for the Harvest System Design Course https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//harvestsystems   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Today's minisode is all about getting ready for the season- farm photo season, that is!    Whether you want good visuals for the crops on your online store, or you want to document your breeding selections, or you're writing up standard operating procedures for your crew; having the right images makes all the difference.   Those pictures don't happen by themselves, you need a Farm Picture Plan!   In this episode, we'll get into…   • How to use your photo archives to understand your farm • Figuring out what pictures you'll wish you had this fall • Setting up your Picture Plan spreadsheet • Tips for making sure you actually take the shots you need   Enjoy the minisode! 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   News links   Tourne-Sol's  new sweet corn variety https://www.instagram.com/p/DWlyiE4jlvm/?img_index=1   Register for the Harvest System Design Course https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//harvestsystems   🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/   Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/ Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Charlie Watt runs Homecoming Seeds in Northfield, Vermont. His seed journey began in Montana under the mentorship of John Austin, a connection that eventually led Charlie back to his roots in the Northeast with a suitcase packed with high-altitude adapted seeds. In this episode, Charlie shares the logistical challenges of scaling a seed business from a home garden to a production farm. We discuss the steep learning curve of his first year, including winning a venture capital pitch competition and the logistical hurdles of seed contracting. Charlie also reflects on the meaning of his seed company's name, and how seed work is a homecoming for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with the land. In the deep dive, Charlie and I get into growing eggplant seed,  a crop that has frustrated both of us. We cover when to harvest, how to speed up eggplant seed extraction and the mysteries of eggplant germination rates. Enjoy the conversation!   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com//supportpodcast       Episode links Homecoming Seeds Website https://homecomingseeds.com Homecoming Seeds on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/homecomingseeds/ Charlie's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@charliewatt22   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Today's minisode is an audio immersive tour of our seed warehouse. We'll start in the cleaning room to hear the distinct seed rain of different types of seeds. We'll then put the fleet of seed cleaning machines to work and listen to their different rhythms, from the cascading acceleration of the spiral separator to the roar of the Winnow Wizard. From there we'll step into the chilled hums of the seed cold room to hear the sounds of storage. Finally, we head to the pull room to follow the tactile journey of fulfilling a seed order, wrapping up with the unique sounds of our different fulfillment options. Enjoy the minisode! And Happy April 1st. Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram https://www.instagram.com/danbrisebois.farm/ Get my weekly seed newsletter https://www.farmerspreadsheetacademy.com/seeds   Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) https://fermetournesol.qc.ca/   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Sarah Kleeger runs Adaptive Seeds alongside Andrew Still in Sweet Home, Oregon. Their journey began twenty years ago with the Seed Ambassadors Project, a massive seed-finding expedition through Europe that saw them return to the U.S. with over a thousand rare varieties that had almost no commercial presence in North America.   In this episode, Sarah shares what it's like growing over 380 crops in a year while balancing trials, stewardship  and producing seeds for the catalog. We discuss OSSI (the Open Source Seed Initiative) as a way to keep seeds in the public domain. And we get into contract seed growing and how Adaptive Seeds tries to incentivize quality and share the risk with their grower network. We also touch on the impacts of wildfires and smoke seasons on both farmers and the seeds themselves.   In the deep dive, Sarah and I get into her favorite crop: Amaranth. We cover why amaranth is such a climate-adaptable grain, how to determine the perfect moment to harvest the seed, and Sarah's threshing machine of choice.   And of course we talk about the cats of Adaptive Seeds.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     Episode links Adaptive Seeds Website Adaptive Seeds on Instagram OSSI - Open Source Seed Initiative News Links   Fundraiser to support Saved by Seeds: Embracing Diversity, Adaptation, and Diversity. Chris Smith's upcoming book.   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Let's head over to my library and take a look at the books that have most influenced my journey as a seed grower. Whether you are just starting out or looking to develop your own farm-original variety, these are the titles I return to time and time again.   🌱Basic Seed Books • How to Save Your Own Seeds by Seeds of Diversity Canada • Seed to Seed by Suzanne Ashworth • The Seed Garden by Micaela Colley and Jared Zystro (Editors: Lee Buttala and Shanyn Siegel)   🥕Advanced Seed Books • The Organic Seed Grower by John Navazio   🌸Plant Breeding Books • Breeding Organic Vegetables by Rowan White and Brian Connolly • Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties by Carol Deppe   ✍️One more seed book … The Seed Farmer by Dan Brisebois (I might be a bit biased on this one, but this is the book I wrote to fill the gaps I found in the others!)   So, those are my 6 favorite seed books (plus one of my own). I hope these resources inspire you to harvest some seed this year.   Enjoy the minisode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Jesse Frost operates Rough Draft Farm in Kentucky with his wife, Hannah Crabtree. Jesse is also the author of The Living Soil Handbook and hosts the No-Till Growers Podcast. As a writer and farmer, Jesse approaches plant breeding as a creative process; a rough draft shaped by the unique terroir of his land.   In this episode, Jesse shares how he moved past the seed intimidation of his early years to a more integrated approach, and simply looking for seed opportunities within his existing market rotations. We discussed the evolution of the Topper Popper pepper, a project that actually began at Tourne-Sol (where I farm) and that Jesse refined on his farm. Jesse gets into how to find the capacity for seed work without sacrificing production and being patient with your farm's evolution.  And how all you need is a pocket full of rubber bands to become a plant breeder.   In the deep dive, Jesse and I get into Sweet Potatoes. How to harvest them, how to cure them, and how to propagate them as slips without scurf. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   Rough Draft Farm on instagram Rough Draft Farm website   No Till Growers on instagram No-Till Growers website         Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

This minisode is about unexpected seed opportunities in your cold room.   And those opportunities are the roots you're storing in that cold room and haven't eaten yet.   Most root crops are biennials, and you might be able to plant these roots as second year biennials and get a seed crop this summer!   This is true for onions, turnips, rutabagas, winter radish, beets, carrots, parsnips, and more!   In this episode, we'll get into…   • How to choose the best roots from what you have in storage • The importance of an intact growing point • Tips for breaking dormancy in the spring • What to if you're not totally sure what varieties you have in storage • How many roots you should plant out   Enjoy the episode Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Edmund Frost is a seed grower and plant breeder based at Twin Oaks Community in Virginia. He is the manager of Commonwealth Seed Growers, a cooperative seed company focused on regionally adapted varieties for the Southeast.   In this episode, Edmund shares the hidden realities of contract growing and his efforts to build a Seed Workers Union through the Seed Worker Organizing project to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions. We discuss the transition of Commonwealth Seed Growers into a co-operative model, the importance of self-advocacy when negotiating seed contracts, and how seed stewardship provides farmers with a resilient insurance policy against the disappearance of commercial hybrid varieties.   In the deep dive, Edmund and I get into Cucurbit Breeding. We cover the devastating impact of Downy Mildew since the 2004 pathogen shift and how Edmund uses vine tracing to select for truly resistant plants. Edmund also shares his exciting work crossing Korean and Brazilian genetics to create a summer squash that is naturally immune to Squash Vine Borers. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links Common Wealth Seed Growers website   Common Wealth Seed Growers on instagram   Seed Worker Organizing website   Twin Oaks Community website News Links  Visit  LocalSeeds.org to support A Campaign to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Seeds. Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

This minisode is a conversation with Lucy Sharratt of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN).   I invited Lucy to talk about the new genetically engineered Purple Tomato. This the first biotech vegetable seed being directly marketed to home gardeners. It's important for folks in the seed world to be aware of this change and to start thinking about the potential long-term impacts on our shared seed commons.   Lucy and I dig into what this shift could mean for growing seed crops, sharing seeds, and the broader culture around open-pollinated seeds, and why this moment feels different from past biotech crops that were mostly limited to large-scale agriculture.   Lucy also shares what gardeners, eaters, and seed people can actually do if they want to have an impact.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast   Episode links   CBAN's website CBAN on instagram   News Links Register for  the OSA Virtual Open House Quarterly Call     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Bonnetta Adeeb is a founding member of the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, a program of the non-profit STEAM Onward based in Maryland. Bonnetta is dedicated to increasing the number of BIPOC seed farmers stewarding culturally meaningful crops and liberating seeds from "seed jail".   In this episode, Bonnetta shares her journey to find the Stone Mountain Watermelon, a variety mentioned in family lore that allowed her ancestors to purchase land after slavery. We discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic transformed a local gardening project into the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, a regional network for seed production and training through the Ira Wallace Seed School.   In the deep dive, Bonnetta and I get into Collard Greens. We cover using Ultra Crosses as a community breeding method, the necessity of cold snaps for seed production, and why Bonnetta describes collards as the Jazz of American Cuisine. We also explore how the rhythmic movements of harvest are like dancing.   At the end, Bonnetta also talks about the upcoming Seeds & Culture 2026 Conference on March 6-7 in Washington DC. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links Ujamaa Seeds website   Ujamaa Coop Farming Alliance on instagram   Seeds & Culture 2026 Conference  March 6–7, 2026 Washington DC. Columbia   Ira Wallace Seed School   Heirloom Collard Project   Steam Onward website      News Link   Northern Latitudes: Sourcing and Saving Seeds from Similar Climates     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

This minisode is a conversation with Rebecca Newburn of the Seed Library Network. We talk about seed libraries: what they are, how they work, and how anyone (yes, anyone) can start one. And we talk about the Seed Library Conference on February 14th, focused on helping people get started with seed libraries in their own communities.  Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   The Seed Library Network's website The Seed Library Network on substack The Seed Library Network on instagram     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Shannon Jones runs Broadfork Farm with Bryan Dyck in River Hebert, Nova Scotia. They grow vegetables and cut flowers for market. I've been trying to get Shannon on the podcast since the beginning of the pod because Broadfork is a great example of how a market farm can integrate seed production into their vegetable and flower fields. And we finally found a time that worked for us to have a conversation. In this episode, Shannon shares how she and Bryan choose the seed crops they grow and how they manage seed harvest through the season, and clean seeds in the off season. She also explains about how they sell some of their own seeds during their spring seedling sales. In the deep dive, we explore growing Salad Turnips for seed. We start with why Shannon was looking for a Hakurei turnip alternative, then get into trialing different OP salad turnips to figure out which variety to work with, and finally cover planting, harvest, and cleaning. We also talk about Bupleurum and Onions for seed.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast   Episode links Broadfork's website Broadfork Farm on instagram Freed Seed workshop: Botany of Seed Formation    Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Episode 50 of the Seed Farmer Podcast!!!! Wow!   Let's do something a bit different to pause and mark the occasion.   In this episode, I'm joined by my podcast producer, Molly Brisebois, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about how the podcast gets made, how it's changed over time, and what we've learned along the way.    We talk about how sharing seed stories and talking about seed work brings hope when it is so easy to feel hopelessness these days.    And we talk about the intimacy and the feeling of being "in the room" when listening to podcasts.   We wrap up the conversation with how Molly would approach being a seed farmer.   For those with a keen eye (or ear) for detail, you may have noticed Molly and I share the same last name. Molly happens to be my sister.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     News links My crop planning course Farm Spreadsheets For All Seasons is open for registrations. It comes with a full set of crop planning and harvest management spreadsheet templates.   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Chris Belnap is the owner of Cambridge Pacific, based in Cambridge, NY. Their tagline is The Folks Who Make The Packets, and that's exactly what they do: printing seed packs for a wide range of seed companies.   In this episode, Chris shares the history of Cambridge Pacific and walks us through how seed packs actually get printed. We dig into what you should think about when designing your own seed packs. And we explore the Packet Maker magazine, their annual publication that documents Chris's travels to meet the companies that use their packs.   In the deep dive, we talk about dragons and how they have become a signature of Cambridge Pacific.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   Cambridge Pacific website News Links My crop planning course Farm Spreadsheets For All Seasons is open for registrations. It comes with a full set of crop planning and harvest management spreadsheet templates.     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

It's crop planning time!   I'm sharing the spreadsheet system I've been evolving on farms for over 20 years. These sheets start with your financial goals and work backwards through your sales plan to your field plan. You end up with field schedules, nursery schedules, and a seed order.    Crop planning can feel overwhelming, but when it's done right, it brings clarity, confidence, and less stress to your growing season. And ultimately, when you grow the right amount of crop for your sales channels without extra work, you're on the road to a more profitable farm.   In this episode, you'll hear about two sets of spreadsheets: 🌱 The Basic Farmer Spreadsheet Academy Crop Plan templates. 📊 The Full Crop Plan & Harvest Management Framework that are part of my Farm Spreadsheets for All Seasons course.   You can use these spreadsheets to plan your market garden, your cut flower production, or even your seed crops.  I'll share how these systems work, why pivot tables are a game-changer, and how you can use spreadsheets to plan, track, and grow smarter this season.   It's time to figure out what to grow next season. Enjoy the minisode!       Episode links   Pivot table tutorial   Basic Farmer Spreadsheet Academy Crop Plan Templates   My crop planning course Farm Spreadsheets For All Seasons is open for registrations. It comes with a full set of crop planning and harvest management spreadsheet templates.   News Links Find our more about Permastead:https://github.com/curvedspace/Permastead   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

I invited Janisse Ray for this New Year's Eve episode because I wanted to start the year grounded in the idea of place, rooted in connection, and inspired in your seed work.   Janisse is a writer, naturalist, and farmer based in south Georgia.She is the author of The Seed Underground and Journey in Place, and writes the Substack Trackless Wild.   In this episode, Janisse and I talk about how you learn to be in place and the concept of place-keeping. We explore how this works its way into seed work and foodways. We also dive into the tension between trying to save every seed and focusing on growing a few crops.   In the deep dive, we talk about growing okra for seed.   I invited Janisse for this New Year's Eve episode because I wanted us to start the year grounded in the idea of place, rooted in connection, and inspire you in your seed work. Enjoy the conversation and happy new year! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     Episode links Janisse Ray website  Janisse Ray on substack  Janisse Ray on instagram The latest issue of Crop Stories from Utopian Seed Project features an article from Janisse Ray. News Links   My crop planning course Farm Spreadsheets For All Seasons is open for registrations. It comes with a full set of crop planning and harvest management spreadsheet templates.   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

As we wrap up this year, I want to do something a little bit different. At the end of every Seed Farmer conversations I ask my guests two questions   1- What would you tell your younger seed-growing self? 2- What would you say to market growers & gardeners to inspire them to start growing seed?   The answers I get are really wonderful and I often think about them afterwards.   I've decided to take the answers from episodes 1-10 and put them together to share with you.   In this episode we hear words of advice from … • Frank Morton of WIld Garden Seeds • Adrianna and Joelene of Empowered Flowers • Marie-Claude Comeau of Semences St-Laurent • Kristyn Leach of Second Generation Seeds • Annie and Nathaniel of Deep Harvest Farm • Helen Skiba of Artemis Flower Farm • Liz and Matthew of Muddy Fingers Farm • Robin Tunnicliffe of Sea Bluff Farm • Chris & Owen of Truelove Seeds • Rowen White of Sierra Seeds Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links Holiday Special - My Harvest System Design is 50% off!   My crop planning course Farm Spreadsheets For All Seasons is open for registrations. It comes with a full set of crop planning and harvest management spreadsheet templates.   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

So I've been quietly working on something since April. It hasn't exactly been a secret, but it has mostly stayed under wraps. In this episode, it's finally time to share that project.   The big news: I've co-written a book with Julia Shanks of The Farmer's Office, and we've just submitted the manuscript to the publisher.   In this episode, Julia and I talk about how this collaboration began, why we wanted to work together, and what each of us brought to the book. We also share what we're most excited for you to read, and how this book connects farm production, business planning, and quality of life into one practical framework.   And yes, the project finally has a name. The book is called The Profitable Farmer: Strategic Farm Business Planning for Profit, Purpose, and Quality of Life. It will be released in September 2026, so consider this your early heads-up to mark your calendar.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     Episode links The Farmer's Office website The Farmer's Office on instagram   Come to the Free Organic Seed Community Virtual Open House  Date: Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 Time: 7 – 8:30 PM Eastern   Watch the Growing for Seed and Produce recording of the webinar I gave last summer.   Holiday Special - My Harvest System Design is 50% off!   My crop planning course Farm Spreadsheets For All Seasons is open for registrations. It comes with a full set of crop planning and harvest management spreadsheet templates.   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Alexis Yamashita is a community organizer, seed grower, and PhD student in Food Systems at the University of Vermont. Alexis has also been deeply involved with seed-based cooperatives. She helped found and served as co-director of Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, she co-managed the seed racks division of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, and she lived  in the egalitarian intentional community Twin Oaks.    In this episode, Alexis shares how her background - from cooperative seed work and community living to academic research - shapes her vision for seed systems rooted in culture, equity, and collaboration. We explore the motivations behind her current work and how she bridges grassroots organizing with institutional research.   In the deep dive, Alexis gets into growing mung beans and adzuki beans for seed. From growing to harvest to cleaning.   Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     Episode links   Alexis at UVM Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance     Come to the Free Organic Seed Community Virtual Open House  Date: Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 Time: 7 – 8:30 PM Eastern Watch the Growing for Seed and Produce recording of the webinar I gave last summer.   Holiday Special - My Harvest System Design is 50% off! Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!

Fred Thériault is a farmer and founding member of Tourne-Sol co-operative farm in Les Cèdres, Quebec, where they grow vegetables for 500 weekly CSA baskets and an acre of seed crops. I say "they" but I should guess I mean "we" because I farm with Fred at Tourne-Sol and we've been great friends for the last 25 years and have done all kinds of things together. Such as - Fred and I also co-authored the book Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers.   In this episode, we talk seeds, but I also brought Fred on to explore what it's really like to be part of a co-op. We dive into the challenges and rewards of shared decision-making, balancing individual and collective goals, and building a farm culture where collaboration supports both production and innovation. Fred shares practical insights on how cooperative structures can help farmers thrive while maintaining flexibility and creativity on the farm..   In the deep dive, we focus on on-farm tomato breeding. Fred explains how he selected the Ruby-Sol tomato from a red hybrid, honing in on earliness, yield, and flavor. We explore the trade-offs between production efficiency and experimentation, and the lessons he's learned from years of tomato selection.   I hope you enjoy this conversation. Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links Fred's Farm Co-Op Academy Watch Fred's  Free webinar: Start Your Agricultural Co‑op 101 Tourne-Sol farm's website  Tourne-Sol on instagram       The The Seed Farmer Mentorship is open for registrations     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Here's a peek inside the Seed Farmer Mentorship—a guided learning experience I've created to help growers build the skills, systems, and confidence to produce high-quality seed on their farms. This winter, I'll be hosting the mentorship for the second time, and I'm excited to guide a new group of growers through hands-on learning, practical tools, and a season of intentional seed projects.   In this episode, you'll learn: • Who the Seed Farmer Mentorship is for - both new and experienced seed growers • How the mentorship combines pre-recorded videos with interactive live sessions • What past participants have gained from the program, including skills, confidence, and inspiration • The value of learning alongside a community of seed growers and sharing experiences • How this mentorship can help you take your seed projects to the next level   Here are the 7 modules we cover in the mentorship: 1 - Seed Basics & Choose Your Seed Crops 2 - Recording Keeping For Seed Harvest & Cleaning  3 - Germination Tests, Seed Storage & Inventory Management 4 - Crop Planning & Growing Seeds On A Market Garden 5 - Plant Selection & On Farm Plant Breeding 6 - Sharing & Selling Seeds 7 - Seed Harvest & Cleaning Techniques Registration for the winter cohort is now open. If you've ever wanted to grow seed more intentionally and connect with other growers, this is your chance to get started.   Find out more and register the Seed Farmer Mentorship here.   Enjoy the episode! Episode links Support the Utopian Seed Project for matching funds   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast     ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

David Catzel is the BC Seed Security Program Manager at FarmFolk City Folk, the Regional Program Coordinator for the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, and serves on the board of the BC EcoSeed Co‑op. He also grows seed at Fraser Common Farm Co‑op.   In this episode, David shares his experience supporting growers, organizing cooperatives, and stewarding seed networks. We talk about on‑farm plant breeding, including his efforts to select an open‑pollinated white peacock kale.   In the deep dive, David and I get into the nitty-gritty of growing sea kale (Crambe maritima), covering its tricky germination, perennial habits, and seed production. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links BC Seeds Gatherings https://farmfolkcityfolk.ca/bc-seed-security-program/bc-seed-gathering/   Farm Folk City Folk https://farmfolkcityfolk.ca/bc-seed-security-program/ https://www.instagram.com/farmfolkcityfolk/   BC Seed Suppliers https://farmfolkcityfolk.ca/find-seeds/bc-seed-suppliers/ The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security https://www.seedsecurity.ca/en/ News Links   The Seed Farmer Mentorship is open for registrations!     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

You've reviewed your field records, gathered feedback from your team, looked at your sales channels, and even listened to your customers. Now it's time to bring it all together.   This is the final episode of the 2025 Season Review Challenge! Let's pull together everything you've learned and turn it into a clear picture of your season.   I'll also share a few examples from Tourne-Sol - including my frustration with cleaning Tithonia seeds and how amazing melons can be when everything goes right.   In this episode, we'll cover: •  Summarizing insights from all your seed reviews •  Celebrating your seed successes •  Learning from your seed challenges •  Identifying your biggest bottleneck in seed work •  Getting better with tool solutions, system solutions, and planning solutions •  Why saying "no" to one thing means saying "yes" to something better   Enjoy the episode — and congrats on completing the Season Review Challenge! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   The Seed Farmer Mentorship is open for registrations! Find our more about Organic Seed Alliance: Regional Seed Summits   Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Matt Bell has worked at Johnny's Selected Seeds in Albion, Maine, since 2018. He is currently a trial technician focusing on cucurbits, but today's conversation dives into some of his previous work with brassicas.   Matt comes from a family with a long history of seed saving and continues that tradition by growing seed at home outside of his work at Johnny's. He also grows vegetables for his partner's café, Café Grazie, in Rockland, Maine.   In this episode, Matt shares how he approaches seed production with intentional goals, five-year selection plans, and the value of diversity over uniformity. We dive deep into overwintering brassicas — from digging and potting plants, pruning, and greenhouse setup, to managing cold-hardiness, rodent and aphid pressures, and drip irrigation. Enjoy the conversation! The Seed Farmer Mentorship is open for registrations!   Episode links Johnny's website   Cafe Grazie instagram Cafe Grazie website   Register for the Free 2025 Midwest Organic Seed Summit     Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

This week we're turning our attention to your customers. The people who actually buy your seeds. Whether you sell seed packs through your online store, seed racks in retail shops, or bulk seed on contract to other companies, this is the perfect time to connect, listen, and learn.   This minisode is part 4 of the 2025 Season Review Challenge, where I want to make sure you take the time to learn from this season so you can plan an even better next season.   In this episode, we'll get into … • Why customer feedback is the heart of a thriving seed business • How to survey or interview your customers effectively • When to use personal calls instead of online forms   We also talk about Chufa nuts in the intro. Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   Registrations for The Seed Farmer Mentorship open on Nov 6 The BC Seed Gathering is on Nov 28 Watch Last year's Season Review Challenge Videos      Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

It's time to review your seed sales channels to see what's working and what isn't.    Whether you're selling seed packs through your own company or bulk seed to other seed companies, there are a few metrics that will help you plan for next season.   This minisode is part 3 of the 2025 Season Review Challenge, where I want to make sure you take the time to learn from this season so you can build an even better seed business next year.   In this episode, we'll get into … • How to top and bottom-selling varieties • The seed cost per pack for different crops • The potential sales per growing space for different crops • Considering non economic reasons why you choose certain varieties • Get ready to plan next season   Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   The Seed Farmer Mentorship registration starts November 6 Behind the Packet: Open-Pollinated Seeds in Focus on October 28 Watch my Pivot Table tutorial Watch Last year's Season Review Challenge Videos      Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Gather the crew - it's time for a season review!   This week on the Season Review Challenge, we're talking about doing a team season review. That means gathering everyone who worked alongside you this year, and looking back together on how the season went - not just from your perspective, but from theirs.   Taking time for a team review might feel risky during fall harvests and cleanup, but it's one of the best investments you can make for your systems, your sanity, and your staff retention. When people feel heard and see their feedback shape next season's plan, they're a lot more likely to stick around and keep growing with you.   This minisode is part 2 of the 2025 Season Review Challenge, where I want to make sure you take the time to learn from this season so you can plan an even better next season.   In this episode, we'll get into: • How to structure a team season review • Questions to ask that draw out useful insights • How to use surveys to gather input efficiently • Why sharing everyone's responses matters • How this feedback can directly improve your seed systems   So, before you dive into winter planning, take an hour to harvest your team's experience. The seeds of next season's improvements are already there. You just have to ask for them.   Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links The Seed Farmer Mentorship is coming back soon. Breeding tomatoes on a farm: practical selection advice. Article in Growing For Market Watch Last year's Season Review Challenge Videos        Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

You might be busy harvesting carrots, planting garlic, and wrapping up the season - but this is also the perfect time to pause and look back at your growing season.   Before all the details of the season fade away, take a moment to review what you actually planted, what you harvested, and how it all turned out. Completing your field records now, while the season is still fresh in your mind, will make your future planning so much easier.   This minisode is part 1 of the 2025 Season Review Challenge, where I want to make sure you take the time to learn from this season so you can plan an even better next season.   In this episode, we'll get into …  • Why to do a season review while you're still busy in the field  • What planting and harvest records matter most for seed growers  • How to complete your records if they have a few holes  • How to figure out your own seed yields  • Why your own numbers are more valuable than any reference book (Though the Seed Farmer book is still a pretty good reference!)   Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast         Episode links   The Seed Farmer Mentorship is coming back soon. Help Shape the 12th Seed Library Summit Watch Last year's Season Review Challenge Videos      Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only)   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

All those roots you're harvesting for fall storage aren't just good for eating or selling at market. They are also the first stage of a biennial seed crop!   If you've planted carrots, beets, turnips, onions, or winter radishes this season, you can choose the best roots now to grow a seed crop next year.   This is another Seedy September minisode to realise that there is seed growing in your garden right now and all you have to do is go and harvest it.   Actually - this might actually be an October minisode.   In this episode, we'll get into …  • How to choose the best roots to overwinter for seed  • How to store and handle biennial roots through winter  • Tips for starting biennials and breaking dormancy in the spring  • Keeping genetic diversity and avoiding accidental crosses  • How many plants do you need and how much seed can you get   Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast   Seed News links Canadian Farmers! Sign the petition to protect your right to save certain protected seed varieties on your farm. https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6778     Stay in Touch   Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!  

Your bean plants might be winding down but that doesn't mean there isn't one last harvest in them.   If you've been picking bush beans or pole beans all summer, chances are a few pods got missed. By now, those pods are starting to mature—and even if you didn't plan to grow beans for seed - those missed pods mean that you still have a chance to harvest some bean seed!   This is another Seedy September minisode to realise that there is seed growing in your garden right now and all you have to do is go and harvest it.    In this episode, we'll get into …    • Whether to pick individual pods or whole plants  • How green you can pick a pod and still get good seed  • Easy threshing and cleaning methods  • How likely beans are to cross pollinate  • The joys of better germination   Enjoy the episode! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast   Seed News links Pre-Order Crop Stories from Utopian Seed Project Read the Organic Task Force report   Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter   Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/   ❤️ Thanks for listening!