Dawn's Dirt

Why Small Farms Are The Future of Food with Greg | EP 67

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Greg from Sunshine and Green Farms in Suffolk, England, and we get into what it really takes to build a profitable small-scale vegetable farm. We talk about growing food as a real business, not just a hobby, and why direct-to-consumer sales are giving farmers more power in a broken food system. Greg shares how he started with almost nothing, built a four-acre farm from the ground up, and created a model that works without depending on big retailers or government handouts. We also unpack why local food matters, how decentralized food systems create resilience, and why young farmers need to get back on the land. If you care about food freedom, profitable farming, and taking back control of what ends up on your plate, this conversation will light a fire under you. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: small-scale farming, profitable vegetable farming, local food systems, food freedom, direct-to-consumer sales, decentralized agriculture, young farmers, farm profitability, community-based food, breaking supermarket dependence, resilient farming models, sustainable local food Takeaways: * Small farms can be profitable when they focus on direct sales and smart marketing * A decentralized food system is more resilient than relying on a handful of massive players * Farmers gain more control when they sell to people instead of selling into commodity markets * Profitability comes from the whole farm business, not just one crop * Young farmers do not need to start big to build something meaningful * Government subsidies can disappear quickly, but strong local markets create stability * Convenience, quality, and trust are key to getting people to buy local food consistently ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/sunshineandgreen/ [https://www.instagram.com/sunshineandgreen/] Website | https://sunshineandgreen.co.uk/ [https://sunshineandgreen.co.uk/] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/SunshineandGreen/ [https://www.facebook.com/SunshineandGreen/followers] ______________________________________________ Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started! Book Your FREE Call Today! [https://linktr.ee/dawnsdirt?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMTFO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3KKiJFzzMBpAqtMxRiTl-xWZk9hIP7DdBBOA-ND8kE1SdrbTBJaYcsQYvVi_aem_JXolgx5Xir02R_aLZ9rhrQ] Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ [https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/] Dawn Dirt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt [https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/?locale=en_gb]/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/] ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at https://yourwebsite.comwww.carleybutlermedia.com [http://www.carleybutlermedia.com]

This "Traceability" Plan Could Wipe Out Small Ranchers with Lance Neilson EP 66

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Alberta beef producer Lance Neilson of Nielsen Beef to talk about the CFIA's proposed cattle traceability changes and why so many ranchers are saying "absolutely not." Lance breaks down the current system (brands, manifests, RFID) and explains how the new proximity reporting would add a pile of cost, tech, and paperwork to cow-calf producers with zero clear economic upside. We get into how these rules could quietly push small operations out, scare folks away from 4-H and cattle shows, and speed up consolidation in rural Canada. Then Lance brings receipts from the UK, where similar systems have meant surprise inspections, more red tape, and yes, fewer small farmers. If you care about food freedom, farm-to-table beef, and keeping entry-level farming possible in Canada, this one's a must-listen. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: CFIA traceability changes explained, cow-calf producers vs feedlots impact, proximity reporting and the "wider net" problem, costs of tag readers and extra labor, risks to 4-H and cattle shows, rodeo paperwork burden, why "trade expansion" claims don't add up, boxed beef vs live cattle trade reality, BSE timeline and border closure truth, UK cattle passport cautionary tale, consolidation and loss of small farms, farm-to-table marketing through social media Takeaways: * If there's no clear economic benefit, the burden is just bureaucracy * Proximity reporting can punish good farmers years after a single event * More reporting requirements usually favors big operations over small ones * "Trade protection" arguments need to separate boxed beef from live trade * BSE showed traceability speed doesn't guarantee borders reopen faster * The UK is a real-world case study of how regulation can trigger consolidation * Social media + direct-to-consumer sales can help small farms survive and grow ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neilsonbeef/ [https://www.instagram.com/neilsonbeef/] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/neilsonbeef [https://www.facebook.com/neilsonbeef] TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@neilsonbeef [https://www.tiktok.com/@neilsonbeef] Website | https://albertabbqbox.com/ [https://albertabbqbox.com/] ______________________________________________ Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started! Book Your FREE Call Today! [https://linktr.ee/dawnsdirt?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMTFO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3KKiJFzzMBpAqtMxRiTl-xWZk9hIP7DdBBOA-ND8kE1SdrbTBJaYcsQYvVi_aem_JXolgx5Xir02R_aLZ9rhrQ] Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ [https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/] Dawn Dirt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt [https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/?locale=en_gb]/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/] ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at https://yourwebsite.comwww.carleybutlermedia.com [http://www.carleybutlermedia.com]

CFIA Forced 550 Deer Dead Then Zero Tested Positive with Jason Smith EP 65

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Jason Smith, a farmer-rancher from Eckville, Alberta, who lived through the kind of CFIA nightmare you pray never lands on your gate. Jason shares how he built a deer operation from the late 90s, followed every rule, tracked every tag, double-fenced his farm, and still ended up forced to destroy his entire herd after CFIA claimed Chronic Wasting Disease was present. Here's the gut punch: after it was all done, every single animal tested negative. We also dig into what this means for cattle producers right now as new traceability rules push toward government databases, more paperwork, and more pressure on small, family farms. If you care about food freedom, farm-to-table, and keeping farmers on the land, you need to hear this one. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: CFIA enforcement, chronic wasting disease explained, deer farming and hunting industry, quarantine and compensation process, government overreach in agriculture, paperwork and expanding regulations, traceability vs control, small farms under pressure, big ag consolidation concerns, Alberta-led solutions, farm-to-table importance, rebuilding community and family connection Takeaways: * Traceability is not the issue, government control and creeping requirements are * A "rule change" often becomes layers of paperwork that producers never agreed to * Small farms get crushed first when systems require constant computer reporting * Biosecurity and good husbandry do not guarantee fair treatment by regulators * Local farm-to-table systems strengthen trust, transparency, and community * When communication breaks down, families pay the price not bureaucrats * Protecting food freedom starts with producers organizing locally and loudly ______________________________________________ Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself, help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started! Book Your FREE Call Today! [https://linktr.ee/dawnsdirt?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMTFO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3KKiJFzzMBpAqtMxRiTl-xWZk9hIP7DdBBOA-ND8kE1SdrbTBJaYcsQYvVi_aem_JXolgx5Xir02R_aLZ9rhrQ] Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ [https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/] Dawn Dirt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt [https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/?locale=en_gb]/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/] ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at https://yourwebsite.comwww.carleybutlermedia.com [http://www.carleybutlermedia.com]

How He Built a Profitable Market Garden From Scratch with Jared Reuben EP 64

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I sit down with Jared from Ruben's Roots, a market gardener just outside the Battlefords in Saskatchewan who basically said "no plan, full send" and built a real business anyway. We get into the messy truth of year one (weed seed bank hell, irrigation learning curves, growing what you think will sell vs what actually sells), and how he turned carrots from his worst crop into his top earner through smarter systems, succession planting, and a few key tools. Jared breaks down his 30-inch bed setup, drip irrigation, DIY farm tools, and how he's scaling while still working a full-time job. Then we go there on organic certification, food labels, and why "naturally grown" plus trust and transparency can beat bureaucracy. If you're starting from scratch, this one is pure practical gold. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: market gardening, small scale farming, growing food for profit, starting a market garden, farm to table, local food systems, sustainable farming, naturally grown produce, organic vs organic certified, succession planting, vegetable crop planning, DIY farm tools, bed system farming, small farm business, market garden success Takeaways: * Let the market tell you what to grow and cut the "nice idea" crops fast * Standardize your beds and systems so everything gets easier to measure and repeat * Companion planting can solve problems without fancy sprays or drama * Tools that save your body save your business, even DIY ones * Succession planting turns random harvests into consistent income * Hire for the bottleneck that burns you out, not the task you love * "Local and transparent" often matters more than a certification badge ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Jared's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/reubens.roots/ [https://www.instagram.com/reubens.roots/] Jared's Website | https://www.reubensroots.ca/ [https://www.reubensroots.ca/] ______________________________________________ Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started! Book Your FREE Call Today! [https://linktr.ee/dawnsdirt?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMTFO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3KKiJFzzMBpAqtMxRiTl-xWZk9hIP7DdBBOA-ND8kE1SdrbTBJaYcsQYvVi_aem_JXolgx5Xir02R_aLZ9rhrQ] Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ [https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/] Dawn Dirt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt [https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/?locale=en_gb]/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/] ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at https://yourwebsite.comwww.carleybutlermedia.com [http://www.carleybutlermedia.com]

How to Build a Food System You Trust with Christie Green EP 63

In this episode of Dawn's Dirt, I'm sitting down with Christie Green, a landscape architect in Santa Fe who's obsessed with food the same way I am, because food is never just food. We get into what it looks like to live in real relationship with what you eat, from gardening in tough desert conditions to hunting as a practice of presence, respect, and learning. Christie breaks down how to build soil that actually holds water, why "lazy gardening" is usually the smartest gardening, and how to start small without the Pinterest pressure. We also go deep on seasonality, calling out fake "farm-to-table," and why growing even one thing can flip a switch in your body and your brain. If you're craving food freedom, community, and a way back to what's real, this one's for you. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: food intimacy, hunting as ritual, composting basics, building soil in dry climates, sunken beds and bioswales, lazy gardener design, container gardening, perfectionism in gardening, seasonal eating, real farm-to-table accountability, food sovereignty, respectful dialogue across differences Takeaways: * Food hits different when you know the story behind it * Start small so you don't set yourself up to quit * In dry climates, the goal is soil that holds water, not just water on top * Put gardens where you will see them every day, not in the back 40 * Gardening is an experiment, not a test you pass or fail * Seasonal eating connects you back to place and to your body * Food can build bridges when we lead with respect instead of being right ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Christie's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/radiclelandscape/ [https://www.instagram.com/radiclelandscape/] Christie's Website | https://www.christiegreen.net/ [https://www.christiegreen.net/] Christie's Book | Moonlight Elk By Christie Green [https://www.unmpress.com/9780826366726/moonlight-elk/#:~:text=Here,%20hunting%20in%20the%20wild,%20the%20moon%20cycles] ______________________________________________ Love what you're hearing on Dawn's Dirt? Don't keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Want to turn your homestead into more than just a hobby? I've been there. As a former farmer, I built a profitable business from my land, selling out at local markets, preserving food through canning, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars from what I grew and raised. Now, I help others do the same. Whether it's garden coaching, raising animals, selling eggs, or turning your harvest into income through canning, I'll show you practical ways to bring real value from your homestead. Let's talk about your goals and how we can make your land work for you. Book a free call today using the link below, let's get started! Book Your FREE Call Today! [https://linktr.ee/dawnsdirt?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMTFO1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3KKiJFzzMBpAqtMxRiTl-xWZk9hIP7DdBBOA-ND8kE1SdrbTBJaYcsQYvVi_aem_JXolgx5Xir02R_aLZ9rhrQ] Visit Dawn's Website | https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ [https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/] Dawn Dirt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt [https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/?locale=en_gb]/ Dawn's Dirt Podcast Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/dawnsdirtpodcast/] ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at https://yourwebsite.comwww.carleybutlermedia.com [http://www.carleybutlermedia.com]