Ben Hartman

Ben Hartman, an expert in making money from the produce you grow using the lean system, discusses strategies for starting a micro farm, maximizing crop harvests, and starting a farm on a budget in this episode. Learn how to eliminate transportation waste and costs by selling locally, understand customer needs, and use specific tools and techniques to start a farm with minimal investment.

In a compelling discussion, Ben Hartman, farmer and author of "The Lean Microfarm," shares his journey into small-scale farming with his wife at Clay Bottom Farm. He emphasizes how maximizing efficiency can yield enough crops for loyal customers, even in limited spaces. The conversation dives into the importance of cleanliness and organization in gardening, using the Japanese 5S method to streamline processes. Hartman also highlights the significance of local farming and community ties in fostering sustainability and productivity. Tune in for inspiring insights on thriving with less!

Ben Hartman turned to a lean system when his meticulously built greenhouse was destroyed by high winds. By using this concept, he’s instituted a simple way to farm, framing it in terms of production and waste – two sides of the same coin.  Epic Gardening Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/48PPp1p Botanical Interests Shop Homepage: https://growepic.co/4aQS4d9 Book Collection Page: https://growepic.co/3Hh6N3r EG Homesteading Book: https://growepic.co/3NZeLlw Connect With Ben Hartman: Ben Hartman is the author of The Lean Micro Farm (Chelsea Green, 2023) and The Lean Farm (Chelsea Green, 2016), winner of the prestigious Shingo Institute Research and Professional Publication Award. In 2017, Ben was named one of fifty emerging green leaders in the United States by Grist, and published a companion guide to The Lean Farm titled The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables. Ben and his wife, Rachel Hershberger, own and operate Clay Bottom Farm in Goshen, Indiana, where they make their living growing specialty crops on 1/3 acre of land in production. Ben has developed an online course in lean farming, which can be found at claybottomfarm.com The Lean Farm Books  The Lean Farm Books on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Chelsea Green Website Instagram YouTube Facebook Website Shop the Store As an exclusive for listeners, use code THEBEET for 5% off your entire order on our store, featuring our flagship Birdies Raised Beds. These are the original metal raised beds, lasting up to 5-10x longer than wooden beds, are ethically made in Australia, and have a customizable modular design.   Shop now and get 5% off your first order. Get Our Books Looking for a beginner's guide to growing food in small spaces? Kevin’s book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, explains the core, essential information that you'll need to grow plants, no matter where you live! He also wrote Grow Bag Gardening to provide you with specialized knowledge that can bring you success when growing in fabric pots. Preorder Kevin’s newest book Epic Homesteading if you are looking to turn your home into a thriving homestead!  Order signed... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices