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173: Jean-Martin Fortier of La Ferme de Quatre Temps on Intensive Production on More Acres

8/9/2018

2 Comments

 
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Jean-Martin Fortier is most famous for his book, “The Market Gardener,” based on the high-output systems he developed at Quebec’s Les Jardens de la Grelinette, where his wife, Maude Helen, currently produces over $150,000 of produce on an acre and a half of production ground. He currently farms at La Ferme de Quatre Temps, an enlarged version of the same model on six acres of production ground.
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We dig into the foundations of JM’s production model, from high fertility to an emphasis on weed prevention, and how that model has translated to more acres on his new project. JM reflects on the changed constraints with his new farm, and we discuss the lessons that JM has learned about personnel with a much larger crew and a different role for himself.

Sponsors

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Quotes from the Show

We've scaled up but we haven't really changed model and it's also interesting to just see how that model would do, considering that we're not cultivating with tractors and we're not doing bed prep with tractors.
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When you put a quick-acting nitrogen base, most crops will develop their leaf systems, like a broccoli, let's say, as it develops the broccoli because it has a lot of good nitrogen. Then it's equipped because it has a lot of solar gain because of this big canopy. Then it can go down with its roots and get what the broccoli wants from the compost.

Show Links

JM’s  Market Gardener’s Master Class is available to Farmer to Farmer Podcast listeners for $100 off with the code farmertofarmerpodcast. Enrollment will re-open at the end of September, although you can sign up for the waiting list now.

Transcript

The transcript for this episode is brought to you by  Earth Tools, offering the most complete selection of walk-behind farming equipment and high-quality garden tools in North America. And by Osborne Quality Seeds, a dedicated partner for growers.  Visit  osborneseed.com for high quality seed, industry-leading customer service, and fast order fulfillment. Additional funding for transcripts provided by  North Central SARE, providing grants and education to advance innovations in Sustainable Agriculture.
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2 Comments
Steven Heller
8/28/2018 04:24:51 pm

Excellent. I learned a tremendous amount.
Thank you🙏
Request: My wife and I own a botanical garden and half acre certified organic farm on Lopez Island,WA. The property includes a 10 acre beautiful forest for forest Bathing,
meditation walks, Qigong and related Spiritual practices. We are looking for someone or a couple who are dedicated and committed to Organic Practices to help
manage this property. Wonderful peaceful housing will be available to manger. Please respond to Steve.Heller@Mac.Com if this
interests you or someone you know. Thank You🤙

Reply
Veit Plietz link
8/29/2018 11:53:23 pm

Please please please. We need translator for German. Wishes from the biol.-dyn. Garden. Wishes Veit

Reply



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