Mike Madison raises 14 acres of organic olives, cut flowers, a variety of tree fruits, and the occasional vegetable crop at Yolo Press, near Davis, California. With his wife, Diane, Yolo Press creates olive oil and a variety of value-added products that are sold with the cut flowers through independent grocers and farmers markets in Davis. Yolo Press has provided a living for Mike and Diane since 1986.
We dig into the development of Yolo Press’ crop mix and markets, and how they developed to accommodate farmer labor and to provide a good living for Mike and Diane. Mike provides all of the production labor on the farm, so we discuss the hows and the whys of making that work, as well as the economics of the farm business and value-added products.
Mike is also the author of the recently published Fruitful Labor: The Ecology, Economy and Practice of a Family Farm.
We dig into the development of Yolo Press’ crop mix and markets, and how they developed to accommodate farmer labor and to provide a good living for Mike and Diane. Mike provides all of the production labor on the farm, so we discuss the hows and the whys of making that work, as well as the economics of the farm business and value-added products.
Mike is also the author of the recently published Fruitful Labor: The Ecology, Economy and Practice of a Family Farm.
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Vermont Compost Company: Founded by organic crop growing professionals committed to meeting the need for high-quality composts and compost-based, living soil mixes for certified organic plant production.
High Mowing Organic Seeds: The first independently owned, farm-based seed company proudly serving organic growers with a full line of 100% certified organic and Non-GMO Project verified vegetable, herb, flower and cover crop seeds. Professional quality seeds grown by organic farmers, for organic farmers. Purchase your seeds early and receive a 10% discount through our Community Supported Seeds program – visit highmowingseeds.com/save.
Vermont Compost Company: Founded by organic crop growing professionals committed to meeting the need for high-quality composts and compost-based, living soil mixes for certified organic plant production.
Quotes from the Show
If you just have a very brief season and you get a big lump of money, and then you watch it melt away month after month, that can be a little disconcerting. So, we always have income, we always have things to do.
You can do great things with class three soil over a period of decades, but that's a heartbreaking way to farm.
Just because I've got a pocket full of money, is not enough motivation for me to be stuck in traffic on Interstate 80.
Typically we're setting our prices on the low end of the spectrum, because we're concerned about who our customer base is, and because we're not particularly ambitious to be wealthy.
Over the years, I keep lowering my expectations and lower and lower and lower until almost anything that works out is a bonus.
You can do great things with class three soil over a period of decades, but that's a heartbreaking way to farm.
Just because I've got a pocket full of money, is not enough motivation for me to be stuck in traffic on Interstate 80.
Typically we're setting our prices on the low end of the spectrum, because we're concerned about who our customer base is, and because we're not particularly ambitious to be wealthy.
Over the years, I keep lowering my expectations and lower and lower and lower until almost anything that works out is a bonus.
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Mike’s book, Fruitful Labor, is a thoughtful and worthwhile read.
Mike mentioned the customized potato planter he bought from US Small Farm Equipment Co. to plant his tulip bulbs. Transcript
The transcript for this episode is brought to you byEarth 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. Visitosborneseed.com for high quality seed, industry-leading customer service, and fast order fulfillment. Additional funding for transcripts provided byNorth Central SARE, providing grants and education to advance innovations in Sustainable Agriculture.
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