 | Eric McClam and his dad, Robbie, own City Roots in Columbia, South Carolina. With eight acres of vegetables, mushrooms, u-pick berries, flowers, bees, agritourism, vermicomposting, and several high tunnels, City Roots is seven years into its operation and grosses about $650,000 annually. We dig deeply into their operation and the relationship between Eric and Robbie, including how their different personalities have influenced the growth of the operation and the directions it has gone, as well as how they structure their communications and their relationship. We also explore how City Roots has leveraged marketing partners to extend their reach, how they manage so much diversity and three distinct production parcels, and their experience with no-till vegetables, organic certification, and GAPs audits. City Roots has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2012 Green America’s People and Planet Award for Best Green Business, 2010 International Downtown Association Pinnacle Award, the 2010 Columbia Choice Award, the 2010-2013 Free Times Best of Columbia – Best New Green Business and the 2010 Farm City Award – Richland County, and 2015 Green Business of the Year award from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. After spending a couple of hours with them, I know why! The Farmer to Farmer Podcast is generously supported by Vermont Compost Company. |
Sponsors
Vermont Compost: 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.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, lightweight for less compaction, and easy to maintain and repair on farm. Gear-driven and built to last for decades of dependable service on your farm or market garden.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, lightweight for less compaction, and easy to maintain and repair on farm. Gear-driven and built to last for decades of dependable service on your farm or market garden.
Quotes from the Show
Having a diversified operation has really helped us grow but at times has spread us too thin. [Eric]
I’m less and less the farmer and more and more the accountant. [Eric]
If I underestimated anything it was the trouble that comes from weeds. [Robbie]
There’s two things on a farm that can do a lot of damage in a short time. One’s a tractor, and the other’s a
volunteer [Robbie]
[Regarding no-till:] When it goes wrong, it goes wrong bad. [Eric]
I’m less and less the farmer and more and more the accountant. [Eric]
If I underestimated anything it was the trouble that comes from weeds. [Robbie]
There’s two things on a farm that can do a lot of damage in a short time. One’s a tractor, and the other’s a
volunteer [Robbie]
[Regarding no-till:] When it goes wrong, it goes wrong bad. [Eric]
Show Links
The McClam’s leveraged GrowFood Carolina’s food hub to access the upscale foodie market in Charleston, South Carolina.
Farm To Table Event Co.
Robbie and Eric used two Value Added Producer Grants to grow their business.
Eric really likes his Maschio Tarzan power harrow bed shaper.
Farm To Table Event Co.
Robbie and Eric used two Value Added Producer Grants to grow their business.
Eric really likes his Maschio Tarzan power harrow bed shaper.
