Andrew Mefferd farms at One Drop Farm in Cornville, Maine, with his wife, Ann, where they sell produce and transplants at farmers market, to a multiple farm CSA, and to local restaurants and food stores. Andrew is also the editor and publisher of Growing for Market, having taken over that business from Lynn Byczynski last year – the magazine’s 25th year in publication.
Andrew is also the author of The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook, a fantastic new guide to growing things in protected culture. This is a really cool book, short on rah-rah and long on real how-to, and Andrew really lets his plant-nerd flag fly. Much our conversation focused on the lessons that Andrew took from his experience working with large-scale greenhouse growers as the tomato trials guy at Johnny’s Selected Seeds and applied to his own high tunnel operation.
We talk extensively about how to take on some advanced greenhouse growing techniques, without getting too deep into the weeds. Andrew digs into his opinions about the return on investment for increased management in the greenhouse. And he provides some practical tips for extending spring production in the high tunnel, as well as for growing transplants for protected culture.
Andrew is also the author of The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook, a fantastic new guide to growing things in protected culture. This is a really cool book, short on rah-rah and long on real how-to, and Andrew really lets his plant-nerd flag fly. Much our conversation focused on the lessons that Andrew took from his experience working with large-scale greenhouse growers as the tomato trials guy at Johnny’s Selected Seeds and applied to his own high tunnel operation.
We talk extensively about how to take on some advanced greenhouse growing techniques, without getting too deep into the weeds. Andrew digs into his opinions about the return on investment for increased management in the greenhouse. And he provides some practical tips for extending spring production in the high tunnel, as well as for growing transplants for protected culture.
Sponsors
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.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, light-weight 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.
Farm Commons: Strong, resilient, sustainable farm businesses are built on a solid legal foundation. With practical resources geared for the direct-to-consumer and organic producer, Farm Commons can help you understand what you need to know, in language that makes it easy to understand.
BCS America: BCS two-wheel tractors are versatile, maneuverable in tight spaces, light-weight 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.
Farm Commons: Strong, resilient, sustainable farm businesses are built on a solid legal foundation. With practical resources geared for the direct-to-consumer and organic producer, Farm Commons can help you understand what you need to know, in language that makes it easy to understand.
Quotes from the Show
Once we had started our own farm, we realized that there were few things that we wish we'd learned first time around and so we just went right back to apprenticing.
At the farmers market is if you get the same question over and over again, it's time to make a sign.
Most of the smaller growers were basically just growing field style in a hoophouse or a greenhouse.
The United States is the number one agricultural exporter in the world and the Dutch are number two.
You don't have to be big to get a lot done, to be productive. All you have to be is smart and efficient.
If you told me that your line was going to cut out in one minute and I have a minute to tell you anything that I'd like to pass on, what I'd like to say is to plant more densely.
At the farmers market is if you get the same question over and over again, it's time to make a sign.
Most of the smaller growers were basically just growing field style in a hoophouse or a greenhouse.
The United States is the number one agricultural exporter in the world and the Dutch are number two.
You don't have to be big to get a lot done, to be productive. All you have to be is smart and efficient.
If you told me that your line was going to cut out in one minute and I have a minute to tell you anything that I'd like to pass on, what I'd like to say is to plant more densely.
Show Links
Andrew’s new book is The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook. I wish I had had this resource when I was growing under cover.
Growing for Market is the trade publication for market farmers. Farmer to Farmer Podcast listeners can use the code "podcast" at checkout to get 20% off a subscription of your choice.
Andrew raved about Saboten’s compact harvest scissors model 1318. He writes about these and more in his Growing for Market article, Useful Tools for the Hoophouse.
Growing for Market is the trade publication for market farmers. Farmer to Farmer Podcast listeners can use the code "podcast" at checkout to get 20% off a subscription of your choice.
Andrew raved about Saboten’s compact harvest scissors model 1318. He writes about these and more in his Growing for Market article, Useful Tools for the Hoophouse.
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 Growing for Market, where you can get 20% off your subscription with the code “podcast” at checkout.
