Howard Prussack of High Meadows Farm raises crops, potted herbs, and vegetable starts with his wife, Lisa, in 30,000 square feet of greenhouses as well as out in the field in Putney, Vermont. Howard has been farming since 1971, and High Meadows Farm was the first certified organic farm in Vermont.
We dig into Howard’s history and the growth of the farm, Howard’s early off-farm job and how that helped him learn the business, and the logistics of marketing to retailers. Howard also shares his tips about transplant production, training employees to water plants in the greenhouse, and the overseas education work that he has done.
We dig into Howard’s history and the growth of the farm, Howard’s early off-farm job and how that helped him learn the business, and the logistics of marketing to retailers. Howard also shares his tips about transplant production, training employees to water plants in the greenhouse, and the overseas education work that he has done.
Sponsors
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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.
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.
Quotes from the Show
We joke that we get paid in scenery here but we try to balance it out with real money.
Cheap is a state of mind and do you really want cheap food or do you want good food?
Business takes a life of its own. It evolves in the way that it just evolves if you're paying attention. What you
should always do is pay attention to the standard business practices of maintaining the financial integrity of basically more money needs to be coming in than going out.
You make more money doing bookkeeping than you do farming because you learn the mistakes. You learn what makes money. That's where good decisions are going to come from.
Cheap is a state of mind and do you really want cheap food or do you want good food?
Business takes a life of its own. It evolves in the way that it just evolves if you're paying attention. What you
should always do is pay attention to the standard business practices of maintaining the financial integrity of basically more money needs to be coming in than going out.
You make more money doing bookkeeping than you do farming because you learn the mistakes. You learn what makes money. That's where good decisions are going to come from.
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.
