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126: Ray Tyler of Rose Creek Farms on Farming in the South and the Journey from Failing as Farmers to Loving Life

7/6/2017

7 Comments

 
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Ray Tyler raises about an acre of salad greens at Rose Creek Farms in Selmer, Tennessee, about two hours east of Memphis and three hours west of Nashville. He farms with his wife, Ashley, and his five children, as well as employees. Produce is sold at farmers market, through a CSA, and to grocery stores in Memphis.

Ray tells the story of his farm from its start as a mixed vegetable and livestock operation in 2010 to its current focus on specialty salad greens, baby root vegetables, and tomatoes on a small scale. We discuss the never-ending vicious cycle of failures Ray encountered in the beginning years of the farm, and how the life-threatening illness of a young child resulted in Rose Creek Farm’s transition from a failing operation into a thriving, joyful, vegetable production machine.

Ray also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of farming in the south – including a fantastic tutorial on summer lettuce production in that challenging climate. We also dig into how Ray leveraged an intensive education to make his farming transition, and the large and small practical changes that make it possible for Rose Creek Farms to gross big dollars on a small acreage.

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Quotes from the Show

talking about and really trying to go and basically just asking for more help.

I felt like I had to have so much land in cultivation because I was having so much crop loss failures that I had to grow twice as much just to make up for all the losses.

Just because you're in the house on the computer emailing, you're not being with your family.

If you want to enjoy life on a farm get rid of all your weeds.


If a farmer isn't looking for his next sale it's just a matter of time before he's going to go out of business.

Show Links

Ray talked about his work with Curtis Stone, who was featured on Episode 58 of the Farmer to Farmer Podcast.

Paper pot transplanters are available from Small Farm Works.

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 Rock Dust Local, the first company in North America specializing in local sourcing and delivery of the BEST rock dusts and biochar for organic farming. Additional funding for transcripts provided by North Central SARE, providing grants and education to advance innovations in Sustainable Agriculture.
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7 Comments
Gregory
7/7/2017 08:10:50 am

Chris (and Ray)
Thank you for this episode. It is one of my favourite because it really spoke to me. I'm in a similar situation as Ray was a few years ago (minus the child's illness). I am in my second year farming and took on way too much with livestock and vegetable production and our family life is really suffering. This is really what I needed to hear. Much appreciated!

Reply
Ray Tyler link
7/7/2017 05:24:58 pm

Hi Gregory!
Im glad this spoke to you. Farming is a journey. When you learn to enjoy the process and your being fills with gratitude for the small things that are truly important....Good things will happen. Patience is key. Reach out if you have any questions! Ray

Reply
Peter
7/10/2017 04:20:12 am

I'd heard bits of Ray's story elsewhere, but was great to hear it in depth, such a powerful story, and you're a great story teller Ray!
I'm starting out in Perth, Western Australia, with equally hot summers, so really interested to experiment with your lettuce process this coming summer.
Thanks Ray and Chris!

Reply
Ray Tyler link
7/10/2017 05:28:12 am

Thanks for the kind words Peter! Stay in touch and if you ever have any questions about your lettuce production feel free to reach out.
Cheers and happy growing!

Reply
Amber Bradshaw link
7/12/2017 04:15:16 pm

Great podcast and a very inspirational story.
Wonderful points about growing something different, the markets here get flooded with the same product and it's almost like we get into a bidding war.

Reply
Sheila Dicks
7/27/2017 01:04:12 pm

We are in Alabama and struggle with lettuce production during summer too! Really loved all the great information and sharing your struggles! Was wondering since you have narrowed down what you grow to greens and lettuce do you still do a CSA?

Reply
David Mitchell
7/11/2018 01:44:33 pm

Great episode..I listened to it a while back; but now I'm wondering if you mentioned any of the specific heat-tolerant greens (specific varieties) that you would recommend. I'm in SW Virginia and just do hobbyist homesteading stuff, but I would like to get some good greens during the heat. Any tips?

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