He Farms 35 Hours a Week By Himself and Makes 6 Figures

Summary

In this engaging farm tour, Kevin visits Andrew's impressive 1.5-acre farm, where Andrew single-handedly cultivates a bountiful harvest while working part-time hours. Andrew shares his techniques for intensive planting, composting, and managing the farm efficiently, revealing his innovative approach to soil health, crop rotation, and labor-saving strategies. The tour highlights Andrew's dedication to sustainable farming practices, yielding a profitable six-figure income from his small-scale operation.

Takeaways

• 🚜 Five years ago, the narrator met Andrew at a farm-to-table dinner, and now they are visiting Andrew's farm.
• 👨‍🌾 Andrew manages his farm by himself, working 35 hours a week and grossing over six figures a year.
• 🌱 The farm spans a little over an acre, with 165, 50-foot beds, all maintained by Andrew alone.
• 🪴 Andrew uses a market gardener standard for bed preparation, with 30-inch wide beds and 18-inch centers.
• 🥬 The farm employs intensive cultivation techniques, ensuring that nothing ever goes empty. Andrew harvests crops like lettuce by hand.
• 🥕 Andrew grows various crops, including Mokum carrots, known for their sweetness and quick growth cycle.
• 🌾 Andrew emphasizes soil health, using mineral dust, compost, and organic fertilizer to maintain soil quality.
• 💦 Water and compost are significant inputs for the farm, with Andrew using about 30 yards of compost yearly.
• 🌿 Andrew's approach includes no-till methods, using compost and tarps to manage soil and plant health efficiently.
• 🍅 The farm produces various crops like tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers, with Andrew continually expanding and improving his methods.
• 👩‍🌾 Despite the hard work, Andrew finds farming gratifying and encourages more small farms to adopt similar sustainable practices.

Q & A

How did Andrew manage to run a successful farm while working only 35 hours a week?

Andrew has optimized his farming practices to be highly efficient, allowing him to manage the farm almost single-handedly and still maintain a six-figure income with relatively fewer working hours.

What is the size of Andrew's farm and how is it utilized?

Andrew's farm is a little over an acre with 165, 50-foot beds, which he utilizes intensively with no empty spaces, ensuring maximum productivity.

What is the standard bed width that Andrew uses on his farm?

Andrew stakes his standard beds at 30 inches wide, following the market gardener standard.

How does Andrew handle harvesting the produce by himself?

Andrew harvests all his produce by hand using a knife, practicing the 'cut and come again' method, especially for lettuces, which allows for efficient and continuous harvesting.

What type of carrots does Andrew grow and why does he prefer them?

Andrew grows Mokum carrots because they are super sweet, have a nice shape, and are fast-growing with a 55-day cycle. They can also be harvested at a pencil size, which is convenient for chefs and home cooks.

How did Andrew initially prepare the land for farming?

Andrew started by building the rows by hand and used a lot of mineral dust and compost to improve the soil. He has been adding compost layers to the beds every year to maintain soil fertility.

What is Andrew's approach to soil amendments and how much compost does he use annually?

Andrew uses about 30 yards of compost every year to amend the soil, applying a new layer of compost every time a bed is emptied.

What type of fertilizer does Andrew use and why?

Andrew uses a true organics pelleted fertilizer with a 7-5-7 ratio as an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer to support plant growth.

How does Andrew manage to keep his farming routine manageable within 35 to 40 hours a week?

Andrew has streamlined his farming processes and focuses on the most critical tasks, such as direct seeding, composting, and watering, which allows him to maintain productivity within a manageable work schedule.

What is Andrew's method for dealing with pests like earwigs on his crops?

Andrew acknowledges the challenge of pests like earwigs and mentions that they often lead to replanting. However, the specific method he uses to deal with them is not detailed in the transcript.

How does Andrew ensure the sustainability of his farm over time?

Andrew practices crop rotation, uses compost to enrich the soil, and is cautious about not overworking the land. He also plans to add an irrigation system to further improve efficiency and reduce his workload.

What is Andrew's strategy for expanding his farm and improving operations?

Andrew expands his farm incrementally, adding rows and hoop houses year by year. He also focuses on upgrading his operations, such as planning to automate the irrigation system, to reduce labor and increase efficiency.

How does Andrew maintain a balance between farm productivity and personal life?

Andrew manages his time effectively, working a schedule that allows him to maintain a profitable farm without overworking himself. He also avoids taking on debt, which reduces financial stress and allows for a more balanced lifestyle.