Meet Sean Pessarra, The Mindful Farmer, Toolmaker, Hoop House Builder, and Small Farm Supporter

Published: Sept. 13, 2023, 10 a.m.

Join Sean Pessarra, Nick, and Karl Binger and learn how Sean, the founder of Mindful Farmer, and learn how he took his part-time beekeeping operation in Texas and transformed it into a full-time sustainable agriculture business rich in experience that has led to an amazing career serving farmers through better tools and consulting. This is part 1 of a two-part Soil Block interview.

\xa0https://mindfulfarmerarkansas.com/

@mindfulkitchenarkansas

00:00 Intro

01:40 Mindful Farmer Beginnings

07:08 Heifer International

10:00 starting Mindful Farmer\xa0

12:15 $200k on 3 acres

16:50 Sourcing to local restaurants

18:10 Organic growing in the south

20:30 Where it\u2019s grown vs. how it\u2019s grown

21:18 Regional vs. national chain stores

23:30 Wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer prices

25:50 Farmers market options

29:45 CSA model options

\xa030:40 Defining direct vs. wholesale on the farm

32:46 Should a new farmer start with wholesale

34:07 Farmer math= $ per square foot

36:00 Boutique grocer options

37:30 What you need for winter flower growing

39:17 First to market early in the season

41:30 Making the most out of sqft

43:00 Creativity in your farm

44:00 Avoid burnout 4

5:20 Bundling your energy

46:50 Learn to say NO

51:20 Mindful Farmer\u2019s Made in the USA Tools, Drop Seeder

56:20 Broad fork tools

58:10 Making better tools

59:08 Helping home gardeners

01:00:00 Investing upfront to save later

\xa0https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/blogs/how-to-grow-seedlings/soil-blocking