The Market Gardener Podcast

• 34: Meet The Grower Behind Our Farm-To-Table Michelin Guide Restaurant | Angie Warner

  In this episode, we sit down with Angie Warner, farm manager at the Old Mill and an eighth-generation farmer. Angie shares her journey from working as a pastry chef in Montreal restaurants to growing specialty crops at the Old Mill, emphasizing the value of hands-on learning and the lessons found in mistakes. She reflects on the unique challenges of farming for a restaurant’s tasting menu, explains how radicchio is “forced” to enhance its flavor, and opens up about what it means to be the eighth generation striving to preserve her family’s land. Driven by a deep respect for the past and a commitment to a sustainable future, Angie’s mission is to make the Old Mill a lasting institution—one that reconnects people with the origins of their food for generations to come.Old Mill Restaurant: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/ Timestamps[0:00] Intro[5:47] Discussion on "forced radicchio" and other unique farming techniques.  [14:11] The unique challenges of farming for a restaurant versus a market.  [27:36] Generational farming, protecting agricultural land, and family history.   [42:15] Learning through mistakes and continuous personal growth in farming.  [53:27] Aspirations for Michelin recognition and the Old Mill's future potential.  [1:07:17] Ecological soil practices and experimenting with mushroom compost.  [1:14:58] Angie's inspirations and mentors in the farming world.  [1:34:04] Sap analysis and foliar sprays for precise nutrient management.  [1:36:55] What brings Angie the most joy in farming and her long-term vision.  [1:41:47] Rapid Fire Q&A.SponsorsTessier: Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions https://info.serres-guytessier.com/en/tessier-mgi10?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Tessier+MGI+podcastNew Society Publishing: Use code market25 for 25% off all bookshttps://newsociety.com/?utm_source=The%20Market%20Gardener%20Podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Sponsorship Links/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksAngie:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angie.warner7Old Mill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espaceoldmill/ JM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

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• 33: How Do We Scale Small-Scale Farming? | JM Fortier

  In this solo episode, Jean-Martin Fortier reflects on the question: How do we scale small-scale farming? Fresh from the Canopy leadership retreat, he shares insights on building resilient, human-scale farms rooted in ecology and community. Highlighting the wisdom of guest speakers like Eliot Coleman and others, Jean-Martin critiques the industrial co-opting of terms like “organic” and “regenerative,” emphasizing instead the need to multiply small, autonomous farms that feed local communities. He calls for collective action, not through industrial reform, but by creating a global ecosystem of interconnected growers working toward a more vibrant and sustainable food system.Timestamps[0:00] “How do you scale small scale?”[2:11] Reflections on the Canopy leadership retreat and guest speakers[5:34] Eliot Coleman’s visit and his philosophy: “Process over products”[8:03] The purpose of the Canopy program and building a global network[10:33] Jean-Martin’s evolving mission: multiplying impact beyond his farm[12:13] Organic vs. regenerative: concerns about industrial co-optation[15:35] The power of small-scale farms to feed communities[20:03] Replacing industrial food systems with local farm networks[22:48] Building ecosystems to support 100,000+ farms[26:25] Ecology, social ecology, and the forest as a metaphor for resilienceSponsorsTessier: Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions BelSerre: Contact Belserre at 819-816-4620 to discuss your next project. Servicing Quebec & Ontario. New Society Publishing: Use code market25 for 25% off all booksLinks/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksJM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

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• 32: Why Small Local Restaurants Matter In Our Globalized World | David McMillan

  In this episode, we welcome David McMillan back to the show, co-founder of Montreal’s famed Joe Beef restaurant, and now winemaker in the countryside of Quebec. In this wide ranging conversation, we discuss the growing industry of locally made wines, farmland access, indigenous growing practices, David’s evolving diet, cooking advice, and what it means to support “true” local agriculture and business. David advocates for small, heartfelt, chef-owned restaurants, criticizing luxury excess and corporate influence. With Michelin arriving in Quebec, he warns against the loss of local food identity. His solution? A welcoming family restaurant with affordable meals, and news of his upcoming cookbook launch in Montreal and New York.David’s new book: Spilled: Natural Winemakers Stories & Recipes  https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9780847844005/Timestamps[0:00] Intro[03:12] Winemaking & the evolution of Quebec terroir and hybrid grape varieties[09:45] Farmland access[21:05] Re-wilding on Dave’s farm[28:59] Iroquois growing practices, Oyster history of NYC, metal detecting[47:50] David’s evolving diet[57:33] Cooking advice [1:23:05] David’s new project & vision: $5-soup, accessible family bistro[1:29:47] How corporate chains are squeezing out small, soulful restaurants[1:36:51]  Critique of fine dining excess and luxury obsession[1:42:08] Thoughts on the Michelin Guide - “True” local food & economy[1:54:06] Rapid Fire Q&A, The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips[2:09:41] Wrapping up with his new cookbook Spilled and launch plansSponsorsTessier: Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions Links/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksDavid:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcmillanmtl JM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

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• 31: Is Our Agriculture On The Verge Of Collapse? The Urgent Need For Young Farmers | Sara Dent

  In this episode we sit down with Sara Dent, co-founder of Young Agrarians, a Canada-wide network supporting the next generation of ecological farmers. Sara shares the origin story of the movement, her early passion for farming, and the role photography and storytelling played in shaping the Young Agrarians brand. Together, they unpack the urgent need for farm renewal in Canada, address the systemic barriers to land access and funding, and explore creative solutions like land trusts, incubator farms, and micro-loans. Sara emphasizes the human dimension of farming, arguing that technology alone can’t save the food system. She also speaks candidly about the emotional and psychological toll of farming and the importance of community, mental health, and scale-appropriate agriculture. From personal stories to policy insights, this episode paints a compelling picture of what it takes to grow not just food—but farmers.Young Agrarians: https://youngagrarians.org/ Timestamps[0:00] Intro[2:07] Meet Sara Dent and the origins of Young Agrarians[7:12] Making farming “cool”: early branding and Flickr storytelling[13:14] What is Young Agrarians and who they serve[8:41] Canada’s urgent farmer shortage and Quebec’s leadership in farm renewal[14:29] Why the human connection to land still matters[23:14] Land access, market failure, and the challenge of farm succession[36:23] Top-down vs grassroots change: what it really takes[41:21] Land trusts, incubator farms, and alternate ownership models[51:10] Growing farmers: from farm-curious to farm business owners[1:04:04] The policy shift and scaling Young Agrarians across Canada[1:24:04] Success stories and feedback from the farming community[1:26:54] Envisioning the future: farm renewal, local food, and climate adaptation[1:35:27] Rapid fire Q&A and closing reflectionsSponsorsTessier: Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Sign up for Johnny’s newsletter to receive the latest news, products, and more. New members get $10 off their next order of $50 or more!BCS: Visit their website for current sales and promotions.New Society Publishing: Use code market25 for 25% off all booksLinks/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksWebsite: https://youngagrarians.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngagrarians/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungAgrarians Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/sara-dent-29957324 JM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier

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• 30: Does Our Food System Need A Reboot? | Healing Our Food System with Dave Chapman

  In this episode, we speak with Dave Chapman, co-founder of the Real Organic Project, about the political and ecological crossroads facing the organic food movement. Dave reflects on the industrial takeover of the USDA organic label and why he believes decentralization—not scaling—is key to meaningful change. The conversation explores the deep ties between soil health, human health, and corporate power, questioning whether collapse is necessary for real transformation. Dave also shares insights from past guests on climate, culture, and the true meaning of sustainability. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire Q&A, touching on books, bread, and the surprising food that might just help us trust our taste buds again.SponsorsTessier: Use promo code MGI10 for 10% off and free shipping on your first purchase for the Eastern North American regions. Farmhand: CSA farmers can set up a complimentary 1:1 strategy session with founder Ari.BelSerre: Contact Belserre at 819-816-4620 to discuss your next project. Servicing Quebec & Ontario. Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Sign up for Johnny’s newsletter to receive the latest news, products, and more. New members get $10 off their next order of $50 or more!Timestamps[0:00] Intro[3:09] The origins of the Real Organic Project[11:37] Why revisit the 1970s counterculture today?[23:12] Politics enters the food conversation[33:45] Human health and the need for real food[50:28] Decentralization as the key to food system change[1:04:12] Origins of organic and how it became political[1:40:09] Nutritional dark matter and industrial farming[1:52:11] Environmental health and climate impacts[2:00:06] Gluten, gut health, and heritage grains[2:03:00] Agriculture as a social and cultural movement[2:07:10] Rapid fire Q&A and closing reflectionsLinks/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute:  https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass:  https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter:  https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog:  https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners WebsitePodcastInstagramFacebookYoutubeJM:InstagramFacebook

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