312. The Seed Farmer: Insights from Dan Brisebois

How can farmers make seeds a profitable part of their farm business? In this episode, Michael chats with Dan Brisebois, expert seed farmer, educator, and author of The Seed Farmer. Dan is a founding member of Tourne-Sol Cooperative Farm in Les Cèdres, Quebec, where he grows organic seeds and vegetables while sharing his knowledge through his podcast, blog, and Farmer Spreadsheet Academy. Tune in as Dan discusses the ins and outs of seed farming, germination testing, and his tips for first-time seed growers, plus how he juggles the many hats he wears in the farming world. Episode Highlights: A Seed Farmer’s Journey: How did Dan get started with seed farming? [1:37] Tomato Growing Tips: How does Dan approach growing tomatoes for seed? [10:01] Challenging Crops: What does Dan consider the hardest vegetables to grow for seed? [14:56] First-Time Growers: Dan’s advice for those starting with seed production [20:04] Germination Testing: How does it work, and what should growers pay attention to? [28:35] Flower Seed Harvesting: Are flowers a viable option for seed production? [34:18] Don’t miss Dan’s expert insights into seed farming and his mission to help farms diversify and thrive with seed production.   About the Guest: Dan Brisebois is a farmer, educator, and advocate for seed farming. He is the author of The Seed Farmer and co-author of Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers. As a founding farmer of Tourne-Sol Cooperative Farm in Quebec, Dan grows organic seeds for both an online seed store and wholesale rack program while also producing organic vegetables for CSA baskets. He shares his expertise through his blog, podcast (The Seed Growers Podcast), and the Farmer Spreadsheet Academy. Connect with Dan: Website: Dan Brisebois Instagram: Follow @danbrisebois.farm Dan's new Book: The Seed Farmer The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor, Harvest Hosts! Want to boost revenue and attract new customers? Partner with Harvest Hosts, a free marketing platform generating $50M annually for farms and small businesses! Connect with 250,000 travelers eager to support farms like yours by offering space for one RV overnight—no hookups needed. Our members will support your farm, and you keep 100% of your revenue. Visit Harvest Hosts today. 👉🏼  Learn more about becoming a Host Location today!

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If you’re looking to build a profitable farm that works, The Thriving Farmer Podcast is for you. Learn the latest tricks and strategies from successful farmers, strategize with in-depth interviews with leaders in the industry, and connect with stories of farmers just like you. With over 15 years of farming background, your host Michael Kilpatrick has the experience and authority to bring you practical advice, ask the hard questions, tease out the gold nuggets, and help share what it’s really like to build a truly profitable, sustainable farm. In the interviews, we focus on building farms that last, setting up your systems, knowing your customers, building your team, and treading that ever-challenging work/family/life balance.