Farmer, teacher,
author & entrepreneur
Every day I strive to build a future where food is grown with care, by and for people who hold these same
values dear.
For over 20 years, I’ve been cultivating the land, writing and sharing my knowledge to raise awareness of the vital importance of organic farming in our food system.
I founded various entrepreneurial projects such as the Market Gardener Institute, Growers & Co, Heirloom and Espace Old Mill, consolidated under the Market Gardener Group, intending to develop sustainable and resilient food systems.
My farm projects
Each of my farming projects is the result of collaboration with individuals who share my passion for organic farming and innovation to create a more sustainable future.
Les Jardins de la Grelinette
In 2004, my wife Maude-Hélène Desroches and I co-founded our family farm, Les Jardins de la Grelinette, located in Saint-Armand in Eastern Townships, Quebec.
This diversified organic small farm stands out as one of the region’s pioneers. This is where I developed the innovative market gardening techniques that I presented in my book “The Market Gardener”
Ferme des Quatre-Temps
Ferme des Quatre-Temps (FQT Farm) is a training center for apprentice farmers who wish to develop their market gardening techniques in preparation for starting their own farming project one day.
As a mentor, I’ve had the honor of guiding over a hundred apprentice market gardeners. Today, I continue to lend my support as the farm’s godfather.
Old Mill
The Old Mill Farm, located in Stanbridge East, is dedicated to supplying the farm-to-table restaurant with fresh organic vegetables.
Equipped with a carbon-neutral greenhouse for winter production, our garden grows over forty varieties of crops, allowing us to produce quality vegetables year-round.
Une Ferme du Perche
In 2018, I teamed up with Tom Rial and Jean-François Rial to found Une Ferme du Perche located in Basse-Normandie, France.
Based on the FQT Farm model, Une Ferme du Perche offers immersion courses to train even more people in small-scale organic market gardening.
Discover my books
With 20 years of experience in small-scale organic farming, I have dedicated my life to sharing my knowledge and passion with others. My books are a mine of information for anyone interested in organic market gardening
my projects
Through all my projects, I hope to achieve one thing: to recognize the importance of the small biointensive farm movement as the future of healthy sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.
The Market Gardener Institute offers online courses and resources to educate and empower market gardeners in managing a profitable small-scale farm.
Growers & Co. develops functional workwear and tools for people who love growing food, being outdoors and connecting their hands to the earth.
Heirloom is a software designed to optimize the planning and operation of a small-scale diversified farm business.
The Old Mill is a farm-to-table restaurant offering regional Brome-Missisquoi cuisine using local and seasonal ingredients, prioritizing produce from the farm directly behind the restaurant.
my podcast
The Market
Gardener Podcast
The Market Gardener podcast is your gateway to insightful conversations about organic farming, food, small businesses, and thought leadership in the world of sustainable agriculture.
Listen on any of your favorite podcast apps
Upcoming events
& books
Are you organizing an event, workshop or conference and would like me to participate as a speaker? With several hundred conferences under my belt, I offer several enriching speaking options for different audiences.
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Lancaster, PA
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, Lancaster, PA
Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference, La Crosse, Wis
In the media
Are you a journalist working on an article or documentary? Would you like to arrange an interview or shoot?
Grow Better, Not Bigger: An Interview with Jean-Martin Fortier, Author of ‘The Market Gardener’
Find out
more about me
2004-2012
Development of a bio-intensive method that increases soil life and optimizes yields on small surfaces
2012
Publication of my bestseller The Market Gardener: A Successful Grower’s Handbook for Small-Scale Organic Farming. It has sold over 255,000 copies and is now translated into 10 languages!
2015
Development of the experimental farm, Ferme des Quatre-Temps, where 10 new growers are trained each year
2017
Development of the Market Gardener Masterclass to share my know-how in an online course available internationally, and launch of my company The Market Gardener to help growers around the world develop their small farm projects
2020
- I become an ambassador for the Rodale Institute
- I sit on the advisory board of The Real Organic Project movement
- Launch of my company Growers & Co. where we design durable, long-lasting tools and clothing for home gardeners, farmers and homesteaders
2021
- Awarded the Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) by the Government of Canada for my work in organic agriculture and the development of small farms around the world
- The Market Gardener officially becomes an Institute
2022
Launch of my farm-to-table project: the Old Mill, a tourist site that hosts the gardens where I grow vegetables year-round to supply the restaurant
2023
- Launch of the Growing for Change bursary program, a remarkable initiative to support young farmers
- I'm invited to sit on the Expert Advisory Committee of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- Launch of the Heirloom software, a platform that enables small diversified farms to efficiently plan their season and manage the complexity of their operations
- Air Canada's enRoute magazine ranks Espace Old Mill as one of the top 10 new restaurants in Canada
