Seed Farming & Growing Your Own Seeds With Master Grower

with Dan Brisebois

00:00

Welcome to The Market Gardener Podcast, your gateway to the vibrant world of organic small-scale farming. JM Fortier and Chris Moran explore the big ideas, challenges, and solutions that shape our food system. Join us and the leading voices in sustainable agriculture as we dive into insightful conversations that empower, educate, and inspire action.

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About this episode

This week we chat with Dan Brisebois from Tourne-Sol Farm about the importance of seed saving for market gardeners. Dan shares his journey from agricultural engineering to co-founding a thriving worker co-op farm that balances vegetable production with a successful seed business. We explore the practicalities of growing your own seeds, debunk myths about cross-pollination, and discuss how seed saving can boost resilience and profitability. Dan also highlights the benefits of cooperative farming for work-life balance and introduces his new book, The Seed Farmer, a hands-on guide to seed production.

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Timestamps

[2:21] Dan’s journey into farming and how he co-founded Tourne-Sol Farm.
[5:56] Starting a cooperative farm: Challenges and lessons learned.
[10:42] Is a fully self-sufficient seed farm realistic or just a dream?
[15:14] Open-pollinated vs. hybrid seeds: Understanding the differences.
[20:07] Managing cross-pollination anxiety and best practices.
[25:32] Why market gardeners should consider growing at least some of their own seed.
[30:45] The profitability of seed crops compared to vegetable crops.
[35:18] Growing seed in different climates: Adapting to humidity and regional challenges.
[40:04] Using greenhouses for seed production and improving quality.
[45:39] How market gardeners can integrate seed saving without disrupting production.
[50:51] The cooperative structure of Tourne-Sol Farm and its long-term success.
[55:20] Holistic management and work-life balance in a co-op farm.
[1:00:12] The realities of running a seed business: Marketing, sales, and logistics.
[1:05:46] Dan’s book The Seed Farmer: Why it’s a must-read for growers.
[1:10:28] The moment Dan realized he wanted to be a farmer.
[1:15:14] Reflections on the future of seed sovereignty and resilient farming.
[1:30:00] Rapid fire Q&A, Wheel Of Time novel series by Robert Jordan