Farming in the Land of Walmarts and McDonalds: A New Jersey Reality Check
with Chris Adams
About this episode
In this episode, we sit down with Chris Adams, New Jersey grower and founder of Eastbound Acres, to explore what it really means to be a small-scale farmer in the most densely populated state in the United States. We dive deep into the challenges of farming in a landscape dominated by suburban sprawl, fast-food chains, and skyrocketing land prices, and we explore Chris’s mission to rebuild local food awareness in a place where agriculture has all but disappeared from daily life.
Chris breaks down how he built multiple farms over 13 years; why sales, not production, remain the biggest barrier for growers in his region; and how he’s using tools like Local Line, CSA credit systems, and ultra-efficient market gardening practices to build a viable business on under half an acre.
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[2:47] Contrast of business savvy farmers vs. those who ignore their numbers
[6:00] Why frequent financial tracking and setting profit goals are essential.
[19:38] Julia’s journey from aviation and culinary arts to farm financial consultant.
[28:10] Advice for new farmers: starting with a clear desired take-home income.
[32:14] Navigating cyclical cash flow and the challenge of building a financial runway.
[44:28] Deciding what to grow: prioritizing personal goals over sheer lucrativeness.
[1:05:15] Strategies for managing debt stress and scenario planning for investments.
[1:10:00] The business pivot: how frequent financial checks enable rapid course correction. [1:26:14] Calculating cost of production (e.g., for a tomato) and factoring in labor.
[1:43:23] Rapid Fire Q&A
Mentioned Links & Resources
Chris Adams
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