Episode Details
Back to EpisodesCo-operative Growing
Description
A much-expanded edition of Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t is coming this summer. For sneak peeks and updates, and to be the first to know when it’s available, click here.
---
One Farm, Many Farmers
Daniel Brisebois joins us from La Ferme Cooperative Tourne-Sol near Montreal.
The farm operates as a workers co-operative, where farm owners are the workers.
When the farm started in 2005, sales were through both farmers markets and CSA baskets. Today, sales are entirely through CSA baskets.
Work-Life Balance
There is a focus on work-life balance. Vacation and parental leave — challenges for many farmers — are possible under the co-operative model.
“It’s always been important to us that we don’t burn people out.”
Seeds and Breeding
Seed sales have always been part of the farm business, but were a small portion in the beginning — $700 in the first year.
Today, the farm sells more seeds than vegetables, with an online seed store and seed racks in over 150 retail locations.
Spreadsheet Maniac
Brisebois believes in the importance of making business decisions based on data.
He uses spreadsheets to collect and understand farm data. He shares his passion for spreadsheets through his Farmer Spreadsheet Academy.
Daniel Brisebois website: goingtoseed.net
La Ferme Cooperative Tourne-Sol: fermetournesol.qc.ca
Farmer Spreadsheet Academy: farmerspreadsheetacademy.com
A much-expanded edition of Grow Figs Where You Think You Can’t is coming this summer. For sneak peeks and updates, and to be the first to know when it’s available, click here.