Joe Bossen is the founder of Vermont Bean Crafters. Originally interest in renewable energies while attending Green Mountain College, Bossen found an opportunity in agriculture to make an impact on how we relate to energy consumption through promoting locally available, sustainably grown foods lower on the food chain, like beans. After working several years on a variety of farms, Joe realized he wanted to grow staple food crops like beans and grains but being unable to capitalize a farm operation, he turned to value-added products as a more financially accessible means to that same ends of engaging with food in a way that looks to build soil and beget joy via less energy intensive foods. This episode has been sponsored by Hearst Ranch.

"I chose this path through life because after working on many farms, I realized I wasn't going to be in a position any time soon to access land." [3:55]

-- Joe Bossen on Greenhorn Radio

Burnt Rock Farm is owned by Justin Rich and Lindsay Lyman-Clarke. Justin runs the day to day operations of the farm, while Lindsay works in town and provides vital labor on nights and weekends. Justin was first introduced to farming as a summer job at a well-established organic vegetable farm. He went on to earn a bachelor’s in environmental geology and then a master’s in horticulture and soil science. He met Lyman-Clarke, originally from Richmond, in graduate school at Cornell and the couple decided to come home to Vermont where she now works for Burton. After purchasing the foreclosed property in 2008, Justin continued working at Full Moon Farm in Burlington gaining experience before moving to Hinesburg.

While Burnt Rock is known for its sweet potatoes, 2013 will see 7 acres of vegetable production and 5 acres of intensively managed cover crops on our glacially terraced soils along and above the banks of the Huntington River. All crops are certified organic by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) as they strive to grow the highest quality produce while also stewarding the soil. Burnt Rock makes use of organic amendments such as compost, wood ash, and rock mineral fertilizers, and to keep their soils as biologically healthy as possible though active management of cover crops. Produce is sold at the Burlington Winter Farmers’ Market, The Intervale Food Hub CSA in Burlington, City Market in Burlington, Healthy Living in South Burlington, Joe’s CSA in Montpelier, and through Pakeen Farm CSA in metro Boston. Thanks to our sponsor, Hearst Ranch.

"Farmers' markets are available, but they might not be what you want for you business in the long term." [10:20]

-- Justin Rich on Greenhorn Radio

Sev speaks to Tim Van Wagner, a master agrarianist calling from the Sierra foothills.