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Hands in the SoilAuthor: Hannah Keitel
Welcome to Hands in the Soil, the podcast that dives deep into all things food, farming, and our intricate connection to the planet. Were shining the spotlight on all those who work closely with the Earth from farmers and ranchers, backyard gardeners and forestry workers, to indigenous seed keepers, waterway protectors and more. Together, we'll be uprooting the unseen, and learning from stewards at the frontlines of creating solutions to the existential threats we face in the era of climate change, food scarcity, and exploitation of our finite natural resources. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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56. The Evolution of Cardiff Tiny Farm w/ David Berning
Episode 56
Tuesday, 14 April, 2026
In this episode, we sit down with David Berning of Cardiff Tiny Farm for a return conversation, two years after his first appearance on the podcast.David shares what has unfolded since stepping fully into stewardship of the farm, and what it’s been like to grow not just food, but a business, a community space, and a deeper relationship with the land. What began as a small, uncertain venture has evolved into a thriving micro-farm model - one that challenges assumptions about scale, profitability, and what’s possible on a tenth of an acre.We explore the intersection of heart and business - what it means to hold integrity while also making something financially viable, and the realities of running a farm as both a livelihood and a calling.David also opens up about the uncertainty of the farm’s future, as the land he’s stewarding is temporary. With the possibility of losing the space at any time, he shares how he’s approaching this season with intention, focusing on building community, expanding his CSA program, and creating something that can live beyond the land itself.We also touch on Harmonize, a data-tracking tool David built to support farmers in the field, and his vision for how technology and agriculture can coexist in a more intentional, human-centered way.More than anything, this episode is a reflection on what it means to devote yourself to something uncertain, and to choose to create beauty anyway.In this episode, we talk about:David’s journey from tech into agriculture and the origins of Cardiff Tiny FarmWhat it looks like to run a farm as a real businessThe balance between integrity, community, and profitabilityThe concept of “farming in public” and transparency in small farm economicsHow a 1/10 acre farm can feed a communityThe realities of scaling a small farm sustainablyNavigating uncertainty and impermanence in land accessBuilding a CSA model that goes beyond food into education and connectionThe importance of local food and its impact on personal and community wellbeingHarmonize: a tool for farmers to track data simply and efficientlyWhy creating beauty anywhere is meaningful workConnect + Learn More: Follow David on Instagram: @cardifftinyfarmLearn more about Cardiff Tiny Farm https://www.cardifftinyfarm.comTry Harmonize (data tracking tool) https://harmonize.oneConnect with Hannah: @hannahkeitel Foundations in Land Stewardship:If you’ve been feeling called to deepen your relationship with land, food, and community, we are currently enrolling for Foundations in Land Stewardship - a 3-month in-person farm school here in San Diego.This program is designed for aspiring farmers, land stewards, and anyone wanting to reconnect with food systems in a meaningful way. Saturdays from 9-2May 2nd through August 1stFull scholarships availableDavid will be one of our teachers throughout the program.You can find more details and apply here: https://www.handsinthesoil.farm/farmschoold
