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The Market Gardener PodcastAuthor: JM Fortier
Welcome to The Market Gardener Podcast! Join hosts JM Fortier and Chris Moran as they engage with influential members of the global small-scale farming and organic regenerative agriculture community. Our podcast is your gateway to insightful conversations about farming, food, small businesses, and thought leadership in the world of sustainable agriculture. We're here to shine a positive light on the practices and principles that drive small-scale farming, agroecology, and community building. Tune in for high-level discussions that inspire and empower a new era of positive farming. Language: en-ca Genres: Earth Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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42: $120K on Less Than a Quarter Acre: Rootbound Farm’s Unique Suburban Farm Business Model | Woody DeLauder
Episode 42
Thursday, 15 January, 2026
In this episode, we sit down with Woody DeLauder, founder of Rootbound Farms, a small but highly productive suburban farm based in Southern Maryland. Woody shares how he transformed his suburban lawn into a thriving, human-powered market garden that generates over $100K annually, with the help of his secret best-seller: handmade soap, all while navigating zoning restrictions, skeptical neighbors, and the realities of farming in a residential neighborhood. We explore Woody’s journey from being a fourth and fifth grade teacher to becoming a full-time grower and entrepreneur, and how growing food in his front yard became a catalyst for rebuilding community in the suburbs. Woody reflects on the cultural challenges of suburban life, the loss of shared spaces, and how food production can reconnect neighbors through visibility, conversation, and generosity. Rootbound Farms: https://www.rootboundfarms.com/ Timestamps[0:00] Intro[3:40] The good, the bad, and the ugly of social media [7:30] What’s broken in modern suburbia and the idea of “living room kids”[13:00] Turning lawns into gardens and rethinking suburban norms[19:30] Front-yard farming, neighbor resistance, and zoning challenges[27:15] Building community through visibility, food, and conversation[35:30] From teacher to farmer: changing careers and redefining success[43:00] Farm economics: small footprint, low overhead, and real revenue[52:30] Influences from Curtis Stone, Eliot Coleman, and small-scale pioneers[1:01:00] Social media, virality, and the cost of visibility[1:23:40] Seasonality, local food culture, and rebuilding appreciation for real food[1:29:00] Long-term vision: education, community farms, and inclusive spaces[1:44:50] Rapid Fire Q&A: books, advice, influences, and staying smallSponsorsReal Organic Project: Get Involved. Get Certified. Join the movement to fight the co-opting of organic.Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Sign up for Johnny’s newsletter to receive the latest news, products, and more. New members get $10 off their next order of $50 or more!Market Gardener Institute: Join the Masterclass waiting list today!Links/ResourcesMarket Gardener Institute: https://themarketgardener.com Masterclass: https://themarketgardener.com/courses/the-market-gardener-masterclass Newsletter: https://themarketgardener.com/newsletterBlog: https://themarketgardener.com/blog Books: https://themarketgardener.com/booksGrowers & Co: https://growers.coHeirloom: https://heirloom.ag/The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/Follow UsWebsite: http://themarketgardener.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketgardenerinstitute Instagram: http://instagram.com/themarketgardeners Guest Social Media LinksRootbound Farms:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootboundfarms/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurRootboundLifeTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rootboundfarms?_t=8h03SuFkTBD&_r=1Website: https://www.rootboundfarms.com/ JM:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortierFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeanmartinfortier
