This episode features an enlightening interview with Greg Peterson, renowned as The Urban Farmer, who discusses his journey into sustainable living and urban farming. Having founded over 30 green-oriented businesses since the 1970s, Greg talks about the importance of promoting local food economies, the key role of healthy soil in food growth, and leveraging urban spaces for agriculture. He delves into technical topics like rainwater harvesting and permaculture, while also touching on his educational efforts through urbanfarm.org, his podcast and creating the largest seed-saving event, the Great American Seed Up. Furthermore, Peterson shares insights into transforming urban spaces into food-producing areas, his move to Asheville, North Carolina to engage in the local food economy, and his recent venture into elderberry farming. The episode also includes actionable advice for listeners interested in green business and urban farming, emphasizing the need for local seeds for local food and the benefits of starting small in business endeavors.
LISTEN TO THE END TO GET 2 GREAT GREEN BUSINESS IDEAS
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Learn how to energize and grow your local food economy
- The importance of local seeds in supporting local food economies
- The benefits of open-pollinated seeds for sustainable gardening
- The challenges and strategies for marketing online courses
- The significance of growing food in urban areas and building healthy soil
- How to stand out in business
QUOTES
- “Failure is an opportunity to learn”
- “Just Do It! Don’t be afraid”
- “When starting a business, make sure it’s what you want to do, start small and then grow”
CONTACT INFO
LINKS
EPISODE TIMESTAMP
00:00 Introduction to the Green Business All Star Podcast
00:15 Interview with Greg Peterson: The Urban Farmer
00:29 Exploring Urban Farming and Sustainable Living
00:58 The Importance of Local Food Economies and Healthy Soil
01:21 Green Business Ideas for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
01:40 Greg Peterson’s Journey in the Green Business Arena
02:06 The Vision of a Garden and Fruit Tree in Every Yard
02:42 The Creation of Urbanfarm.org and the Urban Farm Podcast
03:03 The Great American Seed Up: A Seed Saving Bazaar
03:24 Deep Dive into Greg Peterson’s Green Initiatives
04:35 The Importance of Local Seeds in Local Food Economy
06:54 The Challenges and Rewards of Growing Your Own Food
11:19 The Role of Water Harvesting in Sustainable Living
13:29 Understanding Permaculture: Working with Nature
16:54 The Business Side of Online Courses and Content Marketing
23:51 The Art of High Density Orchard Culture
25:15 The Broken Food System and Its Impact on Nutrition
25:55 The Problem with Imported Fruits and Vegetables
27:35 The Importance of Local Food and Urban Farming
27:59 The Role of Farmers Markets in Urban Areas
29:09 The Journey of an Urban Farmer
31:38 The Elderberry Farming Opportunity
34:20 The Importance of Healthy Soil in Farming
37:49 Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur
41:00 The Future of Urban Farming and Personal Goals