In this episode of Hands in the Soil, we sit down with Bianca and Ethan Nati, the passionate growers behind The Growers Grange. Over the past three years, they built their small-scale farm from the ground up outside of Portland, Oregon. However, they are now in the process of closing their farm business, and this conversation takes an honest look at the challenges of making farming a financially and emotionally sustainable career.
Bianca and Ethan share their journey into agriculture, from their early inspirations to the hard lessons they learned along the way. They reflect on the romanticism of this work versus the realities of running a farm as a business, the systemic challenges that make small-scale farming so difficult, and their advice for aspiring farmers. We also explore what’s next for them as they transition out of farming as a profession but continue their love for growing food.
Tune in to learn more about:
The journey of starting The Growers Grange and what led to its closure
The realities of farming as a business versus a personal or family tradition
Why small-scale farming is financially and physically demanding
Common misconceptions about farming and the romanticized vision many people hold
Why Ethan and Bianca believe small-scale agriculture is unsustainable for many new farmers
Key challenges in today’s agricultural industry and possible solutions
The differences between sustainable farming and conventional farming in terms of financial viability
How interpersonal relationships are affected by the stress and demands of farming
The importance of valuing your health and relationships while pursuing a farming career
What Bianca and Ethan plan to continue growing in the future for pleasure rather than profit
… And so much more!
Resources & Links:
- Visit The Growers Grange website: https://thegrowersgrange.square.site/
- Find a farm or land link program near you: https://farmlandinfo.org/farm-link-finder/
Connect with Hannah:
- Instagram: @hannahkeitel
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