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The Thriving Farmer Podcast


Aug 10, 2019

Richard Wiswall is owner/operator of Cate Farm in East Montpelier, VT, where he has been farming organically for over 35 years. Richard is known for his work with farm business and profitability and in this episode, we discussed how they have simplified their farm over the years to make it work for them, how they are now exploring farm transition to his youngest son, and his advice for new and beginning farmers.


In This Episode:

>> How a workshop in 1993 on holistic management changed the trajectory of Richard’s farm and made it much more profitable

>> The three areas that have to be transitioned to the next farmer and which one is the hardest

>> What the early days of organic agriculture were like in Vermont

>> Why smaller farms can frequently make higher profit margins


Full Bio

Richard Wiswall is owner/operator of Cate Farm in East Montpelier, VT, where he has been farming organically for over 35 years. Known for his work on farm profitability and appropriate business tools, he has consulted with over 90 farmers in New England, helping them increase profitability and meet their long term goals. Richard is author of The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook- A Complete guide to Managing Finances, Crops, and Staff- and Making a Profit, and gives workshops frequently on the subject of farm business. To learn more about Richard and Cate Farm, visit www.catefarm.com.