Michael Bell is starting a new urban farm in Dallas, Texas! In this episode of the Small Scale Gardening Podcast, Michael walks us through some of the opportunties and challenges he encountered after selling his urban farm last year. He essentially started his new urban farm with a blank canvas at two different properties!
Last summer, change was definitely in the air in Dallas! Michael Bell changed jobs, sold his old house, moved to a new house, sold his old half acre farm and found new farming properties. These new farming properties have provided new challenges and opportunities, and there are some clear take-aways from this conversation if you are starting your own garden or urban farm.
Topics Discussed in Starting a New Urban Farm
In this podcast episode, Michael and I discuss the following topics:
Let’s Celebrate!
- Earth Day 2020
- Happy Birthday Michael Bell and Amy Dingmann (A Farmish Kind of Life)
- Happy Anniversary for Dallas Half Acre Farms!
Introductions – Who is Michael Bell?
Change is in the Air
Looking For Land
Salad Outpost
- Power of Networking and Community
- Bed Preparation in Clay
- Nutrient Poor Compost
- Adding Nutrients – Compost Testing with Big Box Store Brands
- Water – Rainwater Solutions
Starting the New Dallas Half Acre Farms
- Found a New Property
- Soil Conditions = Less than Optimal
- Adding Nutrients – Compost from Testing at Lettuce Outpost
- Water – Rainwater Solutions
- Growing Philosophy – Lettuce Outpost vs. Main Farm
- Available Markets – Housing Development, Vegans, Grocery Store
- What is Michael growing for CSA Boxes? Vegetable Fresh List
Future Projects
- Cover Crop Testing and Success
- Expand with Tunnels and Tarps
- Shed Project
- City Water (Future)
Links to Dallas Half Acre Farms
Where can we find more of Michael Bell? The following links take you to his Instagram pages:
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