304. Noah East on Perennial Farming and Agroforestry

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

How can farmers balance idealism with practicality when starting a farm from scratch?

In this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael interviews Noah East, a farmer, writer, and educator from Wild East Farm in Western North Carolina. Along with his wife, Lyric, Noah has dedicated his efforts to building a farm focused on perennial production, agroforestry, and fostering community food security.

Tune in as Noah shares the challenges and successes of accessing land, establishing their farm, and diversifying their enterprises with a mix of vegetables, broilers, and agroforestry systems.

Important Update: After recording this episode, Noah’s farm was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, causing significant damage. We’re including a GoFundMe link below to support food relief efforts through the Mother Earth Food Hub, an Asheville-based farm-to-home delivery service working with local farmers to provide fresh food to the community in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Episode Highlights:

Farming Roots: What led Noah to farming? [0:59] Land Access: How did Wild East Farm secure its unique lease? [9:29] Blueberry Production: How is the farm managing its blueberries? [15:48] Revenue Streams: Where does Wild East Farm generate income? [20:40] Markets: Where are Wild East’s products sold? [23:37] Vegetable Management: How does the farm handle its vegetable production? [29:59] Advice for New Farmers: How to balance idealism with practicality [34:43]

Don’t miss Noah’s valuable advice for new farmers on designing a sustainable farm and balancing big dreams with real-world demands.

Support Wild East Farm & Local Farmers:

Donate to support hurricane recovery and local food relief efforts: [GoFundMe]

About the Guest: Noah East is a farmer, writer, and educator based at Wild East Farm in Western North Carolina. Passionate about community and the environment, Noah's work is centered on building relationships and fostering resilience through sustainable agriculture. His farm focuses on agroforestry, perennial production, and providing fresh food to local communities.

Connect with Wild East Farm: Website: Wild East Farm Instagram: Follow on Instagram YouTube: Subscribe on YouTube

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