176. Blair Thompson on Farming Education and Shaping America’s Food Future

Where and how did you receive your education as a farmer?    Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast we’re joined by Blair Thompson, Farm Manager and agriculture expert at Warren Wilson College, located in Asheville, North Carolina. Blair spent over 15 years in a diversity of agricultural operations around the country before landing at Warren Wilson. He strives to help students become leaders who have an ecosystems-approach to agriculture that focuses on building farming enterprises suited to each landscape and community. Blair is committed to bringing the classroom into the field, so crew members are able ground their thoughts in the act of work and are prepared to take the lessons of the college farm into the broader world of food and agriculture. Check out today’s episode if you’re interested in how future farmers of America are learning to hit the field! You’ll hear:   Types of farms Blair has dealt with throughout his agriculture career 1:38 Types of education offered at Warren Wilson College 3:54 Warren Wilson College’s work requirement  9:33 The different enterprises on the farm 11:34 How Warren Wilson conducts marketing? 18:59 What aspect of his position Blair most passionate about 26:01 What Blair’s views are for the future of the farm 33:48 What Blair sees as the future of agriculture 37:28 What Blair’s favorite farming tool is 39:44   About the Guest   Blair spent over 15 years in a diversity of agricultural operations around the country before landing at Warren Wilson College. It was while working on these farms that he encountered Warren Wilson graduates and knew the college farm was turning out skilled and passionate land managers. He strives to build students into leaders who have an ecosystems-approach to agriculture that focuses on building farming enterprises suited to each landscape and community. Blair is committed to bringing the classroom into the field, so crew members are able ground their thoughts in the act of work and are prepared to take the lessons of the college farm into the broader world of food and agriculture.   Resources   Website: https://www.warren-wilson.edu/about/land-innovation/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warrenwilsoncollege Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrenwilsoncollege/   The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsors!   Rimol Greenhouse Systems has been supporting local growers since 1994.  Rimol Greenhouse offers superior strength and craftsmanship with their structures and product lines. We offer multiple sizes of gothic high tunnels, gutter-connected and free-standing greenhouses. Rimol Greenhouse manufactures their diverse product line in New Hampshire, using American Steel and Aluminum.    Our knowledgeable sales staff specialize in the technology you need and are located throughout the country to better serve you. Whether you are just getting started as a Greenhouse Grower, or looking to expand your operation, Rimol Greenhouse is your industry partner. To learn more and to get a quote on your next project, visit Rimol.com   At Agrigro, we know that in today’s modern agriculture, our efforts can deplete life or add life. When you look for ways to add life, it’s sustainable and makes everything work better. The result is enhanced plant and soil health for crops, gardens, and turf, as well as improved animal health and environment for livestock and wildlife. Our products are all-natural, easy to use, and friendly to the soil, the plant, as well as the grower. AgriGro’s® formulations deliver essential plant nutrition along with an advanced prebiotic concentrate, which significantly increases the multitude of beneficial native microbial species already residing in the production environment. Through these environmentally sound technologies, we’re adding life to crop production, livestock, home, turf, and wildlife markets. You don’t have to be dependent on crop production efforts that deplete life… Just Add Life with AgriGro®.