185. Ryan Lichttenegger on Organic Farming in a Challenging Location

What are some of the challenges of organic farming, and how can you overcome them? Today, we’re joined by Ryan Lichttenegger, co-founder of Steel Wheel Farm, located in Fall City, Washington. Steel Wheel Farm is a small, first-generation family farm with one goal in mind: To improve the way in which produce is grown, harvested, and distributed. They believe that quality food begins with the farmer, and because of that, they provide only fresh, local, and naturally-grown items. Ryan was raised in rural Minnesota next to a seasoned, well-educated dairy farmer. He brings his midwestern roots and passion for the land to the Northwest. A creative thinker, Ryan received his degree in digital animation before returning to his roots in farming. Tune in to hear about their unique farming journey!   You’ll hear: What Steel Wheel Farm is all about 1:17 How Steel Wheel grows, harvests, and sells grains 4:21 What the seeding process and weed control is like at Steel Wheel 7:14 What their procedure is for grain rotation 11:44 How big the Steel Wheel team is 16:21 How conducive to farming the weather in Fall City, Washington is 21:19 Which greenhouse Ryan prefers 26:26 Farmers markets Steel Wheel attends 27:31 What Ryan enjoys most about farming 32:48 What Ryan would change about his approach to the farm if he could go back in time 33:33 The biggest mistake Ryan sees newer farmers making 34:55 How Steel Wheel manages fertility 37:12 Ryan’s favorite farming tool 44:50   About the Guest: Ryan Lichttenegger of Steel Wheel Farm. Steel Wheel Farm is a first-generation farm in the Snoqualmie Valley growing food to feed humans better.  Ryan believes that growing good food begins with the farmer and strives to grow the healthiest foods using natural, regenerative, and organic growing practices.       Resources: Website: www.steelwheelfarm.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteelWheelFarm  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelwheel.farm/  The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor! 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®.