186. Michael and Lauren Marchand on Running a Diversified, Bio-intensive Farm in the Tropics

What is farm life like in the tropics?  On today’s episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we’re joined by Michael and Lauren Marchand, co-founders of Lapa'au Farm, located in Maui, Hawaii. Lapa’au Farm is a two-acre, bio-intensive farming operation. Michael and Lauren practice “beyond organic” methods, which means they forgo modern organic methods that allow a long list of pesticides to still be used. Instead, they focus on biodiversity and seasonal crops, with a strong focus on building organic matter in their soil. Tune in as they give us a behind-the-scenes look at running a business, what it's like to be entrepreneurs, and how to navigate having a significant other as your thriving farm business partner!  You’ll hear: What Lapa'au Farm uses for substrate on their mushrooms 1:52 What Lapa'au Farm is all about 4:20 What their tunnel production is like 12:22 How their CSAs coincide with the seasons in Hawaii 22:25 The various ways Lauren and Michael use mushroom substrate 25:39 Marketing channels Lapa'au uses to get the word out 29:39 Size of the Lapa'au team 36:05 Equipment they use 44:00 What they use for microbes 54:15 Lauren and Michael’s words of encouragement for newer or aspiring farmers 56:44 Why beginning farmers should start small 1.09:38 About the Guest: Michael and Lauren Marchand are the co-owners of Lapa’au Farm, a two-acre bio-intensive farm located in Maui, Hawaii utilizing organic and regenerative practices. Lauren and Michael moved to Maui in 2015 after graduating from Chapman University. Since 2017, the mission of Lapa’au Farm has been to create a bio-intensive and regenerative approach with the goal of creating a closed-loop system for increased sustainability. Michael began experimenting with growing oyster mushrooms early on in the business and quickly discovered that expanding this area of production was something worth investing in. Lapa’au farm now produces around 500 lbs. of oyster mushrooms per week, in addition to a variety of other seasonal vegetables, including root crops, salad greens, and brassicas.  Resources: Website: https://www.lapaau.farm/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lapaaufarm  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapaau_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®.