The Successful Small Farmer: An Imaginary Conversation That Makes REAL Sense

What every successful small farmer needs to know

This one is just for fun.  Imagine Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms, Eliot Coleman of Four Season Farm, and Jean-Martin Fortier of Les Jardins de la Grelinette in conversation. You can see them profiled here. They are discussing the most important characteristics and attributes of a successful small farmer. What would that conversation look like?

I asked ChatGPT that question; here's the result, an imaginary conversation, but some real good advice.

A Chat(GPT) With Joel, Eliot And Jean-Martin

[Joel Salatin]:
You know, I think the first thing any successful small farmer needs is a clear vision. At Polyface, we’ve always believed in farming in harmony with nature, not trying to dominate it. That kind of philosophy underpins every decision you make. You need to know your why—why are you doing this? Are you in it for a lifestyle, for profit, for stewardship? You’ve got to answer that question from the start. If you’re not clear on that, you’ll lose your way.

[Eliot Coleman]:
I agree, Joel, and to build on that, I'd say the next thing is resilience. Small-scale farming, especially year-round farming like we do at Four Season Farm, is tough. There’s weather, markets, pests, and a dozen other factors that can go wrong at any time. If you don’t have resilience—mentally, physically, and emotionally—you’re not going to make it. It’s that ability to get up after each failure and still see the bigger picture that will keep you going.

[Jean-Martin Fortier]:
Yes, Eliot, and I’d add that efficiency is just as critical. For me at Les Jardins de la Grelinette, it's about using the resources you have in the smartest way possible. I’ve built my model around small-scale, high-intensity production on just a couple of acres. We’re not aiming for massive growth or expansion; we want to do more with less. That means focusing on systems and methods that are sustainable and replicable. A farmer who’s always trying to scale beyond their capacity can easily burn out. Being efficient means you respect your limits and work within them.

[Joel Salatin]:
Absolutely, Jean-Martin. Efficiency is huge. And let’s not forget about diversity in operations. You need to have multiple streams of income and different enterprises on your farm. I’ve always believed that having cows, chickens, pigs, and vegetables all in one system creates a synergy. The waste from one becomes a resource for the other. That’s how nature works—there’s no waste in nature, everything has a role. If you mimic that, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. Plus, if one thing fails, you’ve got something else to lean on.

[Eliot Coleman]:
Yes, but you can’t overlook the importance of mastering the basics. At Four Season, even though we’ve pushed the boundaries with year-round farming, it’s all built on simple, tried-and-true techniques. Things like soil health, crop rotation, and composting are timeless. If you don’t have a strong foundation in these basic principles, all the innovation in the world won’t save you. And part of that is a commitment to learning. A good farmer is constantly observing, adjusting, and improving.

[Jean-Martin Fortier]:
Right, learning and innovation go hand in hand. But for me, innovation isn’t about inventing something entirely new; it’s about applying what you’ve learned in creative ways. I remember when I started looking into no-till farming methods—it wasn’t popular at the time, but I saw the potential for my small-scale operation. It was an adaptation that fit my context. Innovation can sometimes be subtle, like tweaking your seeding methods or finding a better way to irrigate, but it can have a huge impact on your efficiency and your bottom line.

[Joel Salatin]:
That’s true, Jean-Martin. But innovation also requires courage. You’ve got to be willing to take risks and sometimes fail. If you're too afraid to try something new, you'll just keep spinning your wheels. But courage isn't about reckless decisions either; it’s about calculated risks, based on observation and knowledge. And part of courage is being willing to go against the grain. Most of what we’ve done at Polyface has been contrary to conventional farming practices, and that takes guts.

[Eliot Coleman]:
Exactly. Courage is crucial, but I also think there’s something to be said for patience. Farming is a long game. You don’t see results overnight, and some things—like improving soil health—take years to fully manifest. I see a lot of young farmers who expect instant success, but the truth is, it’s a gradual process. If you don’t have the patience to see it through, you’ll give up too soon.

[Jean-Martin Fortier]:
And that patience ties into something else—attention to detail. On a small farm, every little thing matters. From the way you seed your crops to how you manage your finances, the small details can make the difference between a successful season and a failed one. One of the things I emphasize is recordkeeping. If you’re not tracking your costs, your yields, and your sales, you can’t improve. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential.

[Joel Salatin]:
Oh, for sure, details are everything. And I think another often-overlooked aspect is the need for community. You can’t farm in isolation. Whether it's working with neighbors, collaborating with local businesses, or educating consumers, community is key. People want to know their farmer; they want to connect with their food source. You can’t just be a farmer—you’ve got to be an educator, a marketer, and a storyteller too.

[Eliot Coleman]:
Community is essential, but I also think that as a farmer, you need to cultivate a sense of balance. At Four Season Farm, the reason we focus on season extension is because it allows us to farm year-round without pushing ourselves or the land too hard at any one time. There’s a rhythm to farming, and if you’re always chasing after more—more production, more land, more everything—you’ll burn out, and so will your farm.

[Jean-Martin Fortier]:
I couldn’t agree more. Balance is everything. And that extends to how we interact with the land as well. We need to remember that farming is not just a business, it’s an ecological act. Every time we plant, till, or harvest, we’re impacting the ecosystem. If we’re not conscious of that, we risk degrading the very resource we depend on. A successful small farmer understands that farming is about stewardship, about leaving the land better than you found it.

[Joel Salatin]:
Yes, it’s about regeneration. If your farming practices aren’t regenerative, you’re just mining the soil, and eventually, that catches up with you. Everything we do at Polyface is about regenerating the soil, the water, the animals, and even the human spirit. If we focus on regeneration rather than extraction, we can build systems that are not only sustainable but also abundant.

[Eliot Coleman]:
It’s funny—what you’re talking about, Joel, is essentially what traditional farmers have done for centuries. There’s nothing new about regeneration or balance; it’s just that modern industrial agriculture has moved away from these principles. Sometimes, success means rediscovering old wisdom and applying it in a modern context. That’s why I always tell young farmers, “Don’t be afraid to look back.” The answers are often already there.

[Jean-Martin Fortier]:
Right, and that brings me to another point—adaptability. As much as we rely on tradition, we also have to be adaptable to new challenges. Whether it's climate change, market fluctuations, or new regulations, things are constantly changing, and you need to be flexible. What worked five years ago might not work tomorrow. Farmers who succeed are the ones who are willing to adapt their practices without losing sight of their core values.

[Joel Salatin]:
Exactly, adaptability is crucial. But that adaptability has to be rooted in principle. At Polyface, our principles guide us through every change. You can’t let the market or the latest trend dictate your entire operation. Instead, you adapt while staying true to your values. That’s how you create a farm that’s not only profitable but also sustainable in the long run.

[Eliot Coleman]:
Yes, principles are what keep you grounded. For me, it’s always been about sustainability—not just in the environmental sense but also in terms of lifestyle. If you’re not creating a life you enjoy, what’s the point? Farming should be fulfilling, not a grind. We need to redefine success not by how much we produce, but by the quality of the life we lead.

[Jean-Martin Fortier]:
Exactly, Eliot. At the end of the day, quality of life is a huge measure of success. A small farm should be a place where you can live well, enjoy your work, and make a meaningful impact on your community. Success isn’t just about profits or yields; it’s about creating a livelihood that nourishes both you and the people around you.

[Joel Salatin]:
Couldn’t have said it better. The world needs more farmers who see farming as an integrated part of a healthy ecosystem—one that includes the soil, the animals, the community, and even the farmer’s own spirit. When you get that right, everything else falls into place.

Let's Leave The Conclusion To 'Successful Small Farmer' to Eliot Coleman

[Eliot Coleman]:
It’s funny—at the end of the day, no matter how different our methods are, it all comes down to the same core principles, doesn’t it? Vision, resilience, efficiency, balance—whether you’re farming year-round in Maine or running a diversified livestock operation in Virginia, these are the things that make a successful small farmer.

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