December 21, 2023

The Pursuit of an (Im)Perfect Agriculture with Mark Kimball

Episode 16 of the Soft Focus Podcast

Mark Kimball farms at Essex Farm in Essex, New York with his wife, Kristin, and their children and farm employees. Essex Farm is a “free choice, whole-diet, year-round CSA” in upstate New York, and, as you’ll learn on this episode, so much more.

Mark is a thinker, and someone who is unafraid to take an unpopular opinion. He muses on difficult topics related to the “regenerative” movement, and asks questions that we are still pondering— even weeks after recording this podcast. Mark’s perspective correlates with so much of what we aspire to at Late Bloomer Ranch, and taps into the essence of what it means to farm and attempt to steward a brighter future.

Dip into the root of it all, and reconnect with the essential elements of tending land with Mark Kimball.

Corinne and Mark discuss:

  • How he got started farming
  • Why farming is everything mining isn’t
  • Farming as an art form
  • Why Mark is triggered by the word "regenerative"
  • Mark's experience of removing industrial farming techniques to improve food quality
  • The importance of trying to persevere in the face of failure
  • Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuscinski
  • Pig Earth by John Berger
  • How independent communities are anathema to a global politic
  • Mark's experience trying to live up to his own land ethic
  • The idea that to farm better, we need to be healthier
  • How reaching out to others in a real and meaningful way may be the most important health habit of all
  • Mark’s practice of saying "good morning”, and,  greeting all the complexities that we are facing
  • The power of the question: “Am I open to a childlike state of mind in my life?”
  • Exploring a life of depth versus breadth
  • His wife, Kristin Kimball’s amazing books
  • And so much more.

To find out more about Mark and his farm, visit essexfarmcsa.com
You can also connect with him on instagram @farmerkimball

If you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did, please let us know. Leave us a rating and review, shoot us an email hello@latebloomerranch.com, or drop us a comment on instagram @latebloomerranch

See you next time.

More from us

Episode 22 of the Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 21 of the Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 20 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 19 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 18 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Spend the summer season the holistic way and join our crew from April to October

by
Elliana

Don't miss the chance to apply for the opportunity to be a part of our incredible team

by
Elliana

Episode 17 of the Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Thelonious Monk said, "It's always night, or we wouldn't need light,".

by
Corinne

Episode 16 of the Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 15 of the Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 14 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Regardless of where you find yourself as we move into the final months of 2023, I have no doubt that whatever you need is already right in front of you. There's an invitation to start where we can start— to dive into whatever is presenting, however uncomfortable that thing may be.

by
Corinne

Episode 13 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Connecting with cultural rhythms transports me to a place of deep love and appreciation for being human, wherever that finds me.

by
Corinne

Mother nature provides all things for us. Nature does not ruin our plans. We feel this way when our systems are not resilient enough to exist with nature in harmony.

by
Elliana

Episode 12 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 11 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 10 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 9 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 8 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 7 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 6 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by

Episode 5 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by

Episode 4 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 3 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 2 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Episode 1 of The Soft Focus Podcast

by
Corinne

Wherein we learn to flow with life, health abounds.

by
Elliana

"Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood carry water."

by
Corinne

Looking at some of our core breeds on the ranch, and how they play into our specific program.

by
Corinne

Thoughts on Motherhood and Fertility; in Farming and in Life

by
Corinne

Holistic Ranching is an aspiration, a posture, a lens.

by
Corinne

Late Bloomer Ranch is a holistic ranch in the Teton Valley, committed to raising meat, eggs, flowers, and fiber of the utmost quality with integrity to match.

by
Corinne

@latebloomerranch

We're looking for a spring/summer ranch & farm hand! apply here!