295. Mike Garcia on Sustainable Farming in the Heart (& Heat) of Florida

How can a small farm near downtown Orlando implement bio-intensive and regenerative practices to thrive year-round? Find out in this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Mike Garcia of Everoak Farm in Orlando, FL. Together with his wife Nikki, Mike runs a small, bio-intensive, and regenerative family farm where they grow Certified Naturally Grown fruits and vegetables, raise pastured poultry, and maintain a thriving apiary. Tune in to hear Mike Garcia's insights on creating a diverse and sustainable agroecology at Ever Oak Farm in the heart of central Florida. Episode Highlights: Agroforestry: Types of plants grown at Everoak [3:22] Composting: How compost is made at Everoak [12:59] Application: Spraying compost methods [16:26] Market Garden: Crops grown in the market garden [18:05] Pest Management: Strategies for keeping insects at bay [26:30] Succession Planning: Winter planning techniques [27:59] Farm Interest: Methods to bring interest to the farm [36:01] Don't miss this episode on how Mike Garcia transforms a small urban farm into a thriving, sustainable oasis in central Florida.   About the Guest: Mike Garcia, owner/operator of Everoak Farm in Orlando, is a self-taught first-generation farmer with a deep-rooted passion for sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming practices. After a career in the culinary world, Mike transitioned from the kitchen to the fields, driven by a desire to reconnect with the land and foster a more sustainable food system. Embracing a holistic approach rooted in agroecology, he integrates bio-intensive market gardening, agroforestry, pasture poultry, and composting to cultivate healthy, nutrient-rich soil and promote biodiversity on his farm. Connect with Mike: Website: Everoak Farm Instagram: Follow on Instagram YouTube: Subscribe on YouTube   The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our sponsor, Orisha!    Do you have more tasks on your farm than you have time? Stop interruptions and focus on what matters most. Delegate repetitive duties in your tunnel to Orisha. Sleep better, knowing that they’ll call you if anything goes wrong in your greenhouse. Be sure to check out their ebook with helpful tips to reduce your workload and simplify your days on the farm. Download the ebook here. Learn more about Orisha, including their popular leasing options with no upfront costs on orisha.io