On this episode of Dirt & Bull, the team sits down with Timothy Kercheville of Festina Lente Farms, a farmer, mentor, and consultant whose philosophy of “hasten slowly” has guided more than a decade of work creating financially and ecologically sustainable farms. Timothy shares how community-supported agriculture (CSA) can extend far beyond a subscription box—reaching into schools, homesteads, and communities to build systems that both feed people and support local economies.

Timothy explains his structured approach to farming: beginning with on-site consultations, designing holistic systems over full solar cycles, and guiding landowners through year-long contracts that ensure not just production but sustainability. His model is clear—financial stability is the cornerstone of true sustainability. With that in place, biodiversity, soil health, and community connection naturally follow.

The conversation dives into the realities of farming small acreage, where creativity and clarity replace scale as the drivers of profitability. Timothy describes how one acre, managed with his CSA model, can generate $48,000 in the first year—and even more as the system matures. By focusing on diverse crops, contour design, mulching, and careful water management, he helps farms thrive under the unique challenges of differing climates.

Whether it’s designing a half-acre garden for an elementary school, launching new commercial farm businesses, or mentoring families who want to transform their land into productive, resilient systems, Timothy’s work proves that small-scale agriculture can be both viable and visionary. His message is simple: sustainability starts with financial clarity, but its rewards—stronger communities, healthier soils, and abundant harvests—reach far beyond the balance sheet.