338. Behind the Scenes with Michael Kilpatrick: A Conversation with Rodger Wasson

What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest?

This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, the mic flips as Rodger Wasson, longtime advocate for farmers and host of the Farm to Table Talk Podcast, interviews our own Michael Kilpatrick. From behind-the-scenes systems to current hurdles, Rodger dives deep into the day-to-day of Michael's farm, business, and mindset as a leader in the regenerative agriculture space.

Tune in for a rare peek into what's working (and what's not) at the Farm on Central farm and store — and why Michael remains committed to helping small farms succeed.

 

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Product overview – What the Farm on Central store offers and what's produced on the farm [2:57]
• Mushroom production – Does the team grow fungi on site? [8:19]
• Local sourcing – How much of their product lineup is grown at home vs. sourced [11:28]
• Marketing strategy – How they reach customers and spread the word [18:10]
• Current challenges – The biggest hurdles facing Michael and the team right now [28:30]
• Food access – Can SNAP/EBT be used on the farm? [32:32]
• Housing and labor – What the team structure looks like and if they use H2A housing [40:26]
• Small-acreage potential – Michael's outlook on what's possible with limited land [52:44]

Don't miss this episode if you've ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a diversified, modern farm—from managing products and marketing to tackling regulation and building a resilient business model.

 

Michael Kilpatrick's Farm:

🌐 Website: www.farmoncentral.com
Online Store: https://shop.farmoncentral.com/

 

About the Guest:

Rodger Wasson is host of the Farm to Table Talk podcast. Raised on a livestock farm in Central Illinois, he's spent his career advocating for farmers both nationally and internationally. With experience spanning commodity boards, global food systems, and grassroots storytelling, Rodger bridges the gap between producers and consumers in powerful ways.

 

Connect with Rodger Wasson:  
🌐 Website: www.farmtotabletalk.com