If you listen to our earlier conversation with Megan Neubauer, Episode 6 of the Agri-Tourist Podcast, about why the pick-your-own farming model works, you already know she’s passionate about connecting people to food.
But in this follow-up episode of the Agri-Tourist Podcast, episode 85, the conversation goes deeper — beyond farm profitability and into something bigger:
👉 How farms can help restore the planet
👉 How consumers influence agricultural change
👉 Why local food systems matter more than ever
As Megan puts it:
“Food is literally common ground.”
Her journey from grower to educator, author, and advocate shows how agritourism can be both a business strategy and an environmental solution.
A Global Perspective on Food & Farming
Megan’s background isn’t typical for a farmer. She grew up internationally — living in the Caribbean, the Middle East, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand. That early exposure shaped how she views agriculture today.
Her biggest takeaway?
“Everybody doesn’t do it the way that you do it… there are a million ways to do things.”
That perspective carries directly into her farming philosophy. Whether it’s food traditions or soil practices, she resists the idea of a single “correct” approach.
“It’s not a purity contest… You don’t have to do everything 110% for it to be good.”
This mindset makes regenerative agriculture feel accessible instead of intimidating — and that’s a big reason her message resonates with so many growers.
How the Pick-Your-Own Model Is Spreading Worldwide
Since publishing her book on the pick-your-own vegetable model, Megan has heard from growers across Europe, North America, and beyond.
What excites her most is seeing the model adapted to wildly different climates and communities:
“It’s very fun to see how everybody is making it fit into their own context.”
No two farms are the same — and that’s the point. The pick-your-own model isn’t rigid; it’s flexible and deeply local.
Across the board, farmers report the same thing:
People are craving connection to their food.
Pick-your-own farms are becoming:
✔ Community gathering spaces
✔ Food education hubs
✔ Family experiences
✔ Direct farm support systems
Not Just for Established Farmers Anymore
One surprise Megan discovered after her book launched was who was reaching out to her.
“It seems like it’s kind of half and half — brand new farmers who are attracted to pick-your-own because of the community part.”
These aspiring growers aren’t just interested in crops. They’re interested in creating a place.
“They want to have this third place where people come together over food and learn about the environment.”
Because many of them are new to growing, Megan filmed an entire season on her farm and turned it into an online course — showing the realities of production for a pick-your-own system.
Her philosophy remains consistent:
“This is what we do. This may not work for you, but for us right here, this is what we do.”
From Farm Field to Dinner Plate: Her Next Big Mission
Megan’s upcoming book shifts her focus from farmers to consumers.
She wants everyday shoppers to understand how their grocery decisions affect soil, water, and climate — and how to cook the foods that local farms actually grow.
“A lot of people don’t know what a kohlrabi is. They don’t know what to do with it.”
Her goal is to bridge that gap between field and fork.
“The very best food that you’re going to get is going to come from your local food system.”
But she’s realistic. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about participation.
“It’s kind of a do-what-you-can approach.”
Why Regenerative Agriculture Is Bigger Than a Trend
Megan doesn’t mince words about the environmental stakes.
“Agriculture has the single biggest impact on land use on the planet.”
She explains that conventional, high-input systems degrade ecosystems, while regenerative practices restore them.
“We have to transition away from degenerative practices to regenerative ones.”
And while policy and structural change are critical, small farms still need community support.
“The only way we’re going to keep those people in business is if we support them with our dollars.”
Agritourism farms play a special role here — they make these ideas visible and tangible.
The Real Legacy of a Pick-Your-Own Farm
Megan and her father have farmed together for over a decade, but she sees their farm as part of a larger movement.
“The legacy of it is in sharing it with other farmers.”
By teaching farmers viable, community-supported models — and helping consumers understand their power — she’s working toward a future where farming heals land instead of harming it.
Final Takeaway
Pick-your-own farms may start as a smart business model.
But at their best, they become something more:
A place where people learn
A place where community forms
A place where environmental change begins at ground level
And as Megan reminds us:
“If we want to leave a planet that’s not just a smoking husk… we have to change the way we’re doing agriculture globally.”
Catch this inspiring follow-up conversation with Megan on the Agri-Tourist Podcast and explore how agritourism can nourish communities and the planet.