MARKET GARDENING CONFERENCE
How a Small Farm Can Grow Big Dreams

30/06/2026
1400 Kč

MARKET GARDENING CONFERENCE

How a Small Farm Can Grow Big Dreams

30/06/2026
1400 CZK

Prague, Vnitroblock
13:00 – 19:00

Event Program

12:30 – 13:00

Guests arrive

13:00 – 13:15
CONFERENCE START

Welcome speech by Tereza and Jakub Peškovi

13:15 – 14:15
TALK BY DOC. LADISLAV MIKO

Deep dive into life in the soil

14:15 – 15:45
Presentation of Market Gardening Farms

Presentation of Market Gardening Farms:
Maria Giménez – Wilmars Gaerten, Germany
Filip Partyka – Green Leaf Farm, Poland
Jakub Pešek – Svobodné Hory, Czech Republic

15:45 – 16:00
COFFEE BREAK

Presentation of Market Gardening Farms:
Maria Giménez – Wilmars Gaerten, Germany
Filip Partyka – Green Leaf Farm, Poland
Jakub Pešek – Svobodné Hory, Czech Republic

16:00 – 17:00
KEYNOTE BY JM FORTIER

How a Small Farm Can Grow Big Dreams

17:00-18:00

Farmer Panel (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Poland):
How Is Market Gardening Evolving in Our Region?

18:00-19:00

Farmer networking, experience sharing, and catering

The event will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation into Czech.

KEYNOTE TALK:
How a Small Farm Can Grow Big Dreams

Join Jean-Martin (JM) Fortier, a pioneer in the small-scale organic farming movement, as he shares insights and experiences from his 20-year journey in market gardening. In this keynote, JM will delve into how the transformative power of ecological farming can restore and ignite local communities. He will highlight the success stories of future growers empowered by The Market Gardener Institute and explore the innovative ventures that continue to shape the future of regenerative agriculture. This talk promises to inspire and equip attendees with the knowledge and passion to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable food system.

Jean-Martin Fortier

Jean-Martin (JM) Fortier is a farmer, an educator, and an eco-entrepreneur. For more than two decades, he has been a leading figure in the organic farming movement. As the author of the groundbreaking book “The Market Gardener,” which has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, JM has reshaped the small-scale agricultural landscape by inspiring readers to reimagine ecological, human-scale food systems.

Through his involvement with The Market Gardener Institute, he and his team empower the next generation of growers to establish thriving small ecological farms globally.

Recently honored with the Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General of Canada for his contributions to the advancement of regenerative agriculture, JM’s latest ventures include the establishment of Espace Old Mill, a farm-to-table restaurant recently recognized as one of the top 10 new restaurants in Canada.

He is an ambassador for Growers & Co. and the co-host of The Market Gardener Podcast.

What You Will Learn and Gain from the Conference

At the conference, you will discover how a small farm can operate as a professional business. JM Fortier will share insights from his practical experience. We will present concrete farm examples, real numbers, work systems, and case studies from the Czech Republic and abroad

You will learn:

How to farm on a small acreage (around 0.5 ha) and make a living from it
How to structure production to be efficient and manageable with a small team
What market gardening is and how to connect farm economics with soil stewardship
The most common mistakes beginning farmers make

How small farms can contribute to local landscapes and strong communities

How to think about marketing, customers, and pricing

This is not a theoretical debate. You will hear directly from farmers who actively run their operations — including what worked and what did not. Together, we will explore practical steps for strengthening the development of viable small farms in our region.

Become a Conference Sponsor

Join us, connect with fellow farmers, and present your products to a community that shares your values of sustainability and quality.

What You Gain as a Sponsor

We are happy to design a partnership format that is meaningful for both sides. Potential benefits include:

 

Brand Visibility

Logo placement and acknowledgment across conference communication — on-site, on the website, on social media, and in materials before and after the event.

Community of Farmers

Direct contact with 100–150 farmers and aspiring growers who are actively developing their farms and investing in their operations.

On-Site Engagement

Participation in networking opportunities, with the option for a short presentation or product showcase during the event.

Long-Term Collaboration

Opportunities to connect through educational activities organized by Farmářská škola and Svobodné Hory (courses, workshops, and community initiatives).

 

Partners

Sponsors