Eight Generations of Priceless Farming Knowledge

This week’s guest grows—quite literally—on tradition, innovation, and a healthy dose of southern Appalachian grit. Kirby Johnson, co-owner of Flavor 1st Growers & Packers, is based in a fertile mountain valley in Western North Carolina. What’s wild? His family’s farming roots stretch all the way back to 1798—that’s eight generations of dirt beneath their nails and produce behind their name!

Today, Flavor 1st isn’t just your neighborhood tomato grower—they handle over 30 different varieties of produce, track everything from field to fork with cutting-edge tech, and distribute across the entire Eastern Seaboard, from Florida to Boston. Kirby’s family history is rich and deep, with the best and most sustainable farming practices. You will hear his almost scientific methods for producing the best-tasting veggies in the most efficient way.

So keep listening as we uncover how a centuries-old family legacy meets 21st-century hustle, and how that helps get fresh fruits and veggies to tables across the country and beyond. Get ready for a deep dive into resilience, tech, and why Kirby’s produce mission is anything but fruitless.