GFP027: Getting free media exposure and what that can do for your farm business with Troy Bishopp the Grass Whisperer

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If you want to succeed as a small (or large) business you have to market your products. The only problem with farm is that the margins can get pretty slim. That is when us crafty folks break out the guerrilla marketing techniques and find out way into free or cheap media exposure.

In today's episode I share a story about some free media attention that I received this year that led to me landing a place to farm, getting me some customers, and giving me a little security about land in the future. You can find my press release and article a little further down in the show notes.

Even if you cannot find the time to send press releases now or to really put out any marketing, you should be taking pictures. The pictures you take now while your farm is in full bloom with come in handy when you are getting press out of season. I walk you through some basic photo editing on my farm photo page here.

I bring on the show an experienced farmer and journalist Troy Bishopp the Grass Whisperer. Troy brings a great knowledge-set to the podcast with both perspectives from being a farmer and working in the media. This episode is a "must listen" if you want to get some free exposure for your farm.

Right click to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • How to build relationships with media personal

  • Tools for making it easy on the reporter and getting your story across

  • How to prepare for an interview

  • How to put the power of the interview into your hands

  • What to do when you feel like you have "no comment"

  • Using editorials to get free press

  • Creating soundbites to grab attention and where to put them

  • Cute sells!

  • How to be a farm advocate

  • Return On Investment (ROI) from media exposure

Troy Bishopp the Grass Whisperer:

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It is not every day you make a friend from complete stranger. Troy came to my farm to learn a little more about what I do and to get some help creating videos and to be on the podcast. Given that I was horrifically sick when he got here, Troy turned into more of a savior than a guest.

Since Troy's time on my farm picking up my slack we have kept in touch to compare notes and just keep in touch. Troy is a great guy and I respect the balance of professionalism and goofiness that he brings to the tables.

In farming you learn the most from other farmers. All advice comes with a grain of salt and not everyone's advice will work for you. I have spoken with hundreds of farmers of the years and I have found out one thing about Troy. When he talks, you listen.

The thing about the Grass Whisperer is that he not only wants to farm, he wants other people to farm and is willing to work toward that. He strives to inspire and educate as well as practice what he preaches.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What would more exposure do for your farm? Increase sales?

Are you prepared for an interview should an opportunity present itself?

What would you want to get out of more exposure?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP026: Big farm news and a visit from The Grass Whisperer

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I had a hard time with the title of this podcast because I couldn't decided whether I should write that I have big news AND the Grass Whisperer came to visit my farm, or it IS the big news that the Grass Whisperer came to my farm. It was a tough call because it sure was great having Troy on my farm.

There was a bunch of big news preceding the interview with Troy Bishopp the Grass Whisperer. The first is that I got a job. That's right, I took a job, and I am super excited about it. I am going to be the a farm manager and operations director for a farm that is starting a brewery and distillery in addition to their pastured egg operation.

Over the next month I will be moving my entire farm operation to their land where I can run my chickens and fulfill my work obligations to the new farm at the same time. Sure it is going to be a lot of work making the transition, but I will manage.

I just love that I can keep my business and make some extra money on the side. Takes a little pressure off me, and I really think it is a match made in heaven with this farm.

Farm podcast every other week!

That's right, I am scaling back. I am finding the farm, the baby coming, and the new job to be a lot of work (who knew?) Since the podcast is currently not generating any revenue, and it takes me a lot of time to put it together only to give it out for free, I am going to start putting up episodes every other Tuesday.

This will break a few hearts, and completely not effect others. I love doing the show, and I will always continue, but I think for the time being less is more. Besides, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get guests as they are all out in the fields working.

Right click here to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Grazing cattle for other farmers

  • What is a "grass backgrounder"?

  • What type of electric fence charger you should be using.

  • Putting together a grazing management plan.

  • The importance of writing things down.

  • Planning for fun.

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Interview with Troy Bishopp The Grass Whisperer

It was an absolute pleasure having Troy come down for two days. I was really sick those days and was still going to do all the chicken chores, but The Grass Whisperer was in town.

I learned a lot from having Troy on the farm. I hope he picked up a thing or two from me ass well.

Here's an excerp from his page.

Welcome Consumers and Friends of Grass-Based Agriculture.  This little farmer friendly website is an extension of the passion we feel for pastures.

It is brought to you by a 5th generation family farm with "roots" firmly planted in sustainable agriculture and a committment towards showing what CAN be done. Our farm family goal guides decisions:  We strive for a stress-free life. We want our topsoil covered by diverse pastures harvested by animals, thus recycling solar energy and activating biological life to provide a sustainable profit. We want to regenerate our community with local food. We want to create a savannah for wildlife. We want to create a place for the next generation to thrive.

The writings, speeches, pictures and meat produced around this foundation of keeping the land covered with forage and speaking up for agriculutre is a tribute to our ancestor's hard work and compassion for the people of our community.  We are excited about promoting a"Sunshine in every Bite" campaign that will spur everyone to appreciate the financial, environmental and social benefits of a tasty pasture-based system while growing new farm families.  Your comments are welcome.

Items mentioned in this podcast include:

Take aways:

Are you planning fun into your farm plan?

Are you keeping records and making projections so that someone else can help out if something happens to you?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP025: Business first family or family first farm business with Jolene Brown

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It can be awkward, weird, tough, and uncomfortable to mix family and business. It can also be great. Any which way you do it you need to get everything in writing, and keep all the details straight.

I will be the first to admit, Kate and I have not been as up on this as we should be. There is a lot we have talked about, but we haven't been so good about putting it down on paper. I find in general getting things down on paper when times are good gives you something to fall back on when times are bad. Even if it just an answer to the question, "Why did we even do this in the first place?"

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • How to hire and fire your own children

  • How to prepare for when someone kicks the bucket

  • Tools for productive meetings

  • The "deadly Ds"

  • Educating not humiliating, building bridges

  • Why someone else is not always the problem

  • Preparing for bad times during the good times

Interview with Jolene Brown Iowa grain farmer and professional speaker

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Jolene Brown will have you laughing while you learn! She’s an award winning communicator, and an honored recipient of the Certified Speaking Professional, the highest earned designation of speaking achievement worldwide! She's known as a Champion for Agriculture whether from the platform, in the magazines, on television, or on the radio.

She is a walking-talking spokesperson and consultant for the family-owned business. With her keen insight and result-centered approach, she's been invited to sit at lots of kitchen tables and family business meeting rooms. Jolene has learned what works and what doesn't. She understands the unique challenges facing parents, siblings, in-laws and "outlaws" who work together. Jolene's popular book, Sometimes You Need More Than a 2x4!, contains how-to-tips so those in agriculture can increase productivity, profitability and peace of mind.

As co-owner and active partner on their Eastern Iowa corn and soybean farm, her practical experience includes plugging a grain auger, hypnotizing chickens and entertaining folks behind the equipment parts counter.

Jolene cares deeply about the ag industry and is on a mission to share leading-edge best practices.  She's a passionate supporter, promoter and champion for the people who feed, clothe and fuel the world.

Her worldwide audiences appreciate her fun-filled humor and real-life stories.  They leave with take home value, great big smiles on their faces and eager to return for more.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

Do you have a plan in case the worst happens?

How does your family function as a business? Have you detailed it in writing?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP024: Recognizing inefficiencies and making a farm plan to solve them

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Time and money. Never feels like there is enough of either. Wouldn't it be great if we could all have a little more time in our day. Perhaps you could use it to spend time with family, grow more crops, or herd more cattle. Who knows? The point is, we need a way to make the most out of our waking and working hours on the farm.

That is where efficiency comes in. Becoming more efficient at what you are doing on the farm will make you more productive  you will get more done. Being able to get more things done would be huge.

I know there are things I would love to do for my business and in my personal life, but I just do not have the time. I do not have the time because I have some inefficiencies in my work routine. I spend a lot of time thinking about this as I am out in the field.

In today's episode I discuss what some of my inefficiencies are and what my plans are to change them. I also talk more about my farm and how I am doing with sales and production.

Right click here to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • How to recognize inefficiencies in your farm plan

  • How to teach volunteers without offending them

  • What my day-to-day looks like on my chicken farm

  • What the importance is with efficiency

  • Efficiency vs. Effectiveness

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What can you be doing to make your farm more efficient?

What would you do with a few extra minutes/hours in a day?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP023: Boot-strapping when you are beginning a farm with Nathan Winters of Hill Hollow Farm, Petersburg, NY

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Starting and running a farm is no small task no matter who you are. You can plan until your heart's content, but there are variables and things will inevitably change. That doesn't have to be a bad thing though. You will learn a lot through farming, about farming itself, and about who you are and what you are capable of.

I will be honest with you. I feel like I am constantly behind. I have three weeks worth of things that needed to get done yesterday. It wasn't for lack of planning on my part. I did a ton of planning. You can listen to the beginning episodes of the podcast. But, even though I had a well-laid plan, things have changed.

Everything takes longer than you expect (plan for that). The weather happens, outside forces happen, family happens, sh** happens (especially with 480 chickens). The best thing you can do is to stay positive, still have a plan, and do you best to become a success.

When you are just starting up you want to do a lot of testing. You will be testing what plants grow best, what feed your animals like the best, and you will be testing the market to see what sells the best. I know farmers that never thought they would get into the type of farming they are in now. However, they are good farmers And good farmers are good business people. they listen to what their customers are telling them and they respond with an awesome product.

With all that testing you are not going to want to buy all the infrastructure right away, even if you are able to. Beg, borrow, and steal (don't steal, it's just an expression) until you know two things.

  1. You have a market to sell what you are doing.

  2. You love what you are doing.

If you find out the market is going one way after you bought everything and set it all up, you're going to end up with either a pile of equipment that you cannot use, or worse a pile of product that might rot.

Boot-strapping is not just about saving money. It is about making sure you have the right tools for the right job.

Right click to download MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Connecting with customers through "new media" (Social Media)

  • How to find the resources you need for your farm

  • The benefits of boot-strapping

  • Good "old fashioned" farm marketing techniques

  • How to make yourself present in a community when starting a farm

  • How to keep yourself sane when times get tough

Interview with Nathan Winters of Hill Hollow Farm Petersburg, NY

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Hill Hollow Farm is a beautiful, family owned and operated, small-scale farm located in Petersburgh, NY.  As family members we work together and support each other in our farming endeavors. Currently the farm produces grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, and poultry and operates an organic vegetable CSA.

On our farm we believe in leaving the land more fertile than when we found it. This means that anything that goes into our soil needs to be beneficial for the entire biosphere of the farm, from the songbirds to the microbes. As we harness the nutrients in the soil to grow the vegetables in our garden and the grass in our pasture, we also return nutrients to provide continuous stability. Our goal is to encourage people to break free of the industrial food model, enjoy and restore the art and value of cooking, share meals together and buy food that is in line with their values and that enhances our soils, keeps the interest of our future generations at heart and provides optimal nutrition.

Our Basic Values:

  • Everyone deserves good food. Organic and natural food should be available at an affordable price.

  • We farm in a way that is sustainable and restorative to the soils we occupy.

  • Animals raised for meat are treated with compassion and are eaten and sold with dignity and are raised in a manner that is as close to their natural environments as possible.

  • We strive to build symbiotic relationships with all of the humans, plants and animals that exist on the farm.

  • We believe that the core component to bringing back the value in social capital, local economy and community involvement is local food production. We all must eat and therefore food has and always will be the one thing that connects us all together.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

Do you have at least a rough plan that your follow?

Where is your business headed next? Do you have the resources to get there? If not, do you know where to find them?

If you don't mind helping me reach people:

Positive reviews in iTunes help be a lot. Other farmers are searching for this type of information and your endorsement helps me reach them. Would you mind taking a second and signing into iTunes to leave me a 5 star review. Hay, I might even read your feedback on the show. Here's the link.

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP022: Clear, Consistent, and Compelling branding with Myrna Greenfield of Good Egg Marketing

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Branding is super important to your agricultural business whether you are on one acre or one thousand. Branding is not just for the big guys. These days people are even developing personal brands to clearly define how the are represented in the world.

I have worked on developing my brand for years. I have stumbled, fumbled, and walked blindly through a mess of unclear definition(s) to reach the point where I am today. This episode is to help you not waste the same time that I did when it comes to developing your farm's brand.

Defining the fundamentals of why you are farming and what your farm means to you and your customers is the most crucial step when starting your farm business. You brand is your business, plain and simple.

Right click to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • What a brand actually is

  • How you can start to define and develop your farm brand

  • Branding is not just for large corporations

  • How to choose a farm name

  • Define your customers tangible and intangible motivations

  • Defining the similarities and differences in your competition and how to leverage it

  • How to better rank in search engines with your farm website

Interview with Myrna Greenfield of Good Egg Marketing

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Good Egg Marketing is a Massachusetts-based business that specializes in promoting good food and good causes.  Good Egg was hatched by Myrna Greenfield, a seasoned marketer with a passion for sharing good food, helping people, and making marketing fun.

A “good egg” is a phrase that is typically used to describe a “good person,” someone who likes to help others.

A good egg is also an egg that is safe to eat and tastes good. And any egg that deserves to be called good should also be humanely and sustainably produced. Good Egg Marketing aspires to be all of these things: helpful, safe, tasty (tasteful), humane and sustainable. Good Egg clients are based in Massachusetts and nationally, and include farms and food enterprises, small businesses, nonprofits, and consultants. Founder and “Top Egg” Myrna Greenfield works with associates in graphic design, web development, video production, and social media to create effective, affordable marketing campaigns.While Good Egg Marketing is particularly devoted to working with businesses and organizations that produce, provide or promote delicious, healthy, sustainable food for all, it offers services to anyone who is a good egg.

Greenfield has worked in the food and beverage, publishing, health care, and hi-tech industries, and was employee #1 at Equal Exchange, a Fair Trade coffee company. She’s the former director of Communications and Campaigns at Oxfam America and served at many other non-profits, including the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Fenway Community Health, and the Child Care Resource Center.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

Have you clearly defined what your story is?

If you have, how are you telling that story to your customers? Is it effectively reaching the right people?

Do you have a farm website to help you tell your story?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP021: Visual Food Marketing with Jonathan Raduns of Merchandise Food

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Setting up your farmers' market stand or roadside stand can be a daunting task. This is your point of sale. It is at this place where you will finally see some return for all the hard work you have put into your farm during the week. How you represent yourself and your farm with your farm stand is how your customer is going to percieve your products.

60% of a customers' opinion of food quality in restaurants is based on teh retail environment.

You are trying to compete with "the big guys". Most often this is a supermarket or large grocery store. Well, the people selling their goods in there are using every trick in the book to get people to buy their products. If you want to compete with them (even if it is not in the store) why wouldn't you do everything possible to encourage more sales.

In this week's agricultural podcast episode we talk about what you can do to make your farm stand more appealing.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • What visual food marketing is

  • What to keep in mind when creating signage

  • Where to focus your visual marketing efforts

  • Ideas for your farmers' market table

  • How to excite your customer and create a memorable experience

  • What leads to repeat business

Jonathan Raduns of MerchandiseFood.com

Jonathan has a well rounded background in the food industry that spans retail sales, management, merchandising, restaurant operations and wholesale food manufacturer marketing.  Jonathan is known for his innovative, creative, and clean approach to creating displays that build customer experiences in food courts and restaurants which lead to impulse purchases and greater sales.

He has extensive merchandising and management experience with one of the world’s most awarded retail merchandisers, Wegmans Food Markets.  In this capacity he focused on specialty products and grew in-store organic produce sales by 25% through his unique use of food merchandising.

He holds a specialized degree in Food Marketing and Distribution from Rochester Institute of Technology.  Jonathan has authored and delivered training programs for numerous groups in Metro New York City and the Hudson River Valley.

Leading by example, creativity and vision, he’s a highly motivational consultant who’s a real pleasure to work with.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

How are you going to set up your farm stand to increase profitability this year?

What can you change with how you are visually presenting your food that could result in more sales?

Is your farm name clearly visible from across the market? How do people identify you?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP020: How to focus and prioritize your strategic farm plan with Scott Graves of SM Graves Creative Associates

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By necessity entrepreneurs have to accomplish a lot in a relatively short amount of time. There are so many things to balance when starting a farm or growing your current farm business if you do not keep organized and focused you are doomed from the start.

Early on I created a plan for how I saw my farm going. I started at 20 years out and worked backwards to present day. I have a dream that I would like to realize and I see that dream taking shape every day around me. It is not an easy road, but there are certain tools and techniques you can use to make that road a little less bumpy. A strategic farm business plan is one of them.

"To achieve great things two things are needed. A plan and not quite enough time." -Leonard Bernstein

In this episode of the Growing Farms Podcast I bring on Scott Graves, an agricultural businessman with a passion for the arts. Scott and I discuss farm business plans, things to look for when you want to expand or rejuvenate your business, and a whole lot more.

Right click here to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Why reflection is an important part of business planning

  • How to prioritize the many tasks you have to get done on and off farm

  • Why multi-tasking is BS and approaching one project at a time

  • Growing your farm business sustainably

  • Building social capitol

  • The benefit of thoroughly defining your demographics

  • Understanding your farm products

  • Improving efficiency

Interview with Scott Graves of SM Graves Creative Associates

Scott’s focus on strategic business capabilities have been garnered through experience in executive management, education and advocacy.  In addition to credentials as a sales and marketing professional,  Scott is a licensed property and casualty insurance professional, CLCS. SMGraves Creative Associates allows Scott and his team members the ability to  offer their services to clients as part of a concerted effort which increases the quality of results for their clients.  His unique combination of creative, strategic and functional perspective make him a powerful and trusted advisor.

Scott has successfully assisted organizations to achieve their goals representing financial services, arts and culture, health and human services, rental/retail and education. He is a former executive director, music educator and performing artist, recognized as a leader in business and creative expression.

Scott is Vice President, Board of Directors for the GVNA HealthCare, a dedicated Rotarian at the local and district level and Chairman, Board of Directors for EPHAS (Every Person Has A Story), currently training 2000 students in photo-journalism, documentary work and entrepreneurship in the US and ten countries.  Scott participates in the development of regional projects addressing some of Massachusetts toughest issues including economic development, access to music education and teen substance abuse.

Scott resides in Central Massachusetts with his wife Christine, daughters Abigail and Marcella.  They happily while away the hours growing their own food, traveling by bicycle and generally laughing, playing and reading together.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

 

 

Take aways:

Do you have a well thought out farm plan?

What do you see as the future of your agricultural enterprise?

Who are you selling to? Can you answer that question in detail?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP019: Two types of farm stories and how they can both be dangerous with Jeff and Laura Hamons of Synergistic Acres, Parker, KS

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Farming is an emotional roller coaster. I feel like sometimes there is a long climb to the top emotionally, then a sharp fall before you start the climb up again. In between you might go for a few loops, hit a few bumps, and maybe go through a tunnel and lose direction for a bit.

When you are riding the roller coaster you might look to other farms for advice, inspiration, and perspective. It is a natural thing to do, it can be a healthy thing to do, and I highly recommend that you do it. However, proceed with caution. Good or bad, not every farm story is what it is cracked up to be.

In this farm podcast episode I discuss the two types of stories you are likely to hear when you start to compare yourself to other farms. They both have their good and their bad elements. The trick is to take a story for what it is, know that your story is different, and make sure your realize that there is much more than the words on the page.

I want to reiterate that I am not saying the farmers who get articles printed wherever they get them printed are lying. Far from it. All I am saying is that they are doing the best to represent the best side(s) of their farm, as they should. My word of caution applies only if you are a farmer and you are comparing yourself to something you have read.

Right click here to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The appropriate distance from your customers based on their feedback.

  • The two types of farm stories you are likely to hear.

  • The benefits of marketing before you own the farm.

  • Common roadblocks for poultry producers.

  • Blogging to build an audience.

  • Farm research methods.

  • How and when to move the cow.

Interview with Jeff & Laura Hamons of Synergistic Acres, Parker, KS

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Synergistic Acres is lovingly managed by Jeff and Laura Hamons along with the help of their beautiful daughters. The farm is located in Parker, KS a pleasant 45 minute drive from Kansas City.

Their journey to owning a farm was not what you might consider a normal path to farming.  They did not grow up on a farm or even have any farmers in their known heritage.  Instead, their path to farming comes from a strong belief in the importance of people having access to healthy food and wanting to make that more accessible to people living in the Kansas City Area.

One of the reasons they have chosen to focus our efforts on the farm in growing meat instead of vegetables or other farm produce is the belief they have that animals can be raised humanely and happily and that farming does not have to involve the cruel and thoughtless care that many farm animals live today.  They ensure that their animals live their lives in as natural an environment as they can provide on the farm and that all of the necessities for a happy life are provided for them.  This will not only grow happier animals, but also healthier animals.  Animals that are healthier when they are living are healthier when we eat them. So cows are fed only grass and live their entire lives on pasture.  Pigs are given a mixture of woods and pasture in large paddocks so they can live and breed in a natural environment.  Their laying hens are allowed to free range in the pastures all day long filling up on nutritious and delicious insects and bugs.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

Have you taken the time recently to stop and appreciate what you do?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP018: Education based marketing with Karl Johnson of Pete and Gerry's Organic Eggs, Monroe, NH

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farm marketing podcast

You customers have to know why they are spending money on your product. Just because you know it is awesome, does not necessarily mean that they know it. That is where education based marketing comes into play.

Consumers are getting sold to almost 24 hours a day. Selling based marketing is dying. There are so many products out on the market that consumers are looking for more information about the products they buy. That is particularly evident in the food industry. Education around food is not only something that is becoming a necessity, but it also a popular thing to do now as well.

With "know your farmer know your food" almost becoming a badge of honor among foodies, it is our job as the farmers to educate those consumers so they have the right information when bragging to their friends. There are so many reasons to share your story, and as a agricultural business marketing and sales should be at the top of the priority list.

In this agricultural podcast I talk about the efforts I am making to tell my story, and how educating my customers is paying off for me. I then interview the director of marketing at Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs on the strategies they are using to educate their customers.

Right click to download MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Listen to your market to determine your marketing message

  • Using social media to connect with your farm customers

  • Making use of user generated content to enhance your farm's online presence

  • Measuring marketing success through consumer activity online

  • Partnering with like-minded companies

  • Survive in business by specializing

  • Being a values-driven company

Interview with Karl Johnson of Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs

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"I'll never work on another egg farm," Karl said when he got out of his high school job. He then finds himself years later working for another egg farm and loving every second of it. If you ever get the chance to meet the folks (and the chickens) at Pete & Gerry's you'd understand why he likes being there.

Karl came out of retirement to work at Pete & Gerry's as their director of marketing. 'I am working as hard now as I ever have," hey laughs. When you hear of all the innovative marketing strategies he has implemented including social media to engage customers and measure marketing results, you would never guess that this guy was even close to retirement age.

Besides being talented at his job, Karl is an all around great guy. I have had the pleasure of working with him for a number of years as P&G has supported Kate and I through our journeys. He is a great interviewee and a good friend.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

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Take aways:

How are you educating your customers? Do they know why they should buy from you?

Are you measuring you marketing successes?

How can you use social media to connect with your cusomters?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP017: How to prepare for a media interview with John Suscovich of FoodCyclist Farm New Milford, CT

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Getting exposure from the press can be either a good thing or a bad thing. I'm not talking about being caught out for a scandal or something like that, I am talking about being unprepared for that media exposure. Disregarding any bad press you might receive, and I hope that you never have cause to receive any, I want focus on how you can make the most out of the good media exposure.

I have gotten good press across the country. On radio, television, and various forms of print. The honest fact is, it is not that hard. Sure, there is some luck and skill involved with getting your name to appear in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal, I'll save that blog post for when I have accomplished that feat myself. I am talking about local news.

Local newspapers and local television stations want to print an upbeat story every now and again. Since you are a farmer selling locally, this is the media outlet you want to hit. After all, you are selling to the locals.

In this farm podcast I go over what you should do before you approach the press with a story. Below I detail a few ways I have found success getting local press across the country.

Right click to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • It is never too late or too early to "grow bolder"

  • Three things to keep in mind when preparing for a media interview (in particular radio)

  • How to think when you are behind the microphone

  • Some strategies for better articulation

  • Creating a sales funnel and why it is necessary

Interview with Me, John Suscovich on the Growing Bolder Radio Show

A few years ago the producers at Growing Bolder contacted me after I had some other press appearances. Given the tone of the show I was excited to be a guest. The hosts Marc Middleton and Bill Schafer are top-knotch interviewers and I really enjoy their show.

I especially wanted to share this interview and highlight Growing Bolder because I feel like their program and project hit at the heart of why a lot of us get into farming. We are adventurous, courageous, and at times down-right crazy. Friends and family might judge, society might stick it's chin up, but at the end of the day we love what we do. We are farmers, and we are bolder!

I always enjoy talking with Marc and Bill. If you have a good story to tell I am sure they would be happy to have you on the show. If nothing else, I recommend listening in on a few shows if you have the time.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

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How to get the media to talk to you in the first place:

One word, confidence.

Everyone has some kind of interesting story in their life. Especially if you are a farmer now-a-days. I am guessing that you are if you are reading this. There are as many possibilities as their are farms. Whether the farm has been in your family for 200 years and you are restoring the old buildings, or you just got out of college and you are going to live in a tent and work land that someone let you squat on for free, there are all types of stories out there, you just have to have confidence that your story is a good one.

When I approach media I have a purpose in mind. A problem that needs solving. No matter what media outlet you decide to pursue, they are always going to put their spin and their flare on it, just accept that. Their flare aside, know what you want to get out of the situation.

My Example

This winter I was searching for farm land, as you know if you have listened to all of the episodes. I also just launched the podcast. I wanted to find farmland in my area, and get exposure for the podcast. I found a template for a one page press release online (here's a link to random one) and wrote my one page story.

My problem: young farmer needs land

Interesting hook: young farmer starts his own radio show

The newspaper had a way to help me with publishing an article. Not only did it help me, but because of the article many people got in touch with me, and got in touch with the paper with solutions.

I sent my press release out to two or three area newspapers, and low and behold the biggest paper in my State was the one to get back to me. They sent a reporter to my house, we spoke for two hours. They sent a photographer as well. Within a week I was the front page story with a lot of color photos.

In the past I used "problems" like raising money for a worthy charity, with an interesting hook of riding a bike across the country.

The return on investment.

I got several leads on land (which I now am using) and I developed a relationship with a reporter at the paper. Brynn if you're reading this you are an incredibly talented writer and thank you for the article. I also got some CSA customers out of the article, not a bad side effect.

Don't Forget!

I am always looking for people to interview. I haven't had problems finding people yet, but I really want to highlight my listeners if I can. Please get in touch and we will schedule a time to talk. Thanks!

Take Aways:

Do you know your farm business enough to describe it in one sentence?

Are you confident "behind the microphone"?

What would getting on the local radio station do for your farm business?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP016: Leasing Apple Trees and Farm Tours With QR Codes, Billiam Von Roestenberg of Liberty View Farm in Hudson NY

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Farming certainly keeps you on your toes. Just when you think everything is going your way, life throws you a curve ball. That's certainly alright. It is not what happens to you, it is how you deal with it. I was recently thrown a curve ball regarding a delivery and storage of 4,000 pounds of chicken feed. It's alright, I dealt with it, well, I'm dealing with it, and I talk about that a little in today's farm podcast episode.

It is not just the weather and unfortunate circumstances that keep you on your toes. Owning and operating a farm business will exercise your mind in ways that you never imagined. Part of owning and operating that business is farm marketing. Actually it's a serious part of your business. Marketing is about making more money. It is about selling products. It is also about building a community around your farm that involves not only your customers, but like-minded businesses as well.

Right Click Here to Download the MP3 File

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • An instant cash source for your farm

  • The best time for sending out e-mails

  • Strategies for getting media exposure

  • What "glamping" is

  • Why you should market your marketing efforts

  • When you should be building your e-mail list

  • The power of delegation

Interview Billiam Von Roestenberg of Liberty View Farm, Hudson, NY

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Billiam van Roestenberg left the Big Apple behind to purchase Liberty View Farm in 1999. His innovation "Lease a Tree" naturally brings a greater awareness and connection between farmer and consumer. The success of this unique farm experience has garnished a lot of attention including Travel + LeisureMagazine "America's Top Ten Apple Picking Farm." Farmer Billiam & Farmer Rene’s organically grown apple orchard is one of the few in the Northeast.

Billiam organized the Historic Same Sex Weddings in New Paltz, NY where he was the first same sex couple married east of San Fransisco. In that same year of 2004 he ran for political office.  In 2000 he became Vice Chair of the Democratic Committee in Southern Ulster County; and sat on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 5 years.

Billiam has been featured on television, many newspapers, magazines and books. A community farm activist he currently sits on the Board of Eat Local Food. Billiam can be heard on his radio show and his blogs, "The Frugal Farmer" and "Cultivating Community and Farmers", where he speaks to the importance of being politically involved. Recently he was voted and won a national recognition by the Huffington Post.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

How to use free QR codes:

  1. Go to this page: http://www.qrstuff.com/ (or any similar site)

  2. Fill in the necessary fields.

  3. Download your QR code image.

  4. Add that QR code into your marketing materials, or use it to send people on a self-guided tour of your farm.

Take aways:

Are you working with others to market your farm?

Can't get into a farmers' market? Ever thought of starting your own?

Sick of telling the same story a million times? What have you done to tell your story besides speak it yourself?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP015: The Significance of Packaging Your Farm Products with Sarah Hawkins of Castle Rock Farm, Vacaville, CA

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Your farm products, your farm, and you the farmer all have something in common. You should all be presented in a clean and organized manor to help increase sales. There are so many reasons to keep a clean farm. Efficiency, marketing, and peace of mind are just a few.

You cannot necessarily expect top dollar when you are not willing to present the best side of yourself, your products, and your farm at all times. With me starting a farm on a shoestring budget I am struggling to get the farm clean, neat, and organized before I have any customers come and see it. It's a diamond in the rough, and I need to get some polish on it.

Today's farm podcast covers this very topic.

Right Click to Download MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Dairy goats in places you never expected

  • How to keep goats in (haha)

  • What is the busy season on a California goat farm?

  • A reason to start your own business

  • Explore different marketing avenues

  • Soil Maps, Get in the know before it is too late

Interview with Sarah Hawkins of Castle Rock farm, Vacaville, CA

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Castle Rock Farm, home of ADGA, and AGS registered Nigerian Dwarf goats, various laying hens, one guard llama, an Armenian Gampr (livestock guardian dog) and the best Border Collie, Evah.

Sarah and Andy are located in the rolling hills of northern Vacaville, on the Western edge of the Great Central Valley with Sacramento to their East, Napa & San Francisco to their West.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What can you do this year to make your farm a more beautiful and organized place?

What can you change on a "day to day" basis to increase efficiency?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP014: The Future of Farming in America with Severine Von Tscharner Fleming of The Greenhorns

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There is a generational gap between old farmers and new. The average age of the American farmer is pushing 60. They are starting to look at retirement, looking to pass the farm on, and looking to get out of the business. The problem is, their kids did not get into farming. This presents a problem as we lose more farmland to development, and we do not have enough new farmers to fill their shoes (and our bellies).

Somewhere along the line we skipped a generation, and now are faced with a unique opportunity. There is good news! A new generation of farmers is coming on the scene. The kids of the old generation did not get into farming, but the grand-kids are, and for new reasons.

With fresh blood out on pasture there are new ideas, new ideals, and new techniques coming with them. I am happy to be part of a passionate movement toward something wholesome, connected, intelligent, motivated, and inspired.

This episode gives you an update on my farming endeavors, I discuss my opinion of the future of farming in America, and I bring on a guest who has some of the best insights on the subject.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The power of proving how serious you are.

  • How to use stunts to tell your story and get your message across.

  • The future of American agriculture

  • Farmer retirement plans.

  • How to be braver, stronger, calmer, and more deliberate!

Right Click to Download MP3

Interview with Severine Von Tscharner Fleming of The Greenhorns

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severine von tscharner fleming of the greenhorns

Severine is a farmer, activist, and organizer based in the Hudson Valley of New York. She is the director of The Greenhorns, a documentary film  and grassroots organization working to ”recruit, promote and support” the growing tribe of new agrarians. Greenhorns runs a weekly radio show on Heritage Radio Network, a popular blog, young farmer publications, podcasts and many dozens of mixers, Seed Circus and educational events for young farmers, aspiring farmers and families all around the country.

Now in their 6th year, The Greenhorns is best known for our documentary film, “The Greenhorns” cut from 380 hours of footage. Both in making the film, and travelling to screen it, Severine has delighted in connecting with hundreds of young farmers in this movement, learning about innovations, collaboration and challenges faced by this next generation of entrepreneurial farmers. Greenhorns actively works to provide venues for networking, bon fires, beer and online communication within a large and growing! network.

Severine attended Pomona College and University of California at Berkeley, where she graduated with a B.S. in Conservation/AgroEcology. She co- founded the Pomona Organic Farm, founded UC Berkeley’s Society for Agriculture and Food Ecology, and is a proud co-founder of the National Young Farmers Coalition.

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the greenhorns

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast:

 

 

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Take aways:

What do you think is the future of food and agriculture?

What part are your going to play in the future of farming?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a 5 star rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP013: Organizing Your Thoughts for a Successful Farm, Michael Ableman Author and Farmer, Sole Food Farm, Vancouver, BC

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Keeping organized is critical when running a farm. There are simply too many things to manage to be disorganized. Keeping it all in your head is not an option, because no matter how good you think you are, you are going to forget things.

The good news is you don't have to break the bank. You hardly have to spend any money at all. The investment you will be making in your farm is a little time up front to save you loads of time down the road.

I never go anywhere without my trusty notebook. One subject graph, quadrille ruled, inexpensive notebook that I got from Staples. It is on my person at all times. I meet too many people, manage too many projects, and have to remember too many things not to have something to write it all down in.

I am not saying you have to run out and buy this notebook specifically, but I am suggesting you get something to write down your thoughts in. It could be a one-subject notebook, or something that you can stick in your pocket.

I have a few more organizational tools that I cover in today's agricultural podcast. Managing all the projects we as farmers have to manage is tough, but keep organized and you will be fine.

Right Click to Download MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Where soil comes from on an urban farm

  • Manageing staff

  • Significance of marketing

  • Farmers' market sales techniques

  • The importance of staying organized

Interview with Michael Ableman Sole Food Urban Farm

michael ableman foxglove farm bc sole food farm

michael ableman foxglove farm bc sole food farm

Michael's photographs have appeared in publications throughout the world and in solo exhibitions at the Oakland Museum, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Field Museum in Chicago.

He has lectured extensively throughout the U.S. and in Europe. His work has been covered in National Geographic, on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, in the Utne Reader, Gourmet Magazine, and the L.A. Times. An award-winning film about Ableman's work, Beyond Organic, narrated by Meryl Streep aired nationally on PBS in 2001.

Ableman has received numerous awards including the 2001 "Sustie" Award for his work in sustainable agriculture, Eating Well magazine's 1995 Food Hero Award, and the 1997 Environmental Leadership Award from the governor of the state of California.

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What tools do you use to keep organized?

How can increasing your organizational skills benefit your farm?

What is your future timeline for starting or expanding your farm?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP011: The Importance of Online Farm Marketing, Interview with Annie Warmke of Blue Rock Station, Ohio

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Adapting to new technologies can sometimes be a good thing, and sometimes be a bad thing. Adapting to the internet is a good thing. It can, as it has for me, do good things for your business.

I have been marketing my CSA through my farm website, social media, and out on the streets in person. Even with the people I meet in person, a good percentage of them like having the website to send to friends, review at home, or join my CSA when they decide to.

Besides marketing my farm I have been busy working on it in other ways. I have redesigned my chicken tractors, started seedlings, and added more content to the Farm Marketing Solutions website.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The importance of online marketing.

  • The importance of building a community and what that means in terms of true sustainability.

  • I love chinese Kung-Fu.

  • Alternative housing options.

  • Green buildings.

  • Sustainle energy.

Interview with Annie Warmke of Blue Rock Station, Ohio

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On the eve of the birth of their grandchild (Catlyn), Jay and Annie Warmke looked out over the foothills of the Central Appalachian Mountains in Muskingum County Ohio and felt they had come home. They bought the 38-acre tract that makes up Blue Rock Station in 1993, and dreamed of creating a retreat for their extended family.

A few months later, while listening to WMNF public radio (Tampa, FL), Annie heard architect Michael Reynolds of Solar Survival in Taos, New Mexico talking about a new type of home he designed that used clean waste like old tires and bottles. He called his design an "Earthship." The seed had been sown.

Construction of the original 1,650 square foot house began in 1996. During a nine-week period, 1,200 tires were brought in from an illegal dump site cleaned up by the Environmental Protection Agency near Roseville, OH. The tires were rammed with earth and used to create the walls of the single-family dwelling. Most of the wood used in the construction of the roof trusses and window framing was re-claimed from local barns.

Annie served as the contractor and project manager for the building of the original structure, with Jay serving as the support person and weekend carpenter.  They worked on this project during summers and vacations, taking a three-year break in 2001 to move to Europe.  In August, 2004 they returned to Blue Rock Station to live full time and create the premier green living center in Ohio.  Over 25,000 visitors have walked through the living room of the Earthship.

The goal is to merge engineering, art and re-use of existing materials. This is accomplished by creating buildings made out of re-used materials to demonstrate a series of alternative building techniques, including the Earthship, straw bale structures, earth bag walls, and whatever else seems to make sense.

In addition to the buildings, workshops and publications, Blue Rock Station is open periodically for llama trekking around the beautiful hills of Southeastern Ohio, special events like Earth Day and special open house tours, plus skill building weekends.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

House of Trash Video:

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MTV Cribs Kids Edition:

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Chicken Tractor Design:

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"The Wilds" Ohio Safari

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Blue Rock Station

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Take aways:

Do you have a farm website? Are you using it effectively?

What have you done recently to develop a community around your farm?

Can you learn to live with less?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP010: Adapting to Suit Your Market, Be Genuine, Interview with Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily

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It is really important in your farm marketing efforts to adapt to meet the needs of your market. That means more than just growing what people want. It also means growing it the way they want it grown. I recently switched my feed because my customers were asking for organic non-GMO feed. I would have been feeding my chickens that anyways, I just didn't know I could get it near my farm. When someone pointed it out, it was a natural switch.

It is also important when marketing your farm to listen to your demographic, and go where they are to market to them. More and more people are on Facebook these days. Of all the farmers I know, that is the most widely used form of social media. Why? Facebook has over 900 million people using it on a global scale. While your aim might not be global, in today's farm podcast I explain how I am using it to market locally. I am seeing results in the form of new members to my Chicken and Herb CSA. There's your return on investment.

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Best practices for engaging you audience on Facebook.

  • Ideas to monetize your blog or farm website.

  • The importance of creating a solid brand around a particular niche.

  • Why you have to promote yourself to be seen online.

Right Click to Download MP3

Interview with Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily:

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In addition to writing for the blog, hosting the Facebook pages and managing an etsy shop, Lisa makes sure that her ever-tolerant and supportive husband, 21 laying hens, rooster, 8 ducks, 2 horses, tuxedo cat, and German Shepherd puppy are happy and well fed.  She grows herbs, berries and vegetables and enjoys gourmet cooking and baking using the fresh ingredients from their farm.  She also enjoys reading, knitting, DIY projects and crafting in her spare time.

She has recently been featured in Hobby Farms Chickens Magazine as well as Hobby Farm Home magazine and mentioned in Mother Earth News and Southern Living magazines. She recently crossed the 'pond' to be featured in the UK-based Your Chickens magazine as an up-and-coming blogger/chicken keeper, as well as the New Zealand-based Lifestyle Block series How to Care for your Poultry.

The list goes on for Lisa's media exposure. One this is for certain. She knows a lot about chickens, and she knows how to relay that information to an audience and keep them coming back.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

What ways have you adapted your farm business to meet the needs of your customers?

Are you using Facebook? You don't have to spend all your time on Social Media, but Facebook is a good start with definite return on investment.

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP009: Making Sound Investment for the Future, Rebecca Thistlethwaite Author of Farms With A Future

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Show summary:

Farming is as much about business as it is growing things. Time spent outside should be balanced by time spent inside. Both places require you to make smart investments for your future. Those investments might be to buy equipment, spend time connecting with customers, or growing your agricultural business in any number of ways.

The weather is warming up a bit and I get to spend some more time making investments outside of the office. That is not only good for the business, but good for the soul too. Honestly, I don't like talking about money. I would rather be out farming. This week I started building chicken tractors, I ordered baby chicks, and my seeds came in the mail. Big things happening!

Right click here to download the MP3

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • What to think about when making investments in your farm.

  • Some commonalities between me and other farmers.

  • Creative ways to find funding.

  • Money management "outside the box".

  • Long term farm investing.

Interview with Rebecca Thistlethwaite Author of Farms With A Future:

Rebecca grew up in suburban Oregon, near small berry farms that eventually were populated by homes and not crops. She then went to Colorado State University to study skiing, climbing, and a little bit of everything else about natural resources. There she received her B.Sc. in Natural Resources Management/Conservation Biology.

Since then she has worked on various organic farms around the Northwest and California, before ending  up back in school at UC Davis to study agroecology and International Agricultural Development for her Masters. She went on to study crop biodiversity and traditional Mayan agriculture in Guatemala and Honduras.

Since then, Rebecca has been working in natural resources management, developing and directing programs, sustainability consulting and farming part time with her husband at TLC Ranch on the Central Coast of California and now on a little farm in Washington overlooking the mighty Columbia River.  "Farms with a Future: Creating and Growing a Sustainable Farm Business", was published in November 2012 by Chelsea Green, Rebecca's first book!

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

 

Take aways:

How do you plan when making investments in your farm?

What questions do you ask yourself?

Do you differentiate between capital investments and operating budget?

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP008: The Most Important Decisions I Have Made To Date and Some Farm Financial Planning

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Show Summary:

Solid financial planning is critical to the success of any small business, and farming is no exception. If you do not have a clear picture of where you are, how can you know where you are going? In this episode I stray from my normal format to bring you more insight into the difficult decisions I have had to make lately.

I discuss how important it is to create a Profit and Loss Statement, and I even discuss some of the details of mine. In the interest of full disclosure, I am including a link to download the Excel Spreadsheet detailing my Chicken CSA.

Chicken CSA Financial Breakdown (Click to Download)

I hope this helps you in creating you own financial planning. Later on on this year on FarmMarketingSolutions.com I will post a video where I walk you around the sheet to show you the equations I used in creating the statement, and how I arrived at some of those numbers. I don't want to overload you with too much information in one go.

I want to share my information because a friend shared his with me. I was able to create mine using a similar structure to his, and a little of my own deductive reasoning and Excel skill (though I'm not whiz at Excel). I chose not to include the tabs for what our fixed expenses are and what some of the other income streams might produce. I have nothing to hide, as I shared the numbers on the podcast, but I think this is surely enough to get you started.

Right Click Here to Download the Full Episode

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • The importance of financial planning.

  • How Profit and Loss Statements will help you plan for a more profitable future.

  • How I arrived on the business strategy that I am implementing.

  • How much you feedback on social media and iTunes means to me.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Note: Some of these links are affiliate links. I earn a very small commission if you purchase something through them, at no extra cost to you.

chicken spreadsheet

chicken spreadsheet

Take aways:

Do you know what you fixed personal expenses for the year are?

Do you have an idea of where your business stands financially?

What are you doing to plan for the future?

Thank you!

Thank you so much for tuning in week after week! It is a pleasure to bring you the podcast, and I truly hope it helps you find success.

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think of my farm podcast. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.

GFP007: Anne Burkholder of Will Feed, Traveling Outside Your Comfort Zone to Gain Perspective and Reduce Stress

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Show summary:

Fresh perspective is always necessary. It doesn't matter what type of business you run or even what type of life you lead. Looking at what you do from another person's perspective, and getting their advice based on their experiences can be hugely beneficial for you.  I know it is for me.

I am not a farmer to make money. I farm because I love working outside, I love growing my own food, and most of all I love the community of people that naturally gravitate toward sustainable farming. At the end of the day, my bills come in just the same as everyone else's. We have car payments, rent, student loans, phone bills, the list goes on... If I am going to be able to keep farming and having that positive impact on my food system I have to look at my farm as a business.

In this episode I talk about how I went outside the farming community to get some really good advice. Not only was the advice and perspective helpful to me as I write my business plan, but it was inspirational as well. The professional I met with got me all fired up, and inspired me to take some of the steps that I was fearing to take.

Then in my interview I travel outside my normal realm of agricultural businesses, and I had one of most fun conversations about farming that I have had yet.

Right Click to Download this Farm Podcast Episode

In this farm podcast you will learn:

  • Helpful resources for business advice

  • How a cattle feed lot operates

  • The ratio of cattle to humans in Nebraska

  • How being a psychology major helps you work with cattle

  • You don't have to be a big person to work with big animals

Interview with Anne Burkholder of Will Feed in Cozad Nebraska:

Anne Burkholder is the “boss lady” of the cattle feedyard and spends her days in blue jeans and boots.  In 2009, she was awarded the Beef Quality Assurance Producer of the Year Award for the volunteer work that she does promoting beef farmer education in cattle care (animal welfare), and food safety.  She is a member of the Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Committee, a Director of the Nebraska State Beef Council, and an avid advocate for the cattle industry.  She greets each day’s challenges with a smile knowing that she is using the gifts and talents that were bestowed upon her to both improve the welfare of the United States cattle herd and the safety of the beef that they produce.

She is both mentally and physically tough from her days as a competitive swimmer and runner growing up. She uses her degree in psychology to better understand the cattle she works with, and to reduce the stress in their lives.

It was a pleasure interviewing her, and refreshing to here the perspective she brings to farming.

Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

Never stop asking questions. Never stop learning. Very very important in life. I am glad that I have the natural curiosity that drives me to constantly seek out more knowledge.

Who else can you talk to about your farm business?

Who can offer advice outside of the agricultural realm?

What steps are you taking to reduce stress for yourself, your workers, and your animals?

Call to action!

I ask a question at the end of the episode, "How should I sign off?" Write in with your opinions on how I should end the show.

  • Tag line?

  • Just stop talking?

  • Catch phrase?

  • Fancy jingle?

  • Call to action?

  • I'm open to ideas...

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.