Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

184: The Colorblind Tulip Farmer: Revolutionizing Rural Economic Development with Andrew Miller

Listen Later

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Andrew Miller, a multi-faceted leader who serves as CEO of both the United Way of Skagit County and Tulip Valley Farms, as well as commissioner at Skagit PUD. Miller shares his unique journey from working at major tech companies like Amazon to returning home to Skagit County as an economic developer, only to eventually become the entrepreneur he had been encouraging others to be. The conversation explores the challenges economic developers face when advocating for entrepreneurship and innovation, the resistance to change in established systems, and Miller's decision to "walk the walk" by purchasing a farm business when others wouldn't take the leap.

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers
  1. Look for gaps in existing industries where innovation can create new business models (like adding U-pick to traditional tulip festivals)
  2. Study successful elements from adjacent industries and adapt them to your community's assets
  3. Create bridges between urban and rural communities through experiential tourism
  4. Focus on finding and selling what's remarkable about your community to people willing to pay for it
  5. Combine unexpected elements (like Scottish Highland cows with tulips) to create unique attractions
  6. Make agriculture and rural life accessible to urban neighbors who lack farming connections
  7. Consider compound risks when developing agritourism ventures (weather for growing AND weather for visitors)
  8. Use personal availability and storytelling to create authentic connections with visitors
  9. Help passionate people in your community turn their interests into viable businesses
  10. Remember that credentials matter less than passion and willingness to learn in entrepreneurship

    11. Special Guest: Andrew Miller.

    Sponsored By:

    • Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

    Links:

    • Andrew Miller | LinkedIn
    • Tulip Valley Farms
    • The Colorblind Tulip Farmer - YouTube
    • Tulip Valley Farm | TikTok
    • Tulip Valley Farms | Facebook
    • tulipvalleyfarms | Instagram
    • Ep. 376: Destination Marketing Insights From a Colorblind Tulip Farmer with Andrew Miller - YouTube
    • How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen
    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic DevelopmentBy Dane Carlson
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    15 ratings

    More shows like Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

    View all
    Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan by CBS News

    Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan

    1,173 Listeners

    WSJ What’s News by The Wall Street Journal

    WSJ What’s News

    4,324 Listeners

    Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    78,111 Listeners

    Planet Money by NPR

    Planet Money

    30,726 Listeners

    Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    Freakonomics Radio

    32,109 Listeners

    The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe by The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

    The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe

    41,039 Listeners

    The Daily by The New York Times

    The Daily

    111,119 Listeners

    The Indicator from Planet Money by NPR

    The Indicator from Planet Money

    9,516 Listeners

    Develop This: Economic and Community Development by Develop This! Podcast

    Develop This: Economic and Community Development

    45 Listeners

    Fiction - Comedy Fiction by The Sunset Explorers

    Fiction - Comedy Fiction

    6,444 Listeners

    ShovelTalk: An Economic Development Podcast by Golden Shovel Agency

    ShovelTalk: An Economic Development Podcast

    2 Listeners

    The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni by Patrick Lencioni

    The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

    369 Listeners

    Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi by Ramit Sethi

    Money For Couples with Ramit Sethi

    3,364 Listeners

    The Telepathy Tapes by Ky Dickens

    The Telepathy Tapes

    7,755 Listeners

    EDO Breakthrough by Sandy Dubay, CEcD

    EDO Breakthrough

    4 Listeners