Cultivation Station

Grants are everywhere and can seem daunting. Take a listen to our latest episode of Cultivation Station to ease some of those fears. Grants are valuable resources and are plentiful, especially now. Learn some tips and tricks, and points of contact that can help you move through the process. We speak with Jennifer Benson with CDA We speak with Jude from MORP And from CSU we speak with Dr. Becca Jablonski

Our new hosts Catherine Boxler talks with experts about exporting your product (food, agricultural, or beverage). She talks first with John Addison and Ashley Warsh from our very own Department of Agriculture.

Cat then talks with Chef Kelly with Merfs Hot Sauce.

Exporting is an important part of every businesses long term plan.

Have you ever considered selling your food, beverage, or agricultural products to educational and/or government facilities? It is a very viable market with lots of growth from interest in local food procurement. Learn about how to get started in this unique market channel. We talk with Catherine Blackwell with Browns Farm, Stephen Menyhart with Boulder Valley School District, and Rebecca Boone with the Colorado Department of Education School Nutrition Division.

Resources:

https://nourishcolorado.org/nourish-institutions/#LoProCo

https://www.fns.usda.gov/cfs/farm-school-grant-program

Your brand tells a story to your customer that sticks with them long after they have used or consumed your products. Is your brand telling the right story? In this episode of Cultivation Station we talk with some heavy hitters in the retail world, and the brand builder that helped them get there. Joining us is John Recca - BrandWerks, Moni- Grandma's Noodles, Lori - Mulay Sausage, and Gina - Gina Cucina. These brands are in retailers because they convey their story and purpose concisely. Find out how they got there and the process to really sharpen your branding.

Time Stamps:1:25 John, Moni, Lori 25:26 Gina, John

We take a look at the consumer and marketing trends we saw pop up and accelerate just like COVID-19. Some trends and marketing tactics are here to stay, while others will eventually fade out. Hear from our expert guests on the show about how to position yourself for success moving forward. Time-stamps: 1:15 - Dr. Dawn Thilmlany and Dr. Becca Jablonski with Colorado State University's College of Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Economics and Resource Department (https://dare.agsci.colostate.edu/) (localfoodeconomics.com) 21:20 - CEO Laura Zaspel with Serendipity Catering in Denver 36:00 - Owner Kristine Root with ROOt Marketing and PR in Boulder

Worried about upcoming GAP/GIB audits? Confused how the produce safety rule mixes in with those? We have got you covered! We speak with our own state employees on how to get prepared, resources to utilize for both information and cost assistance, as well as producers who have been there and done that for the audit game. Please contact [email protected] with any questions, or podcast topic suggestions. Time Stamps: 1:02 - Colorado Department of Agriculture's Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Team - Brian Pauley ([email protected]) and Steve Lopez ([email protected]). More information at https://ag.colorado.gov/markets/fruit-vegetable-section 13:30 - Aspen Produce LLC - Jon Gonzales Food Safety/Quality Control Supervisor. More information at https://www.aspenllc.com/ 18:04 - Milberger Farms - Shane Milberger Owner/Operator. More information at http://milbergerfarms.com/ 28:26 - Colorado Department of Agriculture's Produce Safety Manager with Inspection and Consumer Services - Duane Sinning ([email protected]). More information: coproducesafety.org http://freshproduce.colostate.edu/ https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-produce-safety

Has anyone in your family's operation considered what might happen after retirement or the passing of a matriarch or patriarch of the family? Many family operations do not have an estate or succession plan in place. In this month's episode, we take a look at the process of starting a plan or how to find resources to help! Lori Hulbert - 1:10 Amanda Matthews - 19:30 Mark A. Gallegos - 35:10 Lori Hulbert - SGR, LLC - Attorney - [email protected] Amanda Matthews - Highland Stock Farms - Rancher - [email protected] Mark A. Gallegos - Colorado Department Agriculture - [email protected] - 303.869.9090

You might be ready to make the leap from cottage foods in your own kitchen to a shared commercial kitchen space. This is a big leap, but one that many companies need to make to continue to grow. Join us for this months episode, where we dive into business incubators and commissary kitchens. We talk with a company who grew out of a commissary and into their own facility, a commissary kitchen owner who thrives on her tenants succeeding, and a business incubator that not only has a commercial kitchen but offers lots of other business resources. They have some good advice and we can't wait to share it with you!

0:58 Laura Mercier - Grand Junction Business Incubator - Info Here!

22:00 Justin Park- The Real Dill - Info Here! 45:00 Alexandra - Commissary 5280 - Info Here!

Your product is popular and selling...you're doing well at farmers' markets. Now, how do you get your product onto retail shelves and beyond? In our next episode, "Ready for Retail? Steps for Success," we'll discuss the logistics of your supply chain, transportation, and winning the distribution game. Join us and get ready for some insider tips and tricks in this episode of Cultivation Station.

Order of appearance: Ben Deda, CEO of FoodMaven Ashley Warsh, CDA Markets Division International Marketing Assistance - [email protected] Darrelle Weyant, Vendor Relations Manager of LoCo Foods Rob and Tiana, Owners of FishSki Provisions

Interested in selling your own home-grown produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands or through Community Supported Agriculture programs? This episode will help guide you through the process. We talk with a family farm that operates the largest CSA program in the Denver area, our own Colorado Proud program manager, Colorado State Extension Food Systems team, and the Colorado Farmers Market Association. Most importantly, we put the COVID-19 lens on this summer's situation and learn how to be adaptable and successful. All you need to know to begin selling your produce is right here on the Cultivation Station!

Listening Legend and Resources:

• 1:00 minute Fleischer Family Farm
• 17:00 minutes Wendy White - Colorado Proud
• 23:30 minutes Martha Sullins and Christy Dice - Colorado State University Extension
• 41:20 minutes Rosalind May - Colorado Farmers Market Association

Resources: Fleischerfamilyfarm.com Coloradoproud.org Foodsystems.colostate.edu cofarmersmarkets.org cofarmtomarket.com [email protected]