Farming on Purpose

How Agritourism Is Transforming Farming

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“I don’t want to spend my short years on this earth doing things that are insignificant.” — Andrew Miller

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Andrew Miller, co-founder and CEO of Tulip Valley Farms in Washington’s Skagit Valley. We talk about the realities of building an agritourism-centered farm business, navigating regulations and community pushback, and choosing a meaningful life rooted in land and legacy.

Andrew shares openly about returning home after years in tech, the process of building something his family could be part of, and the unique challenges of running a U-pick tulip farm in an urban-adjacent region where tourism and agriculture collide. His story is equal parts courageous, strategic, and deeply human.

 

Key Topics:
  • Building a life and business rooted in significance, not just productivity

  • Why agritourism is one of the biggest opportunities in agriculture today

  • Navigating lawsuits, regulations, and zoning challenges as a small farm

  • Turning a flower farm into an immersive experience—not a commodity

  • Balancing family, farming, and off-farm responsibilities

  • What makes U-pick operations successful (and what makes them hard)

  • How to advocate for policies that keep farmland viable

  • Why innovation in ag must happen at the business-model level

  • Finding resilience through community, connection, and purpose

  • Building a future in agriculture your kids can participate in

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    Learn More About Tulip Valley Farms

    🌷 Instagram: @tulipvalleyfarms

     🌷 Website: tulipvalley.com
     🎙 Listen to Andrew’s podcast: Agri IQ
     📧 Connect with Andrew: [email protected]

     

    LINKS

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    Other Episodes You May Enjoy:
    • Episode 87: Farm Succession Planning — Securing Your Family’s Legacy
    • Episode 8: Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett
    • Episode 19: Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch

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      About the Host of Farming On Purpose, Lexi Wright:

      I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.

      Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

       

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