Flower Farmer Forum Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVg-R6xh_0

Flowers Bloom Anyway Waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/author

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' hosted by Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, guest Peter Gillitzer, co-owner of Milk and Honey Cider in St. Joseph shares insights into their growth from a small-scale cider producer to a thriving agritourism hub. The discussion touches on the evolution of their business, the importance of offering value-added experiences, such as their tasting room and community events like trivia nights and music series. Peter recounts stories of unexpected business expansions, the importance of customer experience, and strategies for planning a master calendar of events. The episode emphasizes the significance of adaptability, community engagement, and the synergy between agricultural products and tourism.

00:00 Introduction to Rooted Agritourism

00:23 Meet Peter Gillitzer, co-owner of Milk and Honey Cider in St. Joseph

00:55 Discussing Agritourism and Value-Added Products

01:18 The Evolution of Milk and Honey Cider

03:07 Challenges and Successes in Agritourism

04:38 Unexpected Popularity and Adaptations

09:32 Expanding Offerings and Community Engagement

12:33 Planning and Managing Events

16:35 Balancing Business and Lifestyle

18:29 Reaching Customers: Strategies and Challenges

21:18 Diversifying Events and Revenue Streams

24:21 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

28:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

Flower Farmer Forum Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVg-R6xh_0

Flowers Bloom Anyway Waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/author

Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen of Sunny Mary Meadow in Central Minnesota presents a solo episode focused on her 'Fertilizer Framework,' a concept that emphasizes growth through interconnected and symbiotic business elements. Liz discusses the non-linear progression and deep integration of services in her agritourism business, which includes a flower farm, retail shop, workshops, and speaking engagements. She shares insights from her journey, reflecting on how personal experiences, particularly the loss of her first husband, have shaped her business ethos. The episode also highlights her upcoming book, 'Flowers Bloom Anyway,' and details about the 2026 Flower Farmer Forum Conference aimed at fostering community and growth among flower farmers. Listeners are encouraged to focus on sustainable business practices and to join the waitlist for her book and the conference.

00:00 Introduction to Rotted Agritourism

00:19 A Different Episode: Solo Talk

01:04 The Fertilizer Framework

05:26 Personal Reflections and Growth

09:14 Upcoming Events and Opportunities

11:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen interviews Heidi Montag, a finalist in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program in Minnesota. They discuss Heidi's background in dairy farming, her experience in the Princess Kay program, and the unique journey of having her head carved in butter. Heidi shares her passion for promoting agriculture through social media, her involvement in multiple agricultural boards, and the challenges faced by modern dairy farmers. The conversation provides insight into the life of a young woman dedicated to both her family's dairy operation and broader agricultural advocacy.

00:00 Introduction to Rooted Agritourism

00:19 Meet Heidi Montag

01:17 The Princess Kay Program

03:36 Life on a Dairy Farm

09:44 Butter Head Sculptures

12:04 Promoting Agriculture and Dairy

14:26 Heidi's Involvement in Agriculture

15:52 Joining FFA and Becoming a Dairy Princess

16:44 Passion for Politics and Agriculture

17:18 Family Farming Backgrounds

19:39 Challenges in Modern Farming

20:52 Farm Stand and Baking Ventures

21:39 Radio Segments and Public Speaking

22:41 Agritourism and Zoning Issues

25:38 Sustainability and Generational Farming

30:00 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen from Sunny Mary Meadow interviews Peter Gillitzer, co-owner of Milk and Honey Cider in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The conversation explores the journey of Milk and Honey Cider, from the challenges of growing cider-specific apple varieties to turning those apples into craft cider. Peter shares insights into the agronomic and economic aspects of apple farming, addressing topics like grafting, soil requirements, pest management, pruning, and the importance of understanding one's strengths in farming. The discussion extends to the cider-making process, including fermenting, aging, blending, and addressing how Milk and Honey balances customer demand with their craft. The episode highlights the collaborative spirit within the local farming community and the importance of supporting local agritourism.

00:00 Introduction to Rotted Agritourism

00:19 Meet Peter Giler: Co-Owner of Milk and Honey Cider

01:37 Starting with Apples: The Journey Begins

02:31 Challenges and Trials in Apple Growing

04:57 Understanding Cider and Mead

10:47 The Economics of Apple Farming

18:50 Harvesting and Production Insights

19:56 Grading and Processing Apples

20:30 Cider Production Benefits

21:15 Collaborations and Diversification

22:58 Community and Competition

25:58 Cider Making Process

29:50 Balancing Production and Demand

32:45 Crafting Unique Ciders

37:32 Conclusion and Contact Information

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this insightful episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, the owner of Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm in Central Minnesota, shares her unique journey from a nursing career to becoming a successful flower farmer and rural entrepreneur. Joined by podcast producer Abbey as the guest host, Liz delves into her agricultural upbringing, the evolution of her business Sunny Mary Meadow, challenges in agritourism, and her vision to create sustainable income streams. The conversation covers the logistical and emotional facets involved in building a reputable flower farm, the implementation of agritourism strategies, and the significant role community support plays in her entrepreneurial journey. The episode wraps up with Liz’s favorite and least favorite farm tasks, educational resources, and a teaser for a new tool set to revolutionize farming. Tune in to hear an inspiring story filled with passion, perseverance, and purposeful growth.

00:00 Introduction to Rooted Agritourism

00:19 Meet the Hosts: Dr. Liz and Abbey

01:31 Liz's Agricultural Background

02:18 Life After College and Meeting Josh

05:41 Starting a Family and Farm Life

07:54 Deciding to Stay on the Family Farm

12:38 Building a Sustainable Flower Farm Business

19:13 Legal and Zoning Challenges for Farm Venues

21:06 Deciding to Build New: The Plan

22:05 Collaborating with Local Businesses

24:12 Creating a Multi-Use Space

25:31 Business Strategy and Market Gaps

32:52 Sustainable Flower Farming

33:41 Rapid Fire Questions

36:31 Conclusion and Future Plans

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism Podcast, host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen speaks with her father, JT Weber, about their experiences in value-added agriculture and the beef industry. They discuss the evolution of their family business, from dairy farming to focusing on elite genetics in Angus and Sim Angus cattle. JT shares insights on the intricacies of raising club calves for show, the importance of muscle, skeletal width, and other attributes in cattle, and his journey from South Dakota State University to becoming a successful cattle buyer and auctioneer. They also touch on topics such as the impact of drought on cattle supply, the controversy around grass-fed versus grain-fed beef, and the vital role of family support in achieving their business goals. The episode provides a deep dive into rural entrepreneurship and agritourism, emphasizing direct-to-consumer sales and adding value to agricultural products.

00:00 Introduction to Rotted Agritourism

00:19 Meet the Special Guest: My Dad

01:28 Dad's Journey in Agriculture

03:48 The Beef Industry and Club Calf Business

08:40 The Evolution of Our Business

17:15 Connecting with Ranchers and Seed Stock

19:34 Understanding the Beef Industry: Ranchers vs. Feeders

20:15 The Process of Finishing Cattle

22:06 The Debate on Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Beef

24:39 Pricing and Market Trends in the Beef Industry

27:12 Challenges and Opportunities in Cattle Ranching

28:54 Order Buying and Building Customer Relationships

31:18 Rapid Fire Round: Insights and Personal Reflections

34:25 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen speaks with Jenny Bredeken from Full Circle Farm. They discuss Jenny's entrepreneurial journey from Minnesota to Honolulu, exploring her passion for fermentation and sourdough bread that led to the creation of their farm and micro bakery. Jenny shares her experiences in reconnecting people with the origins of their food, the challenges of farming, and transitioning to wholesale markets. They also delve into the support of family legacy and the importance of local, fresh products. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about agritourism, rural entrepreneurship, and the power of following one's dreams despite the obstacles.

00:00 Introduction to Rooted Agritourism

00:24 Meet Jenny Bredeken from Full Circle Farm

01:24 The Origin Story of Full Circle Farm

01:49 From Hawaii to Minnesota: A Journey of Passion

05:29 The Birth of a Sourdough Business

07:28 Challenges and Triumphs in Agritourism

09:43 Building a Sustainable Future

16:56 The Realities of Farming

22:00 Current Offerings and Future Plans

23:06 The Importance of Fresh Milled Flour

23:50 Nutritional and Flavor Benefits of Fresh Flour

24:45 Storing and Prioritizing Freshness

26:06 The Value of Buying Local

27:06 Pricing Strategies for Artisan Bread

29:29 Challenges and Lessons in Wholesale

33:16 Balancing Passion and Practicality

35:21 Future Plans for the Farm

37:59 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

Welcome to Rooted Agritourism: Embracing Growth and Diversification

In this episode, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, introduces the rebranded podcast, Rooted Agritourism, previously known as the Flower Farmer Forum Podcast. Liz explains the motivation behind the name change, emphasizing the podcast's broader mission to include value-added agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. She discusses the importance of diversification in modern farming, particularly in Stearns County, Minnesota, and the role agritourism plays in sustainable income generation. Listeners can expect new episode formats, guest interviews, personal growth topics, and updates on practical resources for their agri-businesses. Liz also details the revamped membership model for the Foundations of Pedaling Perishable Products course. This episode is a call to action for rural entrepreneurs and dreamers to connect, grow, and support each other in innovative agricultural ventures.

00:00 Welcome to Rooted Agritourism

00:19 The Evolution of Our Podcast

00:52 Why the Name Change?

02:45 The Bigger Picture in Agriculture

04:45 The Future of Agritourism

06:12 What's New with Rooted Agritourism

07:55 Conclusion and Call to Action

Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourism

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/

Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/

Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.com

FarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

Register for the Webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-eed11a8c-b87c-42f7-b405-7747a71eafa2

In this episode, Liz discusses the upcoming rebranding of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast and dives into the concept of the cannibal business model, which occurs when business offers compete with each other, leading to burnout and inefficiency. She shares strategies for building a smart farm ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of crop planning, subscription services, and delegation. Liz invites listeners to join her upcoming webinar, where she will elaborate on these concepts and the future direction of her business.

Takeaways

• The cannibal business model drains energy and resources.
• Efficient crop planning aligns with sales strategies.
• Subscriptions provide guaranteed revenue and streamline operations.
• Repurposing products can enhance efficiency and profitability.
• Delegation is crucial for maintaining business health and personal sanity.
• Clear communication with team members prevents confusion and inefficiency.
• Evaluating business practices can reveal areas for improvement.
• Smart growth focuses on intentional design rather than hustle.
• The upcoming webinar will provide deeper insights into these strategies.
• Rebranding aims to enhance the podcast's strategic direction and content consistency.

Helpful Links:

Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/author

Consult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-products

Farmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkout

Peddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPP

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

Register for the Webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-eed11a8c-b87c-42f7-b405-7747a71eafa2

In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz discusses the importance of creating a sustainable business ecosystem in flower farming. She emphasizes the power of dahlias as a versatile product that can be monetized through various channels, including education, event design, and content marketing. The conversation also explores the concept of 'One Product, Many Markets' and how farmers can apply this framework to diversify their offerings without increasing their workload. The episode concludes with a reminder to avoid the cannibal business model, where offers compete against each other, and encourages listeners to view their farms as platforms for growth and innovation.

Takeaways

• Creating a sustainable business ecosystem is crucial for success.
• Dahlias are versatile and can be marketed in multiple ways.
• Education is a powerful tool for monetizing products.
• Creating experiences for customers enhances sales.
• Content marketing is essential for building trust.
• Diversification can prevent burnout in farming.
• Recurring revenue models can stabilize income.
• Farmers should view their farms as platforms, not just products.
• Intentional crop planning aligns with customer needs.
• Avoiding competing offers is key to a successful business model.

Helpful Links:

Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/author

Consult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-products

Farmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/

Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkout

Peddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPP

Quickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4

Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/

Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852