In this episode of 'Small Town Big Business,' host Russell Williams, Director of Ethos, sits down with Samantha Dahmer of The Patch. Dahmer shares her journey from being a radiology graduate and former competitive figure skater to running a successful seasonal farm business in Marion, Illinois. She discusses the inspiration behind The Patch, the challenges of farming, the importance of agricultural education, and the role of community support. Samantha also highlights upcoming events at The Patch, including the Mum Festival, Pumpkin Season, and Christmas Tree sales.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:49 Guest Introduction: Samantha Dahmer01:04 The Origin of The Patch03:32 Transition to Farming Life05:11 Challenges and Growth11:44 Seasonal Activities and Expansion14:01 Balancing Business and Family14:50 Balancing Business and Personal Life15:14 Support System and Team Dynamics15:55 Community Engagement and Sponsorships17:59 Challenges in Farming and Marketing19:52 Social Media Strategies20:40 Networking and Regulations22:36 Upcoming Events at The Patch25:57 Why I Do What I Do27:40 Conclusion and AcknowledgementsRecorded at EThOs Small Business Incubator and Co-working Spaces in Marion, Illinois.https://members.ethosmarion.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTOur guest: https://www.facebook.com/thepatchfarm24/