Build a Farm Ecosystem, Not Just a Farm Stand (Mini Series Part 1)
Register for the Webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-eed11a8c-b87c-42f7-b405-7747a71eafa2In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz discusses the journey of building a flower farm business that thrives on sustainability and diversification. She emphasizes the importance of creating a smart farm ecosystem that not only focuses on selling flowers but also on building relationships with customers and exploring multiple revenue streams. The conversation highlights the lessons learned from past experiences, the significance of agritourism, and the need for a structured approach to business growth.TakeawaysBuilding a smart farm ecosystem is key to sustainability.Diversification should focus on doing existing offerings better.Not all offerings are worth pursuing; focus on profitable ones.Agritourism can enhance the customer experience and revenue.Creating layered revenue streams is essential for growth.Understanding your customer journey can lead to better sales strategies.A flower can serve multiple purposes beyond just being a product.Frameworks can help streamline business operations and offerings.It's important to maintain a balance between work and personal life.Investing time in understanding your audience can lead to better business decisions.Helpful Links:Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/authorConsult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-productsFarmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkoutPeddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPQuickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852
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More Than Flowers: The Hidden Role of Farmers as Public Educators
In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz discusses the often-overlooked responsibilities of flower farmers, particularly in the context of agritourism. She emphasizes the role flower farmers play in shaping public perception of agriculture and the importance of educating visitors about the realities of farming. The conversation explores the spectrum of farming, the balance between small and large farms, and the civic role that flower farmers take on when they open their farms to the public. Liz encourages farmers to embrace their role as educators and to engage in meaningful conversations with their customers about the complexities of agriculture.TakeawaysFlower farmers shape public perception of agriculture.Agritourism carries a hidden responsibility.It's important to educate visitors about farming realities.The spectrum of farming includes both small and large operations.Local farming matters, but so does big agriculture.Flower farming is not just about selling flowers.Farmers must engage in conversations about food sourcing.Education builds trust between farmers and consumers.Agritourism can be a joyful experience.Farmers are educators, whether they want to be or not.Helpful Links:Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/authorConsult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-productsFarmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkoutPeddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPQuickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852
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How to Sell Extra Flowers Without Discounting Them
In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum, host Liz discusses strategies for managing extra flowers in a flower farming business. She emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and pre-selling to avoid excess inventory. The episode provides creative solutions for moving flowers, such as partnering with local businesses, utilizing QR codes for audience building, and running giveaways. Liz also warns against discounting flowers, as it can attract bargain hunters and undermine the business's value. The conversation concludes with a reminder to focus on building a brand and audience while managing flower sales effectively.TakeawaysPlan your crops intentionally to align with sales periods.Pre-sell flowers to reduce the need for last-minute sales.Use creative marketing strategies to move extra flowers.Partner with local businesses to increase visibility.Utilize QR codes to capture email leads.Avoid discounting flowers to maintain brand value.Engage with nursing homes for community outreach.Run giveaways to build your email list.Collaborate with photographers for styled shoots.Focus on long-term strategies for sustainable growth.Helpful Links:Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/authorConsult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-productsFarmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkoutPeddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPQuickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852
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How I Took an Intermission on my Flower Farm in the Middle of Summer without Impacting Revenue
Foundations of PPP: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPWorkshops: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/workshopsIn this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz discusses her recent intermission from selling and growing flowers, the evolution of her online course into a community membership, and the importance of taking breaks to refocus on business foundations. She shares insights on automating email marketing, the upcoming pivot of the podcast to include agritourism and specialty crop farming, and the need for investment in growth to better serve the community.TakeawaysTaking breaks can lead to better business outcomes.Evolving from a course to a community enhances engagement.Automating processes frees up time for strategic growth.Building a strong foundation is crucial for sustainability.Seasonal sales strategies can improve revenue.Community connections are vital for business success.Investing in personal growth benefits the entire business.The podcast will expand its focus to include agritourism.Flexibility in business operations can lead to better results.Don't be afraid to pause and refuel your energy.Helpful Links:Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/authorConsult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-productsFarmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkoutPeddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPQuickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852
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How Comprehensive Planning Shapes the Future of Rural Agriculture
In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz Fiedler Mergan discusses the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities, particularly in Stearns County, Minnesota and the Stearns County Comprehensive Plan for 2040 that has a focus on agriculture. She explores the balance between growth and preservation, the importance of supporting small farmers, and the role of agritourism and value-added agriculture in sustaining rural economies. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional growth that benefits both the agricultural sector and the community as a whole.TakeawaysWhat kind of growth do we want in our rural communities?Stearns County is experiencing rapid growth and urban sprawl.Change is inevitable, and we must remain curious about it.The Stearns County 2040 Comprehensive Plan addresses agricultural sustainability.Support for small farmers is crucial for rural economies.Value-added agriculture can provide multiple income streams.Agritourism helps reconnect consumers with agriculture.The interconnected pillars of rural development include agriculture, living, business, connectivity, and nature.Intentional growth can support small businesses and generational farming.Community involvement is essential in shaping the future of rural areas.Helpful Links:Flowers Bloom Anyway waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/authorConsult for Peddling Perishable Products: https://calendly.com/sunnymarymeadow/peddling-perishable-productsFarmers to Florists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Crop Planning for Your Flower Farm: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/offers/MtoFSsED/checkoutPeddling Perishable Products: https://sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/foundationsofPPPQuickbooks: https://quickbooks.partnerlinks.io/0o09r7rqoau4Podcast website: www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852
The Flower Farmer Forum podcast (formerly Sunny Mary Meadow podcast) is hosted by Liz Fiedler, a nurse practitioner turned flower farmer in central MN. Learn tips and tricks for growing and selling cut flowers. Located in Zone 4B, the shorter growing season offers some challenges. Her farm, Sunny Mary Meadow specializes in bouquet subscriptions, stem bars, and a you pick flower farm experience.Look for the bonus PPP episodes on running a cut flower farm and growing your business. The PPP stands for “peddling perishable products”, which is the signature course for her coaching business, www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.comAfter the unexpected loss of her husband in 2020, she found herself turning to her flowers to get through the grief. She didn't expect her business to explode in the next few years the way it has. Bloom & Grow both flowers and personal empathy as she continues to move forward in life.Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerfarmerforum/Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.comFarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852
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