Cultivation Station

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we talk with the founder of Younii - Blake Eve! As adults in our world today, there are so many things to do, stay on top of and manage...things they never taught us in school! Blake will share with us her incredible program, designed to help make adulting a bit easier

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we talk with Maddi Hughes, the FarmABLE Specialist for Goodwill. Their goal is to supoprt Colorado's 8100 veteran farmers, as well as disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.  

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we talk with a professioinal photographer. There are some great benefits to having excellent photos of your business and your goods.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we chat with Nourish Colorado and how they are addressing the disparties in our food systems. These are the changemakers who strengthen connections with and between farms, ranches, and communities so that all Coloradans have equitable access to fresh, nutritious foods.  The Colorado Local Food Program Guidebook which provides resources for school meal operators, agricultural producers, and community members to launch and sustain various farm to school efforts.  Nourish Colorado's Food Bill Action Team:  Website Registration Form GFPP Coalition and program in general:  Marion.Kalb@denvergov.org

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we talk with Nora Weiser the Executive Director for The Good Food Foundation. The Good Food Foundation exists to celebrate, connect, empower and leverage the passionate and engaged, yet often overlooked, players in the food system who are driving towards tasty, authentic and responsible food in order to humanize and reform our American food culture.

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we talk with Dr Dawn Thilmany and Dr Libby Christensen about the Northwest Regional Food Center, based at Colorado State University. We know farms and food businesses are the foundation of our resilient, diverse and balanced food systems. As a USDA Regional Food Business Center, we've got the connections and resources to help you start up, and scale up, your manufactured and value-added food business. This will be an informative and fun discussion of what support is out there for Colorado Proud members!

Listen in as we talk with experts on the topic of GAP certification. There are so  many opportunities for Colorado agricultural producers, however in many cases certain certifiactions are necessary.  Learn what these vertifications are, and how to get them.

Listen as we talk with Colorado's Ag Commissioner - Kate Greenberg.  We will learn what our Commissioner is looking forward to in 2025 inn terms of Colorado agriculture.

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we talk with Allie Reitz of gBETA - and accelerator group in Greeley Colorado that is focused on helping start-up companies get the boost they need to be successful.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we talk with our Deputy Commissioner of Operations - Hollis Glenn.  He will share with us his view of how 2024 went for Colorado Proud members and what 2025 may look like.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while expert Sari Kimball talks with us about customer service. Business owners are great at making creative products, but getting someone to buy them can be a real challenge! We will talk through tips and strategies to offer great customer service and keep your business alive.

The Flowerhill Institute is a Native owned and community directed non-profit group. They also serve as the overall Technical Assistance Coordinator for the MPPTA Program, working closely with AMS and the TA Providers to connect meat and poultry processors, USDA grant applicants, and grant-funded project managers to the resources and expertise best suited to support a project's needs. Dave Carter will join us to talk more about the ways Colorado meat producers can work with Flower Hill and technical assistance available.

Coloradoans love to eat local. Whether it is in their homes or when they are out, consumers are looking for Colorado grown and produced food. At What Chef's Want, they focus on getting locally raised, grown and produced food into restaurants. Anna Haas will share more with us on what their local food program looks like.

Listen in on Cultivation Station where we will talk with Zach Gaines at Proximity Malt. This is the first new-generation, full-scale, regional malting facility in North America. He will share with us how Colorado farmers and Colorado brewers can work with Proximity and develop great local malts. Zach will also tell us about RENGENMALT made from regenerative grains.

We talk with expert Sari Kimball shares ideas and tips to keep our valuable customers happy and loyal while also attracting new customers.

We talk with the Colorado Department of Human Services and Nourish Colorado and learn more about electronic healthy incentives project (eHIP) and how it will benefit Coloradoans! We will also be joined by a framer that is involved and can help other Colorado Proud members find out more.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we speak with Amber Burr of Daddy's Homemade Syrups. This is a family run, Colorado Proud compnay that started in their home. Their passion for eliminating articifial ingredients and high fructose corn syryup has led them to making some delicious products! Learn how they did this and their goals for growing their business.

Join us on Cultivation Station to learn about Naturopathic Medicine and how Colorado Proud wellness products can contribute to health. Naturopathic medicine can be considered functional medicine, and uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. Dr Kelsey Asplin, the manager of the Denver Naturopthic Clinic and President of of the Colorado Assoction of Naturopathic Doctors will share her passion and knowledge of this timeless form of healthcare.

Join us on Cultivation Station while we explore trade show prep. Trade shows are part of doing business, and showcasing your business in the best possible way is important. What are some ways to prepare and make the best impression possible? Listen to our expert Erika Tebbens while she walks us through some pointers. Fine more extra information here.

Join us on Culitvation Station while we chat with Dry Storage, whose mission is to change the world's food systems. We will talk with Naia Morse, Nina Sohn, and Martha Sullins on what this means for our Colorado schools and our Colorado grain producers.

If you are doing your own marketing and are looking for ways to enhance your current marketing program, listen in while we talk with experts about using partnerships & events to ehance your program. Bill Capsalis and Kuvy Ax will share their expertise on developing key partnerships and attending important and useful networking events. Register your food or ag business at Colorado Proud.

Food markets today are booming, and everyone loves to see new and innovative products. Joins us as we look at some food products that have been around a while, but are really in their own niche markets and growing in popularity!

As your business grows, you may be preparing to expand your distribution. The FULL GOOD FULLFILLMENT team is obsessed with solving our clients' toughest logistics problems by providing packing consultations, simple product management solutions, transparent order fulfillment, and low cost shipping so you can focus on sustainable growth strategies. Full Good exceeds the standards required for storing, packing, and shipping food products and packaged goods. For brands that produce perishable goods, it is essential to partner with a fulfillment company that understands the unique shipping and delivery requirements for these products. Our team of expert CPG and food professionals has created a hassle-free logistics solution for new and emerging brands to scale quickly and sustainably.

In a fast moving world we always need to be looking for new opportunities! Join us while we talk with Martha Sullins from CSU and Greg Bloom from Barbers Farms & Foods as they share new supply chain ideas, along with the benefits and opportunities they can have for Colorado food producers.

The STEAD School an Alternative to Traditional Learning. The STEAD School is student-led school for experiential learning in science, technology, environment, agriculture and systems design. Join us for to learn more about the school, the leadership and the students!

Advertising & Digital Media to Round Out Your Marketing Plan: This is Part 4 of our 4 part series, In parts 1, 2, & 3 we covered getting organized to develop a strong Marketing plan as well as using PR, and in part 3, we covered using Social Media and Influencers as key parts of your Marketing plan. As we wrap up our 4 part series, we will cover advertising and digital media! Luke Tierny will join us to share his expertise on tapping into Amazon & Instacart and how advertising through these channels can grow your business.   Root Marketing PR

Join us for Part 3, our final episode in of our 3 part seriese of learning what the Jefferson County Food Policy Council teams are doing. The first episode focused on the School Food Pilot, while Part 2 highlighted the Community Leadership that is taking place. In this episode we will hear about the teams working on the Supply & Food Chains.   https://www.jeffcofoodpolicy.org/ javier@jeffcofpc.org

Join us for Part 2 of our 3 part series to learn what the Jefferson County Food Policy & Systems teams are doing. The first episode focused on the School Food Pilot. In this epsiode we will hear about the Community Leadership teams. The Food Policy and Systems Team aims to promote food security in Jefferson County through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes rooted in justice and racial equity. This includes food system programming development and administration, county-wide coordination of resilience building efforts, and leveraging tools for improved food justice and community engagement for food security.   https://www.jeffcofoodpolicy.org/ javier@jeffcofpc.org

This is Part 3 of our 4 part series, In parts 1 & 2 we covered getting organized to develop a strong Marketing plan as well as using PR, partnerships and events to strengthen your plan. In part 3, we will talk with ROOT Marketing & PR experts about using Social Meida and Influenders as key parts of your Marketing plan.

Join us while we embark on a 3 part series to learn what the Jefferson County Food Policy & Systems teams are doing. This first episode will focus on School Food Program. The Food Policy and Systems Team aims to promote food security in Jefferson County through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes rooted in justice and racial equity. This includes food system programming development and administration, county-wide coordination of resilience building efforts, and leveraging tools for improved food justice and community engagement for food security.   https://www.jeffcofoodpolicy.org/ javier@jeffcofpc.org

This is Part 2 of our 4 part series, We will take what we learned in Part 1 with "Getting Organized" and then listen to experts Kuvy Ax and Emily Tracy from Root Marketing on how to implement the plan we have developed! Using PR, partnerships and events, they will walk us through how to get our plan from our computers to reality! Check out more from Root Marketing here.

Tera Keats from Philosophy Communications joins us to help us navigate the best ways to start a new year with our marketing strategies! A new year means we can jump start our business with a fresh new look!

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we kick-off a 4 part series! In Part 1, we talk with Jordyn Gottlieb at Root Marketing on how our businesses can have effective Marketing programs on a budget! The first step is to get organized!!!! Jordyn will share expert ideas and tools to get started on developing a great Marketing program while staying within a budget.

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we talk with experts from the Small Business Development Center on how to prepare to exit your business. This key part of all bsuinesses should be considered when building your business plan, but is often overlooked. Our advisors will share their experiences in selling a business, and offer advice on how to build value into your business for the future and preparation for when the time comes to sell your business.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we learn how to stay on top of opportunities & trends. For everyone in agriculture, every season is the busy season! How do we stay on top of submitting applications for funding opportunities? How do we learn about business trends that could help our businesses grow? Our expert panel from CSU includes Sydney Scholes, Sarah Rhoades and Willy Wilkins. They will share their tips on how to set reminders and make sure to be on time, all year long!

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we explore prospecting for new clients! Finding new customers can be a time consuming, and often a frustrating task! Learn some tips & tools from expert Kevin Kuhnen, an instructor at the CSU College of Business - Center for Professional Selling as he shares ideas for prospecting.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we explore sales & marekting tips! Do you need a CRM? Possibly! As your business grows, connecting with and managing your customers is critical. We will hear from Lidiane Mocko an expert in business growth strategy, and from Rocky Mountain Micro Financiers, a group that has first hand experience with utilizing a CRM system to grow.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we dig into Farm to School here in Colorado! We are joined by Chef Jess with Nourish Colorado, Dr. Becca Jablonski an Assistant Professor and Food Systems Economist at Colorado State University, and Dr. Libby Christenson the State Extension Specialist for Food & Ag. This team of experts will share what Farm to School looks like in Colorado and how we can all support the Local Food Program within the Healthy School Meals for All initiative.

Listen in on Cultivation Station when we learn about Spade & Spoon. This organization works with local farmers, ranchers. bakers & makers to bring fresh, LOCAL meal kits. They focus on minimal and returnable packaging while sourcing the best Colorado producst in season. We will interview Joy Rubey, their founder and CEO and learn how a Colorado Proud member could work with them, and gain insights into their business!

Listen in on Cultivation Station and learn about Mountain Roots! This organization was founded in 2010 and today is stronger than ever. Their mission is to cultivate a resilient and equitable food system by enhancing healthy connections between earth, food, and community. They foster knowledge, teach skills, and provide opportunities that ensure access to affordable, nutritious food that is regionally based and sustainably produced. We will talk with their Executive Director and learn how Colorado Proud members could work with them, and be a part of bringing local foods to all parts of Colorado!

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we talk with some of the amazing staff behing 2023 Ag Day and learn more about CSU Ag Day 2023! Ag Day has been a tradition for more than 40 years and is a time when we can come together and celebrate Colorado agricultural producers and honor our agricultural roots! Dr James Pritchett the Dean of Agricultural Sciences will share his vison for Ag Day 2023 and for the future of Agriculture in Colorado! We will also meet the 2023 Rising Star in Agriculture at CSU, Jo Smeby and learn what Ag Day means to her.

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we interview Brian Coppom the Colorado Agricultural Future Loan Program Manager and JoAnne Hernandez the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Program Coordinator! Our experts will share details around the Agricultural Future Loan Program and other funding opportunities that are available to help our Colorado Proud members grow!

Listen in on Cultivation Station while we dive into various social media platforms and how best to use them! Our experts Gretchen Bloom the founder of Magnetic Digital Marketing and Rachel Roberts the Assistant Director for the Institute for Entrepreneurship will advise us on the best use of many social media platforms, using hashtags, and maximizing your marketing!

Listen in on Cultivation Station as we discuss Small Business Money Management! Lisa Hudson the Executive Director of the Eastern Colorado Small Business Development Center and Julie Stiewig the Site Manager of The Block will offer expert advice on money management! We will dive into finding funding, accounting for small businesses and resources available.

Listen to Cultivation Station as we are joined by the Corry Mihm, the Executive Director of the Colorado Agritourism Association, Belleza Pura's owner Natalie Wilson, Sauvage Spectrums own Kaibab Sauvage, and Roy Pfaltzgraff of Pfaltzgraff Farms. This panel of seasoned agritourism experts will discuss how important agritourism is to Colorado's economy, and share their journey to success as established agritourism destinations!

Listen to Cultivation Station as we are joined by Colorado Department of Agriculture's Brian Pauley (Section Chief - Fruit & Vegetable Inspection Service), Steve Lopez (Lead Audit Coordinator) and Colorado State University's Sheila Gains M.S. (Family & Consumer Science Specialist - Master Instructor - Arapahoe County Extension), and Mary Snow (Extension County Specialist – Family and Consumer Science/Family Resource Management) and they discuss the importance of food safety for our health and wellbeing, as well as the rules and regulations around it. Our conversation will look at food safety training for Cottage Food producers and offer insights and contacts for our Colorado Proud members!

Learn from industry experts within the digital marketing spaces. Listen on Cultivation Station to Greg Bloom (owner of Barbers Farm), Sarah Rhoades (Entrepreneurship Business Resident at Colorado State University - College of Business), and Gretchen Bloom (Owner of Magnetic Digital Marketing) discuss why digital marketing is important, and how to use it to maximize your return on investment and grow your business!

Farmers Markets: How to be Successful and Vendor Resources for our Colorado Proud Members.

Plant Forward Diets:  What Are These and How Can Colorado Producers Benefit From This Marketing Campaign Speakers:  Kate Schulz RDN, LD, LMNT  - Nutrition and Health Promotion Consultant with the Colorado Beef Council Derrick Hoffman - Owner Hoffman Farms, Greeley Colorado Dr Kim Cox-York - Colorado State University - Associate Professor, Responsible Conduct of Research Coordinator and Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Colorado State University This podcast will take a look at a relatively new marketing campaign that is being used to  showcase beef and vegetables together as a choice for a healthy lifestyle.  We are joined by the Colorado Beef Council, a Colorado Proud vegetable grower and a Nutrition Professor at Colorado State University.  Our panel will explore the impact this campaign has made and provide insights to our members on how to utilize these types of marketing platforms to highlight their Colorado products.

Cultivation Station is starting season 2 and would like to thank our listeners for the continued support. In this episode we talk with: Richard & Mary Warner - Owners of Bingo Burger Sonia Riggs President & CEO of Colorado Restaurant Association Caroline Glover - Chef/Owner of Annette - Scratch to Table Restaurant   Daniel Asher - Executive Chef & Partner - Working Title Food Group   This podcast will take a look at the changes in restaurant business and behavior and what we expect to see for 2023.  We are joined by the CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association and 3 Colorado based, local product focused restaurants.  

Join us for a look at the agriculture/food/beverage industry trends of 2022, while we predict trends for 2023. We have three great guests chatting with us.