Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Hanson.
Tamara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It started in 2009 when I was preparing for my first year at the farmers market. I needed a business name. That was the beginning of running my business. That year was tough and I ended up in the red.
The farming side of my business was difficult, especially for some years, and given I was renting land away from my own house, but sales far surpassed anything else as the most challenging part. I think most farmers would agree that it’s selling your product that gives the most problems, not producing it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I mentioned renting land was a big issue. We lived in town and the land I found was 3 miles away. I never had a contract with the family that owned the land which led to stress. To this day, I still dream very often about finding land to use or having the land I am using taken away. I wake up and have to remind myself my land is right behind my house.
We moved here in 2015. We stayed in the same town so sales continued to be an issue. Sometimes even giving away produce wasn’t easy. Until 2020 when the pandemic started I never sold out of my CSA shares. That was a new feeling of actually selling out. Unfortunately, we are now back to not completely selling out.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that I had been interested in restaurant sales and was bummed that I could never get that going. In 2020, I was so glad I sold almost entirely through Community Supported Agriculture shares. I quit the market in 2017 and the only other sales were wholesale to a grocery store. Many other farms had to quickly change their sales outlets at that time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I started at the farmers market in 2009, I quickly saw the disparity between what I produced and wanted to sell and what the general customer was used to. I was faced with 3 choices: I could alter my products to what the common customer was used to, I could go to a market more suited to me, or I could keep going and educate the customer base I had and strive for more customers.
The first option would put me in direct competition with big traditional farms when I was solo, underequipped, and very small. The next option was difficult due to schedule and transportation issues. I do not regret choosing the third option because I stayed true to my preferences and fortunately I wasn’t in dire need financially.
Over time my products got a good reputation and the customer base grew. While I was introducing the area to heirloom tomatoes and colored carrots, the general media was also teaching about things like this which helped. I kept my standards high for all of my products. The varieties of produce I grew were chosen for taste, and the baked goods and jams I made had to be worth the calories, I wanted my flowers to be beautiful and my whole setup to be cute.
A friend and customer recently told me “You don’t realize how talented you are”. This is true. I think I have the Minnesota-Scandinavian humility thing. I think my standards are high and I am aware that it’s pretty easy for me to produce good food but I am not of the type to be advertising this with slick videos or other self-promotion.
How do you define success?
Farming is not a money-making profession. I want to refine everything enough to increase my gross every year, but I have modest financial goals. I want to be happy in my day-to-day job and have enough business to keep doing it.
If I am struggling to sell out, like we have gone back to this year, that is what I feel is unsuccessful. I had about 1/3 of last year’s members not sign up this year. That bothers me and takes away feelings of success. Receiving good reviews and compliments from customers makes me feel successful. Success has a lot of personal satisfaction involved.
It shouldn’t be a comparison issue. I am proud of my unique CSA program. It includes produce and homemade foods in a complete member choice situation. This is not the usual CSA format. To get to run a program like this that I feel I would prefer as a customer is a satisfying feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.windyriverfarm.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/windyriverecofarm?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WindyRiverEcoFarm?mibextid=LQQJ4d
