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    Cultivation Station

    Cultivation Station, a business development podcast from The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Colorado Proud program, dives into the rich and diverse world of food and agricultural businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to think about starting a food or ag business in Colorado, or your operation is already up and running, the many topics covered, expert insight and insider tips and tricks can help you be successful!
    enColorado Department of Agriculture41 Episodes

    Episodes (41)

    Episode 5 - Marketing on a Budget Part 3 of 4

    Episode 5 - Marketing on a Budget Part 3 of 4

    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.

    Episode 4 - Food Policy and Systems Part I

    Episode 4 - Food Policy and Systems Part I

    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

    Episode 3 - Marketing on a Budget Part 2

    Episode 3 - Marketing on a Budget Part 2

    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 and PR here.

    Episode 1 Season 3 Marketing on a Budget Series Part 1

    Episode 1 Season 3 Marketing on a Budget Series Part 1

    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.

    Episode 17 - Exiting Your Business: How to Prepare for the Future

    Episode 17 - Exiting Your Business:  How to Prepare for the Future

    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.

    Episode 16 - Setting Google Alerts as Reminders: How to Stay on Top of Business Opportunities

    Episode 16 - Setting Google Alerts as Reminders:  How to Stay on Top of Business Opportunities

    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!

    Episode 14 - CRMs What do they do?

    Episode 14 - CRMs What do they do?

    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.

    Episode 13 - Farm to School Market

    Episode 13 - Farm to School Market

    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.

    Episode 12 - Spade and Spoon Local Meal Kit

    Episode 12 - Spade and Spoon Local Meal Kit

    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!

    Episode 11 - Creating an Equitable and Resilient Food System

    Episode 11 - Creating an Equitable and Resilient Food System

    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!

    Episode 10 - Colorado State University Ag Day

    Episode 10 - Colorado State University Ag Day

    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.

    Episode 8 - Funding Opportunities

    Episode 8 - Funding Opportunities

    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!

    Episode 9 - Social Media Marketing How To

    Episode 9 - Social Media Marketing How To

    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!

    Episode 7 - Small Business Money Management: Funding & General Accounting

    Episode 7 - Small Business Money Management: Funding & General Accounting

    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.

    Episode 6 - Agritourism

    Episode 6 - Agritourism

    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!

    Episode 5 - Food Safety

    Episode 5 - Food Safety

    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!

    Episode 4 - Digital Marketing Strategies

    Episode 4 - Digital Marketing Strategies

    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!