Rooted Agritourism: Why I Rebranded and What It Means for Rural Entrepreneurs

Agritourism isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessary evolution for rural businesses looking to thrive. That belief is exactly why I decided to rebrand my podcast from the Flower Farmer Forum to Rooted Agritourism.

If you’ve been part of this community for a while, you know I’ve always focused on helping farmers build sustainable, diversified businesses—especially those of us growing perishable products. But over time, the conversations I was having, both on the podcast and off, started expanding. We were talking about more than flowers. We were talking about farm events, value-added products, on-farm lodging, CSA programs, education, and how to make rural entrepreneurship actually work.

That’s when I knew it was time for a shift.

Why the Rebrand?

The original podcast name served a very specific niche—flower farmers looking to turn a side business into a thriving full time business - and served it well. But the reality is that agritourism encompasses a wide range of farm-based business models that extend far beyond flowers. The new name, Rooted Agritourism, better reflects the broader mission: to support farmers, rural creatives, and entrepreneurs who are building income streams and communities through value-added agriculture and agritourism.

Agritourism is about finding ways to connect people to your land, your story, and your products—whether that’s through a U-pick field, a pumpkin patch, farm dinners, or weekend workshops. And for many of us, these creative approaches aren’t side hustles; they’re how we stay in business, keep our operations viable and keep our families on the land for generations to come. 

What You Can Expect from the Podcast

While the name has changed, the core of the podcast hasn’t. I’m still bringing you practical, no-fluff advice from my life as a farmer, entrepreneur, and educator here in Stearns County, Minnesota. But you’ll also start to notice a few new things:

• Guest Interviews – More voices from the world of agritourism and rural innovation.

• Solo Episodes – Real talk on mindset, marketing, scaling, and navigating growth.

• Course Updates – Insights and tips from my course, Foundations of Pedaling Perishable Products, including our new membership model.

• Resource Spotlights – Tools, ideas, and templates to help you implement what you learn.

This evolution is about meeting you where you are—whether you’re just starting your farm dream or knee-deep in a busy harvest season.

Why Agritourism Matters—Now More Than Ever

In Minnesota and beyond, traditional agriculture is shifting. More farmers are realizing that adding direct-to-consumer experiences and products can build both resilience and revenue. Agritourism creates multiple income streams, helps weather market unpredictability, and invites your community into your farm story in a meaningful way.

It also makes room for creativity, something I think rural entrepreneurs don’t get enough credit for. Hosting a floral workshop, bottling your own elderberry syrup, or starting a farm-to-table dinner series—these are all innovative solutions that bridge passion and profitability.

Foundations of Pedaling Perishable Products—Now With More Support

If you’ve taken or looked into my flagship course, you’ll be excited to know we’ve introduced a new membership-based model. This means more ongoing support, regular check-ins, and a stronger community of like-minded entrepreneurs. We’ll dive deeper into that in upcoming episodes, but if you're craving structure, mentorship, and real-time feedback for your farm-based business, it’s worth keeping on your radar.

The Bottom Line

This rebrand is about growth—mine, yours, and ours as a community. Rooted Agritourism reflects where we’re all headed: toward a more connected, creative, and sustainable way of doing business in rural spaces.

If you’re building something from the ground up in a small town, if you’re navigating what it means to mix passion with profit, or if you’re just trying to figure out your next step—this podcast is for you.

Be sure to subscribe, and join me each week as we dig into what it really takes to grow a rural business rooted in purpose.