Country Taste Farm
CSA farm, serving Central Minnesota Owner Peter and Nancy Clay
Interview with Peter Clay – Owner and Founder of Country Taste Farm
It has been said that “innovation requires courage, intuition and thinking that extends beyond traditional measures of intelligence” (Anna Mar with simplicable.com)
- Starting with a bit of an ice breaker, what do you think is the greatest innovation in history?
Personal Computers
- Okay, if you will, tell me a little bit about how you started Country Taste Farms, sort of an overview, please.
After having Cancer I wanted to see if I could give something back. So I began to provide fresh, healthy, Nutrient Rich, Fruits and Vegetables Direct to the end User.
- Could you give me some examples to illustrate the challenge you faced in starting Country Taste Farm?
Finding Markets to Sell our Produce at a Profit. Handling Pests with low or no Chemical Inputs.
- What’s the best idea you’ve had? When do your best ideas hit you?
Growing my own transplants to assure they are planted on a schedule that meets our sale needs.
While working hands on with my production.
- When problems arise with your CSA, on the farm or your suppliers, how do you and/or team them? Can you tell me about a time you took an innovative approach to solving a problem?
We worked with University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota Fruit & Vegetable Association, Central Lakes College and other groups we found online. We learned from Online and Face to Face Engagements. Some problems could be solve quickly with on line information. The most time which took years was to find were the information could be found, and we still are looking for new and additional Answers. While working with Thaddeus McCamant Central Lakes College, he said “Fruit growing is not rocket science. There are more variables.”
- How have career experiences influenced the way you now run your own company?
Before I retired to Farming I was a Project Manager for a Large Corporation. The work I did included Bidding projects, using the internet to find vendors and extensive use of excel spread sheets. These are the skills that have led to my success.
- Do you hire employees? When someone joins your company, how do you orient them as a member of your team? How do you select people to join your company?
We hire some Young people as contract labor. We have training documents which is required by law for food and worker safety. We explain this to all contract labor people, I work hands on with new people. We hire people recommended by present contract labor, and give them opportunity to show what they can do.
- How are things going in your company in general, right now? How are you keeping Country Taste Farms fresh? We are in the membership drive time of year at this time we have about 50% of our goal signed up. Our fruits and vegetable are harvested washed and chilled over night, then delivered the next day direct to our customers.
- How do you keep up with best practices in your industry? I personal keep up with required training and annual conference’s, then implementing improvements each year.
- Could you describe a typical day on the farm? 5am check Emails, review my written daily schedule, and do a walkthrough of areas in production. Address areas of concern found in walk through. Begin work listed on schedule. Record important information of planting pests, irrigation, harvest, Storage. Review Schedule, update for next day. 8pm
- What advice would you give to someone who was considering being an entrepreneur? As an entrepreneur yourself, what advice would you give someone who wants to start a business of their own?
Most of Us dream of being the Boss owning our own business; however that’s where the dream ends to be success full. 1st one needs to research in depth how to run a business. While doing the research it is best to work in the business for a mentor, to get much needed hands on expertise in the type of business you are interested in. Of course then financial, a careful planning of profit and loss. Get outside review of your plan by someone who is involved in the area you intend to start, not just the bank. Then Just rest in the few hours a day you have left of you 24/7 new job.
- Do you have any parting thoughts you wish to share?
P.S. as an entrepreneur/your own boss LOL, You now have many bosses every customer is now your Boss.
Thank you for your taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this questionnaire!
You can follow Country Taste on Facebook” https://www.facebook.com/countrytastefarm/
Or on their website: http://www.countrytastefarm.com/
