145 How to Acquire a Customer List from a Retiring CSA Farm – Interview with Aeros Lillstrom
February 2, 2022 by Corinna
What if you were given an opportunity to acquire a loyal customer base from another CSA farmer who was retiring?
Would you take it?
In this week’s episode, I interview a CSA farmer who did just that!
Aeros Lillstrom of Who Cooks for You Farm shares her story of how she grew her CSA to 800 members through this form of acquisition. She also shares some of the unique issues that needed to be addressed as part of that transition. If you’ve ever thought of this form of scaling, this will be a helpful primer for you!
Hit play and let’s get started!
Meet Aeros Lillstrom:
Aeros Lillstrom is the co-owner of Who Cooks for You Farm with her partner Chris Brittenburg, serving Pittsburg, PA. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they were one of the farms that had to quickly pivot and find new revenue sources. They had a strong CSA program already in place, but were given the opportunity to acquire a retiring CSA farm’s customer list. Aeros now runs an 800 member CSA. Aeros also functions as the office manager keeping the books in order, supplies stocked and produce delivered and manages all the customer relations. She’s also the proud mama of two boys.
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Some of the resources mentioned in this episode:
Find my Facebook group for farmers!
Follow me on Instagram @mydigitalfarmer
Join CSA Quickstart — my online course and coaching program that helps new CSA farmers build a CSA step by step from scratch in 60 days. You’ll learn all the systems and skills you’ll need to set up your CSA for success for the long term. To learn more, head to the course page at www.mydigitalfarmer.com/csaquickstart.
Join my February Book Study on Zoom – Start with Why by Simon Sinek – Register for my free February Book Study. We’ll meet on Zoom for 3 Mondays in February to slowly work our way through one of my favorite marketing books. Our goal: to help you discover the why behind your business so you can communicate it effectively to find more customers. Sign up for the book study here, and I’ll send you the link to the Zoom call, as well as the link for the book.
CSA Perfect Box Guide – If you’re a “new” CSA farmer, and you’re looking for help with how to build your CSA box plan, grab my Perfect Box Planner Guide.” This 13 page PDF will give you the formula for how to build your perfect box plan for next year’s season. Use this to guide your crop production plan this winter! Grab it here.
CSA Starter Checklist — Looking to start a CSA this season? You’ll need a checklist to keep you organized. Grab this 3 page life-saver resource that will remind you of all thing that SHOULD be on your to-do list.
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My hope is to feature guests periodically on the show. If you know someone who is innovating in the area of marketing as a farmer, please send me an email at mydigitalfarmers@gmail.com.
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