348 Building a Values-Led Farm Business with Value-Added Products (Without Going Full-Time)
Feb 11, 2026
What if your farm didn’t have to “scale up” to be successful?
What if it could stay small, seasonal, creative — and still feel deeply worth it?
In this conversation, I sit down with a farmer who has intentionally chosen a different path: one rooted in values, flexibility, and creativity — and who’s built a beautiful business around it.
This episode is a quietly powerful case study.
Claire and I talk about:
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Running a farm while not being a full-time farmer
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Letting creativity lead your product development
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Using one strong “gateway product” to anchor your marketing
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Why slow food, intentional processes, and values-based pricing actually work
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And how storytelling — not hustle — fuels her business growth
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s another way to farm besides “bigger, faster, more,” this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.
Listen here.
Meet Our Guest: Claire Troemner
Today’s guest is Claire Troemner, who owns and operates Troemner Farm with her husband Matthew in Atlantic Mine, Michigan.
Claire is a lifelong plant lover and cook who grows diversified vegetables, keeps a small flock of laying hens, and creates artisan value-added foods like sourdough bread, broths, jams, syrups, and Mediterranean harissa — all deeply influenced by her Sicilian roots.
She also runs an interview series called The Dish, where she highlights local farmers, foodies, and chefs across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Follow & Connect with Claire
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Farm Website: https://troemnerfarm.com
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Instagram & Facebook: @troemnerfarm
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The Dish Interview Series:
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Instagram & Facebook: @dishtheup
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Website: https://dishtheup.com
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Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Episode 322 Using Collaborations to Market Your Farm with Erika from Taste the Local Difference – Listen here for Erika’s last guest appearance on the show!
Download a Free Media Kit Checklist & Template — courtesy of TastetheLocalDifference.org — Erika mentions this in the podcast episode. This will help you jumpstart your own Media Kit creation!
What email provider do I use? I recommend Kit.com (formerly ConvertKit.com) — it is easy to use, powerful, and getting better every year. It also integrates with most e-commerce providers and tools. Use my affiliate link!
Canva.com — This is a free graphic design platform, and it has templates for Media Kits! Do a search for “Media Kit” in the project search box, and choose one that you like! Change out your brand colors, drop in YOUR pictures, and adjust the bio and credibility features to fit your farm. Voila! You’ll have a basic Media Kit done in no time, and you can simply download the PDF.
Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors:
Local Line:
Local Line is my farm’s preferred e-commerce platform for farmers. Are you looking for a new solution for your farm? I can’t recommend it enough. Easy-to-use inventory management, great customer service, continuous improvement, and a culture dedicated to equipping farmers with marketing expertise. Local Line is offering a free premium feature for free for one year on top of your paid subscription. Claim your discount by signing up for a Local Line account today and using the coupon code: MDF2026. Head to my special affiliate link to get started: www.mydigitalfarmer.com/localline
Citizen Salmon Alaska is my go-to seafood partner for CSA farms. This is my fifth season working with them, and I keep coming back for a simple reason: it works. They offer wild sockeye salmon, halibut, black cod, shrimp, and smoked seafood — all sourced directly from independent fishermen out of Homer, Alaska. What makes this partnership such a win for farms is the model: I promote Citizen Salmon to my customers, they order directly from Citizen Salmon’s website using a farm-specific code, Citizen Salmon ships frozen fish straight to them, and I earn a commission — without handling inventory, packing, or delivery. It’s an aligned, ethical way to expand your product suite and serve your customers well. If you’re curious about adding seafood to your CSA without adding work, learn more and reach out to Aaron at citizensalmonalaska.com.
Farm Marketing School:
Want a plug-and-play marketing system for your farm? Join Farm Marketing School—my monthly membership where I teach farmers how to build simple, repeatable marketing systems that actually drive sales. Inside, you’ll get:
✅ Step-by-step marketing projects (emails, website design, lead magnets, promotions & more)
✅ Templates & swipe files to save you hours of work
✅ Live coaching calls every month for strategy & support
Inside, you’ll get access to bite-sized marketing projects like:
📆 Creating a promotion calendar that drives consistent sales
🛠️ Setting up & optimizing your Google Business Profile
📧 Writing high-converting emails (nurture, promotions, onboarding)
🗣️ Collecting & using customer testimonials effectively
🔍 Auditing & improving your sales funnel
💬 Monthly live coaching calls for answers to your burning questions
No more winging it. No more guessing. Just a clear, repeatable system that makes marketing easier. Join here:
👉 www.mydigitalfarmer.com/fms (Cancel anytime!)
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