Rooted Agritourism

Takeaways You cannot argue people into changing their minds. You can only outlast their fear with evidence, patience, and showing up consistently. Leaders set the temperature. Whether you choose to be a thermostat or a thermometer in a conflict will determine the outcome more than the facts will. Agritourism is not a hobby. It is an economic development strategy — one that keeps farmland in family...

Takeaways Heated high tunnels create more control, but they also create new management challenges Crop planning and data tracking made recovering from crop losses much easier Overwintering flowers may be the key to earlier blooms and higher profitability Summary of the Episode This week, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen shares a transparent look at her first year operating a heated high tunnel in Zone 4B Mi...

Takeaways Traditional hiring is not the only path to business growth and scalability. Systems, freelancers, and strategic outsourcing can create more flexibility and sustainability. Delegation works best when you evaluate tasks based on skill, enjoyment, and business impact. In this behind-the-scenes episode of Rooted Agritourism, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen pulls back the curtain on how she runs a flo...

Takeaways Value-added agriculture is about increasing the value of what you already produce rather than expanding acreage or inputs. Agritourism creates stronger customer relationships while allowing farmers to retain more profit margin. Experiences like workshops, weddings, pumpkin patches, and farm tours are legitimate forms of agricultural income. Direct-to-consumer sales provide more control o...

Takeaways Commodity farming offers scale but limits control and profitability Community-based agriculture creates higher value through relationships and experiences Farmers must shift from just producing to marketing and selling strategically In this episode, Dr. Liz Fielder Mergen breaks down the critical difference between commodity agriculture and community-based farming. She shares a powerful...

Takeaways Value-added agriculture can help small farms create stronger margins and deeper customer relationships. Direct-to-consumer farming opens new opportunities for agritourism, flower farming, and rural business growth. Entrepreneurship often starts by solving real problems and having the courage to build through uncertainty. In this episode of Rooted Agritourism , host Liz Fiedler Mergen sha...

In this inspiring episode of Rooted Agritourism , host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen shares the mic with publishing veterans and fellow authors during the Future Proof Author panel at Podfest 2026 . Whether you're dreaming of writing your first book or looking to scale your author platform, this panel is packed with actionable advice on storytelling, publishing, platform-building, and book marketing for...

Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, delves into the core principles of crop planning for flower farms. Emphasizing alignment rather than control, she discusses scheduling bloom times to match sales needs. Liz shares insights from her own experiences, explaining how she uses succession planting and planning tools to optimize planting schedules and fulfill her varied event commitment...

In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism podcast, host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen sits down with Dr. Mark Hicks of The Learning Love Foundation to discuss personal growth, healthy relationships, and the journey of becoming a published author. Dr. Hicks shares his experiences with love, divorce, and building a life that matters through his book, 'Learning Love Building the Life That Matters and Health...

In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism Podcast, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, discusses the upcoming Flower Farmer Forum Conference and shares a conversation with Ali from Anderbery Acres in Nebraska about how attending the Flower Farmer Forum conference impacted her flower farming journey. The episode highlights the importance of in-person connections, practical business...

Pre-Order Flowers Bloom Anyway : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273 In this episode of Rooted Agritourism, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow in Central Minnesota, reflects on the highs and lows of 2025. She discusses setting measurable goals, navigating challenges, and enduring personal hardships, includin...

Sign up for the webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-222a1dfe-fee7-469e-8156-8379cc388865 In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism Podcast, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen invites listeners to the 2026 Flower Farmer Forum and introduces a groundbreaking tool for the floral industry — Farmers to Florists. Liz shares the significant challenges faced by flower farmers, florists,...

Pre-Order Flowers Bloom Anyway : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273 In this episode of Rooted Agritourism, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, shares exciting news about her book 'Flowers Bloom Anyway,' now available for presale. She recounts the emotional journey of writing her memoir, from its origins as...

In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism Podcast, host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen from Sunny Mary Meadow announces the upcoming 2026 Flower Farmer Forum Conference . Scheduled for January 31st, 2026, at their farm in St. Joseph, Minnesota, the event will cover numerous topics pertinent to flower farming and agritourism. With industry shifts towards local sourcing driven by tariffs and supply chain is...

Save $25 on your CoolBot: https://storeitcold.referralrock.com/lv1/6R543BWF/ Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow in Central Minnesota, shares the journey of transforming her flower farm into a multipurpose event venue and farm store. Through a detailed walkthrough, she explains the architectural, legal, and financial challenges she faced and overcame to build 'The Bloom Room' and 'T...

Flower Farmer Forum Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVg-R6xh_0 Flowers Bloom Anyway Waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/author In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' hosted by Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, guest Peter Gillitzer, co-owner of Milk and Honey Cider in St. Joseph shares insights into their growth from a small-scale cider producer to a thrivin...

Flower Farmer Forum Conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVg-R6xh_0 Flowers Bloom Anyway Waitlist: https://www.lizfiedlermergen.com/author Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen of Sunny Mary Meadow in Central Minnesota presents a solo episode focused on her 'Fertilizer Framework,' a concept that emphasizes growth through interconnected and symbiotic business elements. Liz discusses the non-linear progres...

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen interviews Heidi Montag, a finalist in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program in Minnesota. They discuss Heidi's background in dairy farming, her experience in the Princess Kay program, and the unique journey of having her head carved in butter. Heidi shares her passion for promoting agriculture through social media, her involvemen...

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen from Sunny Mary Meadow interviews Peter Gillitzer, co-owner of Milk and Honey Cider in St. Joseph, Minnesota. The conversation explores the journey of Milk and Honey Cider, from the challenges of growing cider-specific apple varieties to turning those apples into craft cider. Peter shares insights into the agronomic and economic aspec...

In this insightful episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, the owner of Sunny Mary Meadow flower farm in Central Minnesota, shares her unique journey from a nursing career to becoming a successful flower farmer and rural entrepreneur. Joined by podcast producer Abbey as the guest host, Liz delves into her agricultural upbringing, the evolution of her business Sunny Mary Meadow, ch...

In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism Podcast, host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen speaks with her father, JT Weber, about their experiences in value-added agriculture and the beef industry. They discuss the evolution of their family business, from dairy farming to focusing on elite genetics in Angus and Sim Angus cattle. JT shares insights on the intricacies of raising club calves for show, the impor...

In this episode of 'Rooted Agritourism,' host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen speaks with Jenny Bredeken from Full Circle Farm . They discuss Jenny's entrepreneurial journey from Minnesota to Honolulu, exploring her passion for fermentation and sourdough bread that led to the creation of their farm and micro bakery. Jenny shares her experiences in reconnecting people with the origins of their food, the cha...

Welcome to Rooted Agritourism: Embracing Growth and Diversification In this episode, Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen, owner of Sunny Mary Meadow, introduces the rebranded podcast, Rooted Agritourism, previously known as the Flower Farmer Forum Podcast. Liz explains the motivation behind the name change, emphasizing the podcast's broader mission to include value-added agriculture and rural entrepreneurship....

Register for the Webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-eed11a8c-b87c-42f7-b405-7747a71eafa2 In this episode, Liz discusses the upcoming rebranding of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast and dives into the concept of the cannibal business model, which occurs when business offers compete with each other, leading to burnout and inefficiency. She shares strategies for building...

Register for the Webinar: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/registration-page-eed11a8c-b87c-42f7-b405-7747a71eafa2 In this episode of the Flower Farmer Forum podcast, host Liz discusses the importance of creating a sustainable business ecosystem in flower farming. She emphasizes the power of dahlias as a versatile product that can be monetized through various channels, including education, e...