CONSULTING
Ready to take your farm to the next level?
We'd love to help!
Michelle Elston, Roots owner and founder, offers a limited number of off-season consultations to experienced growers.
Photo by Olive & Oak Photography
Consultations are available in areas such as:
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Business decisions that work for family and farmer
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Establishing a financially viable farm
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Employee management strategies
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Sustainability considerations for growing high-yield, high-profit crops
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Efficiency strategies for harvest, cleaning and bouquet making
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Crop planning for bouquet production
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Lean farming (less steel, less inputs)
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Best sales outlets for your market and lifestyle
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And other trouble-spots related to your farm!
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Invest in your farm's success! Consults start at $1,250. This includes a minimum of three, 1-hour virtual sessions with Michelle, plus our research on your farm/area as well as follow-up emails after the finish of the work sessions (exact number TBD). Travel fees or visits to Roots are extra. Note that most sessions will be conducted from December through March, depending on availability.
What Clients Are Saying
When we moved the farm to our forever home, we hired Michelle to guide us. Together, we made a plan for both the logistical and financial aspects of the move. Michelle asked questions we hadn't thought of, pored over our numbers, and encouraged us to think about what we really wanted our new lives to be like. I'll never forget going to our new land and looking out over the wide open field as she pointed out where greenhouses, fences, perennials, and the barn could go; she had the experience and vision we needed to see into the future. Two years later, it has all come beautifully to fruition. Thank you, Michelle!
Working with Michelle brought so much into focus for me around my growing farm business. She brings an impeccable mixture of warmth and heart, along with sharp business acumen to her consulting, which is highly focused to bring about actionable, targeted improvements. Michelle helped us to implement specific efficiency changes, optimize our crop plans for maximal yield over many successions, and work through some major labor challenges - the result has been doubling of our net income this year, while also dramatically enhancing work/life balance and recovering from burnout.
I have worked with Michelle for three seasons, and she is my farming lifeline. Michelle helps me sort through complicated farming issues that expand beyond just crunching numbers. She is so invested in my success, and I always leave our time together with the clarity and confidence I need to tackle the season ahead.
Our farm has consulted with Michelle over 2 years in the off season. The first year focused on setting up systems and processes as well as preparing to take on a large grocery account. We are back consulting with her this year as we needed help and guidance scaling up our current operations! She has a keen ability to get to the root of what is needed. With her help we have grown our wholesale grocery business by 75% since working with her and plan on future growth next year. She has a systems mind, but still a heart for the farmers and what is needed both personally and professionally so that we can create a farm that serves us, rather than us constantly serving the farm. If you are looking for direct, thought provoking, and detailed growing knowledge - she is your girl! We will continue to consult with her as our needs change and consider her an important advisor in our farming careers!
Working with Michelle was an uplifting experience for our farm. Her deep wisdom in farming, family, and business provided us with invaluable insights that were crucial during our significant farm move as an established cut flower farm. Michelle took the time to understand our unique challenges and our values as farmers, guiding us through the complexities of this transition. She helped us gain more clarity and confidence than we could have mustered on our own. We truly appreciate her expertise and how she empowered us to make informed decisions that aligned with our values for our business and our family. We can't recommend her services highly enough to anyone looking to elevate their farm business!
Interested in learning more?
Submit the form below, and we'll reach out with details/scheduling info.
Being a good farmer takes a long, long time of learning, sweat and experience. Don't expect to be big right away - and never expect to get it all right! Put in lots of time reading. Visit farms when you can. And, absolutely, positively, you MUST join the ASCFG. Your membership is truly worth every penny."
Michelle Elston
