#158 Don't Sell the Farm - Laura Ellis, Mt Hope Farms

Meaningful Marketplace Podcast

This show is definitely authentic, complete with real tractor noise in the background. Yes, we’re coming to you live from the Ellis family’s farm in Mollala, Oregon where they operate their farm-to-consumer business and live a very full life. We had Laura Ellis on our 58th show released back on September 11th, 2020 and our hosts are very interested in checking in with her to see what’s been happening with the farm and the business. Just to give a quick background, the Ellis family – Mike, Laura and sons Samuel and Mason – began with Mike and Laura meeting at Eastern Oregon University, where Mike received his degree in Range Ecology and Management. Laura grew up on a rural Alaska family farm so it pretty much was a match made in heaven. They first lived on Mike’s family farm in Mollala which is over half a century old and where they have constantly enriched the soil and quality of its output. But opportunity called and the couple started their own farm business and fruit spread line in 2014. All their fruits and berries are grown to the highest standards with a finely honed commitment to quality. They have created farm-to-jar products from the fruits they both grow and source, while also using local ingredients such as Oregon rum, sea salt from the beautiful coastline, and freshly ground spices from a Portland shop. They use certified Organic ingredients (such as sugar and lemon juice) whenever possible. They don't add any high fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, flavors, or coloring. Everything they make is natural and non-GMO. However, on the day of our first show with Laura, they had to wonder what was in store for the future. That day, the family had a combine catch fire and at the same time, that’s when Western Oregon wildfires started happening and they didn’t know if they would have to evacuate the farm. Luckily, they avoided disaster and kept moving forward in their journey. It has been a learning experience and Laura shares some lessons with our audience of food entrepreneurs. For one thing, their original goal was to build a big business. But after time, they realized what they really wanted was to own and work their own farm, grow and produce a quality product and support their family. Scaling and all its inherent risk wasn’t really a strategy for them. That big change in strategy has paid off. Not only have they created a business that has involved other family members, their personal relationships with the community have allowed them to survive the wildfire setbacks and cash flow difficulties they have faced. Succession is also an ongoing question, as passing down the farm and business to their son or sons is a possibility and will resolve itself over time. But Laura and Mike absolutely do not pressure them one way or the other. The family also has learned to pivot on a moment’s notice, as weather, fires, crop yields and consumer tastes change continuously. They have come up with their offering formula, however. There are six fruit spread flavors that are standard, every other flavor is based on the local availability and quality. This formula has allowed them to keep their customers supplied with a stable supply of favorites while sprinkling a surprise flavor on a regular basis to keep things interesting. Distribution has obviously increased since the last show, as Mt. Hope fruit spreads are available in select stores across the US and still available both online or by pickup at the farm. To order direct: https://mthopefarmsoregon.com/. Follow them on Instagram: @mthopefarms and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mthopefarms. Our hosts: Twitter - @sarahmasoni and @spicymarshall, Instagram - @masoniandmarshall.

Thank you for Listening to The Meaningful Marketplace Podcast with your hosts, Sarah Masoni of Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center and Sarah Marshall, owner of Marshall's Haute Sauce. Connect with us on Instagram @meaningfulmarketplacepodcast.

Audio engineer, mixer, and podcast editor: Haley Bowers
Show logo was designed by Anton Kimball of Kimball Design
Production Coordinator: Kayleen Veatch