Grace Harbor Farms Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Presenters: Max and Amelia
• Location: Grace Harbor Farms
• Products: Goat milk, dairy products, soap, lotion, skincare products
• Availability: Products available in over 100 stores nationwide

History

• Founders: Tim and Grace Lukens
• Start Year: 1999
• Initial Resources: Two goats
• Initial Product: Soap
• Challenges: Experienced bankruptcy but recovered

Initial Business Challenges

• Budget: Started without a budget or plan
• Sales Strategy: Began selling at malls and farmer's markets
• Revenue: Made sufficient sales to cover expensive kiosk rents

Product Development

• Initial Products: Soap and lotion
• Market Demand: Increase in demand led to product line expansion
• Key Products: Yogurt became a major product

Business Growth

• Dairy Operations: Operates a grade A dairy farm
• Supplier Relationships: Sources milk from two other farms
• Infrastructure: Mini grade A goat dairy explained (milk parlor, milk house, and temperature requirements)

Product Line and Manufacturing

• Skincare: Developed by Grace; products include lotions and creams
• Outsourcing: Bar soap production outsourced due to safety concerns
• In-House Production: Most products made and bottled on-site

Marketing and Sales

• Storytelling: Importance of sharing the origin story with customers
• Sales Channels:
  • Skincare sold primarily online
  • Food products sold through retail partners
  • Expanded to selling on Amazon (noting challenges with compliance claims)

Current Challenges and Future Plans

• Marketing Strategy: New social media efforts; storytelling through newsletters and videos
• Market Expansion: Plans to grow online presence and explore new sales funnels

Conclusion

• Ongoing Series: This lecture is part one of a two-part series
• Engagement: Encouragement to ask questions and provide feedback

Additional Suggestions

• How to share your farm’s story effectively
• Platform use for sales (e.g., Amazon, own website)
• Invitation to audience to share their experiences and strategies