In the heart of northern Michigan, Caitlin and Larry McSweeney embarked on an inspiring journey that transformed their lives and the local agricultural landscape. With a passion for sustainable farming and a dream to make a difference, they purchased their property in October 2017, marking the beginning of their venture as first-generation farmers. Their story behind their business, Danu Hof Farm and Market, is one of dedication, collaboration, and a commitment to creating a better future for themselves, their children, and their community.
Caitlin, Larry and their three children raise fair-to-finish hogs, meat chickens, grow a variety of produce and, depending on the season, participate in two to four farm markets every week. The McSweeney’s also established their very own farm market on their property, collaborating with 17 local farms to showcase a diverse range of fresh produce for the local community to enjoy. Through their growing business, they soon realized they needed a better understanding of their farm’s financials. With this in mind, they turned to GreenStone.
Caitlyn and Larry raise fair-to-finish hogs.
After learning about GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth program resources for young, beginning and small farmers from her loan officer, Caitlin knew she was on the right path. This CultivateGrowth Grant paved the way for Caitlin to enroll in Cornell University’s Holistic Financial Planning course - something she likely wouldn’t have been able to do without the financial support. This equipped them with a comprehensive understanding of their farm's financial dynamics and how they can better budget and utilize their balance sheet for decision-making.
“There is always more you can learn about in farming,” Caitlin said. “The grant was really easy to apply to and didn’t take much time at all, especially compared to other grants. Anytime you can get an opportunity to be reimbursed for learning is great.”
Armed with new insights, they overhauled their budgeting system, ensuring that each expense was aligned with their long-term goals. Regular monthly reviews of their financials empowered them to make informed decisions and optimize their cash flow. The result was not only a newfound financial stability but also a reduction in unnecessary costs.
“We are working on having a better cash-flow system and have since implemented budget sheets that I go through monthly,” Caitlin explained. “The course was a lot of help. It taught us how to budget better and cut costs in areas where we were overspending.”
Another time the McSweeney’s utilized GreenStone’s resources was in January 2023 when Caitlin and Larry attended the CultivateGrowth conference.
“The conference was amazing. We loved it! We’ve been to a few different farm conferences and this one was our top one by far,” Caitlin said. “We loved the ability to connect and how much emphasis was put on networking- which worked out great for us.”
The conference provided them with a platform to network with fellow young, beginning, and small farmers. It was here where they found a community eager to share experiences and insights. The expertise they gained was not just theoretical; it was practical knowledge that allowed them to navigate the challenges and opportunities of their burgeoning farm business. The connections made during the conference flourished into business opportunities as Caitlin and Larry began wholesaling with a larger farm.
Caitlin's appreciation for GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth resources is inspiring. She passionately recommends young, beginning, and small farmers to seize such opportunities, recognizing that education and resources like these are pivotal in driving sustainable growth.
GreenStone’s CultivateGrowth Grants are available for young, beginning and small farmers for a variety of agriculture-focused educational topics.
