🐴 7 Powerful Ways Rural Brands Can Reconnect People with Food (and Actually Make Real Money Doing It)

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This week I'm sharing a guest post from my friend Daniel Hirschi and his Substack: The Fearless You.

He shares some really simple, yet effective ways rural brands can be profitable, while living the life they want.

Enjoy!

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Shaan Puri has never stepped foot on a farm.

Yeah, that Shaan Puri—from the My First Million podcast. The guy who talks startups, side hustles, millions in revenue…

Never. Set. Foot. On. A. Farm.

When I first heard him confess this, I nearly spilled my morning coffee. “Wait, seriously?”

Dead serious.

And that shook me. Deeply.

Because it’s not really about Shaan. It’s about an entire generation disconnected from what they eat, where it comes from, and especially from the people who actually grow it.

Who’s to blame for this mess? And, more importantly—what can we actually do about it? Hi everybody,

I grew up in Switzerland.

Yeah, that picture-perfect postcard of mountains, chocolate, and watches. But also cows, mud-covered boots, goats that bite, and foxes that steal hens. Sometimes even farmers who swear.

School trips weren’t only to museums; we churned cheese, shoveled manure and picked apples.

Those muddy, smelly, delightful days planted a seed in me—one I now understand shaped who I am and the work we do today.

Here’s the secret most people miss:

Farms don’t just grow food. They grow connections.

And right now, the world is starving for genuine connection.

If you own a farm, run a homestead, or dream of creating one, there’s more opportunity than you might imagine—not just to survive, but to thrive. To become a magnet for people craving connection, meaning, and yes, to make good money doing it.

We’ve done it ourselves. Trust me: if we can, you absolutely can too.

So, here are 7 vivid, powerful ways farms can reconnect people with food—and make some serious cash in the process:

1. Transform Your Barn into an Authentic Guesthouse

Forget sterile hotels.

We converted our old barn into something genuine—cozy spaces, fresh linens, rustic charm, great Wi-Fi, and hearty homemade meals. No cookie-cutter minimalism. Just realness.

Digital nomads, burned-out executives, or families looking for Nature? They don’t just visit; they fall in love.

Tip: Skip Airbnb. Platforms like nomadstays.com or other digital nomad sites attract exactly the people you want.

2. Host Memorable Food Events and Dinners

Imagine warm summer evenings, a long wooden table under whispering trees, homemade sourdough bread, fresh goat cheese, and wine from the neighbor’s vineyard. You don’t need Michelin stars—you just need love, laughter, and delicious simplicity.

People come once, then again, then bring their friends.

It’s never just about food; it’s always about the experience.

3. Run Cooking Classes (But Make Them Meaningful)

My wife’s cooking classes aren’t about strictly following recipes. They’re about feeding your soul.

Kneading bread by hand, laughing at kitchen mistakes, reconnecting with ingredients grown a few steps away. This isn’t just cooking—it’s all-year therapy with seasonal fresh vegetables.

Extra Idea: Offer weekend workshops combined with a farm tour. Maybe throw in a goat or a puppy cuddle session. Or a piglets racing? Instant magic. Guaranteed.

4. Build a Brand, Not Just a Farm

I don’t accuse. See - most farms absolutely stink at storytelling.

Yet every farm bursts with stories—hens that lay their first eggs, mud-splattered mornings, calves born under starlight. Share those moments.

Instagram, TikTok, Substack—choose your tool and document everything.

People buy from people they trust. Stories build trust. The more personal the better.

Your dirt-covered boots are gold—don’t be shy.

5. Offer Coaching or Homestead Mentorship

Honestly? That’s the path we chose.

Your everyday farm skills are magical to city folks.

Composting? Preserving fruit? Raising chickens?

Pure wizardry.

After answering the same questions a thousand times, we thought: why not help others to become more confident? So we started a newsletter.

From confidence to asking the right questions about health, to how we live. We even help people to plan and organize their first homestead.

People pay for magic. Even if you’re still figuring things out, you already know enough to teach.

Simple Start: Offer beginner-friendly Zoom calls. No fancy setups needed—just Calendly, a laptop, and your knowledge.

6. Partner with Urban Brands for Farm Retreats

For special premium coaching classes we team up with experts.

Yoga instructors, wellness coaches, and remote tech startups craving unique retreats. They get serene spaces and farm-fresh meals. You get steady income and great connections.

Pitch it as a “Disconnect to Reconnect” weekend.

Bonus points if your cell reception is terrible…(they love to disappear for some me-time)

7. Sell Your Food—But Do It Differently

Sure, sell jam, cheese, and milk. But sell differently.

Build your community first. Tell your story. Use email newsletters, pre-orders, create thoughtful bundles. Add handwritten notes—small details with huge impact.

You’ll sell fewer items. But your profit and satisfaction will soar because your buyers genuinely care and will support you.

BONUS: Put a Bed in the Middle of Your Cornfield (Seriously)

Our Swiss friend offers couples an unforgettable night. An actual comfy bed planted right in the middle of his cornfield, surrounded by romantic torchlights. It’s bold, it’s pricey, and couples absolutely adore it. He’s usually fully booked for the entire summer season by end of March…

We’d love to do it here too. Except wild Transylvanian brown bears tend to crash romantic evenings… And let’s not even start about Dracula and his vampire friends either.

Let’s zoom out—why does all this matter?

This isn’t about side hustles. It’s about soul work.

Don’t just be a beef producer. Or an egg provider. Be a connection hub.

Because farms are more.

They remind people they’re part of Nature. Not above it, not beyond it, but a deeply, wonderfully part of it. And that connection genuinely transforms lives.

Maybe Shaan Puri never saw a farm.

But imagine if he did.

Imagine every kid experiencing a newborn calf wobbling to its feet, dough squeezed through sticky fingers, or laughing uncontrollably as a goat pees mid-milking.

It would genuinely change everything. In our minds. In our society. And in our wallets!

Final Thoughts

You don’t need millions to create meaningful impact.

You just need a little land, love, and the courage and confidence to share your story. And some sort of imagination and a simple idea collection system. (you know, that good old-fashioned notebook and a pen). :-)

Ready to Take Action?

Got a farm or dreaming of starting one?

Don’t wait—host a dinner, invite friends over, share your next harvest authentically. Be it on Instagram or any other social media where you suspect your future clients spend their time.

And if you ever need a little help, you’re in best hands on Charlie’s newsletter already. Your job is to have the ideas. She will help you get the word out.

Let’s reconnect the world with great food and memories—one goat selfie at a time.

To your freedom and health,

Daniel

P.S.: Thank you, Charlie, for giving me the space in your newsletter. I appreciate it very much and hope my words are helpful to your readers.

P.S.S: Chances are you never heard about Shaan Puri and his podcast. But the episode I’ve mentioned is about the founder of a newsletter for farmers you might know…here’s the link to the YouTube video.

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When you’re ready here’s 3 ways I can help:

1. Share this newsletter with a fellow rural brand or business owner.
2. Want me to help you write for your own business? Book a free 30-minute strategy call here.
3. Promote your business to over 400+ rural brands and founders by sponsoring this newsletter. Email charliedicemedia@gmail.com.

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