The food industry is ripe with potential for a motivated entrepreneur. Consumers are searching for new flavors, products, and food processing techniques from the local ingredients they know and love. Food and agriculture are moving fast today, and it is important that our spirited business owners and students with the next big idea feel supported in their communities and with their ideas.

This episode features James Munn, owner of Black River Valley Natural, a new dairy creamery located in the heart of the North Country’s dairy community. After college James moved away from his hometown and built a fast-growing career in the tech industry, but something was calling him and his young family back home. He used data and market analysis to build his dairy processing business with his wife Bethany around creating artisanal butters, and now – so much more. You can find Black River Valley Natural on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackrivervalleynatural/ Instagram: @blackrivervalleynatural

Jeremiah Best, a 5th grade teacher at the Town of Webb UFSD in Old Forge, NY recognizes that his students are surrounded by natural resources even if they haven’t yet realized the connections to the outdoors. His desire is that his students realize there is more to their future than being part of the seasonal tourism industry, and to build in them an eye for business opportunities through food and agriculture.

This podcast is hosted by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (www.iowaagliteracy.org), and New York Agriculture in the Classroom (www.agclassroom.org/ny).

Show Notes and Credits:Hosted by Katie Carpenter. Edited by Sarah Peavey.

Thanks to our guests James Munn and Jeremiah Best.

For other episodes visit: @oitfpodFollow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/outstandingintheirfieldpodcast/Visit our website: www.agclassroom.org/outstandingpodcast