Farm to Summit
Meet SCAPE 2022 Cohort Company, Farm to Summit. With complimentary backgrounds and a passion to build an authentic company, this wife duo are tackling food waste while making extra tasty backcountry meals.
Q: What’s your name, title, business?
A: Jane and Louise Barden, Co-Founders of Farm to Summit
Q: What does your business do?
A: We utilize local and imperfect produce to create “just add hot water” dehydrated meals that are nutrient dense, flavor packed, and sustainably packaged. Our meals are prepared in small batches with the aim to reduce waste in our food system, while introducing some authentic farm fresh flavor into the world of dehydrated meals.
Q: Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.
A: One of our first conversations with each other involved our combined dream to own and operate a business of our own. I (Louise) was just finishing up a Master’s in Research Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Jane had recently left her job in sales, eager to put her degree in business and finance to good use. Over the next few years, we would brainstorm countless ideas, eventually landing on Farm to Summit- the perfect merging of our passions and the ultimate opportunity to merge my skills in research, analytics, and backcountry eating with Jane’s background in business, farming, and food services.
Q: What was the most powerful lesson you learned on this journey?
A: Starting a business is A LOT of work! So, division of labor is crucial. We greatly enjoy working as a team, and both Jane and I love having our hands in all the pots. We have learned that to be sustainable, we must divide the responsibilities and understand where one of us can take charge. We are fortunate that we bring different skill sets to the table and have learned that delegation of roles combined with strong communication is key to being productive and ultimately successful in our launch.
Q: Why did you apply for the SCAPE Program?
A: We’re new to owning a business, and while we are confident in our abilities to be successful we are aware that we have a lot to learn. We value mentorship and are seeking guidance from those who have first-hand experiences and who want to see the success of local businesses in the four corners area.
Q: What companies inspire you the most (local, national, worldwide)?
A: We are most inspired by companies who use their profits to take care of their employees and to give back to the community and/or a cause they believe in. Patagonia is a prime example of this. They make huge sums of money, and they put that money where their mouth is- even if that results in a temporary reduction in sales. Locally, we are most inspired by Alpacka Rafts, who have made a name for themselves nationwide while also creating a warehouse community that comes together to support one another and have a good time despite the monotony that production can bring.
Q: What do you love most about the Four Corners?
A: Like so many, we came to this area for the accessibility to nature- alpine systems only a day’s drive from remote desert. We made this region home because of the community. Durango has grit- whether that be the perseverance of a farmer, the endurance of a long-distance alpine runner, or the fearlessness of an enduro racer. This grit has been truly inspirational through the launch of our business and has motivated us to keep pushing- with business and with our personal outdoor endeavors.