One Step At A Time
Suzi Spahr • December 13, 2025
One Step At A Time
New thoughts from a fellow NAFDMA member, Deanna Black of Center Grove Orchard
When you put all your focus into one thing and strive forward (especially in our busy seasons of life), don't forget to look up and notice your surroundings with the beauty AND/OR the detour that needs to be taken in your path.
When experiencing frustration and conflict, no matter the source, start with an intention conversation. Is everyone on the same page? Does anyone have specific goals? How does each one define a "slow pace" or a "fast pace"?
My Hike
For example, I recently participated in a multi-day hike with a few friends. We stopped to take a break one morning, and I wanted to stop and savor a chocolate croissant I smuggled from breakfast. One of my hiking counterparts (who runs crazy ultra 100 mile runs!), was questioning the pace we are keeping and the elevation change we have made. The story in my head from my friend was that I was slowing her down, which was not actually true. We had to have a conversation about expectations so all of us felt good with each of our goals.
Another way to consider this - does each person's behavior match their words? If not, what questions need to be asked if friction is felt?
In this season of hard work on the farm, what conversations should be had with those around us to ensure we are all walking the same path?
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Walk through any farm market, gift shop, or agritourism checkout line and you’ll spot them instantly — stickers. Bright, bold, funny, sentimental, local, seasonal. Stickers may be small, but they speak volumes. From water bottles and laptops to tractors and toolboxes, stickers have become tiny billboards of personality. They tell a story, signal belonging, and give customers a way to take a piece of your farm (and their experience) home with them. Stickers as Self-Expression Today’s customers aren’t just shopping — they’re curating their identity. A sticker that says “Farm Girl,” “Berry Lover,” or proudly displays their name isn’t just décor; it’s a statement. Stickers offer instant emotional connection at a low price point, making them an easy “yes” at checkout. For families, stickers are an affordable souvenir. For teens and young adults, they’re a way to personalize everyday items. And for adults? Stickers are nostalgia, humor, and local pride wrapped into one peel-and-stick moment. Why Stickers Work So Well at Retail Stickers thrive in impulse zones — near registers, exits, and high-traffic areas. They’re quick to browse, easy to display, and don’t require sizing, fitting, or decision fatigue. Even better? Customers rarely buy just one. A name. A joke. A seasonal favorite. A local shout-out. Suddenly, a single sticker turns into a small stack — and a stronger sale. From the Source: Sticker Success, Straight from the Printer The team at Stickers Northwest has spent a decade watching what works — and what sells — across farm markets, gift shops, and attractions nationwide. Here’s what they share with retailers: Stickers Northwest offers thousands of designs that can be name dropped at no extra cost. To help maximize sales, we recommend stocking a mix of name-dropped designs along with our proven top sellers. Since customers rarely stop at just one sticker, having a wide assortment ensures there’s something for everyone. Stickers are compact, eye-catching, and deliver excellent profit margins. Plus, we provide a variety of display options—always free when filled with stickers—and free freight on every order. We’re proud to have celebrated our 10-year anniversary in 2024! As a small business based in Tacoma, WA, all of our stickers are printed right here in the USA. Why This Matters for Agritourism For agritourism operations, stickers hit the sweet spot: ✔ Low cost, high margin ✔ Easy to rotate seasonally ✔ Perfect for name-dropping your town, farm, or region ✔ Ideal for kids, teens, and adults alike They complement other branded merchandise without competing for space or budget. And when paired with the right display and variety, they quietly become one of the hardest-working items in your shop. The Takeaway Stickers may be small, but their impact is anything but. They invite customers to express who they are, where they’ve been, and what they love — all while boosting your bottom line. When you give guests a sticker they connect with, you’re not just selling a product — you’re sending a piece of your farm out into the world, one water bottle at a time.
The phone call that everyone needs.
At NAFDMA, safety isn’t a seasonal checkbox — it’s a year-round commitment. But this December, we’re turning the spotlight squarely on Risk Reduction , reinforcing our ongoing work to help agritourism operators protect their farms, their guests, and their future. As many of you know, NAFDMA continues to move forward with a long-term focus on risk reduction through education, awareness, and practical, farm-ready tools. From workshops and expert guidance to peer-to-peer learning and legal insight, our goal is simple: to help operators feel more confident, prepared, and supported when it comes to managing risk. December is our opportunity to elevate that conversation — and we invite the entire agritourism community to engage with it. Why Risk Reduction Matters — Now More Than Ever Welcoming guests onto your farm is both a privilege and a responsibility. As agritourism continues to grow, so does the need for clear safety practices, proactive planning, and a deeper understanding of liability and risk exposure. Risk reduction isn’t about fear — it’s about prevention over panic, clarity over confusion, and confidence over uncertainty . When farms take steps to reduce risk, they don’t just protect themselves legally — they create safer, more welcoming experiences for every guest who walks through their gates. That’s why this month’s focus isn’t theoretical. It’s practical, farm-ready, and designed to meet you where you are. Your Questions. Expert Context. Real-World Answers. One of the key initiatives we’re exploring this December is creating space for your real, everyday risk-reduction questions. Throughout the month, NAFDMA will be inviting members to submit legal and risk-related questions — the kind you’ve probably asked yourself or discussed behind the scenes: “Is this signage enough?” “How do I handle public vs. non-public areas?” “What happens if…?” Our plan is to collect, curate, and group these questions, then work with trusted legal experts to provide helpful context and insight. Those responses will be shared in the future as a practical, community-driven resource grounded in real farm scenarios. This approach allows us to: Address common concerns many farms share Reduce confusion around risk and liability Provide clarity without judgment Learn together as an industry Your questions help shape the conversation — and ultimately help fellow operators navigate similar challenges. Send your questions to suzi@nafdma.com . Free Risk Reduction Gifts — Built for Real Farms Education is powerful, but tools you can use right away are even better. As part of Risk Reduction Month, NAFDMA has created two free, downloadable resources designed to help farms take immediate, meaningful action — and we’re just getting started. Additional free Risk Reduction gifts will be rolling out throughout December, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox and NAFDMA channels. Farm Risk Reduction Gifts So Far: First Aid Kit Checklist Public Access Basic Question List Moving Forward — Together Risk reduction isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about staying proactive, asking good questions, and using the resources available to you. This December, we invite you to: Engage with Risk Reduction Month Submit your questions Download and use the free tools Start conversations with your team Take one step — then another — toward a safer operation Stay proactive. Stay protected. Stay welcoming. We’re grateful to walk this path with you — and we look forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead.