We were lucky to catch up with Bryan Groff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bryan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I got the idea from my dad. I grew up on a farm up in Lancaster. My dad taught me how to milk cows, and drive tractors, and how to be a farmer. Growing up on the farm with my dad inspired me to be a farmer myself.
I knew it was worth trying because it was what my dad taught my siblings and I. Farming is worthwhile to me because I get to be around people and I am a good, hard worker.
I was excited about this idea because I would get to meet more people and follow in my dad’s footsteps. I was also excited to grow my own potatoes and peppers, and make my own hats.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’d been farming my whole life in Lancaster, and I wanted to continue doing that when I moved to Philadelphia a little over a year ago. My friends told me about an urban farming opportunity, and I decided to find out about it. I began growing potatoes, peppers, red beets, beans, tomatoes, and many other types of produce at some plots in Roxborough..
The hats I make are hand-knit and are perfect for cold weather. I began knitting them in the fall and winter when things slowed down on the farm.
Bryan Groff Produce is unique because I am using the skills and traditions passed down to me by my dad, and continuing his legacy as a farmer.
I am most proud of the produce I’ve grown and the connections I’ve made with other farmers, and with other vendors at farmers markets.
I would like people to know that I enjoy making my handmade hats, and that I’m proud of my family history as a farmer and am grateful to get to grow food just like my dad did.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I hand knit my hats. I did not know how to make them when I first started. My job coach, Autumn, taught me how to knit on a round loom. It was a little hard when I first started, but then it got easier. The first thing I learned to make was a hat, and I kept making them because I enjoyed it. People started buying them pretty quickly after that, so I decided to make them part of my business.
One thing I’ve learned is that some yarn is better for making hats than others. I’ve also learned from my friends how to make more complicated hats, and have begun expanding into more knit products.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to make the hard choice to leave my hometown and move to Philadelphia. I didn’t know anybody here, but after a while I got to know some people and made some friends in Philly. I had to adjust from living in a farm town, where I could ride my bike and go fishing anytime I wanted to, to then living in a city where doing those things is much harder.
Things got better in Philly once I made friends and started my business. I didn’t expect to start my own business when I moved here, so there were many things I didn’t know about at first. It’s been very helpful to build the business with supportive friends and coworkers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/bryangroffproduce/home?authuser=0
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryangroffsellsproduce?igsh=NnhlMjRuZDVieWY2&utm_source=qr

Image Credits

Lea Perry