We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Caitin McSweeney-Steffes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Caitin below.

Alright, Caitin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At Danu Hof it is our mission to revitalize an old farm and build relationships reconnecting the farm to the local community. We are committed to offering diverse products and opportunities. Our onsite farm store features products produced and raised at Danu Hof and products locally sourced from other local farms and artisans. We focus on land and environmental stewardship based on sustainable, ethical practices, and adding value and growth to the local economy.

My husband and I were born and raised in Michigan and we previously lived in Traverse City Michigan, harboring a dream of owning our own family farm one day. We both have a background in Hospitality and Culinary arts and have witnessed first hand the importance of where our food comes from, how it is raised and the growing practices. We wanted to be a part of the movement to bring back the small family farm and a healthier local food system. As well as be a part of revitalizing our rural communities.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My husband and I were born and raised in Michigan and we previously lived in Traverse City Michigan, harboring a dream of owning our own family farm one day.

We both have a background in Hospitality and Culinary arts and have witnessed first hand the importance of where our food comes from, how it is raised and the growing practices. We wanted to be a part of the movement to bring back the small family farm and a healthier local food system. As well as be a part of revitalizing our rural communities.

In 2017 we found our dream located just north of Mancelona Michigan and went for it. We realized our dream and were able to move our family here in October of 2017 and could not wait to get started breathing life back into the farm. We currently have pigs and chickens as well as fields. We already have asparagus established, raspberries, and Sunchokes. Last year we grew everything from bush beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, greens, brussel sprouts, potatoes and pumpkins. We currently have a small farm market open year round located on the farm. Where we sell not only all of our goods but we also work with other farmers and other local artisans. We participate in 4 local farmers markets as well. We also offer Catering and Cooking Classes as well as Private Chef services.
​

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Its okay to say no and set healthy boundaries, if you wont stick up for yourself in your own business no one will. Both of us spent so much time in hospitality especially being “yes” people and making magic happen because a boss said that it could be done. Its hard to not be the yes person for your own business as well but you have to make sure it is still what you want to do and aligned with your goals, and dreams otherwise you will fight burn out and find yourself doing work that you are not happy with.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

We had plan to be full time on the farm within 5 years three years in 2020 happened and everything including our off farm jobs which were how we were funding our farm business start up wise closed. So we took it as our sign to go all in and took the forced time off to put all of our energy into our farm business and make it work and we have both been full time on the farm since March of 2020.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danuhof.com
• Instagram: Danuhof
• Facebook: Danu Hof

Image Credits
Meridian Photography