GM: Harvest used to be the busy time but with our sales growth, if we are not planting or cultivating or working the garden, we are packaging and shipping. The times in between we travel and do shows and promotions across the country. We were at the Natural Food expo last fall at Disneyland for a week and it was a working vacation that was great.
When I get time, I love to take my son and granddaughter fishing. I also love to hunt mushrooms in the spring and fall, go on hikes and enjoy the outdoors and do a little hunting. Once a week, I play a round of golf which i enjoy immensely. I also play in a little three piece rock band 5-10 times a year called Silverwood. I think it all keeps me young at heart and in shape.
JB: Lovely. I love that you find time to make music. Which instrument do you play? And what does your wife do for fun in her spare time?
GM: I am a drummer and have been playing since I was 12 years old. I played in many different bands and toured the year before I got married.
Along with garden work, Lynn also has a flower garden which she enjoys. She really enjoys having the grandkids out to the farm and doing fun things with them. Lynn is very artistic and decorates wedding and other kinds of cakes. She likes to fish and take hikes. She is also a movie goer.
JB: So you two have demonstrated that it's indeed possible to farm and have a rich personal life, too. Did you always want to farm? How did it all come about?
GM: I'm a third generation family farmer and always wanted to farm. When the music thing didn't work out, it was the only thing I wanted to do. When my Dad, uncle, and brother left the farm, I purchased 33 acres on the home place and started to farm using the organic method which led me to the popcorn business.
JB: So, you could say that music's loss is popcorn lovers' gain! Where can people taste or buy Tiny But Mighty Popcorn?
GM: In Iowa and surrounding states, it is sold in Hy Vee and Fareway stores. Whole Foods Market across the country and Sprouts on the West Coast also sells Tiny But Mighty Popcorn. We distribute through UNFI and many small natural food stores are now receiving our popcorn. If anyone follows us on Facebook we always post where we are sampling our popcorn. Most of the time, it's at an event in Chicago or many of the Whole Foods Market stores or Sprouts.
JB: Super! What haven't we talked about yet that you'd like to add before we wrap this up, Gene?
GM: Being a small family, I would like to thank all of our popcorn lovers that have supported us by eating our popcorn, and the thousands of letters and emails of thankfulness for doing what we do. Without our loyal fans, we would not have the success we have achieved. We love their support and and it makes what we do even more enjoyable. So, thanks to all of you who enjoy Tiny But Mighty Popcorn. If anyone ever gets to Iowa, be sure to stop in. We always have a fresh bowl popping.
JB: Now, that's what I call an enticing offer! Thanks so much for talking with me. It was a pleasure. Good luck with spreading the Tiny But Mighty gospel.
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