Episode 184

The Colorblind Tulip Farmer: Revolutionizing Rural Economic Development with Andrew Miller

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July 28th, 2025

22 mins 54 secs

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career transition small business rural tourism agricultural innovation community engagement skagit valley u-pick tulip farming rural economic development agritourism economic development econdev eco devo

About this Episode

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson interviews Andrew Miller, a multi-faceted leader who serves as CEO of both the United Way of Skagit County and Tulip Valley Farms, as well as commissioner at Skagit PUD. Miller shares his unique journey from working at major tech companies like Amazon to returning home to Skagit County as an economic developer, only to eventually become the entrepreneur he had been encouraging others to be. The conversation explores the challenges economic developers face when advocating for entrepreneurship and innovation, the resistance to change in established systems, and Miller's decision to "walk the walk" by purchasing a farm business when others wouldn't take the leap.

Ten Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

  1. Look for gaps in existing industries where innovation can create new business models (like adding U-pick to traditional tulip festivals)
  2. Study successful elements from adjacent industries and adapt them to your community's assets
  3. Create bridges between urban and rural communities through experiential tourism
  4. Focus on finding and selling what's remarkable about your community to people willing to pay for it
  5. Combine unexpected elements (like Scottish Highland cows with tulips) to create unique attractions
  6. Make agriculture and rural life accessible to urban neighbors who lack farming connections
  7. Consider compound risks when developing agritourism ventures (weather for growing AND weather for visitors)
  8. Use personal availability and storytelling to create authentic connections with visitors
  9. Help passionate people in your community turn their interests into viable businesses
  10. Remember that credentials matter less than passion and willingness to learn in entrepreneurship

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