056: Growing a Family Farm and Agritourism Business (with Nate Collett)

Oct 20, 2024

Left to Right: Dustin Pearce and Nate Collett

“We were completely set up for success,” said Nate Collett, co-owner of Pot-Luck Greenhouse, located at 6555 OH-73 West in Wilmington, Ohio, when speaking about his family farm.

Nate’s parents started the greenhouse in 1978, after moving from the New Burlington area when the state aquired their farm land, using imminent domain, to build Caesar’s Creek. The stipend they received was enough to purchase land in Wilmington and start Pot-Luck Greenhouse. The farm has been expanding ever since, slowly growing its greenhouse abilities, selling statues and decor, and bulk items like mulch and gravel.

After serving his country in the military, completing three tours overseas, and then returning home to work construction, Nate determined construction was not his permanent path. Along with his brother, a Wilmington College graduate, they began “building [the business] up” so that they could take over to assist their parents. While working together, Nate’s mother had the idea to start a “Fall Fest”, one of the farm’s most popular features today. The Fall Fest features “ag-ertainment”, as termed by Nate, such as bouncy houses, slides, giant chess, a “corn swim”, a giant trike track, a themed corn maze, and many more. This year’s maze theme is “Island Adventure”.

After expanding Pot-Luck’s operations, Nate and his brother purchased the business from their parents 3 years ago and have since added the shed and barn division, selling sheds, barns, and greenhouses. The expansions and additions over the years have tripled the revenue for the farm in less than 10 years.

Hear Nate’s full story on episode 56 of The Real Change Podcast. Learn more about Pot-Luck at potluckgreenhouse.com.