Tilth Conference + Farm & Food Symposium

Conference Schedule

Conference Schedule

Working Session: How to Tell Your Story to Create a Thriving Business

  • Date: Friday, November 14
  • Time: 10-11:15 a.m.
  • Speakers: Rey Cooley, Washington Farm to School Network; Cheryl Thornton, Cloud Mountain Farm
  • Location: Room 108
  • Track: Farm to School

This interactive working session is designed to help local food producers and farmers confidently and effectively tell your unique story to school buyers and other customers.  Participants will explore how to align their unique stories and values with institutional priorities. This can absolutely be helpful in other situations you find yourself engaging in sales! Whether you’re experienced selling to schools or just beginning to think about it, this session will help you build a pitch that communicates not just what you sell, but how your products add value for institutional customers. Come ready to work, share, and create a pitch that connects your farm’s story and values to the larger local food movement.

About the Speakers

  • Rey Cooley

    Washington Farm to School Network

    Rey Cooley is a connector and advocate dedicated to building resilient, values-driven food systems. With experience as a farmer, chef, educator, and project manager, she brings a unique perspective on how relationships, storytelling, and collaboration drive lasting change. Rey currently serves as the Washington Farm to School Network Coordinator, where she supports partners across the state to grow farm to school efforts that nourish kids, sustain farmers, and strengthen communities. Her work focuses on creating meaningful connections and empowering others to align their values with action.

  • Cheryl Thornton

    Cloud Mountain Farm

    Cheryl, along with her husband Tom, started Cloud Mountain Farm in 1985.  For over 35 years, she has been involved in all aspects of the farm including production, business development, marketing, distribution and processing.  Throughout that time, she has developed relationships with over 100 buyers ranging from wholesalers, food banks, school districts, hospitals and restaurants.  Cloud Mountain Farm was also instrumental in the development of the Puget Sound Food Hub, a farmers’ cooperative, which now has over 65 members and acts as a distributor for many food access centers.  Currently she is a consultant working on several projects related to the food system and continues to build relationships with buyers and producers throughout the Puget Sound region.