From Kitchen to Farm Stand: Help Me Grow My Bakery
Hi everyone,
Not that long ago, this all started as a simple hobby—just me in my kitchen, baking to unwind at the end of the day. I’d share loaves with friends, bring pies to gatherings, and slowly, word started to spread. One order turned into a few, a few turned into regulars, and before I knew it, this quiet little passion had grown into something people began to look forward to.
Some of my favorite moments have been those early mornings—packing up fresh bread and pastries, setting up at the farmers market, and watching people come back week after week for their favorites. There’s something really special about being part of someone’s routine, their celebrations, or even just their Sunday morning.
Somewhere along the way, I realized this isn’t just a hobby anymore—it’s something I want to build.
And honestly, it feels like the Universe has been gently (and sometimes not so gently) closing other doors, pointing me in this direction. So this is me listening… and taking the next leap of faith.
I’m working toward building and permitting a small farm stand bakery—a cozy, welcoming space where I can regularly offer fresh, from-scratch baked goods. A place that feels like your favorite farmers market stop… warm, simple, and full of good things.
To grow into this next chapter, I need to upgrade my equipment and create a setup that can safely and sustainably support the business. Funds raised will go toward:
• A larger mixer to handle doughs and batters in bigger batches
• Bakery speed racks for cooling and organizing each day’s bakes
• A convection oven for even, reliable baking, as well as bake more at one time
• Materials, permits, and costs to build and operate the farm stand
These are the pieces that will help me move from small, limited batches to a steady, dependable bakery—while still keeping everything handmade, from scratch, and rooted in the same care it started with.
There’s also a very real and personal reason behind this step forward. Over the past five years, as some of you know and most of you don't, my husband Terry has been bravely fighting stage 4 colon cancer. It’s been a long, difficult road for our family—one filled with strength, resilience, and more challenges than we ever expected. Along the way, we’ve exhausted our savings and taken on significant medical debt.
Building this farm stand isn’t just about growing a business—it’s about creating a sustainable path forward for our family, and helping to ease the financial weight that has come with these years of care.
I hope to create a little corner where everyone can stop by for a warm loaf, a seasonal pie, or something sweet—where everything feels familiar, welcoming, and made with intention. A place that reflects not just good baking, but perseverance, heart, and community.
Fundraising Goal Breakdown:
- Farm stand structure & materials: I think I can build this from repurposing an armoire on the cheap for the cost of paint and casters: $200 - $500
- Permits, licenses, and inspections needed to safely and legally operate the farm stand (estimated $1,500).
- Convection oven: $3000
- Larger mixer: $1000
- Bakery racks & storage: $300
- Initial ingredients & packaging scale-up: $1,000
- Medical debt relief (Terry’s care): $5,000+
My goal of $12,000 will help cover essential equipment, farm stand construction, and a portion of our medical debt
This goal reflects a realistic middle ground—covering essential equipment, farm stand construction, required permits, and a meaningful portion of our medical debt.
Every dollar raised will go directly toward building a stable, sustainable future for both my business and my family.
If you’d like to support this next step, I would be so grateful.
Every contribution helps bring this farm stand to life and supports our family during this time. And if you’re not able to donate, sharing this with others truly makes a difference.
If we’re fortunate enough to exceed our goal, additional funds will go toward expanding kitchen equipment (such as a larger refrigerator and a reach-in freezer to increase sales and install in retail spots), increasing production capacity, and continuing to pay down medical expenses to ease the scary financial worry and help Terry keep fighting with grace.
Thank you for being here, for supporting small baking businesses, and for being part of this journey with me from the very beginning.
With gratitude from the very bottom of my heart,
Mimi Kent Bohm and Simply Honestly from Bohm Bakes