We had the good fortune of connecting with Laney Snider and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laney, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe that the most important factor to our success has been our ‘failure is not an option’ attitude. It has never crossed our minds when things got hard or when margins were tight that we could quit. We have made mistakes as we have come up and I’m sure we will make more, but we learn from those mistakes and grow forward. The farm and business looks a lot different that we imagined it would when we started, but we have made the necessary pivots and changes to continue on successfully. We view Ruby Branch Farms as our legacy and we will be able to pass our farm legacy on to our son someday, if he so chooses.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ruby Branch Farms is an Agritourism farm that is owned by myself and my husband Drew in Franklin, Kentucky. Drew is the 8th generation to farm where Ruby Branch sits and we are currently raising the 9th generation, Briggs.

The farm is open seasonally with Kentucky’s largest sunflower maze in August, mums, pumpkins and a corn maze in September and October and Christmas trees and wreaths in starting Black Friday through the holiday season. In 2024 we will have our first you-pick tulip field in early spring!

We were farmers first before we were Agritourism business owners, so we take the quality of the products that we are raising very seriously. We understand that people are making the choice to spend their hard earned money with us and it is of the upmost importance to us that our customers feel like they got a great product and value for their dollar.

Nothing makes us more proud than when we hear people say, “your mums are the biggest and most beautiful mums we have ever seen!” or “your sunflower field is the best we have ever been in!” We work really hard to raise these products and create great experiences and it is so rewarding when people appreciate it!

Over the past 9 years some have been more challenging that others. Farming in itself is a gamble because we are relying so heavily on Mother Nature to do her job – and sometimes she just doesn’t work with us! We also have to navigate the ebbs and flows of the economy, customer preferences, bad weather and competition in the space. Through all of the trials we continue to try to innovate and make our farm a great place for families to come and create new family traditions and memories.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely want my friend to come to visit in August when the sunflower maze is blooming – it’s truly a sight! In Franklin, Kentucky I would have to take them to the Dueling Grounds Distillery, on the square in downtown Franklin for shopping and a coffee at Millhouse Coffee. We would eat dinner at either Brickyard or Colorado Grill.

We would obviously need to spend some time in Nashville. We would have to see the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium and cruise around Broadway to check out the live music. I love The Gulch and there’s so many good places to eat in Nashville – you can’t choose wrong!

In Bowling Green, Kentucky we would have to see a Hot Rods Baseball game and check out the farmers market.

We would have to go over to one of my favorite places, Land Between the Lakes in western Kentucky to hike and camp.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this Shoutout to Danielle Hayden and our Mastermind class of 2020. Without their guidance and encouragement I never would have stayed stuck in the fear of success mentality and not have the courage to push our farm and business to its potential.

Website: rubybranchfarms.com

Instagram: @rubybranchfarms

Facebook: @rubybranchfarms

Youtube: @rubybranchfarms

Image Credits
Yellow Horse Photography Two Arrows Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.