Craft Farm

When Allison Duncan founded Craft Farm in 2016, it was a side project focused on growing vegetables and making a few all-natural soaps. Today, her Elmira storefront and production facility stocks retail stores around the state and ships products even further. And she’s grown her business incrementally - even through a pandemic-induced shutdown - with help from loans issued by REDEC.

Her soaps, lotions, and bath and body products are the focus of her business now.

“I definitely saw people a lot of customers coming back for my soap, and then as I introduced more products, I kind of got a small, loyal following, and then I just kept making more and more,” Duncan said.

In 2019, she realized she had outgrown her home-based studio and made the decision to open her store, located at 228 South Main Street in Elmira.

“Having this space allowed me to double most of my batches,” she explains. “It also enabled me to have a retail space component that I didn’t have before. In 2021, 2022, I started seeing a whole lot of growth, probably doubling the amount of product I was selling.”

Duncan says REDEC was an important ingredient in her success.

“Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to make the leap,” she says. “I don’t have a business background so I feel like any questions I’ve had, they’ve been happy to answer. I have really loved working with REDEC and think of them almost as a little supporting partner for the growth of my business.”

In early 2022, Duncan borrowed money through REDEC to purchase a hydraulic bath bomb press, which also allowed her to shower steamers and shampoo/conditioner bars to her repertoire.

We’re excited to support Craft Farm and many other small businesses throughout our region. For more information about Craft Farm, its products, and its retailers, visit www.craftfarm.co. To inquire about loans for your business, contact REDEC at info@redec.us or 607-962-3021. Get started by completing a pre-application here.