Business Solutions for Fall 2021

FALL 2021 5 SOLUTIONS will answer the phone. We need a responsive communications provider and that’s what Panora Telco is.” Panora Telco also provides fixed wireless internet to Early Morning Harvest. This tower- based service offers access to customers outside the areas served by our underground fiber facilities. Panora Telco operates 11 tower locations across Guthrie, Audubon, Dallas, and Greene counties. “Our fixed wireless internet service is good. It’s right there for us all the time and does what we need it to do,” said Hafner. Meeting the Food Needs of Customers The internet became even more essential to Early Morning Harvest in the early months of the pandemic, when flour was in short supply at grocery stores across the country. Demand skyrocketed for the farm’s flours made from organic grains, with many orders coming in on Amazon. The farm shipped flour products to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Online ordering on Amazon is just one of many ways that customers can purchase products from Early Morning Harvest. Other ways include: • Members of the Iowa Food Cooperative—which offers over 1,500 products made, grown, or raised in Iowa—order online bi-weekly. • Orders can be placed at info@earlymorningharvest.com based on a list of what’s cur- rently available that’s included in the weekly Early Morning Harvest emailed newsletter. • Online ordering for items to be shipped can be done at earlymorningharvest.com . Prod- uct categories include wheat and flour, cereal and mixes, herbs and spices, and honey. • Flour products are also available in Hometown Foods stores in Panora, Guthrie Center, and Stuart; New Pioneer Food Coop in Iowa City; andWheatsfield Coop Grocery in Ames. • Customers can shop in person at the Early Morning Harvest store on the farm. Hafner wanted to spread the word that the Early Morning Harvest store sells much more than just its own products. He explained, “Our little farm store also carries lots of other items produced in Iowa such as dairy items including cheese and yogurt, beef products fromWallace Farms Beef in Keystone, and Zaza’s Pastas from Cedar Rapids. Iowa-made salad dressings, mustards, salsas, and grape jelly are also offered.” From fish tanks to store shelves, Early Morning Harvest has built a successful family business. Panora Telco is proud to provide services to help this farm grow. WHO’S MINDING YOUR BUSINESS? Curtis Thornberry Technology Development Director Since December 2004, Curtis Thornberry has led the technology evolution at Panora Communications Cooperative, which now includes Panora Telco, Guthrie Center Commu- nications, and Solutions Technology Experience Center. His professional background is based in information technology, higher education, and network management. In his position as Technology Development Director, Thornberry is responsible for the deployment and support of advanced networks including broadband, IP video, and fixed wireless. He also manages a team of technicians that support multiple small business network environments. Curtis enjoys working with clients and engages them through hands-on training, technical briefs, peer education, roundtable discus- sions, and business workshops. What does Thornberry like most about his position? He answered, “There’s a great deal of variety, and I’m always learning something new.” When not working, Thornberry enjoys running, biking, and coaching soccer. He also serves on the local city council and presides over the local Panora and Lake Panorama economic development group. “I don’t have to dial an 800 number and wonder who in the world will answer the phone. We need a responsive communications provider and that’s what Panora Telco is.” — JEFF HAFNER, OWNER, EARLY MORNING HARVEST