Sleeping Lion Farm
"The Institute has provided me with the guidance and resources I need to start transitioning
my cattle farm into a regional food business and helped me clarify my business and
career goals and put them within reach."
- Mike Parker
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Mia鈥檚 Cocina
For many years, Mar铆a B铆do tucked away her dream of starting her own businesses. However, despite the COVID-19 Pandemic and finding herself unemployed, she saw the opportunity to open M铆a鈥檚 Coc铆na. Mar铆a began to navigate what would be necessary to achieve the goal of starting her own business. With the help of her family and friends, they steered her to SUNY Cobleskill and the Institute for Rural Vitality.鈥疶oday, M铆a鈥檚 Coc铆na is a full-service catering company in New York City and Schoharie County providing delicious authentic Puerto Rican cuisine for weddings, sweet 16's, birthday's and corporate events. Maria also offers cooking classes and has been showcased on CBS News and Fox News.
鈥淲ith the help of the Institute, M铆a鈥檚 Coc铆na was born and I was able to prepare my food and sell it at the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival! I had an unbelievably successful weekend and realized this was exactly what I needed to continue doing. The Institute for Rural Vitality has supported me and my business venture every step of the way.鈥�
- Maria Bido