Heaven Sent Food & Fiber
Consulting
Heaven Sent Food & Fiber provides economic and food system development, business planning, profitability and agriculture program
development consulting services to Native American Tribes, rural communities, and individual businesses. Work experience includes financial modeling, feasibility studies, Rural Business Development Grant programming, rural healthy food access and affordability programs, technical assistance in food and agriculture production, education and training.
Coleen's Qualifications
Coleen Thornton is an Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program member, MBA with experience running a diversified farm, value-added entrepreneur
and previous dietitian and will soon be certified as a farm food safety auditor. She is active in her community serving on the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Oklahoma Workforce Board (Muskogee) and is previous Co-Chair of Cherokee County Food Policy Council.
Coleen Thornton- Bio
Bio
Coleen Thornton received her BS in Nutrition from Ohio State University and started her career as a registered dietitian, moving into management to become Director of Food Services.
After receiving her MBA in Finance and Accounting from University of Texas, Arlington, Coleen worked at American Airlines where she negotiated multi-million dollar contracts for Passenger Global Sales, developed a Cargo customer loyalty program, managed a sales and customer service team for Cargo, as well as worked in marketing budgets.
Coleen's love of nutrition called her back to food in its most basic form. She started Heaven Sent Produce, an urban farm in Arlington TX, then moved and expanded to Heaven Sent Food & Fiber, LLC. Heaven Sent Food & Fiber Farm is a full diet 60-acre diversified farm near Tahlequah OK. The farm also produces value-added hand crafted soaps as well as Merino and Alpaca blend hand-dyed yarns.
In addition to managing the farm with a team of loyal employees, Coleen Consults in Food and Ag Economic Development with farms, and regional food systems to improve profitability and healthy food security. Additionally, she advises clients on horticulture and livestock production, value-added opportunities and business models. Coleen is a participant in the Oklahoma Agriculture Leadership Program, on the Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce Board, and serves on the Oklahoma Workforce Board-Muskogee for agriculture jobs.
To support and promote food and agriculture economic development Coleen is pursuing a Certificate of Excellence in Economic Development and Farm Food Safety Auditor Certification for HPSS and GLOBALG.A.P. Coleen is committed to assisting clients increase food security, safety, profitability and economic development in today's competitive agricultural climate.
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