Lessons Learned Around the Kitchen Table

Some of my earliest memories are of standing beside my mother in the kitchen—watching, helping, and learning. That's where I learned to bake bread, preserve the summer harvest, and prepare meals from scratch.

My parents were farmers, and there were times when money was tight. Even then, my mother never skimped when it came to the food she put on our table. Flavor and nutrition always came first. Baking bread, canning fruits and vegetables, and preparing meals from scratch weren't hobbies for her—they were simply how she managed her kitchen.

My sister and I learned those traditions by working alongside our mother. I realize not everyone had the chance to learn them growing up, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy sharing them through our Farm Kitchen Classes.

I keep every class small and hands-on, giving everyone plenty of time to ask questions, practice each technique, and leave with the confidence to recreate these skills in their own kitchen.