In 2009 Nathan and I accepted the Eat Local Challenge, a
nationwide campaign that aimed to encourage households to commit to as much local food as possible. Some folks committed to a meal a week or even a day. Being an all or nothing kind of gal, I went all in for every meal for a month. That quickly became every meal for the summer and fall. As winter approached I wanted to continue, but, at the time, there were no winter markets and, in fact, very few options for locally, seasonally grown produce. When Community Farmers Market opened their year-round doors in 2011, we finally found ourselves in a haven of winter options at the same time we as farmers started extending our season. A staple on the seasonally-sourced winter menu is cooked greens. Nathan learned how to grow as many different varieties as possible and, out of necessity, I've learned how to cook them. Even today people are surprised by what can be grown here on Kentucky farms during winter months. That's made us find ourselves as much in the business of educating as we are in the selling of food. Not only are we educating our community through farm tours and educational opportunities, but also teaching our children, farm members’ children, and friends the practical skills of planting, harvesting and feeding themselves. ”I’ve been working at NMA since I was 14, and it has changed my life for the better. Working with fresh produce has inspired me to eat healthier and pursue a degree in Culinary Arts.” - Kenzie Crowe Kenzie and her sister Laila have worked here on the farm once a week for four years. Nathan and I often talk about how important it is to be handing down these skills of growing food year round, and we are thankful we've been able to extend that opportunity to young people and beginning farmers like our friends Jordan, Jackson, Avery, and Arlo Rolett at Think Little Farm. As a society, we enjoy the benefits of grocery store availability, but as we found in our own journey, we also need the people close to home who know how to grow food
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YEAR ON THE FARMStories, recipes, and lessons learned on our farm and in community here in South Central Kentucky. Archives
October 2019
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