Early in October I was blessed to be able to drive all over the state of Kansas with the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Soybean Commission. All expenses were covered but all opinions are my own.
On the Farm Food Tour we visit this town I used to live. It was nostalgic and I only had happy memories. I realized how special of a place it was and the “isolation” was really a safety bubble in an ever increasing evil world. I missed that small town.
I tell you this story because in all my experience of living in the city and living in the country I never had any experiences with farms or learning where my food came from. I realized someone was growing my vegetables, fruit and meat but I never went beyond those thoughts. On the Kansas Farm Food tour I was able to learn the answers to some food questions I didn’t even know had.
Here are some of the big lessons I learned driving across Kansas with 7 bloggers.
Family
This was the most special aspect of the entire tour for me. There was a focus on the family at every stop and it warmed my heart. I love these family farms!
Big Picture
When talking to the famers whether it was regarding GMO’s or hormones in cows, they see a bigger picture, a greater good. Since I’m not involved in all of the hype over those topics I’m not very informed but it isn’t easy to miss all of the negativity surrounding the topics. It was very informative hearing from the farmers themselves the bigger picture. What was equally interesting was hearing facts about how much trace (or lack there of) of these items are actually in the food we eat. I think, as in most things, the media has given the public some misinformation.
I’m not going to go into those topics because I’m certainly no expert, nor am I very passionate about it, but the conversations with the farmers made me feel like the way I feed my family is fine and that works for me. The end.
Passion
I was especially impressed at the McCarty Dairy Farm. They are strict on cleanliness and the procedures with their production facility. They love their cows and treat them right. Their milk is tested 3 times before it hits the factory to be made into yogurt to make sure it is the highest quality.
I loved touring the Dairy. The baby cows were so cute. They loved the attention we were giving them. The daily life of the cows at McCarty dairy was a happy one with plenty of time to roam and eat.
Sorguhm
On this trip I learned that Sorguhm is a grain that is naturally gluten free. We visited Nu-Life Market which is a company that makes Sorghum products. We were able to sit down and have a meal with the CEO that contained Sorguhm. They produce Sorguhm as flour, pearled- similar to rice and popped like little pop corn. It was so much fun to eat it in those three different ways. They provided us samples of the flour and pearled Sorguhm and I’m very excited about trying it with my family.
Appreciation
I’m grateful that others are willing to work incredibly hard, long, continuous hours for my family so we can have good food; so we can go out to eat and get good food. To all the farmers across Kansas, especially the ones we visited a huge THANK YOU for your service, dedication and commitment to farming.
Cal-Ann Farms (hydroponic basil farm)
Good Farms (Pig farm)
Meagan says
So happy you could join the tour. It’s amazing to get on the farms and meet the real folks!
Mary says
I didn’t know you lived in Kansas. I would have chatted with you more when we were in LA. My boys live in Kansas, one in Howard and the other in Andover. We are moving to Wichita in Dec. it really is beautiful and it’s all about the farms. My cousin owned a dairy farm here in NY and was the third gen and just had to shut it down. Could barely survive and like you said, never got a sick day or vacation. They really need to be appreciated more than they are. Great post and thanks for all the info.
kita says
The pigs are so cute! I never thought I would say that about a pig lol. I think the fact that you can breathe it all in and have a slower life makes it worthwhile and sometimes that’s all we need
Jennifer Van Huss says
What an amazing experience! I recently got to visit the behind the scenes of a chicken farm and dairy farm. It is amazing how much work and effort go into farming! The thing I learned the most was the passion that farmers had for their farms. In some cases these were third and forth generation farmers and they went into the business because they wanted to and loved the craft, not because of family obligation. Learning this gives you a new appreciation for the food you eat
NZ Noob says
Oh wow, farming…
Dairy farming is New Zealand’s biggest industry atm but I can’t say I find it overly exciting. Looks like you had a nice time though and it’s always good to get out and explore new places! Brownies hmmmm yummy 🙂
Felicita Moncada says
I am a city girl myself and definitely can feel your pain on leaving in the country. I definitely see the benefits though! OMG, those little pigs are sooo cute! I think it is wonderful to see families that live off the food they grow and raise. It looks like a wonderful experience.
Miles L. says
You are truly blessed to be part of that tour. For most of us, it is so easy to overlook all the hard work done before our food arrive at our tables. We really need to appreciate each meals that we have. Sometimes, it is quite humbling to visit the countryside and see how life can be simple and still manage to be happy. Thanks for this post, Stefanie!
Naomi says
It was a great trip! So much to learn and a really nice group of bloggers. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope our paths cross again soon.
Nikki says
What a sweet homey story. I love that the milo looks like popcorn and that you were able to experience such a good feeling from this trip. I’ve heard horror stories about going to visit farms where food is raised. I’m so happy your experience was a positive one!
Jessica Harlow says
I’ve never visited Kansas, but being from Maine I am very familiar with small towns and the farming community. Being exposed to all of that, I do have a deep appreciation for where our food comes from too. It may be a bit isolated, but there are always fun trips to the city for me! lol
jataya wiley says
looks like you had an amazing trip! i am a country girl. I grew up in amish country, so farm life is very much a part of me. the pigs were super cute! thanks for sharing your road trip with us!
Crystal Lopez says
I personally have never traveled to the Midwest but I have heard of the strong values possessed there. It is so wonderful to hear the appreciation and participation of family and also the relationship and livelihood the people have for the things they work so hard for.
Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says
This sounds like a great (and important) trip around Kansas. I myself would love to get on a farm especially since I am very big in eating farm-to-fork foods from time to time 😀
Winter says
I’m a So Cal girl as well and when I went to Kansas for business last year I wasn’t expecting to like it much, I was SO wrong! I loved it! There was so much culture and history there and I really loved it. Granted, I was in Kansas City so I’m sure that’s way more city then your more rural areas but I honestly just wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
Terri C says
Love this post, I live in a town I’m sure you visited. McPherson. I’ve lived here all my life and I love it. Just recently the refinery has been expanding and has brought in many people, it’s kind of sad to me. Would love to know what town you lived in!