I have never met a cow I didn’t like (especially if they’re black and white), but there were times when not all were in favor during my years of showing dairy. Summer days filled with training calves to lead, grooming, feeding and cleaning stalls provided lots of...
Flying to New Zealand gives one plenty of time to read, watch movies, reflect and even sleep. With my recent work and speaking engagements centered around sustainability, the “Below Net Zero” documentary1 sparked my interest. The documentary is about how a carpet...
Farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture, local restaurants and markets remind us that many hands help put food on our table. But the reach and number of those hands extend beyond the local community. Today, our desire for year-round produce and food variety...
The sights and sounds of combines running across soybean and corn fields over the past couple of months signal its harvest time in the Bluegrass state and most of the country. Whether we’re harvesting corn, soybeans, apples or potatoes, most of what is gathered ends...
With Labor Day behind us, our summer quests (and sweats) start to fade, leaving us with memories, smiles and miles behind us. Like many, my travels this summer — from across the country to across the oceans — opened doors to new adventures and reminded me that while...
All things “global are local” thanks to the speed of delivering food and food experiences far and wide. Over the year, several farms and food venues have been gracious to offer their time and words of wisdom for my blog content (and personal experiences). Each of...
The soon-to ripen Florida peach orchards or the spring preparation of Midwest soybean fields may conjure up images of local, domestic food but let’s dig a little deeper. Much of our U.S. grown “local food“ has a global beginning. The National Nutrition Month theme,...
“Eat chocolate” was the reported advice given by physicians in the 1800s to patients needing a remedy for anxiety and “broken hearts.”1 The lore of the “doctor’s order” combined with the centuries old tradition of Americans exchanging heart shaped cards and candy...
An overwhelming 86% of Americans report that they’ll share a gift of chocolate and candy this Valentine’s Day according to the National Confectioners Association recent study.1 For some, a special occasion is not required to enjoy chocolate, but during the week of...
Visions of bright red tomatoes, sweet corn in the husk and zucchini of all shapes and sizes “dance in our heads” and on our plates as the farmers’ market season is in full swing across most of our country. In fact, the first week of August was designated National...