Jun 11, 2024
By Rick McNary
I recently began touring some of the producers, processors and distributors in the Border Queen Harvest Hub (BQHH) that’s situated around Sumner County and here are 10 things I’ve learned.
1. They are creative
John Cooney, a Sumner County Commissioner who lives in Oxford, purchased an old grain elevator with bins and buildings and decided to use the end of one building to install a new commercial kitchen and cannery that, when it’s up and running, can be leased by local growers 24/7. This facility will fill the need we so often see in local food systems– the need for commercial kitchens and canneries food entrepreneurs can lease.
2. Farm dogs are the best
Colbie, the farm dog of Rick and Myra Jacob’s Pecan Patch, is the essence of pure joy and living your life with purpose. She is an Australian Shepherd, and she loves to herd cats, bunnies, squirrels, willing humans and even penned-up goats who watch her run laps around their pen with mild amusement mixed with a dose of bewilderment. I think the Jacobs could charge admission to watch Colbie launch herself into their pond for a swim. She doesn’t just wade in, rather, she gets a running start and launches herself as far out as possible. She is pure joy.
3. They work hard
Like all people who own their own business, they know it is not a nine-to-five job. Rather, they do whatever it takes, no matter the time of day, to make sure their business stays afloat. Each time I visit Gene and Kimmy Hagar of Hagar Acres in Caldwell, I’m inspired by their dedication to the work it takes to make their business succeed.
4. They love supplying people with products they either produced or processed and, sometimes, both
I’ve noticed there is child-like enthusiasm in the people who offer products they raise and make to others. Much like a child rushing to a parent to show off their latest crayon drawing, the fine people in BQHH love to show you their farm, enjoy their product, shop their store and, by all means, share their story. I could spend all day hanging out with Rick and Ingrid Elam of Elam Lavender Farms near Winfield or Steve and Janie DeWitt of Willow Creek Farms and Pantry in Braman.
5. They love making new connections
They understand the power of community and whether it’s the neighbor next door or the people on the other side of the county or across the border, they love to build those connections. Since one of the principles of the BQHH is community engagement (the other being economic development), they love what we do to connect them to each other and to consumers in the region, as well as across the state and nation. Michelle Ellis of Ellis Island in Belle Plaine understands how important these connections are to her business. Plus, she loves meeting new people.
6. They take pride in their efforts
Lisa and Torry Kilts have a vineyard outside of Oxford, which is one of the most well-manicured vineyards I’ve ever seen. Kilts Farm supplies grapes to Shiloh Vineyard and Winery, southwest of Wakeeney a few miles. They, too, have a great farm dog named Pitch (as in pitch black). Pitch carries an air of wisdom like an old gentleman who dispenses counsel only to the worthy and does not suffer fools.
7. They combine dreaming with doing
Brian and Theresa Lane of Tonkawa Meat Processing dreamed of having their own meat locker and, four years ago, purchased the business, then built an entirely new facility. There’s another processing plant being built on a farm near Braman by Richard Grell. It’s an amazing work, built entirely by Richard and his family, that will fill that need we often see in local food systems—the need for more local meat processors. With my background in construction, I understand how difficult such a task is, and my respect for Richard grew even more after lifted his hat to show me a crescent scar where doctors removed a tumor a few years back. It hasn’t slowed him down.
8. They do it as a family
When I first met Julie Strnad, she understood I would have difficulty knowing how to pronounce her name, so she quickly put me at ease. “It’s pronounced ‘stir-nad,’” she joked. “It’s almost all consonants. Our ancestors were frugal and didn’t want to buy vowels, I guess.” She, along with her husband Troy, and their children, Trey and Sammie, run a fifth-generation family farm near Perth. They provide their meat to Hagar Acres in Caldwell.
The Flying Toad Farm in Oxford is another example. Although Josh and Shayla Wheeler appear to be the face of it, behind them both are parents who are actively involved in helping the business grow. Shayla's parents, Larry and Sharlene Book, and Josh's parents, Byron and Diane Wheeler, make it a family affair.
Another family is David and Amy Bachman of Deer Creek who are farming land that has been in their family for seven generations. That dates back to the days of the Oklahoma Land Rush.
9. They are wise stewards of the land
Brad and Jill Kuehny, along with their children Ross, Dillan and Brooke, own Native Grass Beef, which is near Medford, but you can purchase their meat from Brooke’s store in Caldwell – What in Carnation. When I toured their farm in Oklahoma, Brad pointed out across the pasture and said that that native grass is the same grass that bison dined upon for hundreds of years. Steve and Janie DeWitt of Willow Creek Farms and Pantry near Braman are another example of family succession and sustainability. They raise turkey red wheat brought over by their ancestors, then mill it into stone ground flour and pancake mixes.
10. They need our help telling others about their products or services
I often ask what we can do to help them, and the answer is always the same: help us get the word out about our products. You can help with that by sharing this article, going to their Facebook or Instagram page and following it, going to their website and signing up for their newsletter, and begin purchasing from them. You will soon fall in love with them like I have.