Border Queen Harvest Hub

The Border Queen Commercial Kitchen hosted its very first cooking class on Sunday, December 14, from 1:00–3:00 p.m., marking an ex

Tucked away in the quiet community of Rock, Kansas, Annie’s Country Store is more than a place to shop—it’s a heartfelt expression of family, heritage, and the simple joys of rural life.

I recently wrote a piece celebrating the Schmidt family, who have worked the same piece of land since the 1800s—a testament to endurance, stewardship, and the deep roots that bind us to the places we call home. Their story is more than a family history; it’s a reminder of how our fields, barns, and backroads carry generations of memories, lessons, and labor.

Dear farmers and ranchers,

We drive past golden wheat fields in June and hum about America the beautiful and amber waves of grain. We crank up Kenny Chesney and sing “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” though most of us wouldn’t have a clue how to turn one on and use whatever implements you pull behind it. And we believe the Ram truck Super Bowl commercial with Paul Harvey’s “On the Eighth Day God Made a Farmer” is still the best commercial, ever.

Meal Prep Course – Just in Time for the Holidays!
Join us for a fun, hands-on class where you’ll prepare two delicious meals (each serves 8) to take home and freeze. Perfect for those busy evenings when family is visiting and you don’t want to cook from scratch!

Red Wine Lasagna & Enchiladas

March 28 • 1:00–4:00 PM

I’ve been involved in various efforts to feed hungry people for more than 20 years, 
both here in America and abroad. As you can imagine, I’ve seen it all — from great
organizations providing life-saving meals to corrupt governments weaponizing hunger
against their own people.

Once, when I returned from the world’s largest refugee camp near the Somalia
border, I fell into a state of depression at the enormity of the problem. I couldn’t do
enough.

Celebrate the warmth of the season at the BQHH with a hands-on holiday experience that brings together nostalgia, family, and the art of tradition. In this class, you’ll learn how to mill wheat into fresh flour using heritage techniques.

The Border Queen Harvest Hub (BQHH) in Caldwell has been recognized as one of the 2025 Huck Boyd Leaders of the Year in the category of Business Development by the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development. This prestigious award celebrates BQHH’s innovative efforts to strengthen local food systems and support rural entrepreneurship.

Led by Executive Director Dr. Jen Kern, the BQHH was created to connect local growers with consumers, promoting access to fresh, locally sourced foods.