On June 23, I had the opportunity to visit the Moreland Elevator in Braman, Okla., and spend time with owners Matt and Lisa Moreland. What I expected to find was a grain elevator. What I discovered instead was a family business built on trust, innovation, hard work, and a shared vision for the future of agriculture.
On June 10, I had the opportunity to spend part of the wheat harvest with the Wencel family and ride in the combine with 82-year-old Wayne Wencel. As golden wheat disappeared beneath the header and grain poured steadily into the hopper, it became clear that this harvest was about much more than wheat. It was about family, heritage, resilience, and a lifetime spent caring for the same land.
For Wayne Wencel, farming has never been just a way to make a living. It is simply who he is.
On June 17, I had the opportunity to visit with Kent and Becky Evatt at Red Bird Farm in Enid, Okla.
At first glance, The Butcher and the Baker on Lake Road in Ponca City looks like a neighborhood grocery store. Step inside, however, and you'll quickly discover it's much more than that. It's a gathering place, a showcase for local producers, and the realization of a dream that began years ago for Zack and Keleigh Kight.
Located at 2309 Lake Road, The Butcher and the Baker is built on a simple philosophy: support local farmers, provide quality food, and strengthen the community one relationship at a time.
On June 10, in the thick of wheat harvest, I had the opportunity to ride in the combine with my nephew, Dillan Kuehny. It had been quite a while since I had been inside a combine, and I was amazed at how much the technology has changed.
Join us for a fun-filled morning of mixing, kneading, stretching, and baking as we learn how to make pizza from scratch!
Hosted by Border Queen Harvest Hub
Instructor: Jen Kern
A huge thank you to the little bakers who joined me today to make cinnamon swirl quick bread! These little cuties each created four mini loaves to take home and share with their families. The pictures truly say more than words!
Today we learned:
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the Werner Creek Farms event on Sunday, May 24th at the Werner farm in Winfield. My sister and I got tickets and really had no idea what to expect — except that they would be serving some of our favorite things!
It was a beautiful evening with fabulous music from Makayla Brownlee, Ladybird Brewery beer, and homemade pizza fresh out of the outdoor pizza oven. I even ran into an old friend there, and we enjoyed the atmosphere, conversation, and incredible food together.
As part of my work with the Border Queen Harvest Hub (BQHH), I’ve had the opportunity to visit some incredible places that embody the heart of locally grown food. Each one has what I call the “secret sauce” with owners who are truly passionate about what they do.