cooking without fear
If anyone’s wondering why Michael has been MIA from He Cooks, She Cooks lately, it’s because he’s roadtripping with a few friends from Chicago to LA. Hopefully he’ll have some food stories when he returns.
In the meantime, here is Michael’s final photo essay about Missouri farmers. The images have audio if you want to know a little more about the people supplying meat, eggs, vegetables and honey to homes and restaurants around mid-Missouri.
Rob and Angela, while still new to the farming scene, have built quite a reputation for themselves. Growing vegetables mostly, with some poultry too, they provide CSA shares as well as supply restaurants like Sycamore with ingredients. They live just south of Columbia, on some really old land. They’ve implemented these Haygrove tunnels, that allow them to extend their season with the sheltering and refraction properties of the plastic shell. I had a hard time not taking the picture in their awesome old barn, even though it had nothing to do with their business, haha.
Mark, the manager of the place, and Austin, the grandson of Harry (who owns the farm), pose for me here. Harry was busy fixing up a tractor, and these two seemed more than happy to be in the photo. After rounding up the buffalo with some feed and the big red pickup they seemed to love, I started shooting. I think I like this one best. The 1000+ acre farm is out by Kingdom City.
Jacques Laboile, originally from France, keeps bees all over Columbia (these were just in his backyard). He prides himself on subtle flavors other than clover honey. Besides making honey, he also is the Executive Chef of Boone County National Bank, and all around awesome guy. Strike up a conversation with him next time you see him at the farmers market.
Located in Salisbury, MO Mark and Susie have been trying to raise cattle like his grandfather did 100 years ago. The cattle are combination grass and grain fed, and they have well over 1000 acres for the cattle to graze and roam on. Good mission, great beef. I’m going to be making tacos de lengua this weekend (tongue!) and eating the smoked brisket soon too.
Dan & Joanne Nelson run a pretty busy farm up in Moberly, MO. Known for their heirloom tomatoes (more than 50 varieties!), they also grow a plethora of produce and berries, keep a few hogs, chickens and turkeys. They run a country store, and consider themselves the largest CSA (community supported agriculture) in the area. They’re in the process of building a professional kitchen to promote Joanne’s baking. Their products are often found at the three farmer’s markets nearby.