After a couple very long weeks of work and long days at the office, I’m taking a much-needed day off. Well, sort of. I just have a little work to do. Then errands. Then painting. Then back-to-school shopping.
But I know I’m getting a respite because I’ve had a chance to start catching up on the stack of Farm World newspapers piling up so high I was debating whether to just skip reading them and toss them in the recycle bin.
I’m glad I didn’t. The pages are always full of good information about the Midwest ag business. Plus there was a nice tidbit in the Aug. 3 edition about a really good project at the Indiana State Fair.
They’re calling it a Farmers’ Recipe Trail. Fair goers can grab a map and make their way to each of 12 farmers listed to collect recipe cards. The cards have signature family farm recipes, plus a little story about each one and of the farm where the recipe orginated.
I just love this idea.
Each plate of food we eat is packed with a backstory. The hands-on labor of growing and cultivating the vegetables. The production from farm-to-market-to-table. And, of course, the creativity of the farm chefs, who are always looking for a fresh take, fresh flavor combination featuring the bounty before them.
Signature dishes come with years of practice. And, as they are consumed and shared with the generations, they are loaded with memories.
When I close my eyes and think about them, I can actually taste my grandmother’s strawberry rhubarb pie, date pudding and golden mashed potatoes & carrots.
Participate in this year’s recipe trail – the fair’s 2nd annual – from Aug. 5-21 at the State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Virtual Farmgirl 