Elizabeth Eisloeffel
My blogs
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Location | Belleville, Illinois, United States |
| Introduction | Yeah, that's me in the middle of a busy spring day planting the garden. My great-great grandfather bought this farm in 1863 and each successive generation made their living farming these acres. Those facts, according to the state of Illinois, qualify the land as a centennial farm. I grew up on this farm. Slopping the hogs, gathering the eggs, and helping Mom in the kitchen and garden were familiar chores. When I landed a scholarship to Washington University in St. Louis I happily traded my work boots for paint splattered sneakers and got a degree in Fine Art. I moved to New York City and eked out a living for a few years. When my Dad had a stroke that ultimately ended his life I moved back to the farm. I took on the role of farm steward for my generation. Fortunately I found a savvy local farmer to plant and harvest the acres of grain that are grown commercially. I then spent a few years working as a baker in local restaurants drawing on skills I learned from Mom, who is also a farmer's daughter, and the French Culinary Institute in NYC. Now I concentrate my efforts on growing the kitchen garden and preparing it's bounty. |