WIN013 – Changing the industry one farm at a time with Kate Stillman

​Image courtesy of Kate Stillman

​​I met Kate Stillman several years ago at my farmer’s market. Once I learned about her work, I became a customer. In 2013 I invited her to speak to my students in a Sustainability and Food course, and she came back several times since.

I am still a satisfied customer who understands her work better (with all the pluses and minuses). It is often said that we vote with our wallets. I am a believer in this. As a result I chose to support Kate and her farm, and local farming as an industry.

Kate ​grew up in the business of farming – helping on her parents vegetable and her grandparents dairy farms.  She learned early to embrace her farming roots and hone her skills as an entrepreneur, caretaker, manager, vet, sales person – even undertaker – she has managed to leave no stone unturned.

Kate attended the University of Massachusetts. Today she farms her two properties with her sons ​(although they have a little ways to go before they approach helpful!).

Kate is an industry leader, who has successfully brought Stillman’s at the Turkey Farm to Stillman Quality Meats – developing an extensive CSA network​ and a vibrant farmers market system.

​KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1.

​What are Kate’s roots and journey as a farmer

​2.

How to understand the cost of local food, why are you paying more and why it is worth it ​

​3.

​What are CSA’s (community supported agriculture), memberships, and other farming models

​4.

​​How do regulations and laws guide this industry 

​5.

​How should ​meat eaters respect the animals, and take responsibility for eating meat

​CONTACTING OUR GUEST:

​WEB RESOURCES:

​​”Our agricultural roots run deep.  It is our commitment to those roots that allows our farm to strike a balance between old traditions and newer and sustainable practices.” 

​Kate Stillman

​BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

This episode is brought to you by ​Pure Indian Foods.

Pure Indian Foods is ​a company created by the 5th generation ghee makers.  To learn more about the products and the company’s philosophy, please listen to my interview with Sandeep Agarwal

Ghee is a healthy, shelf-stable alternative to butter or other cooking oils. Since it has a high smoke point, ghee is one of the best fats you can try for baking and high heat cooking. 

The product I usually have on hand in my kitchen is this 100% organic grass-fed ghee.​ 

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