Friday's Favorite Farm Recipe

This week's recipe contributor is my neighbor Jody.  Jody and her husband Chris are hog farmers.  Jody is unique among my farm wife friends as she grew up and worked in the city before marrying Chris.  A friend convinced Jody to go on a blind date with a farmer named Chris.  She was a little skeptical and had some preconceived notions of what a farmer on a date might look like, however, Jody was pleasantly surprised and shortly after Chris and Jody were married. 

One thing that Jody learned about farming once she was married is that farming is a business.  She had always heard that farming is a way of life.  However, Jody says that farming is first and foremost a business.  "Just like any other business, in farming you have to do financial reports, payroll, projections, hedges, receivables and payables."   While you won't find Jody in the hog buildings you will find her in the farm office going over records and reports with her mother in-law Pat.  Jody's background is in business and she was able to walk right into the business side of their farming operation. 

Jody with one of her young farmers and Ace.

Jody and Chris are the parents of four active kids - two girls and two boys.  They have the best of both worlds.  Don't just assume that the boys will be part of Chris and Jody's farm succession years from now.  Rumor has it that one of their daughters loves being in the hog barns working with Dad. 

Jody loves to spot light their pork any time she can.  I can tell you from first hand experience that these Italian pork sandwiches are wonderful.

Italian Pork Sandwiches

5 lb pork roast

3 cups beef broth

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp garlic powder

1 bay leaf

2 packets Italian dressing seasoning

Onions

Peppers

Combine broth and all seasonings.  Bring to a boil.  Add mixture to roast in a crock pot.  Cook for 10 to 12 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.  Shred pork.  Add back to crock pot adding peppers and onions.  Cook for an additional hour.  Serve on toasted or crusty rolls with pepperjack cheese or mozzarella.   **Great reheated**

I do have to share one Jody story that still makes me giggle.  One day shortly after Jody and Chris were married we were experiencing some nasty weather.  There were severe thunderstorms warnings and tornado watches out for the area.  Chris was leaving the farm and told Jody to watch the weather.  Jody told Chris not to worry - if the tornado sirens went off she would go to the basement.  That is when Chris informed Jody that there aren't tornado sirens in the country!  Jody had a weather scanner radio shortly after that.

Thank you Jody for sharing your recipe and incite.