Nicole Yoder Sets the Facts Straight
This week I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the 4th annual Executive Women in Agriculture (#EWA14) business seminar, which is designed for any farm woman interested in honing her business skills. Each year I look forward to this two-day seminar in Chicago because it provides opportunities to meet interesting female leaders from the U.S.
Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you fellow Iowan Nicole Yoder, who puts her Agricultural Communications degree to good use by blogging at Farm Girl Facts of Life. She also works fulltime in marketing for Firestone Agricultural Tires. In addition, Nicole and her husband run a farrow-to-finish hog operation and raise crops.
Nicole says she started blogging in 2013 because she saw gap in today’s society between where food comes from (the farm) and where it ends up (our mouths). Many people try to tell farmers’ stories without even talking to a farmer. Others, like the singer Cher, try to tell farmers how to do their jobs.
“I strive to bridge the gap between today’s modern farmers and consumers by telling the truth about today’s practices and being transparent,” says Nicole. “It has been a good fit for me being I grew up on a hog and crop farm, and married into the same thing.”
By blogging, Nicole hopes her readers will gain a better understanding about modern day pork production (#RealPigFarming). She writes about what’s happening on their farm, addresses controversial ag topics, as well as shares some recipes and her faith.
Honestly, I appreciate Nicole’s straightforward approach to answering consumers’ questions. I admire the way she advocates for agriculture. I also respect her willingness to share her beliefs and convictions. So if you’re not already following her, I hope you’ll start! She’s on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Why?
“I want people to know farmers are doing the best they can to provide a safe and wholesome product,” adds Nicole. “My husband and I eat the pork that we raise, so it’s in our best interest to provide a quality product for our family, as well as for consumers.”
To help promote the quality #pork her family raises, today Nicole is sharing with us one her favorite recipes for Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup.
Cheesy Ham & Potato Soup
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 pieces of bacon
- 5 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups milk (I used whole, but any kind will do)
- 3 large russet potatoes
- 2 heaping Tbsp sour cream
- 1 cup cubed ham
- 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup colby jack cheese
- 3 Tbsp green onion
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
Directions:
- Brown the bacon and set aside on a plate with a paper towel to drain the grease.
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large pot. (I use a RockCrock from Pampered Chef).
- Add flour to melted butter and wisk together until a light brown.
- Slowly wisk in milk and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in diced potatoes and 2 Tbsp. of green onion. Bring to a boil.
- After it boils let it simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender, then add in your ham.
- Add in your cheese and sour cream.
- Salt and pepper to taste, you won’t need a lot of salt due to the cheese.
- Cut or crumble bacon to add on top of the soup.
- Serve in a big bowl with mild cheddar cheese, remaining green onions and bacon sprinkled on top.
