Warning: this video contains graphic images that may not be suitable for children or the squeamish.
Duskwind Farm is a very special place. A farm where chickens and cows, donkeys, sheep, guinea fowl and dogs live in blissful harmony: or at least that’s my memory of it. Mirra and I went to Duskwind (in the heart of Meth country – Pine City, Minnesota) for a weekend. Jennifer Peterson had written to me a passionate e-mail about her farm, and I had decided to investigate. Only an hours drive from the city we discovered something special in the heart of this little town. Along with delicious raw milk, crock pot pork (from recently slaughtered pigs) and the zoo like quantity of animals… we found friends.
Creating The Perennial Plate has been good for making friends, but the folks from Duskwind Farm have been there since the first episodes. There is something about the farming lifestyle that changes the way people give. So much more is up in the air when you farm, you realize that you aren’t in control and so somehow it makes you more generous. At least that is the case with Jen and Chuck Peterson. They recently had to leave this lovely farm they called home, and are looking to be farming again this summer. But their times of difficulty (and their recent addition of little baby Elan) hasn’t stopped them from giving us jars and jars of tomatoes, a freezer full of meat, the beer at our recent fundraiser and hours spent finding story ideas for our road trip.
This video is about the aformentioned lovely family. It’s one of my favorite episodes over the last year. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and find it in you to embrace life, friendship and generosity as much as this farm family.
After learning to cook at his mother’s bed and breakfast, Daniel Klein (The Perennial Plate) went on to work and train at many of the world’s top restaurants. His culinary education brought him to Spain, France, England, India and New York, where he has worked and trained at top Michelin starred restaurants. After graduating from NYU, Daniel also pursued a career in film.