Locally grown

I was lucky enough to get out onto some of the back roads of Michigan yesterday on what turned into a beautiful warm spring day. I visited Michelle and Danny Lutz of Maple Creek Farms in Yale. They run an organic farm that provides for up to 700 families every year through their CSA program. I'm writing an article about them for edibleWOW, so you can read more about that later.

On my way back I stopped at the Westwind Milling Company in Linden, MI. They grow their own grains organically and process it into flour in a mill built in 1836 — pretty spectacular. The mill holds their bakery and shop that offers other locally produced foods. I had been wanting to get up there for months and am so glad I did. It really is like an old-time general store. I enjoyed a great conversation with Lee Purdy, the owner and Brenda Payne who works there. I couldn't resist the flours and walked away with all sorts to try out: whole wheat, dark rye, barley, multi-grain, as well as some Michigan honey. Check it out if you're in the area. And stay posted for bread-making updates!