Happy Birthday Kansas!

Today is Kansas's 151st Birthday. Entered the Union Jan 29, 1861

Get to know us a little more
State Symbols
flower:sunflower (1903)
tree:cottonwood (1937)
bird:western meadowlark (1937)
animal:buffalo (1955)
song:“Home on the Range” (1947)

Motto: Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulties)

Name Origin: From a Sioux word meaning “people of the south wind”

A little History:
"Spanish explorer Francisco de Coronado, in 1541, is considered the first European to have traveled this region. Sieur de la Salle's extensive land claims for France (1682) included present-day Kansas. Ceded to Spain by France in 1763, the territory reverted to France in 1800 and was sold to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Lewis and Clark, Zebulon Pike, and Stephen H. Long explored the region between 1803 and 1819. The first permanent white settlements in Kansas were outposts—Fort Leavenworth (1827), Fort Scott (1842), and Fort Riley (1853)—established to protect travelers along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails.
Just before the Civil War, the conflict between the pro- and anti-slavery forces earned the region the grim title of Bleeding Kansas."

Fun Facts: Here


*Happy Birthday to my best friend Abby too, thank goodness she shares her birthday with Kansas or I might never remember :)

K&M Bar-B-Q

K&M Bar-B-Q is wonderful. I first had it at the American Agri-Women convention where they donated bottles as part of the centerpieces that became doorprizes. They have other varieties, what I tried was the above, Original. This has now become a family favorite, that we have on hand at all times.

Why I like it: Its tangy, with the right amount of sweet & spicy.

Location: Spring Hill, KS

History: "Family-Owned and operated, K & M Bar-B-Q has been serving great BBQ for over 20 years. What started as a hobby for Ken & Michelle serving BBQ sandwiches at fairs and festivals in a four county area grew to become a full service BBQ restaurant and catering company that has been located in Spring Hill, Kansas for 18 years."

Future Sampling: I hope to try the White BBQ Sauce

Honey in Hillsboro

This is kinda a review of 2 in 1. Check out Golden Heritage Foods and Milk & Honey B&B
Two years ago Kansas Agri-Women had their August meeting at the Milk & Honey B&B. It is a wonderful facility for a retreat, family reunion, or just a fun weekend away.
This is where we learned that they too make honey. I had seen the brand Busy Bee and our family had used it before. Little did I know it was Kansas made!
Please go to their website, they have great facts and info on the honey, bee keeping, processing, and more.

Location: Hillsboro
Contact: 120 Santa Fe Street
Hillsboro, KS 67063
Phone: 620-947-3173
History:" Do honey bees fascinate you? That captivation drove Esra Barkman to jump a train from Kansas to Oregon in the 1920's to work and learn in Bee Apiaries there. Esra eventually returned to Hillsboro, Kansas where he established a family tradition of beekeeping that now spans three generations. Esra began selling his honey during WWII when sugar was rationed, soon partnering with his son Richard in the late 1950's, to establish a migratory beekeeping operation. With increased production, Barkman Honey Company, a processing and packaging operation, was born in 1960 with a brand, BUSY BEE." 

"In 2004, Barkman Honey became Golden Heritage Foods, LLC., with a continued commitment to preserving the integrity and future of the industry from blossom to bottle and delivering trusted products throughout the U.S and abroad"

Why I like it: -It tastes good. I had the "plain" clover honey-yummy.
-The use bee honey that is from the US and local beekeepers.
-Family Owned
Products: They carry Agave, Molasses, and More

Whipped Honey might be my favorite, so I'm hoping to try theirs next.

Holmes Made Salsa-

My new favorite salsa....... Holmes-Made! Why do I love it so much? Well, it tastes really fresh-like eating a whole tomato.

Bargain: If you mention this blog when you order you get your second item 1/2 off!!!!!
Location:Wichita

History: "Holmes-made salsa is an extension of Holmes Produce, our family produce business established in 1924 by Ollie Holmes (grandpa) This Wichita tradition continued with his two sons Wendell and Bruce who supplied many of the local grocers with the freshest fruits and vegetables available. Bruce and his daughter (Tricia) created a summer tradition making salsa from garden fresh produce. Tricia continued this tradition by making salsa for family, friends, and co-workers. When the requests to replenish salsa kept flowing in, she realized the plan God had put in place for her, and accepted it graciously. Tricia started selling Holmes-Made Salsa downtown at the Farmers Market, on the very same corner that her grandpa Ollie use to sell produce. With the help of family and friends, the salsa business has expanded"

Products: They have a variety of salsas as well as jams.I bought some Raspberry Jalapeno and some Cowboy Candy. I can't wait to try them out..

The salsa that I had was Medium Garden. As I stated. It tastes like fresh home made salsa with the convenience of being canned. I could eat a whole jar myself..

I had help finishing this jar!

AND they have chips!

***Another supporter of Kansas Agri-Women

Raise your Glass to the New Year......... High Noon Saloon

This evening if you are planning on having an alcoholic beverage besides champagne. I suggest a brew from High Noon Saloon.  I'm not much of the drinker, but this Kansas Made product gets my approval, for what its worth.  High Noon Saloon donated Annie's Ale to the American Agri-Women convention. The cans were super cute.

ANNIE’S AMBER ALE2011 (Twice) & 2009 SILVER Medal,
2004 BRONZE Medal,
World Beer Championship, Chicago, IL.
The first beer produced here, and it’s still a favorite! A smooth, malty amber taste highlighted with caramel notes and just the right amount of hops. Alcohol by volume: 5.5% Now available in 12oz cans on premises and in KS liquor stores: Kansas City metro, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Lansing, Topeka.    

Why I like it: They are a micro-brewery, Historical, it's Kansas made. It has a western feel to it, with names such as Rough Rider Pale Ale, Stampede Stout,and Lewis & Clark Lager. Check out their complete listing here.

History:  Leavenworth KS was the site of 10 German breweries
and 69 saloons at the turn of the 20th century

Another plus is they have a restaurant. I ate there this past summer and recommend it. The food was good, but the atmosphere in the old historic building was great!

PTs Coffee

Thanks to PTs for providing the coffee for the hospitality room at the American Agri-Women Convention! They have a roasting co location and a retail location. I can't wait to stop in and get an iced coffee.

Location: Topeka, KS.

History:PT's Coffee Roasting Co. began in 1993 as a single coffee shop in Topeka, Kansas. An intense passion for coffee led us to start roasting coffee in 1997. We now roast over 100 tons of premium specialty coffee annually for wholesale clients and operate 1 retail location in Topeka.


Farm Girl- How can this blend not be my favorite?!   I'm not a professional taster of coffee so I don't really know what to say. I just like it plain and simple. Its Kansas Made and has a great blend called Farm Girl...Just go buy some :)  No really, it smelled great and wasn't over powering in flavor.

Direct from PTs; "Here's our offer of sunshine and warm, Midwestern hospitality: a serene morning coffee that's sweet and soft, clean, refreshingly mild with a juicy sweetness. The cup features a light vanilla and caramel note, rounding out with a syrupy finish."

Great way to start your morning! Check out the other Kansas named coffees too.