Food and Swine: A FarmHer's Love for Family, Ag and Food

(FarmHer)

Cristen Clark is a FarmHer to be admired. If you’ve ever stumbled across her blog, Food and Swine, you know she loves her family, agriculture and food.

Tucked in the rolling hills of southern Iowa, Cristen, her husband and two children have a commercial pig operation as well as raise show pigs. Specializing in Duroc, Yorkshire and Hampshire genetics, Cristen enjoys caring for their show pig stock.

Cristen Clark carrying feed bags
There's no better life than life on the farm, according to FarmHer Cristen Clark. Photo provided by FarmHer.

Cristen and her sister, Tanna, work with their father, who lives a quick drive down the road, during harvest each year. They each run a grain cart, a family tradition that started when Cristen and Tanna were old enough to drive. While harvest is a busy time of year, it is easy to see why these three love working together as a family.

When Cristen isn’t busy on the farm, she enjoys baking — she makes even the most seasoned bakers look like a novice. She has perfected recipes for her family and her blog, won cooking contests around the country and even has her own cookbook.

Cristen Clark Pear Pie
Cristen's famous pear pie. Photo provided by FarmHer.

One of her favorite sweets to share is pear pie. Cristen effortlessly works her magic into a pie like the pro. Her love of baking, something she finds soothing, has been handed down through her family.
In her kitchen, Cristen’s pantry is lined with delicious ingredients ready to make just about any masterpiece. One thing you learn quickly about Cristen is butter is always the answer. Real butter. 

As the sun sets each day, Cristen enjoys bringing her family together to share a meal — with a pear pie for dessert.

From the outside looking in, Cristen's blog is only part of her story. Her story is written with a deep love of family, a desire to nurture and provide for them, a drive to succeed in farming and in life and to share that love with others through a sincere connection to her community. Her story is one of a FarmHer.

Farm Journal is partnering with FarmHer to bring you stories about strong, smart and capable women who love the land, care for communities and feed the people. Meet other FarmHers here

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