Ten Acres of Texas Tenacity
Purpose, risk, and rhythm. Kim Standley’s small farm operation is ten acres of tenacity. Echoing generations of our agrarian Texas grandparents, Kim continues and somewhat revives the tradition of Texas farming with a few modern conveniences. I went to visit the “Heavy Metal Homesteader” to learn about her farm and make some delicious food.
Texas Homesteading
Our Texas roots run deep on the family farm – sustenance from the earth was a way of life supporting families’ food needs and providing a necessary income.
In 2021 the USDA Economic Research Department estimated that 89% of all farms were small family farms and guess which state boasted the most – Texas, ranking first in cattle, sheep, goat, and cotton sales.
Just the term, “family farm” signals stubborn independence and self-reliance.
So, how did Kim begin her journey to food chain independence? “My husband wanted some acreage and so we found this spot in Santa Clara, Texas. Then he asked me if I wanted a chicken – and that led to another chicken, and another….. then we added goats to breed, a cow (Lola)and steer, bees, and a substantial 38’ by 42’ garden.”
Kim is committed to sustenance. Case in point: when she raised and butchered her own steer, she asked for the tallow from the butcher to create her handmade soap. She also asks for the bones so she could create her own bone broth (great for joints!). She takes it a step further and reduces those bones to ashes to be spread on her garden for their essential elements. “Never throw anything away!” is Kim’s mantra!
Pressure canning is also an important aspect of preserving her bounty. I was the culinary beneficiary of her amazing canned dill pickles. She used them in her deviled eggs that accompanied the braised short ribs she prepared from her lovingly raised beef.
“It is a lot of hard work to take care of these animals, but they fill my soul. You have to go into it (farming) with your eyes open – there are always projects that need to be done on a farm.”
In the Kitchen
When I arrived at Kim’s busy kitchen – she had tallow cooking for her soaps and she shared a few beautiful bars with me. You can find Kim and her soaps at the Cibolo Grange Farmers Market and find out more on her website: www.theheavymetalhomesteader.com
We immediately set to work slicing homegrown carrots and onions for the braised short ribs while she shared the skinny on the joys and tears of farming. One thing she is most adamant about is eating what is in season. So her cooking revolves around the bounty of her garden. (See Braised Short Ribs recipe below).
After prepping the ribs for a 2 ½ hour stint in the oven, we set to work on the deviled eggs. Eggs from her chickens, pickles from her garden and a homemade mayonnaise to boot!
Pouring all the ingredients for the mayonnaise into a mason jar and using an immersion blender to mix it all together makes for an easy preparation. . And your mayonnaise is already in a jar!
Now for the highlight of my time with Kim: holding two of the triplet baby goats born a few hours earlier! That was the joy that warms your heart and makes all the hours of hard work worth every minute!
Braised Short Ribs
Falls apart on your plate!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
- 8 Whole beef short ribs
- dash kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 lb bacon
- 2 tbsp evoo
- 1 med onion diced
- 3 large carrots diced
- 1/2 bottle red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 sprigs, ea thyme and rosemary
Salt and pepper ribs. Coat in flour.
In a large ovenproof dutch oven, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from grease.
Add EVOO to grease. Turn heat to high. Add ribs and brown on all sides - about 45 seconds per side. Remove ribs.
Turn heat to medium. Add onions and carrots. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour in wine. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes
Add broth, salt and pepper. Taste and add more seasonings if desired. Add ribs, thyme, and rosemary sprigs. Cover and place in a 350 oven for 2 hours. Reduce heat to 325 and coo for an additional 30 - 45 minutes. Let sit for about 30 minutes before serving.
Keyword Short Ribs, Braised, Pot short ribs
