Rural Lifestyle
#KeepItRural
The Tennessee State Fair features a variety of attractions, including rides, tasty foods, and dozens of agricultural competitions to enter and win. But what goes into picking achievements in each category?
Justin Wilson’s Seven Steaks Étouffée is a slow-simmered Cajun beef stew made with 7-bone chuck steak. It’s perfect served over rice (or Étouffée) for a rich, comforting meal.
This Justin Wilson recipe is classic comfort food with bold Louisiana flavor: Southern-style baked pork chops layered over spicy Cajun dressing fortified with wine, hot sauce, and a splash of steak sauce.
Justin Wilson’s unexpected cobbler recipe features juicy blueberries, a splash of brandy, and a tender crust with subtle nuttiness thanks to a bit of peanut butter melted into the batter.
A bold and earthy Cajun side dish made with tender okra simmered in homemade mushroom stock, tomatoes, and white wine, and then mixed with mushrooms and sweet crawfish tails for rich Louisiana flavor.
Justin Wilson’s Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Cheese is a simple, Southern-style casserole baked until golden and bubbling for the perfect comfort food side dish.
This isn’t your average baked macaroni. Justin Wilson’s Macaroni, Sausage, and Pecan Casserole brings together comfort and creativity in one unforgettable dish.
Justin Wilson’s Hominy and Chili Casserole is a hearty, flavor-packed dish that combines canned ingredients for a comforting Cajun twist.
Liam Wade, a North Pole High School senior and the 2025-2026 Alaska FFA State Vice President, isn’t just dreaming about farming in one of the country’s most extreme environments — he’s doing it.
These produce staples last longer and are incredibly versatile, whether cooking from scratch, planning meals, or building a more budget-friendly kitchen routine. These are six fruits and vegetables that stay fresh for weeks.
Dis is a delightful dish. You can serve it by itself or with a good gravy or gumbo. It is so easy to fix, I garontee!
Dis rice isn’t that wild, no, but it is a delicious rice!
A rich, old-fashioned bread pudding made with brandy, raisins, and vanilla—baked until golden and full of warm Southern flavor, just like Justin liked it!
America is #StillFarming
Regional differences indicate that family ownership is universal, but farm structure and commodity mix determine the extent to which these operations drive agricultural output.
USDA data confirms that U.S. agriculture remains overwhelmingly family-run despite structural shifts in scale and production, according to a new analystis by Farm Flavor.
Farmers display a unique optimism — planting with the expectation that weather, basis, and prices will improve by harvest — asserting that the profession is an identity, not just a job.
Explore 4-H
Reed Marcum started hosting a toy drive in 2015. Since then, he has distributed thousands of toys across his home state of Oklahoma and in Texas and Arkansas. Now serving in the Army, Reed’s family and local 4-H chapter are running the event.
Outdoor Activities & Sports
Hughes shares how he’s preparing for the competition, his partnership with Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Mark Davis, and his journey from cattle ranching to professional bass fishing.
Cottage cheese sales are on the rise across the U.S., and industry leaders believe interest on social media is contributing to the surge in consumer demand.
