Community Conversation #4 will be at the Louisburg Library, District 1. Coffee will be on, and I'll have pastries and a few breakfast treats to share. Drop by any time from 9:30 - 11:00 am.
If you've ever been curious about brewing beer, making wine or mead, baking sourdough, fermenting vegetables, crafting kombucha, making yogurt or cheese, or exploring any of the countless traditions of fermentation, I'd love to meet you.
I'm starting the Heartland Fermenters Guild because I believe fermentation is about much more than food and drink. It's about learning practical skills, becoming a little more self-reliant, making things with our own hands, and building community around knowledge that's been passed from one generation to the next.
Every loaf of bread we bake, every jar of sauerkraut we ferment, every bottle of cider or mead we make is one more thing we created ourselves instead of buying off a shelf. It's not just about saving money—although it certainly can. It's about understanding where our food comes from, developing useful skills, and sharing what we learn with others.
Whether you're an experienced home brewer, a gardener with too many tomatoes, a beekeeper interested in mead, someone who keeps a sourdough starter alive, or simply a person who enjoys making things and learning new skills, there's a place for you here.
Over the next several weeks, I'll be hosting four Community Conversations across the region:
- Aug 15: Harrisonville, Missouri
- Aug 22: Paola, Kansas
- Aug 29: Belton, Missouri
- Sep 5: Louisburg, Kansas
The goal is to meet people where they are, hear from as many future Guild members as possible, and gather ideas from across both Cass and Miami counties.
After these four conversations, we'll use what we've learned to decide on a regular monthly meeting location, meeting time, and the kinds of topics and activities that members are most excited to explore.
- What kinds of fermentation interest you?
- What would you like to learn?
- What skills would you be willing to share?
- When would monthly meetings work best?
- Where should we meet?
- What would make this a community worth coming back to every month?
My hope is that this Guild grows into a place where neighbors teach neighbors, beginners feel welcome, experienced makers find kindred spirits, and traditional skills continue to thrive in our corner of the Heartland.
Whether you come with years of experience or just curiosity, I'd be delighted to have you join the conversation.
Heartland Fermenters Guild
Preserving Culture Since 2026
Learn. Share. Preserve.
