Folks who know me well know that it has been tough for me to keep a lid on all of the fun new projects we have on tap for this year. We’ve been working on some of them for quite a while, and now we can finally talk about them.
You asked for it, and we listened! It turns out that for many of you, receiving GRIT magazine in your mailbox once every other month is simply not enough. Managing Editor Caleb Regan felt so strongly about this that he researched, proposed and lead the implementation of an entirely new GRIT Country, a digital issue now available by subscription. GRIT Country brings more of that GRIT-ty content to your computer, tablet and/or phone in the months between print editions — in a printable PDF format that’s easy to download. That way, you can get your fix every month. To check it out, visit GRIT Country.
It’s been really tough to keep quiet about a cookbook project we’ve been working on for a couple of years now, but it’s finally here! Lard: The Lost Art of Cooking With Your Grandmother’s Secret Ingredient celebrates one of the tastiest and historically important animal fats with 150 recipes that are as mouthwatering as they are authentic. It’s time to retake the kitchen and create dishes and desserts that are both old-world and out-of-this-world. And if you can’t find any high-quality artisan lard, we even show you how to render your own — the easy way. Oh, and — before you say it — lard that hasn’t been chemically modified is every bit as healthful — in moderation — as more familiar fats like butter. Check it out on our shopping site or at a bookstore near you.
And finally, about a year ago, we began discussions with our partner, Tractor Supply Co., about a television concept. I am proud to say that we are on our way! Tough GRIT: America’s Rural Challenge is a television show in which real folks compete with one another on various challenges, like felling and limbing a tree, installing a two-post horizontal fence brace, and so on. Our own Caleb Regan co-hosts the show with comedian Shannon Reilly, and I am the GRIT team’s “expert” coach. Managers from various Tractor Supply outlets from around the country will coach the other team. We shot our first episode back in March, and 26 episodes will begin airing in September. I can’t tell you exactly where to find the show yet. All I can say is it will be on one of your favorite cable networks. Check GRIT’s website for updates, or visit the show’s Facebook page.
Whether you live in town or on 1,000 acres, we’d love to know about the new projects you’re working on this season. Send us a short letter (editor@grit.com) and a photo or two if you can, and we just might publish them in the magazine or on our GRIT website.
See you in July,
Hank
Hank Will raises hair sheep, heritage cattle and many varieties of open-pollinated corn with his wife, Karen, on their rural Osage County, Kansas farm. His home life is a perfect complement to his professional life as editor in chief at GRIT and Capper’s Farmer magazines. Connect with him on Google+.