Our Story
In November of 2015, Brian embarked upon a journey that has led down many paths. Some of them were unhindered, many of them of them challenging, and all of them lit by the fire to transform and evolve. In his hands, a retired Christmas tree farm has become a center for learning and living on the land. Maintaining vital prairie pastures, raising livestock, constructing with reclaimed materials, welding and woodwork, and establishing a true farm-to-table experience for his community have become realized goals. When he established The Burning Barrel, his plan was to grow his own produce, raise and process his own livestock, and source remaining ingredients directly from his local farming community or as close to home as possible.
Since our gate opened to the public in June of 2022, we have done exactly that - and we thank you for helping us keep this dream alive.
Brian began his career with classical French training, and for the next 20 + years, he gained experience in several kitchens throughout the Midwest. He has studied cooking methods from all over the world. In focusing on meat fabrication, fermentation, fresh vegetable preparations, and live-fire cooking, he recognized a vein that runs through every culture’s culinary traditions: fresh is best. He knew that establishing his own farm was a necessary step in evolving his relationship with food.
Kristin has been farming and studying holistic lifeways for the last 20 years. When Brian invited her to join him at The Burning Barrel in 2018, everything came full circle. Growing food to support her family and living on the land has always been a dream of hers. Curating the Events for The Burning Barrel allows her to expand her goals, her passion, and her craft to support the well-being of her family and community.
The Burning Barrel
Everything is connected. Light and dark, life and death, seed to compost, the cycle never ends.
We are honored to be a part of it all.
