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new idea every time she comes to the farm. “And it’s usually really solid, a very good idea.”

Abraham produces other dairy products, like yogurt, cream cheese, and cheese— though she also likes to teach others to make cheese and butter rather than making it herself all the time.

The milk is also used in soap, which is made by a family friend. Naked Queen is the main, unscented soap bar; there are also shampoo and conditioner bars. Others are scented to smell like food; watermelon lemonade is Schartung's favorite.

Another branch of SlakMarket, Organic Focus Stock and Feed, sources meat from other small Kentucky farmers, then Abraham’s husband butchers it according to the halal guidelines of the family’s Muslim faith.

The list of programs at SlakMarket Farm continues— Friday Farm School with Abraham’s kids and their classmates in their homeschool cooperative; a sort of “incubator program” that allows beginning farmers to live and learn at the farm; a Dairy Dream Bed and Breakfast for terminally ill kids to visit the farm. Some plans, like renovating barn space to be a commercial kitchen, were put on hold by the pandemic— but mostly Abraham is grateful.

“It made me stop and look at what really matters here, what’s really important here, and what really is at our heart,” Abraham said. “And what really is important and at our heart is our kids, and educating people, and being in relationship with our community.” This emphasis on community— African American communities, underserved communities, and “really... every community,” Abraham said— is a large part of her being named Farmer of the Year.

This emphasis on community— African American communities, underserved communities, and “really... every community,” Abraham said— is a large part of her being named Farmer of the Year.

“That theme of stepping up and then lifting up is woven through all the things that Kenya does and should be celebrated,” Gurtowski said.

Abraham was honored and surprised when Gurtowski notified her.

“It was like, ‘Oh wow, I’m speechless,’” Abraham said. “But at the same time, my owners deserve it, and all the people who support this farm do truly deserve it because we really do try to put in the necessary work to build relationships and to build community here, and it’s actually working. People are actually coming here and loving it.”

And Abraham and her family are doing the work to maintain and sustain this community.

“We want to be here forever,” she said.

To find your local Extension agent, visit http://bit.ly/KYSUCounty.

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