What kind of food is West Virginia known for? Yes, definitely things like hot dogs and pepperoni rolls. But our food history is much richer and more complex than just that. West Virginians come from long lines of gardeners and seed-savers. Our food history goes all the way back to the Native Americans, who shared seeds with our great, great, great-grandparents, and to the pioneers who immigrated here from faraway lands with seeds carefully sewn into clothing seams and tucked into luggage.

And chefs, farmers, and West Virginia lovers Mike and Amy want to understand, preserve, and share that complex food history with the world.

And they do, from the beauty of their own Lost Creek Farm in Harrison County, West Virginia.

On the land that's been in Amy's family for generations, the couple grows and experiments with a large variety of traditional Appalachian produce.

They host farm dinners and operate a traveling Appalachian kitchen catering service, turning native products ranging from dandelion greens and wild apples to heirloom corn, tomatoes, and beans into delicious feasts.

They also travel the state, meeting with other farmers and gardeners who are willing to share seeds with Mike and Amy - many of which have been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years.

Mike and Amy work to preserve these seeds on their own farm, as well as the stories and recipes that accompany them.

These are the stories they want the world to know: stories of hard work, hard times, real people, and delicious food.

Foodies from around the U.S. come to eat at Mike and Amy's table and learn from the local West Virginians they host as guests at these dinners.

And as a result of their efforts, Lost Creek Farm is gaining national attention. Consider this recent feature in the New York Times, and note how the farm is using its publicity to advocate for the people of the state that has their heart: West Virginia.

To learn more about Lost Creek Farm, visit their website or Facebook page. As is true for many of us, they've had to adapt to the changing times this year, but there are still ways you can experience the story they have to tell, including listening to their new radio program!

Or consider asking a long-time gardener or seed-saver in your own neighborhood to share a few of their seeds and stories with you and your family. Roots run deep around here, as we all know, and with deep roots comes a rich heritage of life lessons and experience that we can all benefit from!