Building Community Through REKO Rings

In this inspiring episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome Julie Schrader of Open Road Ranch in Wisconsin for a conversation about local food systems, REKO rings, farm dinners, and building meaningful connections between farmers and their communities.

As spring approaches and graduation season looms, Mary and Leah reflect on how quickly the year is moving before diving into a powerful discussion about reconnecting people with their food.

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Meet Julie Schrader

Julie is a first generation farmer and the founder of Open Road Ranch in Greenbush, Wisconsin. Alongside her partner Tony, she raises:

• Pasture raised hogs

• Rotationally grazed sheep

• Chickens and laying hens

Her farm focuses on regenerative practices, humane animal care, and using the whole animal. Julie also creates handcrafted lard based products including soaps, laundry soap, and body care items, helping educate customers about traditional fats and sustainable living.

Despite having no farming background, Julie began her journey in 2024, learning through books, mentorship, and hands on experience. Her passion for agriculture and education shines through in everything she does.

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What Is a REKO Ring?

Julie shares how she brought the REKO model to her community.

REKO stands for fair and sincere consumption. The concept began in Finland in 2013 and has since spread internationally. A REKO ring is:

• A Facebook based local food group

• Customers preorder and prepay directly from farmers

• Farmers bring only what has been sold

• A 30 minute pickup window at a consistent location

• No sales on site

Julie launched:

• A Sheboygan County REKO ring, now with 1,700 members

• A Fond du Lac County REKO ring, already at 500 members

Pickups are held in local parking lots, creating an efficient, farmer friendly system that reduces waste and risk. The streamlined format allows farmers to avoid long farmers market days while still connecting directly with customers.

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Why It Matters

This episode dives into the deeper meaning behind local food systems:

• Food security and shorter supply chains

• Knowing who raises your food

• Rebuilding trust between farmers and consumers

• Supporting small farms sustainably

• Honoring the full value of livestock, including fat and byproducts

Julie explains how trends like tallow skincare are opening doors for conversations about traditional animal fats and their benefits. She sees growing interest from consumers who want to reconnect with local agriculture and make more intentional choices.

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Farm Dinners and Connection

Julie also organizes farm to table dinners that bring farmers and consumers together around one shared meal.

Her model includes:

• Eight tables

• One farmer seated at each table

• Guests sharing a meal directly with the people who grew their food

• Farmers speaking to the entire group about their work

These dinners create powerful conversations, education, and renewed appreciation for agriculture.

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Topics We Cover

• Weather challenges and dry winter concerns

• The realities of small scale hog farming

• First generation farming

• Profitability and sustainability in modern agriculture

• Farm stands and honor systems

• Technology tools for local sales

• Reviving agrarian traditions in modern communities

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Memorable Moments

• Julie learning to raise sheep and hogs through Google and farmer mentorship

• The surprise rapid growth of her REKO ring

• Conversations about gratitude toward public servants

• The importance of using the whole animal

• The joy of customers meeting their farmers face to face

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Connect with Julie

Learn more about Open Road Ranch and upcoming events:

Website: www.openroadranch.com
Facebook and Instagram: Open Road Ranch
Location: Greenbush, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

Julie welcomes visitors and encourages anyone interested in starting a REKO ring to simply begin.

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Connect with Grit and Grace in the Heartland

Website: gritandgraceandtheheartland.com
Facebook: Grit and Grace in the Heartland Women in Agriculture

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This episode is a reminder that sharing stories matters. Community matters. Food matters.

In the meantime, have some grit and grace.