Lisa Kivirist
John D. Ivanko
AS A PIONEER IN THE COTTAGE FOOD INDUSTRY, both covering the national movement for publications as well as championing for the passage of a “Cookie Bill” in Wisconsin, Lisa Kivirist is on the cusp of the latest trends. Lisa and her husband and co-author-and-photographer, John D. Ivanko, are food-loving entrepreneurs.
As authors of thirteen books, national speakers and recognized spokes-people for the national sustainable agriculture movement, Lisa and John are regular presenters at numerous national conferences and library, university and community events. They’re co-authors of Farmstead Chef, the award-winning ECOpreneuring and Rural Renaissance. John is also the co-author of several award-winning children’s multicultural photobooks, including To Be a Kid, Be My Neighbor and To Be an Artist.
Lisa and John are both sought-after experts for the media. They’ve been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, MSNBC and on various radio programs across the country, including Martha Stewart Radio, the Sirius Satellite network and “Good Food” on KCRW. As freelance journalists, they’re contributors to Mother Earth News, Urban Farm, Mother Earth Living, Hobby Farms and Natural Awakenings, among many others. Lisa is a columnist for Hobby Farms and both have a “farmstead chef” blog for Hobbyfarms.com. They also blog for MotherEarthNews.com.
Food Advocacy and Entrepreneurship
Lisa is a distinguished Kellogg Food and Society Policy Fellow and a national advocate and leader for women in sustainable agriculture. She initiated and directs the Rural Women’s Project of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (mosesorganic.org/projects/rural-womens-project/), an award-winning initiative providing resources and networking for women farmers and food-based entrepreneurs. She writes a column for the Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) entitled “Female Fare,” connecting women in agriculture to national policy issues.
Pioneers of Farm-Fresh Culinary and Green Travel
Lisa and John are innkeepers of the award-winning Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast, completely powered by renewable energy. Their B&B features local, seasonal vegetarian cuisine prepared with ingredients harvested from the Inn’s organic gardens. For more, see innserendipity.com. They also write and speak about culinary travel and ecotourism trends.
Lisa Kivirist with carrot on farm completely powered by wind and sun. JOHN D. IVANKO
Lisa and John share their organic farm in Browntown, Wisconsin, with their son, a ten-kilowatt Bergey wind turbine and millions of ladybugs.
You can connect with Lisa and John on Facebook and LinkedIn.