05/08/2025
Local baker's sourdough is a labor of love
By Lynnette Hoffman
Have you ever seen something that looks so good that you just have to try it? Well, that’s what happened with the Farmstand on Jackson Highway. A friend of mine had been purchasing goods from the Farmstand on Jackson, and she was explaining her baked goods and I knew I just had to do a little story. Layla is the owner of the Farmstand, and she is part of the cottage kitchen industry, which allows her to bake her goods at home. Just one bite of her sourdough bread and you will be hooked.
Kayla, her husband Nick, and their daughter were looking for the hometown feeling when they moved to Toledo. She stated, “We decided to move to Toledo to raise our daughter in a small town. Both Nick (my husband) and I grew up in small towns. We love the feeling of community that comes with living in a small town!” With her wonderful personality and a love for small towns, it makes a perfect fit for our area.
We all know that when you live in a small community, it’s typically a drive to get to work. Kayla is all about raising her daughter right. She continued, “After moving to Toledo, my commute to work was 40 minutes with a four-year-old. I decided I wanted to spend more time at home with her than on the road.” Now her family gets to spend more time at home on their niche farm.
There are quite a few people who love sourdough bread, and Kayla is definitely one of them, she stated, “I found my love for sourdough! I started dabbling with making bread and giving it away. After a lot of good feedback from family and friends I decided to hop on the “trend” of opening a farmstand. We already had chickens, and I could throw together a few loaves of sourdough bread here and there. I never thought it would amount to what it has become because of this community.” Did I also tell you she makes oatmeal cream cookies that I have heard are scrumptious?
Sourdough bread can be made into loaves of bread and so much more, Kayla stated.
“We currently offer: sourdough bread, sourdough cinnamon rolls, sourdough dinner rolls, sourdough brownies, sourdough focaccia, sourdough cookies… everything I have includes sourdough!” Finally, a person who loves sourdough as much as we do.
All bakers have a favorite item they like to bake. Kayla is no exception, she continued, “I would have to say my favorite item I make is sourdough bread. It’s where everything started for me. The technique and the time that you put into creating a loaf of sourdough bread is unbeknownst to most a labor of love (a three-day process), but seeing the finished product come out is just absolutely amazing!” The taste ain’t bad either… My first bite, I knew this was quality sourdough, and it is decorated so adorably, there is no doubt this is a labor of love for Kayla.
As with all niche farms, they are seldom open every day. Kayla has her day set on Thursday. She continued, “Right now, I am only open on Thursdays. I take pre-orders on Facebook Mondays for a pick up on Thursday! Most sourdough products freeze extremely well! We take cash or Venmo at the stand.” They don’t have a till to make change for $100 bill, instead, just buy $100 worth of items, you can freeze it and eat it when you like.
With any new business, they bring a little something to the community. Kayla stated, “I am hoping to bring back some slow living. I think God intended us to live a more simple life than the world we know now. I think getting to know your neighbor and seeing how the community pulls together to support people in this community is absolutely amazing! I know this little farm stand, and all the support we have received has blessed my family.” Living in small-town America is about slowing down to enjoy the gifts we have.
You can tell when you chat with Kayla, even on text, that she belongs here. She is all about being part of the community and sharing her love of sourdough with all of us. She stated, “I am married, going on 9 years in September! One little girl who is the light of our life!
I have an animal obsession. If I could, I would run a rescue of some sort! Maybe one day!! I keep telling my husband: Why else would you buy 30+ acres besides to fill it up with animals?” A woman after our own hearts, food and animals, and a healthy way of life, who could ask for more.
Kathy Chastain has been buying from Kayla for a few months, stating, “I’ve been purchasing from The Farmstand on Jackson several times over the last few months. Seriously, the best sourdough products I’ve found, plus it’s literally in our own backyard!” It was Kathy who told me you need to let others know about her, and that is just what we did.
Kayla is only open on Thursdays and takes orders on Monday. She does have some available for sale that you can purchase on Thursday, but she sells out quickly, so I advise you get there early. I’m trying the cinnamon rolls next!
Read more in the August 6, 2025 issue of the Lewis County News or online at: https://hometowndebate.com/index160.htm
