Lightfoot Farm is Growing Roots
For our inaugural newsletter issue we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Lightfoot Farm, a recent addition to Oklahoma’s agricultural landscape. The farm is operated by the passionate husband and wife team of Kat and Will Nole, and can be found just off of Route 66 outside of Depew, OK. They’ve recently returned to Oklahoma with years of experience in regenerative farming practices that are likely to influence the future of our local food scene. You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for their striking produce in local restaurants and markets this coming season!
After relocating to Washington state in 2019, the couple moved to Whidbey Island and became students at Organic Farm School in 2021. When speaking about the well-regarded educational program, Will says, “They teach you the business stuff and the ‘keep plants alive’ stuff,” with a grin.
Will and Kat stuck around Whidbey Island to work and learn the organic farming practices of the Pacific Northwest until returning to Oklahoma late in 2023. Soon after the couple made contact with Living Kitchen, and were offered the opportunity to take over the growing operation, so they quickly moved to the farm and began familiarizing themselves with the business.
Now, as they continue to settle into the Depew community, Kat and Will are eagerly anticipating the coming spring. This year was their first growing season on the land they share with Living Kitchen, and although several of the fields they inherited are currently a blank slate of Bermuda grass, Lightfoot had a successful first year. Adjusting their farming practices to Oklahoma presented some challenges for the pair, given the drastic change in climate and environment, but you wouldn’t know it by walking their fields. Despite the late November chill during Kindred’s visit to the property, their vibrant arugula, kohlrabi, cabbage, fennel, carrots, gem lettuces, radicchio, frisée, cauliflower, were thriving, vibrant, and delicious.
“Everything we grow out here we grow from seed. Our start house is where we start all of our plants, it doubles as a tomato tunnel. We ordered a greenhouse variety of tomatoes that we were used to growing up in the Pacific Northwest … they don’t like Oklahoma as much, but we’ve been able to stretch them out to this part of the year,” says Kat.
Lightfoot Farm supplies an impressive roster of local eateries beyond Living Kitchen, including FarmBar, il seme, Country Bird Bakery, and - soon - Kindred Scratch Kitchen. Their unique produce elevates the dining experience at these establishments, offering diners a taste of the farm's commitment to quality as well as a departure from restaurant menus we typically find.
Kindred is excited to support and highlight local farmers like Kat and Will. Lightfoot Farm and Kindred Hospitality Alliance share a vision of sustainable food production, which benefits the restaurants, diners, and our community as a whole.
Written by Alana Tipton
