Due to an increasing interest in heritage skills, the Perry County Cooperative Extension Service set out to address one of these needs.  Many individuals and agencies teach current, trendy classes, but the need for heritage skills classes exists and the pool of those with that knowledge is diminishing.

The FCS agent attended a workshop in April to learn about sourdough bread making.  The first workshop was offered in June in Perry County with 24 participants, again in August with 24 participants, and in Letcher County with 24 participants.  Each of the classes were filled to capacity.  Each participant left the workshops with one cup of starter, directions for specifically feeding the starter, and recipes to make with the starter.  There were sourdough bread samples for all to taste.  Participants were amazed at the versatility of sourdough and the ease of preparation. 

Approximately 75% of the class participants have reported making the sourdough rolls many times, and approximately 50% have tried several other recipes.  One participant reported that she was glad to learn how to make her own bread as she had been buying a loaf each week at Farmer’s Market but wished that she could make her own. Participants in another county indicated that they planned to make bread to sell to supplement their family income.

Even though sourdough bread is traditionally a white bread, the FCS agent adapted the recipe to include a whole wheat sourdough recipe which could be used for any of the recipes included in the handout. This would help those who choose to eat a healthier version.  Sourdough breads made from scratch usually use less sodium and fat than commercial versions and by incorporating whole wheat, it becomes an acceptable bread for diabetics who need to limit white foods that are generally higher in carbohydrates.

The County Review team ate sourdough cinnamon rolls as the review was getting started and the team leader asked for the recipes and said that he needed some starter, which he saw sitting on the counter that was ready to be refrigerated.   He indicated that he had made sourdough bread in the past, but forgot to feed the starter so the starter died.