Last fall, I had an incredible opportunity to participate in the annual Food and Beverage Show organized by the Montana Department of Agriculture in Missoula, Montana. My role was to carefully select products from thirty-eight exhibitors and create unique recipes using their offerings. Amidst the challenge of narrowing the selection to just fifteen vendors, one stood out among the rest - Kacie Sven of 41 Grains.
41 Grains chickpea flour and corn-less cornbread flour caught my attention, leading me to create delicious socca and Montana Beef Tamales. However, it wasn't just her exceptional products that captivated me. Kacie's passion and drive were evident in every word she spoke about her creations.
Beyond being a remarkable mother, wife, farmer, producer, and manufacturer, she excels as a wellness entrepreneur and a community architect. Her extensive work with the Rolling Plains Co-Op and in her hometown truly showcases her commitment to building a strong and vibrant community.
I encourage you to visit 41 Grains and the Rolling Plains Co-Op's websites and follow them on Instagram to learn more.
- How was the 41 Grains project born?
41 Grains arose as an idea after trying some delicious chocolate cookies prepared by my neighbor, who was experimenting with various legume flours. On our family farm, we grow chickpeas, and upon discovering how delicious these gluten-free cookies were, I realized that chickpea flour could revolutionize the world of gluten-free eating, being equally appreciated by those without dietary restrictions. Prompted by this revelation, I explored various recipes, marveling at how easy it was to substitute wheat flour. The results exceeded my expectations, thus beginning an authentic culinary journey.
- What was it like growing up in the Montana countryside?
I grew up in Montana, in a small town, and as the oldest daughter of five children, it taught me to be resourceful and independent. I learned a little about everything, from canning, gardening, hunting, farming, cooking, animal care, and child care. Growing up in a farming community really helps you learn where all types of food come from, how it is grown, and the hard work that goes into it. It helped me not be afraid of challenges and hard work!
- What has influenced the values that drive your work?
"My mother has a great influence on my life, especially when it comes to food. She is just like me, a hyper-researcher, and analyzes everything related to food. We learn about the effects of foods on our bodies, the reasons why certain foods can cause gut problems, how various food products affect our daily health, and how different forms of cooking or processing foods can impact the nutritional content.
While growing up, my younger brother had gluten and dairy restrictions, so I learned a lot about how to avoid these restrictions. This knowledge has only increased my interest in understanding everything about food, how it is processed in our bodies, and why everyone is different.
- Is it vital for you to have a healthy lifestyle?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of the utmost importance to me. It involves staying active, consuming nutritious food, getting adequate rest, spending quality time with my loved ones and, friends, and dedicating myself to the Lord. All these factors contribute to our physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being, and being truly healthy encompasses these vital aspects. If I am not healthy, I won't be able to take care of my family, relationships, community, or my business.
- Why is it so essential for you to contribute to the communities in Montana?
In small towns like Circle, everyone knows or is related to each other in some way. Our communities are based on family, heritage, and lifestyle. It's crucial to provide families with employment, shopping, and activities to keep them living here. If small towns don't take care of themselves, they will cease to exist, and no one else will do it for them."
-How do you divide your time between being a woman, mother, businesswoman, and leading social initiatives?
Limits, goals, and a lot of planning! Wearing so many hats in my life can get crazy sometimes if I don't set my priorities and stick to them.
With so many demands and expectations, I make sure the things most important to me are done first, and everything else may or may not fall into place. For example, I get up at 5:00 a.m. to read my Bible, do some yoga, and set my intentions for the day.
I get up very early because I want to make breakfast for my kids and spend a little time in the barn with my animals before I go to work. These are things that bring me joy, and I don't want them to be missing from my life due to the demands of work.
I also make sure to help out in the community wherever I can. If we don't have a community or can't be there for others when they need us, then how can they be there for me and my family when we need their support?
- What would you say to women who have goals that they still need to achieve?
Start with small, achievable goals, but have one or two big long-term goals to work toward. Knowing you want something can be half the battle of doing it.
- What values do you try to transmit to your children?
I want my children to know that family is more important than anything else. We are very focused on family and our business. We know that through hard work, we can build a legacy that our children can be proud of.
-Montana is a leading producer of lentils, peas, and chickpeas in the United States. Do you have a favorite dish featuring these legumes?
Our favorite lentil products are from Farver Farms, with their Lentil Crunchers. We have all the flavors everywhere, from work, in the car, and at home, for quick snacks or samples for people who haven't tried them. Putting them on top of my salads isOur favorite way to eat chickpeas my absolute favorite way to eat them.
Our favorite way to enjoy chickpeas is in brownies made with chickpea flour. They are the perfect combination of crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside!
For more information about 41 Grains and Rolling Plains Co-Op, I invite you to visit their websites and follow them on Instagram: