News Release

Vivian Howard, former host of the award-winning television series A Chef’s Life and owner of Chef & The Farmer Eatery in Kinston, N.C., will headline the ReachMORE session at the 48^th Governor’s Conference on Agriculture. Howard was raised on her family farm and she has since spent her life connecting the food we eat to the stories behind each product. 

 “Advocating for the rural way of life and sharing the story of agriculture has been top of mind for farmers and ranchers for many years,” said Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “In many ways, the food we eat deeply connects us all – from the family traditions we share to the local specialties we produce – and we are excited Vivian has agreed to help us learn to reach consumers with that great story.”

Chef & The Farmer began in 2006 with the hope that it would light a spark in the small town on Kinston. Since then, the restaurant has become thoughtful, creative cooking rooted in the region’s ingredients and traditions.

 “I believe in cooking food that has a story behind it and integrity to it – food with a very specific sense of place and that people want to eat,” Howard said.

Though A Chef’s Life has concluded its final season, Howard will continue her work through a new one-hour television series on PBS. During its time on air, A Chef’s Life was awarded a Daytime Emmy for Best Culinary Show, Peabody Award, James Beard Award for Best Instructional Video and Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Lifestyle/Culinary/Travel Program. Howard was also given a James Beard Award for Outstanding Food Personality or Host.

The ReachMORE Session, featuring Vivian Howard, will begin at 4:15 p.m. on Jan. 10 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo. To see the full conference schedule and register, visit Agriculture.Mo.Gov/conference.

###