Dogwood Hills Guest Farm is a family operated Agritourism Homestead. Ruth, Thomas and Grace run all of the day to day farm operations as well as the Farm Stay, Farm to Table Dinners, Family and Educational Tours.  From their certified kitchen come monthly, five course, ultra local dinners, gluten free pastry and baked good and their award winning Brown Sugar Buttermilk and Caramel Apple Pies (Arkansas Pie Festival ’19).  They are very connected to the community and host a local 4H club, community Sunday potlucks and make creative dishes to sample for the food pantry with items from the boxes handed out. The Cast Iron Cook Off stemmed from their desire to make this connection.  Many years ago it started as “Homestead Days” on the farm. This was a day filled with education ranging from fermented foods to blacksmithing. Over the years it evolved into a food theme as demonstrators brought Dutch ovens to cook in while doing their crafts.   In 2014 there was a competition amongst the crafter/ cooks prior to the evening potluck. The following year it was stepped up a bit with prizes and judges. 2016 brought a youth category. 2017 it was strictly a youth competition with Cody Mayfield from South on Main demonstrating in our kitchen.  Many cooks (Sheilla Ballard, David Rodriguez, and Ronnie Wilbanks) were demonstrating outside as well during the day. We were also joined by the talents of Phyllis Speer and Kat Robinson. This was such a hit and the direction it needed to go. Since then Chefs Casey Copeland, Cody and Sammy Rudd, Shane Henderson and Gilbert Alquinez have joined us to come do demonstrations inside and out.   Kat Robinson is one of the judges and event consultants. David Rodrigues has faithfully set up the tipi and encampment on the top of the hill and demonstrates campfire cooking. It is a great time with kids entering from as far as Bradley and Elaine. Many have never been on a farm with animals. The delight they express make it an obvious progression. Getting youth out into rural Arkansas and cooking for themselves on Agritourism venues seems to be a win-win-win! Encouraging young people by showing them business opportunities for rural communities, inspiring them with creative dishes by top chefs and developing relationships between the younger generation and those that do it the old way.  Dogwood Hills lives this every day and wants to share it with rural Arkansas.