hey there!
I'm Deanne!
Illinois based wife, mom, and farm girl in training. You’ll find easy, family-friendly recipes made with everyday ingredients plus a little inspiration to nourish yourself along the way.
A Little About Me...
I grew up in a small town, surrounded by farmland, but I never imagined I’d become a farm wife myself. In my late 30s, I married Ryan, left my corporate job, and moved to the farm.
The shift was life-changing, and it led me to create This Farm Girl Cooks in 2016 to help others find joy in everyday meals, whether you’re in the kitchen, at the table, or out in the field.
As I navigated life on the farm, I found a whole new world of food to explore. I needed recipes that were practical, affordable, and could be made ahead of time for the busy seasons.
The concept of "field meals" was born as a way to make meals that were easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy, no matter where you are.
I quickly realized that the world of meal planning and food prep was full of potential to save time, stress, and even money. From freezer meals to one-pan wonders, I’ve spent years honing my skills in recipe development, making sure that everything I create is approachable, flavorful, and designed with busy families in mind.
I want to empower you to feel confident in the kitchen, no matter your experience level.
My Philosophy
I believe nourishment is about more than what’s on your plate; it’s about energy, mindset, and how we care for ourselves in the middle of busy seasons.
As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Health, I look at wellness through a real-life lens: what’s manageable, sustainable, and rooted in grace.
It’s not about doing everything “right.” It’s about finding balance in the chaos, keeping dinner on the table, and still having room for the things that make you feel alive—like coffee breaks, quiet moments, or dancing in the kitchen after a long day.
That’s the heart of This Farm Girl Cooks: feeding your family and yourself in ways that feel good, doable, and real.
I’m constantly learning, experimenting, and tweaking recipes to make them work better for real-life kitchens.
I also completed the American Farm Bureau Women’s Communication Bootcamp to better serve the agricultural community with my messaging and outreach about raising crops and mental health.
Top 10 Recipes
- $75 Aldi Meal Plan (4 Easy Dinners for Busy Families)
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Easy Shredded Chicken for Sandwiches & Sliders)
- What To Make with Fresh Strawberries
- Easy Pantry Meals You Can Make Without Going to the Store
- Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta
- What to Make with Leftover Ham (Easy Meals Your Family Will Actually Eat)
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Classic + Easy Make-Ahead Dessert)
- Classic Twice Baked Potatoes (Easy Loaded Potato Recipe)
- Easy Instant Pot Beef Recipes Your Family Will Actually Eat
- Easy Meatball Subs (Using Frozen Meatballs)
more about me....
Fun Facts
- I’m the author of Table to Tailgate and Meals in Motion — cookbooks for meals on the go, with easy-to-make recipes perfect for busy families and farm life.
- I’m a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach who believes that food is just one piece of the wellness puzzle. The rest is how we take care of ourselves in between.
- I’m a proud mom of four kids (ages 10 to 22). We also have a mini Schnauzer named Duke, a Brussels Griffin named Mabel, and several beef cattle.
- I’m obsessed with tacos (so much so, I’ve requested tacos for my funeral. Don’t judge!).
Whether you’re cooking for your family, trying to find your way around the farm kitchen, or just looking for easy meal ideas, I’m here to make your life a little simpler. I hope you’ll join me on this adventure.
Let’s keep things real, simple, and most importantly, delicious.
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Contact
Send me an email at deanne@thisfarmgirlcooks.com