An avid baker and cook for more than 20 years, Prairie Harvest co-owner and co-founder, Becky Nickel delights in sampling new store products and integrating them in her recipes. Having lived overseas for several years, she brings an Asian flair to her choice of food and body care products for the store. Becky and her family are involved in a small-scale farming operation of their own, which has helped them learn to appreciate the challenges that Kansas growers face in caring for their land and water resources.

Co-owner Carrie Van Sickle started with Prairie Harvest as the manager in July 2003. A native Kansan, she learned to cook from her mother, hanging over the stove while waiting for dinner. A degree in Recreation led to a lifestyle of healthy eating and physical activity. Daily activity in the family may include running, biking, swimming and rowing. Previously a professional baker, Carrie made Eat Your Vegetables Café famous for her signature desserts and scones. Joining the Prairie Harvest family has been a beneficial move, as personal health issues have been supported by products and staff relationships.

Growing up in a small rural community in eastern Pennsylvania, co-founder Kathy Landis learned early the benefits of small-scale farming and local initiatives. Creativity, teamwork, and care for the land were important values that carried over into Kathy.s vision for establishing Prairie Harvest.

From the day the store opened in June of 2000, it has offered organically grown foods that minimize packaging and processing whenever possible. It has provided a place where folks can sit down for a cup of fairly traded coffee or tea and meet a friend by appointment or coincidence. In 2005 we added a deli where folks can enjoy soups and wraps in store or at home. From the beginning, Prairie Harvest has offered local products in a retail environment intended to help strengthen micro-industries in the Newton area.

As Prairie Harvest was established and expanded, a number of friends have joined in to help in various ways: sanding down recycled shelving, crafting the store sign of wood, creating displays accented with fabrics from afar, packaging and labeling bulk products. Members of the larger Newton community have also supported the store by sharing favorite recipes, bringing in their out-of-town visitors, playing musical instruments for special events and giving product suggestions. A handful of faithful friends continue to volunteer weekly at the store.

In September of 2005 Prairie Harvest moved from a smaller storefront into our corner location at 6th and Main Streets. On the eve of our move, over 50 folks, children and elderly alike, lined Main Street to pass products from hand to hand, kicking off the relocation weekend. This location features the original tin ceilings and wooden floors of the 1880's building.