I’m very excited to introduce you to another FarmHER making her mark on the world through the stomach: It’s Kansas FarmHER Chuckie Hessong of Laughing Rooster Eats and Laughing Rooster Farm! Chuckie loves to laugh, which is how she came up with the name for both her cooking blog and her family farm in Pittsburg, Kansas, where her family grows a diverse garden of organic produce that they share with their community, raises goats, sheep, dairy cows, and chickens, and breeds adorable poodles.
I happened to meet Chuckie through a private Facebook group for food bloggers. However, once we started chatting, I learned she’s a big fan of our shows and a dear friend of FarmHER’s very own Jodi Oleen! Considering our common connection, it was no surprise to me at all that Chuckie is one of the sweetest, kindest, and most passionate people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting recently, absolutely radiating with joy even when facing tough times.
Laughing Rooster Farm
Nestled in Southeast Kansas, FarmHER Chuckie Hessong is the warm heart behind Laughing Rooster Eats and the vibrant spirit on Laughing Rooster Farm. With a degree in Family & Consumer Sciences and a master’s in Community Development from Pittsburg State University, she blends culinary expertise, family focus, and agricultural know‑how into every recipe and story she shares. At home, she’s often found in her colorful kitchen—teaching, experimenting, or preparing to film segments for her local morning show. On the farm, she’s growing organic veggies, milking her Jersey cow Lady Mae, and caring for a lively menagerie, including goats, sheep, dairy cows, chickens, and poodles.
Follow Along with Chuckie’s Journey
Under the handle LaughingRoosterEats, Chuckie creates recipes that are pantry‑friendly, crowd‑pleasing, and rooted in real life. Her mission? To empower others to cook with confidence. She breaks down cooking into simple steps and shares easy tips to get cooking more often, from rediscovering the “cooking gene” to embracing the therapy and art of the kitchen.
Her recipes, peppered with warmth and personal anecdotes, are designed to build culinary confidence and connection. Through Laughing Rooster Eats, Chuckie spreads joy and practical food wisdom, inviting her readers into a world where nourishing your body also feeds the soul and honors the land. Under the handle LaughingRoosterEats, Chuckie creates recipes that are pantry‑friendly, crowd‑pleasing, and rooted in real life. Her mission?
- Website: www.laughingroostereats.com
- @LaughingRoosterEats on Facebook
- @LaughingRoosterEats on Instagram
- @LaughingRoosterEats on TikTok
Meet Chuckie: 23 Questions with the FarmHER behind Laughing Rooster Eats!
Learn more about Chuckie in her own words with a fun round of FarmHER-style Q&A!
1. What do you find most rewarding about being a FarmHER? What are the biggest challenges?
Doing work that feels real and necessary is deeply rewarding. When my kids were little, I’d have them out rounding up meat chickens in the dark, and I’d say, “Hey guys, you know what boring families are doing right now? Watching TV.” And we’d giggle—but I loved seeing that pride of a job well done in their eyes. We’ve made some of our best memories covered in dirt.
The hardest part of farm life is the untimely loss of animals. It never gets easy. You love them, care for them, and sometimes—despite everything—you still lose them. That part breaks your heart every time.
2. Why is being a part of the agriculture industry meaningful to you?
I love being part of a world where the work is real—and can’t be ignored. You can’t hit snooze on a hungry herd or flock. Farm life has this built-in rhythm that makes me feel right with the world. No matter what else is pulling at me—blogging, recipe development, global chaos—the animals don’t care. They need breakfast.
And the best part? I get to have the best food in the world. Fresh eggs, homegrown meat, garden veggies… It’s basically a five-star restaurant with mud on the floor and chickens for coworkers.
3. What is something you would like people outside of agriculture to know about the industry?
Oh… so much! How about we start a few:
- People in agriculture love the land, animals, communities, and farms they work with, which means we really are trying to do the best we can with the knowledge we have.
- Farmers and ranchers are sooooo smart and talented. We are talking about people who do the work of mechanics, vets, engineers, environmentalists, scientists, economists, and nutritionists all in one typical day on the farm.
- Nearly every person can contribute to their food consumption and help their neighbors with their food needs, too. As an example, I can grow the lettuce that all my neighbors could eat for about 1/2 half the year with little effort and space. What if we did that?
4. How do you teach the world about agriculture? And what is your advice for someone looking to follow in your footsteps?
People tend to think I’ve had some specialized training or upbringing that makes me an expert with the things I do. In reality, I’m a curious person. I ask a ton of questions and read about anything I’m curious about. Then I try it. So, my advice is to educate yourself some and then jump in while you’re still excited about learning about it. Figure that thing out, then when something new catches your interest, repeat. The next thing you know, you know about lots of stuff and you have a farm full of milk & beef cows, laying and meat chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys, and poodles.
5. What is your favorite fruit or vegetable? (Or favorite food, in general.)
Sweets are my kryptonite. But I’m kind of a snob about them. I really only get excited about homemade desserts. Cookies, pies, cakes, breads… I love them all!
6. What is your favorite recipe?
How can I pick just one??? That’s why I have a whole website! But today, right this second, I’ll pick Bacon Grease Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe is something that reminds me of “my people” who had lots of Southern ways. We always save our bacon grease, so this is a fun way of using it. This cookie is delicious and makes for a fun party conversation of guessing the secret ingredient. Plus, I love that it is a budget-saver and uses something that would often be thrown out.
7. Coffee, Tea, or Something else? (And how do you fix the perfect cup of that?)
Brewed sweet tea with a pinch of baking soda in it to keep it smooth and clear. And don’t go telling me you have unsweet tea, and I can stir some sugar in. Not the same thing. Sugar must be added to hot, brewed tea, not stirred in later. However, I drank my first cappuccino in Italy 4 years ago, and now I do appreciate a good coffee shop.
8. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Look out the window at the goats and sheep. Anyone sick, in the garden, or has their head in a one-way hole?
9. What’s your guilty pleasure? (It can be anything!)
I’m not one to feel much guilt… But when I’m feeling really crazy, I get a big ol’ fountain Dr. Pepper with pellet ice.
10. Who’s a person you admire from history? And, who’s someone you admire in your personal life?
In fourth grade, I read a book about George Washington Carver TWICE! I loved that he was a scientist and educator who used his work to help others, especially people in rural, low-resource communities. He didn’t just invent things—he found practical, accessible ways to help people survive and thrive with what they had. I understand what it means to stretch ingredients, make do, and still create something delicious and nourishing. He proved that creativity and resilience are powerful tools—and that food, education, and care for the land can change lives. His legacy reminds me that no matter where you start, your work can make a difference.
I also admire my kids! Watching them grow up—seeing how they navigate challenges, stay curious, and become their own selves—has taught me so much. They’re resilient, creative, and they inspire me. Being their momma is one of the greatest gifts of my life—and they make me the best version of myself.
11. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
This isn’t really advice so much, but the dean of my department in college described me as having a “dynamic personality.” It was the first time I felt like my “big personality” was a positive trait. I work to embrace the idea that I am perfectly made to be me.
12. What is your favorite holiday? Do you associate any family traditions related to it that you’d like to share?
Hands-down, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! I love that a whole day is dedicated to nothing more than sharing fantastic food that my people have made for generations. Sometimes I have raised my own turkey, and we have many foods we have raised in the garden, but we always have foods that tie me to the people who taught me how to cook and raise my own food. I love making my dad’s cornbread dressing (stuffing for some of y’all) with my daughter and my niece. I make pumpkin pie using Grandma D’s recipe, even though only 3 of us like it. I make a pie flavor for each of the kids, and the sides we look forward to eating each year.
13. What’s your go-to item or clothing right now (or) your wardrobe staple? [Product recs appreciated but not required!]
I’ve been a tomboy most of my life, so it still surprises me how much I love a good dress nowadays. But those old-timers were onto something—dresses are so comfortable, and people think you’re all dressed up! The more colorful, the better. Honestly, if you show up at my place around chore time, there’s a good chance I’ll be out there in a dress and a pair of rubber boots. Here are two of my favorites that always get me a compliment!
14. What’s your favorite book (or) movie (or) record (or) podcast?
I love to read, and my daughter always teases me that I’m the only person she knows who needs a shopping cart at the library. My most recent favorite book is “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver. Another book I enjoyed by her was “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life.” I should go back and read it again.
15. Who is the first person you think to call when something good happens?
My Cowboy — Bill — and my kids.
16. What are three items/products you can’t live without?
- Tony Chachere’s Seasoning (IMO, this seasoning goes on everything.)
- Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- My porch swing
17. What’s an interesting fact you think everyone should know? And, what is something new you are currently learning (or) want to learn more about?
I love factoids. I often share this one: The only food federally mandated to have an expiration date is infant formula. Other food products may have “best by” or “use by” dates, but these are primarily for quality purposes and not for safety, meaning the food may still be safe to eat after that date. Federal regulations require a “use by” date on infant formula to ensure it contains the specified nutrients and can pass through a nipple.
I’m currently passionate about learning more about my area’s history so that I can lead history tours for those visiting Pittsburg, Kansas, USA. Our history is really interesting and nationally impactful – the Amazon Army, Prohibition (Mafia ties… gasp!), and labor unions all have roots here.
18. Where is the most amazing place you’ve ever traveled?
I spent an amazing four days in Lucca, Italy, attending the International School of Italian Cooking. The Italian countryside and food culture were life-changing.
19. What’s something at the top of your Bucket List?
To see the cows come down out of the Swiss Alps!
20. What would you choose if a genie granted you one wish/superpower?
That when I woke up each day, my house was always clean without me having to do it. There are surely more noble answers than that! I should wish for world peace or something.
21. If you won the lottery, what is the very first thing you’d buy with the winnings?
My plan if I win the lottery is to carry on as usual for a few years… then slowly disappear to my dream ranch with the perfect river that runs through it. Note that I can’t swim, so I’ll be searching for the Goldilocks river (not too big, not too small).
22. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Carol Burnett. No one else could be this ridiculous.
23. What is your best quality or hidden talent?
I can make a pretty dang good meal out of whatever I have on hand in the fridge and pantry. And I’m pretty good at catching goats and sheep.
Everybody Eats
At the heart of every meal is a story—a tale of dedication, nurture, and the enduring spirit of those who tend the land. Everybody Eats is the place where the narratives of food and agriculture converge. In partnership with FarmHer, we meet courageous women who embody not just the power of nurturing but also the strength of leading in transforming our food systems. They are the unsung heroes, educators, and compassionate souls who have relentless commitment and extraordinary care embedded in cultivating our food. Feed your curiosity, nourish your understanding, and grow your appreciation for the stewards who make sure that Everybody Eats.
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