Farmhouse Kitchen, August 2025
Kathy Deerman Thompson and her husband, Phillip, have long called the northeast corner of Alabama “home.” The Thompsons know time is well spent three ways: with their two children and four grandchildren, on the farm, or representing the Jackson County Farmers Federation (of which Phillip is president).
Tell us about yourself.
I was raised on a poultry and beef cattle farm. Phillip started farming with his uncle, Houston Kennamer, when he was 13. We grow corn, soybeans, cattle and hay, and we’ve been part of the Alabama Farmers Federation for 30-plus years. One must continue the fight to be able to farm in America, keep our food supply safe and not be dependent on other countries to feed us.
Did you have a career off the farm?
I’m now retired from a career in insurance, eight years of civic duty as Board of Registrars chair for Jackson County and as a board member of the Select Service System. Now, I volunteer full time at Grace Thrift of Scottsboro. It’s part of our church’s Community Care Village. We belong to Agape Baptist Church, and I teach a Bible study class.
Who taught you to cook?
My mother was a good cook, and she belonged to the Women’s Home Demonstration Club, a program from Alabama Extension at Auburn University. Mrs. Peek would meet with the ladies once a month to teach them the best ways to take what they had and improve it. They learned what all they could do with what little they had. I learned a lot from my mom. This is a program I truly believe needs to be brought back to rural communities.
Tell us about the recipes you’re sharing.
We have a walnut tree on the farm. Phillip gathers and provides me bags of black walnuts, so I know when it’s time to bake his favorite cake.
Some may not be aware that north Alabama has a terrible time with crops being eaten by deer. Phillip hunts deer in the winter, and that helps take a few off the farm, plus fills the freezer. I’ll share a few of our favorite recipes for using venison. As I always say, “The best deer is one served on a plate.”