Waking Up the 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter & Preparing to Host a Hands-on Sourdough Class

Having been under the weather and then not baking much due to frozen pipes. There’s something beautiful about sourdough starter—a living, breathing organism that’s a connection to generations past. This week, I’m waking up my beloved 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter, a treasure from Carl Griffith and a living link to a part of history. As I take it out of the fridge, I feel like I’m starting a journey that ties together the past, present, and future of breadmaking.

The 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter isn’t just any starter. It’s a piece of the rich pioneer history that carried countless families across the American West. This starter traces its origins back to 1847, when pioneers first set off from Missouri to Oregon on the Oregon Trail. As I wake it up with flour and water, it feels like I’m stirring the echoes of those early settlers—people who had to rely on their ingenuity to bake bread and nourish their families on a long, arduous journey.

Reviving the starter is a simple yet thoughtful process. I feed it with fresh water and flour, coaxing it from its sleepy, cold state. Over the course of a few feedings, it begins to bubble with life, ready to perform its magic in my kitchen once again. There’s something deeply satisfying in this ritual, knowing that the same cultures that made the sourdough starter rise are still working their wonders, just as they did all those years ago.

A Weekend of Bread and Learning

This weekend, my kitchen will transform into a bread-baking classroom. I’m excited to host a sourdough class led by my sweet friend, Cody, who has a small sourdough business called The Tinfoil Baker. Cody’s expertise in sourdough is unmatched, and I’m looking forward to learning from her while also welcoming others into the world of wild yeast and flour.

As I prepare to host the class, I’m reminded of the power of community when it comes to bread. Sourdough has a way of bringing people together—whether you’re baking it for your family, sharing it with neighbors, or gathering in a group to learn the art of breadmaking. Cody’s passion for baking is contagious, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the joy of making something from scratch that is as satisfying to the soul as it is to the taste buds.

The Tinfoil Baker: A Sourdough Business That’s More Than Bread

For those who haven’t heard of The Tinfoil Baker, let me share a little about Cody’s small hobby turned business. Cody started baking sourdough not just out of love for bread, but out of a desire to share a connection to food, her family, tradition, and to her community. What began as a hobby soon turned into a small business, and today, Cody’s loaves, cookies and other baked goods are treasured by many.

As I prepare for the class, I can’t help but feel thankful for this small, vibrant community of bakers that I’m a part of. We’re all learning from each other, sharing techniques, and offering support. There’s no shortage of joy in this bread-making journey, and it’s even more rewarding when you’re sharing it with friends like Cody and the people who come to the class.

Waking Up the Starter and the Community

As I feed my 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter and prepare for a weekend of sourdough with Cody and 20ish fellow bakers, I’m reminded of the deep connection between food, history, and community. Sourdough isn’t just about the bread—it’s about the stories we share, the traditions we carry forward, and the bonds we form over a warm loaf of freshly baked bread.

I hope that, whether you’re attending the class this weekend or simply making sourdough at home, you take a moment to reflect on the journey of the ingredients, the history, and the people that make sourdough baking such a powerful and beautiful tradition.

Until next time, happy baking!

Finding Out MORE!

We invite you to stay connected with us through our social media platforms and the “Events” tab on our website, where you can find details about upcoming classes hosted here on the homestead. At the heart of what we do is a deep belief in the power of sharing knowledge. We’re passionate about creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and gain new skills. Community and connection are important! 

For this upcoming class, we’re excited to offer something truly special. Each participant will have the opportunity to take home their very own piece of the 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter—an authentic link to history—along with a ready to bake at home sourdough loaf. We believe in giving our guests the tools and confidence to continue their sourdough journey at home, so they can bake, experiment, and enjoy the process long after the class has ended.

> Follow Cody, Tinfoil Baker on Facebook and Instagram

“He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on bread alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of Adonai.” – Deuteronomy 8:3

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