Michael Zydowicz
Back in 1982, Helen and Michael Kallenbach decided to chase their dreams and buy a small farm in Poynette. They had goats, a garden, and all the other small farm mainstays they could wish for. In addition to living a simpler life, the Kallenbachs also made a commitment to eating all-natural, healthy foods, and cutting things like butter and refined sugar from their diets.
Everything was going great, except for one small problem. Helen loved to bake. She was disappointed that her commitment to healthy eating prevented her from pursuing the kind of traditional, good-for-your-taste-buds, not-so-good-for-your-waistline baking that she had learned from her mother.
But a few years later, Helen saw her opportunity to break back into baking in a big way. After a bit of planning, the Kallenbachs decided to transform their basement into a full bakery, where Helen could show off her baking prowess, and also be able to stay home with the family's young children.
Naming the business The Country Baker from Goose Gulch Farmstead, Helen started off in 1985 by baking only two recipes: caramel pecan rolls and cinnamon rolls. That same year, she started vending at the farmers' market on Capitol Square, in order to sell the extra baked goods she was producing. The sweet rolls proved to be a hit, and baking them became a full time job, so much so that she had to give up tending the family's small farm just to keep up with demand. Luckily, Helen has received a lot of help over the years from her seven children and her husband, making The Country Baker truly a family business.
The Country Baker continues to grow in popularity, as customers come back year after year, looking for their favorite sweets. Customers also love the fact that the baked goods are all-natural, and are made by hand, the way they remember as a kid. Quick breads, granola, and cookies have proven popular at the market, but the real stars of the show are the potato buttermilk donuts, which use real mashed potatoes and are available in both sugared and plain. They are exclusively available at the