Gunzel Family Farms LLC
Gunzel Family Farms LLC
Shaped by Time. Shared in Faith.
Our Family, Our Faith, Our Farm
We’re the Gunzels - a Missouri family doing our best to live simply, work honestly, and share what we’ve been given. From the hills of the Ozarks, we craft resources that feed both body and soul: living sourdough starters, practical courses, and family-tested recipes.
At our core, we believe daily bread is sacred. Patience matters. And the quiet things you do with love last the longest.
A 125-Year Bread Story
Long before we had mixers or measurement apps, our family kept a humble starter alive - feeding it, baking with it, and passing down knowledge of how to make our daily bread. That lineage became Ozark Heritage Sourdough, a culture that thrives with whole wheat or bread flour and welcomes beginners without fuss.
Today, we air dry small portions of that very culture and ship it to your door so you can carry the same tradition into your home.
What We Make (and Why)
- Ozark Heritage Sourdough Starter: A living, dehydrated culture that’s easy to revive and even easier to love.
- Back to the Bread Course: Short, clear lessons that show you exactly how we activate, feed, shape, and bake - the way we actually do it at home.
- Ozark Family Recipes Collection: Our best bakes and holiday and weekend specials, gathered from old family cards, journals, and Sunday dinners.
Everything we offer is designed to be simple, trustworthy, and repeatable — so you can bake more and stress less.
How We Do Business
- Faith First: We honor God with what we make and how we treat people.
- Family Strong: We build for durability, not trends.
- Farmer Honest: Plain language, clear instructions, no gimmicks.
- Quality Over Hype: If it doesn’t work in our kitchen, it won’t go on our site.
- Cottage Food Transparency: Our starter is produced in a Missouri home kitchen under state cottage food rules.
What's On Our Workbench
- Water: Unchlorinated well water for our starters.
- Flour: The perfect combination of fresh ground whole wheat from my sister's farm in Oklahoma and the best bread flour we can buy.
- Tools: We started with a baking sheet, and a stainless steel bowl. Today we also use banneton baskets, and a stand mixer when we need it.
- Temperatures & Timing: Logged, tested, and taught exactly as we use them in our kitchen.
The Ozark Way
We don’t chase loud. We choose faithful.
We believe in learning by doing, sharing what works, and telling the truth about what doesn’t. If a recipe needs a tweak, we’ll say so.
If a loaf falls flat, we’ll show you why - and how to fix it next time.
Pull Up A Chair At Our Table
- Ready to get baking? → Get the Starter ($12.50, free shipping)
- Want step-by-step help? → Start the Course ($25)
- Need easy, everyday recipes? → Grab the Recipe Collection ($20)
- Like good family stories and tips? Join the Family List for short emails from our kitchen (and a free “3 Secrets to a Healthier Starter” guide).
Giving Back
We set aside time and resources to quietly help families in need and support faith-centered projects that build people up. Bread is better when it’s shared.
Press & Partnerships
Media, wholesale, or collaborations: email support@gunzelfamilyfarms.com with your idea and timeline.
We’re a small shop, but we move quickly when the fit is right.
Contact Info:
Gunzel Family Farms LLC
Branson, Missouri
📧 support@gunzelfamilyfarms.com
🌐 gunzelfamilyfarms.com
Originally published November 2025 — updated as our story continues.