Hidden Gems: Meet Jeanne Middaugh of Stillmeadow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanne Middaugh.

Hi Jeanne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
On June 13, 1998, Chad and Jeanne’s story officially began—but in truth, their journey had been unfolding long before that, rooted in rich family traditions, small-town values, and the kind of grit and grace that turns dreams into legacy. Over the years, their path has taken unexpected turns—through businesses, babies, big decisions, and beautiful new beginnings. And all of it has led to one special place: Stillmeadow.

At the start of their married life, Chad spent a short time at General Motors, following in the footsteps of his father, Tom, who worked there for many years and faithfully provided for his family. But Chad soon discovered a knack for computers, which led him to a local tech business in Independence, Missouri. What began as a service dispatcher role quickly evolved into parts coordinator and eventually service manager. He was a natural.

Meanwhile, Jeanne returned to her family’s agricultural roots at NeCo Seeds, where she inspected thousands of acres of soybeans season after season. Agriculture was in her DNA. But before long, an entirely different opportunity came calling.
Around the year 2000, the couple bought a small-town paper—The Sherwood Free Press. Together, they handled ad sales, design, printing, and delivery. Jeanne, pregnant with their first child, Arden, managed the paper while Chad moonlighted for a local computer business. That side hustle turned into a new chapter when, in 2003, they bought the company—Service Tech Solutions—and served local homes and businesses for many years.

They eventually sold the newspaper to focus on raising their growing family. Her parents, Bill and Emily Cook, along with her sister Kelly and brother-in-law Chris, had purchased the land and buildings from the old Knights Stables in 2001. They slowly turned it into a place for gatherings and events. Jeanne began managing those events while Chad helped and often DJed. The kids would stay next door at Grandma and Grandad’s, and Jeanne found herself falling in love with the joy of hospitality.
In 2007, Chad and Jeanne bought the farmhouse from Chris and Kelly, who had decided to move into town. Around the same time, the family started growing pumpkins—initially selling them on the honor system. A few bins, a little stand, and a mailbox for payment. Simple, sweet, and full of charm.

By 2008, as their son Miles prepared for kindergarten, they began to dream about expanding the pumpkin operation. But life had other plans. Jeanne’s brother Mike asked if she would return to the family business at NeCo Seeds to help fill the shoes of a beloved salesman, Ralph Fidler, who was battling ALS. Ralph was a larger-than-life “John Wayne” kind of man—strong, kind, and deeply respected. Jeanne became his hands and feet during his final months, driving him to see customers in a handicap-accessible van the company had purchased. Their bond was something sacred. Ralph passed away, but not before being baptized in the pond on the family’s farm. Jeanne will always count those months among the greatest honors of her life.

She stayed on with NeCo Seeds, building strong relationships and growing her role to include sales, marketing, and grower’s meetings. During this season, Chad ended up selling his computer business to one of his employees and started his new company called AgTech, Inc where he took his technical skills to the ag industry. Chad got into drone technology, 3rd party research, soil sampling, and adding to his team with agronomy/scouting services. Along with running AgTech, Chad has kept things running behind the scenes, as he always has—steadfast, humble, and quietly essential to every endeavor they have taken on together.

In 2014, another big decision arrived. The orchard Jeanne had grown up in—the very place where she once ran a fruit market with her siblings—was for sale. Though she never imagined she’d return to it, she and Chad saw the opportunity not just for themselves, but for their kids. They named it Upcycled Orchard, a nod to reviving old memories and giving them new life.
What began as a fruit stand quickly became something more. She added homemade pies and breads, birthing Granny Fay’s Pies and Baked Goods, and soon after, lunch offerings followed: paninis, soups, toasts, and of course, more pie.
Alongside them from the very start was Jeanne’s right hand, Diane Buerge. More than just a co-worker, Diane became family. Her heart for the business and their children has left a permanent mark on their lives, and the family is forever grateful God brought her into their story that summer.

In 2017, Jeanne began feeling a stirring in her spirit. She had always loved food and the magic of a beautifully curated experience. With much prayer and counsel, she made the difficult decision to leave her full-time job with NeCo Seeds. It meant walking away from stability and stepping into the unknown—but it also meant stepping into her calling.
Together, Chad and Jeanne renamed the event space The Cider House, linking it with the orchard. Their heart was to bring people together around the table, and that’s how their Farm to Table Dinners were born. After visiting one near St. Louis, they fell in love with the concept and took the leap. Along the way, they met chefs Matt and Sophia Chatfield, who helped them bring their vision to life. That partnership continues today, along with a growing circle of chefs and food lovers.
Their kids, Arden and Miles, were always a big part of the dinners and events. As life shifted and the kids left for college, Chad and Jeanne made another move—closing the orchard’s retail space and consolidating everything to The Cider House. It worked well for a season, but eventually, they knew it was time to pause and refocus.

In 2023, Arden married Bryce, her high school sweetheart, and soon after, Miles returned home, his girlfriend Lauren staying behind to finish her student teaching. (Her first introduction to the family? Working a Farm to Table Dinner—trial by fire!)
With their kids returning home and new dreams taking shape, the orchard building once again became a focal point. Arden and Bryce pitched the idea of a coffee shop—and Cultivate Coffee was born. Shortly after, Miles stepped into his own vision and dream building Temple Fitness in a warehouse on the farm. Their dreams and visions are still just beginning to unfold.
With so many dreams converging, it was time for a name that reflected the full heart and story of the place. And so, Stillmeadow was born.

Stillmeadow isn’t just a name. It’s a legacy. A place where stories unfold slowly, intentionally. A place where faith, food, family, and future grow together. And it’s a place that, through all its changes, has always remained rooted in love.

Stillmeadow, a place where peace, purpose, and belonging converge. Here, we cultivate not just the land, but also experiences that foster connection, growth, and restoration. Our mission is to create a space where you can find both inspiration and rest—a sanctuary for the soul. Stillmeadow is designed to be more than just a venue; it’s a land of peace, where each corner is thoughtfully crafted to serve you and help you discover your fullest potential. At the heart of Stillmeadow is our commitment to hospitality. From our event center, where we host a variety of gatherings, dinners, and community events, to our coffee shop and eatery, Cultivate, we offer spaces for you to relax, connect, and enjoy life’s simple
pleasures. Whether you’re here to enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of coffee or to engage in meaningful conversations with friends, Cultivate is where delight and community come together. For those with a creative spirit, Stillmeadow offers a
dedicated workshop space for pottery, painting, and all forms of art. Our creative workshop is an outlet for those looking to explore their artistic talents in a relaxed and inspiring environment. We believe that creativity nurtures the soul, and we’re here to provide the space and support for you to create something beautiful. In addition to these offerings, we host cooking classes where our passion for teaching and learning in the kitchen truly comes to life. Whether you’re a seasoned
cook or just starting, our classes are designed to build confidence and bring out the joy of cooking. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, sharing our love for food and culinary arts. One of the most cherished experiences at Stillmeadow
is our Farm to Table Dinners, where we bring the best of local agriculture directly to your plate. These multi-course meals, prepared by professional chefs, feature locally sourced ingredients and are paired with wines and beers from local artisans. The evening is further enriched by live music from local musicians, creating an unforgettable experience that celebrates
community and the beauty of eating locally. For those seeking a more immersive experience, we offer retreats with onsite stays and in-house catering. These retreats provide a perfect balance of relaxation, inspiration, and rejuvenation. With customized schedules and delicious, locally inspired meals, our retreats are designed to help you reconnect, recharge,
and focus on your personal journey. We are dedicated to creating a place where hospitality and purpose flourish. We invite you to join us, to find your seat at the table, and to experience the many ways Stillmeadow can enrich your life. Whether you’re here for a day or a longer stay, we hope you’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose, community, and connection.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an entrepreneur always brings its challenges. You are constantly having to adjust to the market, your audience/customers, and things like pandemics. Over the past couple of years, we feel like our challenge is how to reach people. What we do covers such a broad range of demographics. It’s the easiest time ever to get news out fast, yet it is the hardest time to figure out how to reach our audience with so many platforms available and it is constantly changing. There is so much “noise” to compete with. Working with family is always the best gig ever…but it also brings its own challenges. Learning how to communicate with each other without taking things personally. I grew up in a family business, so it has been my life. You just always want your kids to be excited to see you as mom and dad and not feel the pressure of “living up” to the position all of the time. Our love is unconditional, but you still have things you see differently. Our goal is to really allow them to flourish in their giftings and their vision, while trying to bring the full story together.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Stillmeadow?
I feel like we are known best for excellent food and great hospitality. Whether its a cup of coffee at Cultivate, a slice of our Granny Fay’s Pies, a Farm to Table Dinner Experience, Cooking Class, Retreat, or Wedding…we want to make sure it is the best experience. We are family owned and operated and have poured into all that we do from the ground up. (you can refer to the history story page that shares it all, too)

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Chad grew up in Harrisonville, Missouri. From a young age, Chad developed a deep love and passion for all music–specifically the drums. He began to play at the age of 5 and has never stopped since. His deep love and dedication to music gave him the opportunities over the years to play for the Kansas City Youth Symphony, UCM Band, multiple bands, and as a recording artist as a drummer. Along with this, he has created multiple businesses including Service Tech and Ag Tech. Chad is not only a handyman on our farm but is a helpful piece in every part of what we do.
Jeanne grew up on a farm about a mile from here. The farm was her favorite place to be. She loved spending time outdoors—fishing, making mud pies, riding three-wheelers, and embracing all the adventures that came with farm life. Jeanne has always had an outgoing personality and a strong competitive spirit, which fueled her passion for sports. She began playing soccer at a young age, later adding volleyball, basketball, and track to her list. She thrived on the challenge, enjoyed learning the value of teamwork, and loved encouraging her teammates along the way. In addition to sports, Jeanne also grew up singing and has always had a deep love for music. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1998 with a degree in Agricultural Economics.

Pricing:

• Farm to Table Dinners – $100/person
• Cooking Classes – $75/person
• Other Classes – $35 – $45/person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.visitstillmeadow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitstillmeadow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitstillmeadow/