Karol Swan

About Karol

Columbus, Nebraska

I’ve had the fortune to live on a farm all my life. I grew up on a row crop farm in Saunders County.  My brothers still farm and feed cattle there. I own an irrigated row crop farm near York with my daughter, Jordan.  We are blessed with wonderful tenants that use the latest innovations to continually improve our farm. I am currently in the Columbus area with a farmer/feed yard owner/ operator.

I am retired from the USDA. I worked 32 years for the Meat Grading and Certification Branch grading carcass beef. My duty station was Grand Island and I worked in other beef plants throughout the Midwest. I was a 4-H Mom and leader for years.

We had cattle and horses for business and 4-H projects, plus other livestock species for projects. Horses are still part of the York farm.  Jordan lives on the York farm, trains horses and works in real estate. I enjoy giving presentations to high school classrooms and sharing the CommonGround messages.  I cannot stress the importance of connecting with people.

I love to listen, answering questions, and assuring folks that we have the safest, healthiest, most abundant, and most economical food supply in the world.

News from Karol

Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Brunch (anytime) Casserole

Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Brunch (anytime) Casserole

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares a recipe for Cheese Ham and Asparagus Brunch Casserole with Pure Nebraska viewers. Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Brunch (anytime) Casserole 1 1/2 cups cooked diced ham1/2 cup diced onion (I prefer red onion)1/4 cup chopped bell...

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Fresh Cucumber Salsa

Fresh Cucumber Salsa

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares her recipe for Cucumber Salsa with Pure Nebraska viewers. Fresh Cucumber Salsa 3-4 cups peeled and diced cucumbers1 10 oz can Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chilies1/4 cup apple cider vinegar1 pkg ranch dry dressing mix1/2 - 1...

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Rhubarb Batter Pudding

Rhubarb Batter Pudding

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares a recipe for Rhubarb Batter Pudding with Pure Nebraska viewers. Rhubarb Batter Pudding 3 cups rhubarb (fresh or frozen)1/4 cup brown sugar2 tablespoons flour2 tablespoons melted butter1/4 cup sugar1/2 cup cream or half &...

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Delicious By the Pint

Delicious By the Pint

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares a recipe for a pretty layered dessert with Pure Nebraska viewers. Delicious By the Pint 1 box White Cake MixNeon Food Coloring or 4 different colors2 boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding1 cup Powdered Sugar8 ounces softened Cream...

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Hot Broccoli Dip

Hot Broccoli Dip

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares her recipe for Hot Broccoli Dip with Pure Nebraska viewers. Hot Broccoli Dip 1 10-oz. Frozen Chopped Broccoli, thawed¼ stick butter1 cup chopped celery1 large onion chopped1 clove garlic minced or 1 teaspoon garlic from a jar1...

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Jaci B’s Braunschweiger Pate’

Jaci B’s Braunschweiger Pate’

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares a recipe for Braunschweiger Pate' with Pure Nebraska viewers. Jaci B’s Braunschweiger Pate’ 8 ounces Braunschweiger1/2 cup mayonnaise4 teaspoons worcestershire Sauce1/2-1 teaspoon onion powder1/2 teaspoon sugar Mix all...

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Refreshing Oriental Salad

Refreshing Oriental Salad

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares her recipe for a Refreshing Oriental Salad with Pure Nebraska viewers.   Refreshing Oriental Salad 4 cups shredded cabbage (Any kind will work (6-8 oz pre-packaged))2 cups matchstick cut carrots (6-8 oz pre-packaged)½...

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Mexican Corn Salad

Mexican Corn Salad

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares her recipe for Mexican Corn Salad with Pure Nebraska viewers.   Mexican Corn Salad 5 cups corn frozen or cut from cob2 Tablespoons Butter4 cloves fresh garlic minced or 2 teaspoons minced garlic from a jar½ teaspoon salt½...

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Facts Not Fear – GMOs

Facts Not Fear – GMOs

Meet CommonGround volunteers Karol Swan and Joan Ruskamp. Karol isn’t just a farmer — she also has a background in meat grading and certification through the United States Department of Agriculture. Joan is a farmer, a licensed veterinary technician and a...

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Lovely Valentines Cake

Lovely Valentines Cake

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares her recipe for a Lovely Valentine Cake with Pure Nebraska viewers.   Lovely Valentines Cake angel food cake (( baked at home or purchased))1 package instant vanilla or cheesecake pudding1/2 cup milk1 cup sour cream1 tsp...

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Snicker Apple Dessert

Snicker Apple Dessert

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares a recipe for Snicker Apple Dessert with Pure Nebraska viewers. Snicker Apple Dessert 1 tub whipped topping1 cup powdered sugar1 -8 oz package cream cheesesoftened6-8 Apples diced6 Snicker Bars cut in small pieces Mix whipped...

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Too Easy, Too Tasty Pumpkin Muffins

Too Easy, Too Tasty Pumpkin Muffins

CommonGround volunteer Karol Swan shares her simple recipe for Pumpkin muffins with Pure Nebraska viewers.   Too Easy, Too Tasty Pumpkin Muffins 1 yellow cake mix1-15 oz can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) Pour in bowl. Stir together thoroughly.Place batter in...

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