[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 32 (Thursday, February 17, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING FARM GIRL GIFTS AND BAKE SHOP

 Mr. PAUL. Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Farm 
Girl Gifts and Bake Shop of Corydon, KY, as the Senate Small Business 
of the Week.
  Entrepreneurship is undoubtedly a unique career path. I guarantee if 
you ask any small business owner about the genesis of their business, 
you will find that each start-up story is distinct in its own way. For 
Farm Girl Gifts and Bake Shop, baking had long been a hobby of founder 
and owner, Marganna Stanley, who spent the past 30 years working as an 
educator in the schools of Henderson County, the last 6 of which as 
Henderson County school superintendent. Though she has always been 
passionate about teaching, Marganna did not let her 2020 retirement 
stop her from chasing her other dream, that of owning her own business.
  In late 2020, undeterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Marganna opened 
Farm Girl Gifts and Bake Shop, a place where one could shop for gifts 
of all kinds, including glassware, skincare and bath products, 
children's books and toys, along with a host of local artisan products. 
Even with the wide array of gifts for sale, there are plenty of other 
attractions at Farm Girl, namely, the excellent home-cooking of 
Marganna and her staff. As the business name would indicate, baked 
goods are her specialty. The team at Farm Girl Gifts and Bake Shop work 
tirelessly to ensure that every customer has more than enough options 
to choose from. From cookies to layer cakes, muffins to pies, sourdough 
loafs to her signature tall cupcakes, Marganna and her team stay busy 
in the kitchen.
  As the only restaurant in the town of Corydon, Marganna makes sure 
Farm Girl always has some hearty Kentucky cooking on hand to satisfy 
any appetite. Though sweets are Marganna's specialty, sub sandwiches, 
soups, and sliders are common attractions at Farm Girl Gifts and Bake 
Shop. Moreover, Marganna brings her experience as an educator and her 
love for teaching to her new business venture. When stocking her 
shelves with Christmas gifts for the holidays, she made sure to include 
educational books and toys for young children. She keeps the Farm Girl 
atmosphere fun by creating competitions for her devoted customers. In 
the summer of 2021, she announced that the customer who bought Farm 
Girl's 10,000th tall cupcake would receive a $100 prize. She ended 
2021, her first full year in business, having sold 9,678 of these tall 
cupcakes. Shortly thereafter Farm Girl hit that 10,000 milestone and 
that $100 bill found itself in one lucky customer's pocket. Her effort 
to bring a fun and engaging feeling to her business harkens back to 
Marganna's tenured career as an educator. Needless to say, his beloved 
presence in Henderson County is still brightening the faces of Corydon 
residents, young and old.
  Farm Girl Gifts and Bake Shop is a wonderful example of how old 
passions can lead to new adventures. Always a great steward of her 
community, Marganna did not let a pandemic delay or deter her from 
pursuing her dream of serving Henderson County outside of the 
classroom. Always with a friendly smile, she continues on as a 
steadfast member of her community, and Henderson County parents and 
alumni alike make sure to stop by Farm Girl Gifts and Bake Shop to see 
her familiar face.
  Congratulations to Marganna Stanley and the entire Farm Girl Gifts 
and Bake Shop team. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to 
watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

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