In this episode, host Rodolfo Alvarado reflects with Connor Harlow, the Bakery Manager at the Ypsi Food Co-op, whose story is as warm and fulfilling as the sourdough he bakes.

Connor first discovered the co-op back in 2013 while studying environmental science at EMU. What began as a simple search for local food quickly turned into a life-changing connection. From his first steps through the co-op’s front door to becoming the heart behind its brick oven, Connor shares how curiosity, community, and a passion for baking led him from customer to co-op cornerstone.

Connor reflects on his early days of baking pies for Thanksgiving, his self-taught mastery of sourdough, and how a once-quiet oven became a symbol of his dedication and creativity. Now, nearly a decade later, Connor reflects on what it means to grow with a place and help shape its future—loaf by loaf.

A story of purpose, passion, and the power of good food. Tune in now to hear Connor’s journey in his own words.