Faith, Family, and Farm-Fresh Flavor: Hansen Museum Features Jesus & Jelly as July Artist of the Month

LOGAN, Kan. — Sometimes life's greatest blessings are born from its greatest challenges.

For Sommer Yocum of Long Island, Kansas, a frightening medical diagnosis in 2021 became the beginning of a journey of faith, purpose, and entrepreneurship. Today, that journey is reflected in every jar of Jesus & Jelly, the faith-inspired business featured as the Hansen Museum's July Artist of the Month.

In 2021, Sommer began experiencing severe dizzy spells that became so debilitating she could no longer drive herself to work. After visiting an ear, nose, and throat specialist, she was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, a disorder of the inner ear that affects balance and hearing. At the time, she worried about how she would continue to help support her family.

Then came an unexpected answer.

During her illness, Sommer dreamed about making jelly. Even more remarkable, she awoke with the name Jesus & Jelly firmly impressed upon her heart.

Believing God was leading her in a new direction, she began making jelly during the hours she felt well enough to be on her feet. What started as a way to supplement her family's income soon became something much greater.

Today, Sommer works full-time as secretary at Northern Valley Middle School during the school year while continuing her jelly business throughout the summer.

Unlike many jelly makers, Sommer insists on harvesting her own fruit rather than purchasing it from a store. She hand-picks sand plums and chokecherries from her family's farm ground and from generous friends throughout northwest Kansas before carefully preparing the juice and making each batch of jelly herself.

"It's truly farm-to-table," Sommer said.

She learned the entire process from her husband's grandmother, who taught her everything from gathering the fruit to sealing the finished jars. Neither imagined the business would grow as it has.

Sommer's first opportunity to sell her jelly came at the Hansen Museum Arts & Crafts Fair. Since then, Jesus & Jelly has become a familiar favorite at the Phillipsburg Farmers Market, Logan Farmers Market, and the Hansen Museum's annual Arts & Crafts Fair. This summer she is also adding the Long Island Farmers Market to her schedule.

What surprises Sommer most is how far her small-town business has traveled. Customers have mailed her jelly to family and friends in Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and throughout Kansas. One jar even found its way to the Dominican Republic.

Yet for Sommer, the jelly itself is only part of the story. Every jar of Jesus & Jelly includes a carefully selected Bible verse, and before any order leaves her kitchen, she takes time to pray over it.

"I pray that the Scripture on each jar reaches someone who needs encouragement, hope, a seed planted, or simply a blessing," Sommer said. "Then I thank God for choosing me to do this work." That simple act has become the heart of her business.

Her motto says it all: "Picked, prepared, poured, and prayed over."

Sommer says searching for Scripture to accompany each jar has strengthened her own faith just as much as she hopes it encourages others. What began as a response to uncertainty has become a ministry that touches people one jar at a time.

Visitors to the Hansen Museum during the month of July will have the opportunity to learn more about Sommer's inspiring story while viewing and purchasing her handcrafted jellies. Her display celebrates not only the flavors of the Kansas prairie but also the power of perseverance, faith, and trusting God's plan.

The Hansen Museum is located at 110 W. Main Street, Logan, Kansas, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday and holidays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is always free, courtesy of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

For more information, call 785-689-4846 or visit www.hansenmuseum.org.