PINNACLE — Nobody can cook it like grandma. At least, that’s the thought behind Horne Creek Living Historical Farm’s newest program, “The History’s in the Mix: My Grandmother’s Recipes.”

The state historic site is asking people to think about their favorite dish made by their grandmother or great-grandmother so they can participate in the farm’s first recipe swap. To participate, people need to call Horne Creek to request recipe forms. They then submit copies of their grandmother or great-grandmother’s recipe that they cherish the most.

The recipes must be submitted by Aug. 14, and there is a $5 participation fee to cover copying costs. When people submit their recipes, they also need to include a brief description of their grandmother and why they chose the specific dish.

“Everybody that has heard about it so far has loved the idea,” said Lisa Turney, site manager for Horne Creek Farm.

“This region is known for its good cooking,” she continued. “Everybody when they think of their grandmother, they more than likely have a favorite recipe ... There’s a sentimental element to it.”

Copies of all the recipes will be made by Horne Creek and given to each participant. The recipes will be distributed on Aug. 28, when people will gather at Horne Creek for the swap and to participate in a cooking contest. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Horne Creek is still developing more specific plans for the event.

Although participating in the contest portion of the program isn’t required, Turney said they are encouraging people to bring the dish that they submitted a recipe for. This year the program will focus on four cooking categories: desserts, candies, main dishes, and meats. Turney said there will be small prizes for the winner of each category.

This is Horne Creek’s first such cooking program. Turney said, “The ultimate goal is to produce a cookbook of recipes.”

Although the farm probably won’t get enough recipes the first time to compile a full cookbook, Turney said she hopes to continue holding this event in upcoming years.

“I see this as a two- or three-year project,” said Turney.

Of the project, Turney said, “I’m looking at it from a preservation standpoint. Food is a really significant part of our agricultural history.”

She believes the project will be a success, because she said people have a lot of interest in collecting new recipes to try out. She hopes that the program will help preserve the old-fashioned recipes of the region.

For more information or to request a recipe form, call Horne Creek Farm at 336-325-2298.

Recipe forms will also be available starting this Saturday at the visitor’s center at Horne Creek. On Saturday the farm will host “Folkways, Fried Pies, and Fiddle Tunes,” a free event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that is part of the 2nd Saturdays program sponsored by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.