This week on The Paragould Podcast, we sit down with Stephen Pace, a School Resource Officer in Paragould with an incredible story and a heart for the next generation.

Before serving in law enforcement, Stephen was:

Stephen became a police officer in 2005, spending 13 years on patrol before transitioning into his role as an SRO at Oak Grove Middle and Elementary Schools, where he helps with traffic, teaches safety classes, and builds meaningful relationships with students—some of whom are facing incredibly difficult circumstances. (He even took one student to see LeBron James play in Memphis.)

But that’s not all. In late 2023, Stephen inherited a sourdough starter from his mom Beth—who’d been baking for decades and blessing students, teachers, and grieving families with her famous loaves. That starter (estimated to be over 100 years old!) launched a whole new venture.

In early 2024, Stephen made a Facebook post. Then came 30 orders. Then 60. Then a wild first day at the Paragould Farmers Market where he sold out in just over an hour.

From patrol cars to proofing baskets, Stephen’s story is full of heart, humor, and hometown roots.