A licorice fragranced vegetable may seem like a strange combination, unless you have come across fennel, the whole plant, feathery frond and bulging stem. As it turns out, this aromatic perennial (or annual depending on your climate) in the carrot family has a fascinating history, playing a medicinal and even mystical role in our culture since ancient times. As a commercial farmer years ago, I explored growing fennel to appeal to high-end restaurant chefs, In the last five years at the campus farm, I have learned that it is simple to grow, has many organic uses (beneficial insects love it!) and newly discovered recipes continue to pull me into its culinary orbit.