ɪn ɐdˈɪʃən tə ɹˈʌnɪŋ ðə fˈɑːɹm, kˈɪtʃəlz pˈɛɹənts ˈɔːlsoʊ wɜːɹ ɪnvˈɑːlvd ɪn lˈoʊkəl pˈɑːlətˌɪks: hɜː mˈʌðɚ wʌzɐ mˈɛmbɚɹ ʌvðə vɜːmˈɔnt fˈɑːɹm bjˈʊɹɹoʊ ænd ɐ fˈɔːɹmɚ stˈeɪt lˈɛdʒɪslˌeɪɾɚ, wˌaɪl hɜː fˈɑːðɚ wʌzɐ lˈoʊkəl sᵻlˈɛktmən.
In addition to running the farm, Kitchel's parents also were involved in local politics: her mother was a member of the Vermont Farm Bureau and a former state legislator, while her father was a local selectman.