NEWS R(Y)ELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 14, 2015
CONTACT: Dana Kazel, Communications Manager
218-725-5049 (office) • 218-591-2219 (cell)
County Board to make mer-rye at final meeting of 2015
They balance budgets and make policy decisions. But can they bake? That will be the question following the year's final County Board meeting on Tuesday, December 15. Commissioners and department heads have been challenged to a rye flour baking contest. A team of judges will taste the various creations, and announce the winners at 12 noon.The event will be held in the Commissioners Conference Room on the second floor of the County Courthouse in Duluth.
Commissioner Keith Nelson came up with the idea of the baking contest and provided each entrant with a five pound bag of ground rye flour harvested from his farm in Fayal Township. "In St. Louis County, we're so known for taconite, timber and tourism, that people often forget about the importance agriculture serves in our economy," said Nelson. "This is a fun way to remind people that our region's farmers and growers play an important role in our economy."
Some agriculture statistics include:
- 127,243 acres of land were used for farm production in St. Louis County in 2012.
- St. Louis County dairy farms produce more than 2.2 million gallons of milk every year.
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The number one agricultural crop in St. Louis County is hay/forage for animal feed, with 2012 sales topping $43.9 million. Following that is production of wild rice, oats, barley and cut Christmas trees.
- St. Louis County is home to 10 active farmer's markets. The oldest is the Duluth Farmer's Market, organized in 1911.
As part of the event, while participants sample each other's baking, St. Louis County Extension representatives will present additional fun facts about agriculture in the County.
Entries will be judged based on taste, texture and appearance. Prizes include bragging rights and goodies from Nelson's farm. He emphasizes the contest is all in fun and all expenses associated with it were paid by him, not taxpayers.
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 In this picture from last September, Commissioner Keith Nelson, left, distributes five pound bags of ground rye flour and explains his idea for a baking contest to fellow commissioners including Chris Dahlberg and Patrick Boyle, and County Administrator Kevin Gray. Baking contest entries will be tasted and judged on Tuesday, December 15 at noon, following the County Board meeting in Duluth.
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