Farm groups will be serving up great food at Farmfest
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 08/09/2010 3:31 PM
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GILFILLAN, Minn,. — Agriculture organizations raise money by serving up great food at Farmfest. Stop by their food stands throughout the show, Aug. 3-5 at the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County.
Minnesota Farm Bureau: Booth 8
Returning to Farmfest are Minnesota Farm Bureau's pork chops on a stick.
"That's been our main thing we've done for many years," said Carolyn Olson, president of Lyon County Farm Bureau and co-chair of the Farm Bureau Pork Chop Stand.The stand will be located under the main Farm Bureau tent.
"We like to talk to all of our Farm Bureau members," Olson said.
The boneless chops are seasoned, grilled and basted with butter. Portion size is approximately 5.5. ounces.
"People love the flavor and come year after year to get the pork chops," said Olson.
Most people eat them plain. Condiment-lovers may order them on a bun.
Prices weren't finalized as of July 20 but are kept reasonable to be budget-friendly for families, Olson said.
Also available will be chips, soda, pickles on sticks and ice cream novelties.
Half of the money raised from sales are used for promotion and education efforts of the Minnesota Farm Bureau.The other half goes to similar initiatives of the Lyon County Farm Bureau.
"We use it for promotion and education in our county, like sending members to Washington, D.C., when there's trips like that or educational opportunities, or sponsoring FFA events," Olson said.
The pork comes from Hy-Vee in Marshall.
The county and state organizations split duties of running the stand. FFA members from Tracy, Marshall and Lakeview will be helping this year. Grilling starts early so the first chops are ready sometimes as early as 10 a.m.
Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association: Booth 513N
Back by popular demand, the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association will be serving sliced roast beef sandwiches.
The sandwiches come with chips, beans and soda for $7.50.
MSCA members served a different type of beef sandwich the last three years, but customer feedback caused them to switch back.
This will be their 14th year at Farmfest.
Their food is unique because it'sserved by beef producers promoting their own product, said Krist Wollum, a MSCA member from the Porter area who helps organize the food stand.
"We're going to serve a good, tasty product and to help support the cattle industry in the state of Minnesota," he said.
Wollum and a small committee of other MSCA members are volunteering to oversee the stand.
"We're trying to promote a good product and we're doing it with volunteer help. And they're there because they're happy to be there and having fun," Wollum said.
Members who help get a free meal, he said.
Their beef is sponsored by American Foods Group based in Alexandria.
In the morning, coffee and rolls will be served.
Redwood County American Dairy Association: Gate 3
Milkshakes and malts will be sold at Farmfest by the Redwood County ADA.
Flavors are strawberry, vanilla, chocolate or a twist of those flavors.
Strawberry and chocolate are the most popular malt flavors, according to Dennis Plaetz, the group's president. A malt costs $3.
"People just enjoy them, that's one thing they always look forward to coming to Farmfest, is to get one of those," he said.
The money they bring in will be used for radio promotions and to promote the organization in their community. Redwood County ADA sponsors schools' Player of the Week programs and recognizes academic achievement, Plaetz said.
New Ulm Farm City Hub Club: Gate 2
Hamburgers, bratwursts with sauerkraut, hot dogs, BBQ baked beans and German potato salad will be served by the New Ulm Farm City Hub Club.
"We go through about 45 gallons of German potato salad," said Jim Thomas, president of the club and chairman of their food stand. "And we go through about 50 gallons of beans."
German potato salad differs from the American variety because it's served warm. It includes bacon and has a spicy flavor.
"We go with good quality food, like our hamburgers — we get many compliments 'cause it's a nice, third-pound hamburger, not just a thin slab of meat. The German potato salad is a New Ulm tradition and that's made from scratch, and our beans are all doctored up and made special," said Thomas.
Their fundraiser also includes breakfasts, such as pancakes with sausage or biscuits and gravy. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The show opens at 8 a.m., but some exhibitors stop by for breakfast.
"It's really interesting when you're there and the fun part about it is when you see the same people come back time and time again to eat. Then you know you're putting a good product out," said Thomas.
The club started in the mid-1970s to support agriculture and agribusinesses in the New Ulm area. They have approximately 150 members.
"We spend a lot of our money educating the general public about agriculture," said Thomas.
Their programs include hosting a breakfast on a dairy farm and educating children on natural resources conservation.
"We spend a lot of money with the FFA chapter and try to support their programming by offering scholarships," said Thomas.