Grainnet

Parker, CO—On Thursday, September 23rd and Friday, September 24th a live wheat field, approximately one quarter of an acre in size, will sprout from the streets of the nation’s capital in an effort to promote food literacy via farm-to-fork wheat education.

Members of the nation’s wheat industry will unite to deliver an authentic experience to city dwellers and key influencers during the Wheat Foods Council’s second Urban Wheat Field.

Experts in the areas of wheat agriculture, milling, baking and nutrition will guide visitors through each phase of the grain’s life cycle, engaging them in hands-on activities and demonstrations along the way.

The program is designed to foster a better understanding of a food’s nutrition and lineage by enabling people to experience the process by which a kernel of wheat becomes a wheat food.

Participants will be directed to www.howwheatworks.com to extend their education.

“Coming off the success and excitement of New York’s Urban Wheat Field, we’re looking forward to strengthening our message and enhancing the experience at the Washington, D.C. event,” said David Moore, Wheat Foods Council executive board president and Texas Wheat Producers Board representative.

“Our members and partners are sending more people, providing more resources and really going above and beyond to capitalize on this extraordinary, high-visibility educational opportunity.”

Event enhancements include a more prominent design element and live baking demonstrations with ConAgra Mills certified master baker Manfred Schmidtke.

Additionally, a recreated grocery store aisle featuring all wheat foods will serve as a backdrop for registered dietitian presentations on deciphering nutrition facts labels, proper serving sizes and whole versus enriched grain nutrition.

Preceding the event, the National Association of Wheat Growers will host a reception for congressional staff members to experience the event and meet with representatives from their individual state wheat commissions.

Farm Credit will provide additional support for the reception and guided tours with Hill staffers and members of congress taking place throughout the two days.

The University of Maryland, Central Maryland Research and Education Center is in the process of growing pallets of wheat, provided by North Dakota Wheat Commission, for display at the exhibit.

State wheat commission members from nearly all wheat-producing states will be on hand to lead field tours and speak to the growth, harvest and economic impact of the nation’s wheat production.

A full-size combine from Case IH will be showcased and, for the first time, U.S. Wheat Associates will have an informational booth detailing wheat exports.

The milling section will feature mills from ADM Milling Company and ConAgra Mills as well as hand grinders donated by South Dakota Wheat Commission.

Nebraska Wheat Board’s self-contained mobile baking lab will churn out bread and cookie samples made with Ultra-Grain flour throughout the day.

General Mills Inc. and The Kellogg Company will provide thousands of product samples to be given to attendees upon exiting the Urban Wheat Field.

Additional financial and in-kind support has been provided by members and friends of the Wheat Foods Council, including Home Baking Association, Monsanto, Oregon Wheat Commission, Idaho Wheat Commission, Texas Wheat Producers Board, North Dakota Wheat Commission and Washington Grains Alliance.

Their time, efforts and donations have made the Urban Wheat Field possible.

FOr more information, call 312-596-3515.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Wheat Foods Council

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