The Missouri Department of Agriculture sponsors the Missouri Grown Foods Contest at the Missouri State Fair. The event is set for Aug. 19.
Each county may submit three entries, one from each of three age groups: 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 and older.
According to official judging criteria, each demonstrator must use a food product grown or made by a Missouri Grown member, and must provide background information on the producer or company, nutrition and preparation information, and the economics of the food product and the final dish. The demonstrator must present a finished product for judges' sampling and a recipe handout for the judges.
Any 4-H member age 8 and older may enter, according to the category designated for their age, and may be enrolled in any 4-H project.
Demonstrations are to last between seven and 10 minutes. Only individuals may present, no team demonstrations will be allowed.
The top three places in each age range will receive Missouri Grown products. Awards will be presented 30 minutes after the last demonstration.
Locally, there are 26 Missouri Grown members participants can choose from: Lucky Falling Star Ranch, ‘Go Farm Farmer’s Market, Mom and Me: Queen Bee Creations, Mary’s Little Lambs Products, Ozark Fruit Company, West Plains Area Farmer’s Market, International Farmer’s Market and Jollif Farm in West Plains; Mission Hills Honey Company in Peace Valley; Thayer Farmer’s Market in Thayer; Mtn. View Farmer’s Market and WPH Ranch in Mtn. View; Oregon County Farmer’s Market in Alton; Grison Dairy & Creamery and Ava Grower’s Market in Ava; new Man Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork in Myrtle; Downtown Market Place and Chateauvert Farm, Mtn. Grove; Valley Vision Ranch, Winona; Piney River Brewing Company, Bucyrus; Lone Star Farmer’s Market, Houston; L and E Organic Farm, Norwood; Turtle Gulch Gardens, Bradleyville; Seymour Farmer’s Market and CF Cattle Company, Seymour; and Licking Farmer’s Market, Licking.
Details pertaining Missouri Grown members, including product information and contact information, are available at www.MissouriGrownUSA.com.
For more information about the contest, call 573-522-6715.
