AgriMissouri

Congratulations to Sarah!

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-11T14:26:34-05:00

For you dedicated readers - the AgriMissouri Showcase is taking a short celebratory break from blogging. On Thursday, Sept. 10, AgriMissouri Showcase Blogger Sarah Gehring and her husband welcomed a new baby boy to their family. Don't worry - Sarah will be back before we know it bringing us great recipes and fabulous stories about AgriMissouri.

Join the Missouri Department of Agriculture in congratulating Sarah & her family!

Interesting Article on Norton Wine

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-10T08:57:38-05:00

The Columbia Tribune featured Missouri’s state grape, the Norton, yesterday on the cover of their food section. Soon there will be a Norton specific glass from the Riedel Glass Company available in Missouri wineries.

Members Exhibiting at Heritage Reunion in Fair Grove

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-08T12:49:51-05:00

The 32nd Annual Fair Grove Heritage Reunion is coming up September 26 & 27 in Fair Grove, Missouri. The event features over 300 arts, crafts, food and fund raising booths, a hometown parade on Saturday morning and church service on Sunday. Other activities held throughout the weekend include dancing, country music, period entertainment from the 1800’s, horse and mule obstacle course demonstrations, antique small engines, tractors, threshing and lots of other family friendly activities.

AgriMissouri members from the Fair Grove Farmers’ Market will be exhibiting representing the Fair Grove Farmers’ Market. Farmers exhibiting include:

Jim and CC Guilick of The Berry Patch selling jams and jellies,
Jack and Janet Brooks selling local honey,
Lynn Oatman maker of whole grain breads and baked goods,
Richard Srch selling local produce, and
Deb VanBenthusen selling homemade cinnamon jelly, gourd bird houses, and breads.

For more information about the Heritage Reunion contact 417-759-2807 or visit the Fair Grove Farmers’ Market blog.

Friday Fixin's

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-04T10:24:03-05:00

Many of us will be attending Labor Day picnics so this week's recipe is a tasty and easy salad. It calls for strawberries but you can use any Missouri fruit. Have a great holiday weekend!

Spectacular Spinach and Strawberry Salad

1-2 bunches fresh, washed spinach from local farmers' market
3-4 cups fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
1/2 small sweet red onion, thinly sliced, or chopped chives (optional)

In a large bowl, toss together spinach, strawberries and onions or chives if desired.

Add salad dressing ingredients to a small jar with a tight fitting lid:

1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons Missouri honey
1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

Secure lid, shake and pour over salad; toss and serve.

Quick Meal Using AgriMissouri Products

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-03T09:00:00-05:00

Check out how Dawn Thurnau incorporated AgriMissouri member, Garden Goodies, Apricot Pepper Jelly, into a quick meal on the Missouri Beef Buzz blog.

4-H Demonstration Winners at State Fair

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-02T09:00:00-05:00

AgriMissouri annually sponsors a 4-H Demonstration Contest held at the Missouri State Fair. Contestants must use a Missouri product in their recipes and be selected at their county contest in order to participate in the contest at the Missouri State Fair.

This year's contest was held on Saturday, August 22, with 11 contestants in the three divisions. A few of the recipes were Individual Cheesecakes using AgriMissouri Goat Cheese, Beehive Cookies using AgriMissouri honey and Bison Burgers using AgriMissouri bison. Contestants did not have to provide judges with a recipe so I can't give you those but below are photos of the award winners.

If you're interested in more information about the contest, please email me at sarah.gehring@mda.mo.gov or contact your local 4-H office.

8-10 Year Old Division
First - Kayla Taylor
Second - Andrew Minks

11-13 Year Old Division
First - Sarah Daubendiek
Second - Michelle Ensor

14 & Up Division
First - Mary Kate Purcell
Second - Marie McSparen
Third - John Anderson

Two Columbia Schools Feature Local Apples

Sarah Gehring — 2009-09-01T09:27:14-05:00

AgriMissouri member, Peters Orchard & Market, is featured in today's article in the Columbia Missourian. The Peters are selling their apples to two elementary schools as part of the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program. To learn more, read the article here or to visit Peters Market in Waverly, Missouri, check out their web site.

Friday Fixin's

Sarah Gehring — 2009-08-28T09:47:58-05:00

I apologize for the lack of recipes for this last month. We were getting ready for and working in the AgriMissouri Market at the Missouri State Fair. This year's Market was a huge success but I'll talk about that more next week.

While I was at the fair, I also conducted two demonstrations on the Local Foods Cooking Stage. I featured ground lamb as well as other AgriMissouri and local products. This week's recipe is one that I demonstrated. It was developed for the Missouri Sheep Producers Association by Chef Daniel Pliska at the University Club in Columbia, Missouri. It received great reviews at the fair! Enjoy!

Mini Lamb Burgers with Roma Tomato & Goat Cheese

Yield: 14-16 Mini Burgers

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. ground lean lamb (I used Susie's Grassfed Lamb from the Columbia Farmers' Market)

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (80/20)

1/2 cup minced onion

1 tbsp. minced garlic (look for these fresh ingredients at your local farmers' market)

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 eggs

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1 tbsp kosher salt (I used My House All Purpose Seasoning)

2 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 tbsp olive oil

12 slices roma tomatoes

8 oz. goat cheese (check out Baetje Farms)

12 basil leaves

12 silver dollar rolls

Directions

Sautee the onions and the garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until translucent (blonde).
Le the onions and garlic cool, then mix together thoroughly with the meat, herbs, eggs, bread crumbs and spices.
Form 14-16 patties and grill until temperature reaches 145 degrees F and then remove from the grill.
Top the burgers with the roma tomato slices, basil and the goat cheese.
Return to the grill until cheese is melted.
Served on the silver dollar rolls (can be served with a good Garlic Aioli).

Last Day of the 2009 Missouri State Fair

Sarah Gehring — 2009-08-23T06:00:00-05:00

It’s the last day of the 2009 Missouri State Fair. We have got some great end-of-fair specials in the AgriMissouri Market so stop by and see us from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm in the Agriculture Building.

August 22 at the Missouri State Fair

Sarah Gehring — 2009-08-22T06:00:00-05:00

Today’s featured products include wine jellies and dry mixes from Indian Creek Winery, spicy relish from Georgie Girl’s Food Products and pepper jam and pecan butter from Garden Goodies Fruity Peppers. learn more about Garden Goodies Fruity Peppers below.

Garden Goodies – Fruity Peppers

Nothing adds flavor and fun like jellies and jams and sauces! And there are no jellies and jams like the ones from Garden Goodies – Fruity Peppers! Four of their sauce flavors include Apricot Jalapeno, Raspberry Jalapeno, Blackberry Jalapeno and Cherry Jalapeno. These make great additions to cream cheese or even your favorite grilled foods!

First started as a hobby, Garden Goodies continues to make products that are free of harsh preservatives, leaving room to enjoy the natural tastes of the fruit! Located in Chillicothe, Missouri, these products will are sure to please consumers!

If you’d like to give it a try, then feel free to stop by the AgriMissouri Market today.