FAPC contest promotes Bake and Take Month in March
By Mandy Gross, FAPC Communications Services Manager
(Stillwater, Okla. – Feb. 6, 2017) Oklahoma is often recognized for being a leading state in wheat production. Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center is promoting and recognizing this commodity by celebrating Bake and Take Month in March.
The Bake and Take promotion encourages participants to bake a product made from wheat and take it to friends, relatives or neighbors, said Renée Albers-Nelson, FAPC milling and baking specialist.
“We can get our youth involved in experiencing the joys of baking and understanding the importance of the cereal grain wheat grown in our state through this Bake and Take promotion,” Nelson said.
FAPC, a part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Oklahoma Wheat Commission have worked with DASNR’s State 4-H program for the past several years in promoting Bake and Take Month.
This year, FAPC is holding a Bake and Take Contest for Oklahoma 4-H members to help celebrate the center’s 20-year anniversary.
“The 4-H clubs and members are our focus because they are strong in agriculture and community service,” Nelson said. “We encourage youth to purchase Oklahoma-milled flour as they participate in the Bake and Take Contest in their 4-H clubs.”
4-H members across the state are encouraged to bake products made with locally grown wheat and use Made in Oklahoma ingredients while completing the steps of service learning: preparation, action, reflection and celebration.
To participate in the contest, 4-H members or clubs are to make a cake or cupcakes from scratch using at least two Made in Oklahoma ingredients. Individuals are encouraged to visit www.madeinoklahoma.net and www.miocoalition.com for a list of Made in Oklahoma products and ingredients.
The cake or cupcakes must employ the theme of FAPC’s 20-year anniversary, using decorations, candles, frosting, edible graphic elements and similar materials. Visit www.fapc.biz to learn more about FAPC.
To enter, 4-H clubs or members must submit three high-quality digital photos with the understanding the photos may be used by 4-H or FAPC on social media or for other marketing purposes. Photo 1 must include the members making and/or decorating the cake or cupcakes. Photo 2 should show the completed cake or cupcakes, and photo 3 should include the individuals responsible for completing the entry.
When submitting the photos, members must provide the following information:
- City and county of the 4-H club or individual.
- Name of the 4-H leader/volunteer, plus email address and phone number of the leader.
- Names and ages of the members.
- A description of the cake and how it fits FAPC’s 20-anniversary theme.
- A list of Made in Oklahoma products used.
4-H members must submit the photos and information by 5 p.m. on March 20, 2017, to andrea.graves@okstate.edu.
The contest will include a junior category (age 9-13) and senior category (age 14-18). Groups with a combination of both age groups will compete in the senior category.
Winners in each category will receive $100 total for the group or individual, sponsored by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, an FAPC anniversary swag bag and tickets to the 2017 Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show held Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 during the Tulsa State Fair, donated by show organizer Kerry Vincent.
Vincent, a world-renowned sugar artist and Food Network star, will judge the entries evaluating the use of Made in Oklahoma products, best depiction of the theme, creativity, technique and neatness.
Winners also will have an opportunity to recreate their cakes or cupcakes at the Fun with Sugar event in Tulsa in April. For more information on this event, visit http://oklahomasugarartists.com/fun-with-sugar/.
Andrea Graves, FAPC business planning and marketing specialist, said she is excited to see the creativity and leadership of 4-H members across the state as they participate in the Bake and Take Contest.
“Not only is the contest a great way to learn more about products made with locally grown wheat and Made in Oklahoma ingredients, but it also helps FAPC celebrate its 20-year anniversary of supporting the growth of value-added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma,” she said.
For more information about the Bake and Take Contest description and rules or to view a video, please visit http://fapc.biz/workshops/bakeandtake.
- ### -
Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.
