(Stillwater, Okla. – March 5, 2015) Oklahoma is often recognized for being a leading state in wheat production. Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center is excited to promote and recognize this commodity by celebrating Bake and Take Month in March.

The purpose of the Bake and Take promotion is to encourage participants to bake a product made from wheat and take it to a neighbor, friend or relative, said Renée Albers-Nelson, FAPC milling and baking specialist.

“The Bake and Take promotion is a wonderful way to get our young people to experience the joys of baking and understanding the importance of the cereal grain and wheat, grown in our state,” Nelson said.

FAPC, a part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and Oklahoma Wheat Commission have worked with DASNR’s State 4-H program for the past several years in promoting Bake and Take Month.

“We direct our focus towards 4-H, since this group is strong in community service and agriculture,” Nelson said. “As we promote Bake and Take, we encourage participants to purchase Oklahoma-milled flour.”

4-H members across the state are encouraged to bake products made with wheat and use Made in Oklahoma Coalition products while completing the steps of service learning: preparation, action, reflection and celebration.

Mandy Gross, FAPC communications services manager, said Bake and Take Month is not limited to just 4-H members; anyone can participate in the event.

“We would love to hear how people are celebrating Bake and Take Month and what Made in Oklahoma products are being used,” Gross said. “We are asking individuals who participate in Bake and Take Month to take photos of the ‘baking’ and ‘taking’ process and send them to us to be posted on FAPC’s social media sites.”

Individuals can submit photos by emailing mandy.gross@okstate.edu and noting the Made in Oklahoma products used and where the baked goods were shared.

Bake and Take began in 1970 by the Kansas Wheathearts, an auxiliary organization of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, as a community service event to celebrate the wheat harvest in Sumner County, Kan. For 45 years, Bake and Take Month has been an opportunity to celebrate relationships with friends and family by baking and sharing treats.

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Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system of interdisciplinary programs that prepares students for success. OSU is America’s Brightest Orange. Through leadership and service, OSU is preparing students for a bright future and building a brighter world for all. As Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 24,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 245,000 students to serve Oklahoma, the nation and the world.