‘Field To Fork’ Blogger Bash connects farmers, foodies

Written by Jonathan Eisenthal

Last week, CommonGround Minnesota held it’s annual “Field To Fork” Blogger Bash, inviting Twin Cities bloggers and foodies to Wolf Creek Dairy near Dundas for an evening of conversation about food and farming.

Guests toured the farm and used the power of social media to bring their fans along as they learned about modern agriculture. For example, those following along online learned that it takes a mere 48 hours from the time the cows are milked, to the time people at home are consuming that milk.

Held in partnership with KTMY-MyTalk 107.1, the more than 60 guests toured the barns and milking parlor, got an up-close look at modern farm equipment, and enjoyed delicious dairy-themed food and Minnesota-made craft beer and wine during the social hour before dinner.

The goal of the event was to provide an opportunity to foster dialogue about how food is grown and raised in Minnesota. Stephanie March, host of MyTalk’s “Weekly Dish” and Food & Dining editor at Mpls./St.Paul Magazine, emceed the event and farmer panel that followed dinner.

Barb Liebenstein of Wolf Creek Dairy; Lois Rydeen, a beef cattle rancher from Clearwater; and Angela Guentzel, who raises corn and soybeans on their family farm near Mankato provided farmer insights and perspective during the panel discussion.

Liebenstein, Rydeen, and Guentzel as well as the other CommonGround volunteers in attendance shared their passion for agriculture, answered questions and addressed several common myths and misconceptions about farming.

‘It’s all about relationships. Our goal is to create relationships with our customers and with all these people who are concerned about food,” Liebenstein said. “We can talk about all the science that goes into the choices farmers make, whether it’s GMOs or antibiotics, but first we have to have a relationship with the person we’re having this conversation with.”

CommonGround is a group of women in agriculture who volunteer their time to share information about how food is grown and raised. More than 200 women from nearly 20 states, including Minnesota, volunteer with the program. Together, these women raise a variety of conventional and organic produce, grains and livestock. They share their personal experiences, as well as science and research, to help answer questions surrounding food and farming. For more information, visit CommonGroundMinnesota.com.