Miranda Cain
East Central Pork Ambassador
East Central Pork Producers. Who are we? What do we do? Who do we serve? As a local nonprofit agriculture group, we serve four counties in east central Minnesota: Pine, Isanti, Kanabec and Mille Lacs.
We raise funds by serving grilled pork chops at our local county fairs – those yummy, oh-so-fragrant chops people buy – often by the dozen. In 2015, we sold nearly 13,000 chops at the Kanabec, Isanti and Pine
County Fairs. This summer, support your local farmers and agriculture by having a grilled chop.
We use our funds in numerous ways to educate local youth and consumers. One example is offering feeder pig loans for children in 4-H, to purchase swine for County Fair exhibits, with the chance to go on to the Minnesota State Fair and the Northeast Livestock Show. While preparing for the shows, children learn valuable lessons of ethics, the process of raising animals including proper care and nutrition. We also provide awards for 4-H Swine Project members in our four counties.
The Youth Ambassador program selects local youth from agriculture backgrounds to become Pork Ambassadors to represent the East Central Pork Producers, gain speaking skills and earn scholarships. Currently our ambassadors are Andrea White and Miranda Cain, both from Isanti County. Andrea is one of the top three Ambassadors in Minnesota, serving in a state capacity in addition to her local role. Andrea is a senior at Winona State University, Miranda a freshman at Hamline University. The role of an ambassador is to be the face of our local organization.
In the photo, Andrea and Miranda are at Taste of Elegance, an annual event of the Minnesota Pork Producers. Fourteen top chefs from around Minnesota compete in a cooking contest using pork products, the winner competes in a national event.
College scholarships are offered to high school seniors going to college for agriculture majors. Last year, we gave out five scholarships to local students, a total of $2,500. Currently, Jessica Moulzolf (Isanti County), Joe Belkholm and Brooke Gardiner (Kanabec County), Beth Moller and Selena Lozez (Mille Lacs County) are attending college with the assistance of our scholarships.
Consumer Education happens in our communities via grocery store promotions. During these promotions we hand out $5 coupons for your choice of any pork product, plus recipes and preparation information. Watch for an event in a store in your area; great way to save on pork products.
Interested in learning more? Or perhaps working in the Pork Chop Wagons at the County Fair? Contact East Central Pork Producers Chair Richard Bronson at sandrambronson@gmail.com.