Various baking grains. PHOTO COURTESY OF KING ARTHUR BAKING COMPANY

TOLEDO – Join Tama County Women, Land & Legacy (WLL) for its 51st event, “Baking from the Earth: Ancient Grains.” The event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, in State Bank of Toledo’s Community Room (103 S. Broadway Street, Toledo). Registration and dessert will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 7 p.m.

This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. An RSVP is preferred by Jan. 15 by phoning 641-484-2702, ext. 3 or by emailing melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net .

The programming topic of baking with ancient grains was requested by several participants of Tama County WLL’s December 2023 food preservation event. According to King Arthur Baking Company, ancient grains are nutrient rich and loaded with complex flavor. They add a fun, wholesome twist to baking. These ancient seeds and cereals, many of which predate modern wheat by thousands of years, make for fantastic baking flour. What’s not to love about ancient grains? They have unique flavors. They contain a variety of yummy nutrients. You don’t need special recipes to incorporate more ancient grains into your baking, just a little guidance, and several of them are gluten-free.

Iowa State University Extension & Outreach’s Tama County Executive Director, Cheryl Bruene, will be presenting the evening’s programming. Attendees will be sampling the products of her baking with locally sourced spelt, millet and seven-grain flours. Lucky participants will go home with packages of oatmeal, cornmeal, rye meal, buckwheat groats, millet and seven-grain cereal from Paul’s Grains in rural Laurel.

Tama County WLL began in 2007, part of a statewide USDA outreach project. This is the local group’s 51st event. Almost 500 individuals from in and around Tama County have attended at least one of the group’s events. Statewide Women, Land & Legacy is currently active in 45 Iowa counties and brings together Iowans interested in agriculture, local food and natural resources to converse, listen and become empowered for involvement on their landscape and in their communities.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this event should contact Stacie Buhr, 641-484-2702, ext. 3, at least 48 hours prior to the event or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender. USDA and Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex or disability.