There is one thing about covering events for the Star Eagle. You learn a lot, things you might otherwise take for granted or maybe just not think about.
Such was the case when I covered the South Central Sustainable Farming Association gathering recently at Hope.
It made me wonder if I was really so dumb, or was I so smart? I'd been to Hope before but I learned so much more. I had toured the creamery butter industry in the old creamery, but there is so much I didn't know. Great butter doesn't just happen. There is a lot more to it than just putting cream in a churn. The churn is stopped several times so samples of the product can be removed, tested, tasted and checked for moisture, butterfat and things that go over my head.
It takes patience to know how to make a good product, as well as the touch of the master’s hand. There is nothing left to chance. That is why this butter is as good as it is.
Victor Mrotz has given many tours to groups as small as two, to bus loads. Children from schools and 4-H organizations, mystery tours, holidays, elderly and "city folk" — anyone interested in the ag industry and curious about different aspects of the business. There has been a lot of change!
The sign out front says, "SunOpta Grains and Food Incorporated. Bringing well being to life."
In meeting with some of the staff it was apparent they knew their business. There was total dedication shown to their products. There were no shortcuts and no exceptions. It was almost unbelievable what every kernel of corn or bean must go through to deserve the name SunOpta.
There are strict standards to follow. It takes a lot of knowledge, paper work and technology, especially if it is to be used for food supply. Tracking seeds is expensive and time comsuming.
Experience shows in viewing the seed, noting color, smelling for odor and exposing the color content of beans by cutting to expose the inside. Nothing is left to chance and there are no exceptions. At SunOpta if the product says Organic or non-GMO, it is! Somebody’s life may depend on it.
It doesn't mean it is rejected or unused; it just goes to a different bin for other uses.
Even the trucks are under scrutiny as to where they were cleaned, power washed or whatever. They also keep track of what the truck hauled previously. It is all a part of keeping allergies in check.
After a load of corn or beans are tested and dumped, the driver has to again do paper work before leaving. It is that important.
Hope may not be a very big spot on the map, but it has big things going for it. There are people who seem to be interested in health concerns that have come into being as a result of technology and labor saving methods, GMOs and chemical advancement.
Area residents may remember the Hope facility began in August of 1981 when a group of area farmers who raised waxy corn (many still do) started the business. Waxy corn has a different starch makeup. If you see modified corn starch on the label it is probably from waxy corn. Waxy corn is also used for industrial uses like paper and cardboard.
"Waxy Corn" went to "Sun Rich" and then became a part of the SunOpta Industry which buys and sells to other large companies. They also sell to 35-40 countries around the world. Sunflowers, though not grown in this area, go to Europe.
It is interesting to note that Hope purchases over half of the certified organic soybeans from 18 states.
Just this morning I opened my computer to Natural News that says: "We have just completed an investigation showing that many common vitamins and multi-vitamins are contaminted with GMOs.” This is also true of many "health food" items and even some superfood powders. Scary!
The GMO ingredients to watch out for usually come from corn. I have included a partial list of all the GMO corn-derived ingredients used in many vitamins and health products: maltodextrin, sucrose, ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C), citric acid (used in many drink powders) and corn syrup, plus there is aspartame, which is also genetically modified from a bacteria source.
To read the full report, including proof of these ingredients being used in many vitamin products, including children’s vitamins, visit: www.naturalnews.com.
Hope seems to be ahead of the game where it comes to supplying products that can be depended upon for our world today. Did you think that Hope was a small town? It is a very big and important city to me!
This week’s birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, August 8th: Ian Matthew Wayne, Luke Wangsness, John Vander Stoep, Jamie Walworth, Kathy Born, Scott Crabtree, Jessica Marcus, Sharon Miller Jensen, Barb O'Conner, Gary Peterson, Emily Jensen, Marc Collins, Matthew Swift, Don Gould, Mya Glienke
• Friday, August 9th: Warren & Solveig Sorenson, Aaron & Mickki Heimer, Linda Wayne, Mavis Knudtson, Steven LeRoy Christensen, Cherie Halla, Karen Holmes, Amber Nordland, Angie Reichl, Dustin Jepson, Sierra Ellen Misgen, Josiah Jeffrey Schei, Christopher Quentin Haberman
• Saturday, August 10th: Lynn Arends, Linda Weckwerth, Teresa Wright, Jeff Olson, Vernon Cornelius, Michelle Brandt, Richelle Butler Chapman, Melisssa Cornelius Large, Dustin Dobberstein, Thayne Nordland, Cheyenne Bergerson, Ross & Kathie Lein, Steve & Kathy Nelson, Darrin & Linda Stadheim
• Sunday, August 11th: Nicole & Daniel Burns, 2012; Nicole & Dallas Loken, Brian Broulik, Vicki Humburg, Jeremy Kaiser, Mike Plunkett, Kris Simon Freitas, Sharon Sorenson, Kim Anderson Schneider, Brian Thostenson, Irvin Jensen Jr., Kevin Avery, Luke Clark Wangsness, Pagie Sophia Kromminga
• Monday, August 12th: Linda & LaVerne Stieglbauer, Shawna Robertson, Tessa Christensen, Kristine Schroeder, Cindy Oswald, Cindy Nelson, Cynthia Crabtree, Thomas Smith, Ross Swearingen, Genie Hanson, Amy Tasker
• Tuesday, August 13th: Dennis Deml, Tim Enzenauer, David Haddy, Bob Brandt, Lisa Dummer, Megan Dummer, Janet Hope, Kellie Petranek, Sylvia Jepson, Saxton Chad Ritz
• Wednesday, August 14th: David & Carrie Paulson, Mark Sorenson, Lucille Nechanicky, Gretchen Oswald Thompson, Peter Kasper, Leah Berg, Wes Neidermeier, Alison & Chad Muilenburg
Wishing you much happiness on your special day!
