There’s no doubt farm to table dinners have been fan favorites around the country. Whether it’s great local food, beautiful settings or just a unique dining experience. What if it’s all the above and an opportunity to meet the men and women behind the scenes – right here in Minot.
On August 1, nearly 250 guests experienced the 3rd Dinner on the Prairie hosted by the Minot Area Chamber EDC Agribusiness committee. More than a meal, it was an educational dining experience that included sample crops, agricultural and food facts, a Q&A panel with producers and 40 farmers and ranchers from nearly every area of North Dakota agriculture who answered questions about their products, their job, their farms and general questions guests had about how food is produced and where it comes from.
This event was newly expanded this year thanks to the new partnership with the Chamber EDC and Town & Country Credit Union stepping up as a presenting sponsor allowing the event to be expanded and add many more guests and producers. Fred Beuchler, co-chair of the committee and EVP Chief Lending Officer with Town & Country Credit Union had this to say, “This is the second year that I’ve helped with this event and I’ve watched it grow into a powerful dialogue between producers and consumers about where food comes from and highlight the passion that farmers and ranchers have for what they do. I’m proud to work at an organization that took up the role as the presenting sponsor. Agriculture is in our DNA and we understand the significance of agriculture to this region and to North Dakota.”
In fact, agriculture is a core economic pillar of our region. An NDSU study in 2022 reported that agriculture has a $30.8 billion economic contribution to the ND economy and contributes 110,480 jobs for a total of 24.2% of ND’s value-added economy. The Minot region is home to not just a farming economy, but also includes agriculture distribution, suppliers and manufacturing making it critical that residents understand the value of agriculture, to not just the economy, but to the food we eat.
People often ask, what is Dinner on the Prairie and how can I attend? This is an opportunity for local ag producers to share a multicourse meal, conversation and education with Minot community members who aren’t connected with agriculture. The meal was prepared by Chef Jeremy Mahaney of The Starving Rooster and Whiskey Nine and included nearly a half dozen appetizers, a family style meal and a dessert, all made with ND grown products, many from the local region. If you aren’t familiar with local agriculture and would like to learn more about where your food comes, you can contact carla@minotchamberedc.com to be added to the guest list for future events.