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Home baking message gets through to young leaders
Teaching young people fun and creative ways to bake at home is one mission of the Kansas Wheat Commission, and is the impetus for the Commission's membership in the Home Baking Association. Cindy Falk, nutrition educator at the Kansas Wheat Commission, joined Home Baking Association staff at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., last month. More than 6,500 students and educators attended the three-day event, which was packed with educational sessions, a trade show and leadership development activities. Falk joined HBA staff Charlene Patton, Topeka and Sharon Davis, Manhattan, and Kansas Wheat Spokesperson Krista Patton, Topeka, to distribute a number of HBA's baking resources, including the "A Baker's Dozen Baking Lab Manual and DVD," plus the award-winning "Baking with Friends book." The HBA also presented five service-learning baking workshops, reaching more than 500 FCCLA members. At the beginning of each workshop, Davis asked attendees to check their food skills and knowledge they have and could use to teach to someone else. Davis stressed the need for more food and science knowledge skills. "Food skills are valuable. They save dollars, provide wellness benefits, plus help you build relationships and careers," she told students, while leading them in experiments with flour, yeast and chemical leavening. Monica Leihy, FCCLA chapter advisor from Hillsboro, said the demonstrations are an important learning tool for young people. "Students are eager to do hands-on learning which helps them digest knowledge," Leihy said. Falk taught FCCLA leaders about Internet-based educational resources developed by the Kansas Wheat Commission, including fact sheets and lesson plans. Leaders were also enthusiastic to learn about KWC-sponsored hands-on events, including Bake and Take Month, and the new youth category for the 2013 National Festival of Breads baking contest. Tanya Wright, California Department of Education and Regional FHA Hero/FCCLA advisor said, "Because of the increase in childhood obesity, bringing the youth on board to know about nutrition, good health and well-being is where our focus should be." Developing vocational and leadership skills in young people are the primary goals of the Conference. For groups like the Home Baking Association and the Kansas Wheat Commission, however, gaining appreciation for home baking is also a benefit, says Dawn Lindsley, family and consumer science teacher and advisor at Manhattan High School. "The conference gives the Home Baking Association and Kansas Wheat an important networking opportunity to grow your exposure and partnership. We both get a return on investment for participating," Lindsley said. For free teaching resources, downloadable lessons and activities, visit the Home Baking Association at www.homebaking.org.
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