Girl Scouts from eastern Missouri participate in a first-of-its-kind flour milling program.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – On January 26-27, 2024, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri launched a new and innovative program, “Flour Rangers! Milling Flour for Girl Scout Cookies,” in collaboration with industry experts Ardent Mills, Grain Craft, and the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM).
During the program, Girl Scouts in grades K-12 interacted directly with professional flour millers from across the country and learned how to grind and process flour for many different products, including Girl Scout Cookies, through fun activities. The activities included grinding wheat with a hand mill; making cookies with two different types of flour to see the difference in protein content; and gluten washing, which is washing a dough ball in water, leaving just a gluten ball at the end. At the completion of the program, more than 90 eastern Missouri girls earned the organization’s first flour milling patch.
Girl Scouts also discovered more about potential milling career paths and industry opportunities. They heard from current professionals about the different careers that are available in the milling industry like sales, quality assurance, management, training, and milling. They also discovered the different types of training and education available from a current student at Kansas State University, the only university that offers a four-year B.S. degree in Milling Science and Management. Girl Scouts were able to see the connection between all these career paths and their current Girl Scout Cookie businesses.
“I really enjoyed participating in this program and as an avid baker myself I learned so much,” said Aria Pelikan, Girl Scout Cadette. “I now know what goes in to milling all the different varieties of flour and that gives me more knowledge to power my hobby and interest.”
“We are grateful to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for helping us to open the world of possibilities in the milling industry to this amazing group of young women,” stated IAOM President Steve Matson. “The girls were all engaged and interested in learning more about how flour is made as well as seeing and tasting the difference between the two flours used to make the chocolate chip cookies. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Girl Scouts and our industry partners to reach even a broader audience.”
“We were honored to participate in this inaugural event alongside industry and community leaders like IOAM and Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri,” says Troy Anderson, VP of operations at Ardent Mills. “At Ardent Mills, we strive to nourish what’s next – and that includes the future leaders of the agriculture industry. Our team members were thrilled to see the curiosity with which the Girl Scouts approached the interactive lessons and for the opportunity to introduce them to potential career opportunities in flour milling.”
We’re Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
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