The Mill Spring Agricultural Center and the Polk County Cooperative Extension Center hosted a 37-mile bike ride, which provided a pleasurable and rewarding day of local food, fun and riding.

“Local Foods” is a positive approach to supporting the local economy and local farmers. The Growing Cycle is an opportunity to support those farmers, as well as being outdoors and riding the foothills on your bike.

The event, sponsored by Costco, Farm Bureau of Polk County, Nature’s Storehouse and Carolina Farm Credit, featured six farm stops.

Participants were treated to a lunch at the end of their ride at Parker Binns Vineyard with wood fired pizza prepared by Foothills Fireplace and Stove’s own Greg McCarren. The pizzas were made featuring local ingredients from more than eight farms.

The event raised money for a demonstration kitchen located at the Mill Spring Agricultural and Community Center, which will provide a learning area for citizens to participate in cooking classes.

Future classes will be about cooking for a health conscious life, home preserving, cheese making and more. The ag center is located at 156 School Road in Mill Spring and information can always be found at www.polkcountyfarms.org.

– article submitted by Patrick Mclendon