"This competition is a winner on two fronts," said Ginger Bardenhagen, Michigan Envirothon Board fundraising chair and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), Environmental Stewardship Division Conservation Programs Field Staff. "It promotes the use of locally grown, sustainably raised Michigan products and supports our next generation of scientists, foresters, wildlife biologists, and farmers."

Sustainable Stoup is a soup, stew or chili created by individuals or restaurants in which 75 percent of the ingredients' volume is from Michigan. Competition categories include 100 percent local, allergen friendly, organic, youth and vegetarian. Entrants may prepare their soups and stews on-site that morning or use another licensed commercial kitchen.

Winners will be selected by a panel of guest judges and attendees will vote for the "People's Choice" award. There will be one overall winner selected for the competition.  Winners will be featured on the Select Michigan and Michigan Envirothon Web sites.

In addition to a variety of hearty, homemade soups and stews, competition guests will be able to sample a variety of Michigan wines, hard ciders and beers.  Participants include Tandem Ciders and the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association. 

The Michigan Sustainable Stoup Competition is hosted by Michigan Envirothon and MDA's Select Michigan Program.  The C.S. Mott Chair of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University is a Gold Sponsor for the event.  Silver Sponsors include Sustainable Michigan Endowed Project,  The Nowlin Chair of Consumer-Responsive Agriculture at Michigan State University and Consumer's Energy.  Bronze Sponsors include the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council,  Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program and Michigan Farm Bureau.  Additional sponsorships are available.  All donations to Michigan Envirothon are tax deductible. 

Tickets for the event are $25 online or $30 at the door.  For tickets, please go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/71894.  To enter the competition or become a sponsor contact Ginger Bardenhagen at 517-930-2121 or bardenhageng@michigan.gov.  Stoup registration is open until October 5, 2009.

For more information on the Michigan Envirothon Program and to learn how you can get involved locally, visit: www.michiganenvirothon.org.

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