Author Amy Halloran visits campus for McCarthy Residency

Author Amy Halloran conducts the 10^th annual Eugene McCarthy Residency March 19-22 at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Halloran writes about food and agriculture for farming newspapers, cooking websites and regional magazines. She is the author of “The New Bread Basket: How the New Crop of Grain Growers, Plant Breeders, Millers, Maltsters, Bakers, Brewers and Local Food Activists are Refining Our Daily Loaf.”

The book explores the revival of the regional grain movement in the Northeast. The people profiled in the book are returning to traditional methods like sourdough fermentations that may address dietary ills attributed to grains wheat.

During her residency, Halloran will conduct three events.

• Halloran and Paul Berglund, award-winning chef of The Bachelor Farmer Café in Minneapolis, will hold a discussion, “Regional Foods from Producers to Tables” on Monday, March 20, at The Saint John’s Pottery Studio. A reception begins at 4 p.m., with a program beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
• A discussion, “Pancakes 101: Following the Seeds from Field to Griddle” is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Minnesota Street Market, St. Joseph. Pancakes will be offered during the event. The event is free and open to the public.
• A sourdough breadmaking class, “New-Old Bread: Heritage Grains, Small-Scale Milling and Sourdough Baking,” is March 22 at Ardolf Science Center, CSB (the class is full). The discussion includes Darrold and Marty Glanville Sunrise Flour Mill of North Branch, Minnesota.

The McCarthy Residency showcases the work and skills of someone who has a distinguished career in public service, policy or politics through an on-campus residency. The primary purpose of the residency is to give students extended access to someone with real knowledge and wisdom about policy, civic engagement and public life.

Past residents have included Al Eisele '58, editor of The Hill; former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger '55; John Chromy '64 of CHF International; retired MPR host Gary Eichten '69; the Theater of Public Policy, a Minneapolis-based theater company; and U.S. intelligence official Paul Heer. Last year, magazine editor Liz Fedor served as the McCarthy resident.