Northern Crops Institute held a short course, “Functionality of Canola and Flaxseed in Food Systems,” on April 27-29. Food processors from companies in Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota attended the course. The course contained information about oilseeds, flax and canola gaining recognition with the nation’s consumers due to their nutritional and health benefits.

The short course was co-sponsored by AmeriFlax, the trade organization that represents North Dakota flax producers, and the Northern Canola Growers Association, which works to promote the use of canola.

“Flaxseed and canola are both specialty oilseeds that are principally produced in North Dakota,” says Mehmet Tulbek, Northern Crops Institute technical director. “North Dakota raises about 93 percent of the total U.S. flax and canola crops. Therefore, it is important to our producers that we offer this course to promote the crops.”