Local Pumpkin Seed Oil Barons featured on Huffington Post

Eric Koeppel |

Pretty seedy: Jay Gilbertson and Ken Seguine of Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pretty seedy: Jay Gilbertson and Ken Seguine of Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil

Food Informants, a Huffington Post series that follows a week in the life of “fascinating people in the food world” recently featured Northwest Wisconsin’s own Jay Gilbertson and Ken Seguine … take a look.

As the founders of Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil Gilbertson and Seguine produced the first pumpkin seed oil made in the U.S. The oil compliments a wide variety of foods (it works as a vinaigrette salad dressing, bread dip, or drizzled on soups, cooked vegetables, popcorn or even ice cream) and is most commonly produced and consumed in Austria. The two hope to dub Northwest Wisconsin America’s 'pumpkin seed oil capital.' Gilbertson is an Eau Claire native and author of the Madeline Island series, which are currently being sold at the The Local Store.

The Food Informant's log gives readers insight into the day-to-day life of the two farmers as they take a trip to the summer meeting for the State of Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council, which Seguine serves as secretary of council for; maintain their pumpkin field; tend to their beehives; meet with fellow organic farmers like the folks at Around the Farm Table; and finalize Jay’s new novel.

From local dining suggestions to food and farming tips, there’s plenty to learn in this fascinating article. In fact, I am happy to say that I can now tell the difference between male and female pumpkins.

Pumpkin knowledge = pumpkin power.