Last month we were excited to come together with farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, nonprofits, researchers, and other supply chain partners for a gathering to identify possibilities and priorities for Minnesota heritage and small grains from field to plate or glass.

The effort looks to expand local foods goals into the realm of grains, and for consumers to realize the benefits not only to new and interesting flavors, but also different nutrient values as well as increased markets for farms that are using grains in rotation with their other, often more marketable crops.

We were pleased to include panelists like author Beth Dooley, University of Minnesota Researcher Don Wyse, farmer Ben Penner, entrepreneur Brady Barnstable of Seven Sundays and millers Marty and Darrold Granville of Sunrise Flour Mill.

The Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC) partnered with us to hold this gathering, and we were pleased to be able to bring together such an active group of people from across the grain value chain in Minnesota to hear about what AGC is doing and contribute to the conversation. 

Organizing partners include: Albert Lea Seed, Artisan Grain Collaborative, AURI, Ben Penner Farms, Beth Dooley’s Kitchen, Delta Institute, Environmental Initiative, Forever Green, University of Minnesota, Fresh Taste, Kimber Contours, Midwest Grains Initiative- Center for Sustainability Solutions, Sprowt Labs, Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Seed Alliance, Peterson Farms, Renewing the Countryside, and U of M Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships