Cultivating Connection: Reflections on the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair and Conference
November 3rd, 2023
It has been just over one week since 142 members of our regional grain community gathered at the University of District of Columbia for CGA’s first ever Mid-Atlantic Grain Conference. It was a joyful and fulfilling day that included a wood-fired bread baking class, an opening panel focused on value chain connection, craft beer tastings, and sessions ranging from food as medicine, to small scale grain growing and milling, and how to navigate grant writing and cottage bakery laws.
Three themes jumped out to me from the discussions:
Community and Collaboration: The regional grain movement’s focus on rebuilding the human relationships at each step in the supply chain is a core strength. The collaborations that extend beyond profit are what makes it possible for grain farmers, processors, and artisans to work together to provide nutritious and sustainable food for our communities.
Storytelling and Consumer Education: Communications and marketing are crucial to tell the story of our regional grain system and share the uses and benefits of regional grains with consumers. It is also an area where many small businesses need support, as it’s yet another task on the lengthy daily to-do list of a farmer, miller, maltster, or food business.
Logistics Challenges: Grain cleaning, handling, cold storage, and distribution remain challenging for the Mid-Atlantic grain value chain. Rebuilding shared infrastructure is key to expanding markets, lowering the barrier to entry for beginning farmers, and affordably delivering products to consumers.
If you weren’t able to make the conference, we had a professional videography team record the majority of the conference sessions. We expect the edited videos will be available on our website in early 2024.
It is week five of my role as CGA’s Executive Director, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to meet so many members of our community so early in my tenure. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this regional grain movement, and I look forward to more opportunities for connection in the coming months.
—Madelyn Smith, Executive Director
CGA Board Co-Chair Ben Shorofsky (left) and Executive Director Madelyn Smith (right) at the Common Grain Alliance table at the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair. The Grain Fair was co-hosted by Friends of Peirce Mill and Common Grain Alliance at the mill in Rock Creek Park. An estimated 2000 members of the public attended the Grain Fair for grain milling demonstrations, cooking classes, live music, and vendors selling regional grain products.
After her opening Keynote Address at the Mid-Atlantic Grain Conference, Jennifer Lapidus (far left) led a panel of CGA members representing producers across the Mid-Atlantic grainshed: (from left to right) Gabriel Key (Foggy Mountain Pasta), Charlie Wade (Deep Roots Milling), Fred Sachs (Grapewood Farm), and Evrim Dogu (Sub Rosa Bakery).
The conference included a small-scale milling class led by Paul Lebeau and Mark Woodward.
Bakers Johnathan Bethony (SEYLOU), Nico Melas (Mill Song Bakery), and John Derry (Meadow Bread) led a three-part, naturally leavened, wood-fired baking class.
Nazirahk Amen (Purple Mountain Grown) gave his Keynote Address during lunch, emphasizing the power of all food, grains included, as medicine.
CGA set up a Mid-Atlantic Grain Classroom during the Fair, which included cooking demonstrations using regional grains from Third Space Bakery, Popping Mustard Seeds, and Jessica Botta.