January 2024 Newsletter
January 9th, 2024
Richmond, Virginia | Tuesday, February 20th
Join Common Grain Alliance, Reservoir Distillery, and Greater Richmond Grains for a skill sharing and networking event! Click HERE for more information, including a full event schedule, and to register. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. There are only four spots left for the morning grain cleaning workshop, so register as soon as possible if you would like to attend!
This is a unique opportunity to meet with farmers, grain buyers, distillers, maltsters, and other grain industry professionals to make new connections and deepen your understanding of grain processing, storage, and the symbiotic relationship between farmers and the craft beverage industry. There will also be an optional lunch and Grain Cleaning Workshop. Register now for a day of education and networking in the farming and craft beverage industry!
Event registration (but not lunch) is free for Common Grain Alliance members. CGA Members should still register to attend the event. Visit this webpage for information about becoming a Common Grain Alliance member: Join Common Grain Alliance.
CGA on the Road: December Recap and Where to Find Us This Month
Before the December holidays got into full swing, CGA staff and members participated in meetings and conferences to share knowledge, learn, and network to build our coalition of Mid-Atlantic grain supporters.
Madelyn Smith shines a light on CGA’s grain value chain work in the Mid-Atlantic.
First on December 7th, Madelyn and I visited the FDR Presidential Library & Museum in Hyde Park, NY for a day of reflection on the last 10 years of Reviving Grains in the Hudson Valley. In the late 2000s, farmers, millers, bakers, and regional food systems professionals started to ponder what it would take to cultivate a flourishing regional grainshed across New York. Given that the Hudson Valley is just a few years ahead on organizing the regional grain value chain, it was insightful to listen in on their lessons learned and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. One of the notable programs to come out of the last decade of efforts was the GrowNYC Grains Program, established by June Russell, which was one model CGA used to develop our Mid-Atlantic Grain Stands. Madelyn also shared about the work happening at CGA, adding to what is becoming a chorus of groups, organizations, and individuals hoping to make regional grains viable and accessible across the United States.
Next up, CGA was represented at the 2023 Virginia Farm to Table Conference on December 12th and 13th. Madelyn moderated a panel discussion with CGA members Aaron Grigsby of Deep Roots Milling, Gabriel Key of Foggy Mountain Pasta and Foggy Mountain Milling, Daniel Austin of Taste of Jubilee/Green Spring Ag, and Nico Melas Febres of Mill Song Bakery about bringing together the variety of stakeholders required to build a successful regional grainshed. Daniel Austin also presented on his experience growing grains in the context of whole farm health, and CGA founding member Heather Coiner of Little Hat Creek Farm gave a keynote talk on the critical importance of reviving the Mid-Atlantic grain economy.
Food and agriculture businesses are year-round industries. While the work looks different each month of the year, there’s always something to tend to or prepare for. Look for CGA members and staff in attendance at the 25th Future Harvest Conference from January 18th-20th in College Park, MD and the 2024 Virginia Association for Biological Farming-Small Farm Outreach Program Summit from January 19th-21st in Roanoke, VA.
—Jillian O’Donohoe, Communications & Research Coordinator
Daniel Austin presents on the goals of whole farm health.
Aaron Grigsby, Gabriel Key, Daniel Austin, Madelyn Smith, and Nico Melas Febres after their panel discussion.
Heather Coiner presents on reviving the Mid-Atlantic grain economy.
Apply for the Agriculture Leadership Development Initiative
Applications are still open to participate in the 2024 cohort of the Agricultural Leadership Development Initiative! This program for experienced Military Veteran and BIPOC Farmers offers tailored, culturally sensitive, multi-modal training consisting of nine months of free activities including classroom curricula, on-farm and online learning, and one-on-one mentorship. Participating farmers will access enhanced training, education, and mentorship to master skills needed to advance their careers and to run a successful and profitable farming operation. Participants will also receive a year of CGA membership for free, including access to our grain growing resources and our network of grain growers and producers.
CGA is excited to collaborate with Future Harvest, Million Acre Challenge, and Fields 4 Valor for the third season of this program in 2024. Applicants are encouraged to submit their information for consideration by Wednesday, January 31st at latest.
Please share this opportunity with anyone you know who might qualify!
Book Recommendations for Small Grain Growers from Farmer Heinz Thomet
Does your New Year’s resolution involve learning more about soil health and growing ecosystems?
Farmer and CGA member Heinz Thomet considers the following books to contain essential knowledge. These resources support his work as a small grain grower and environmentalist at Next Step Produce in Newburg, MD. If you attended Heinz’s session at the Mid-Atlantic Grain Conference in October, you might recognize some of these titles!
These resources are practical for growers but also offer helpful context to any supporter of regional food systems and sustainable agriculture.
The Ideal Soil v2.0 by Michael Astera with Agricola
The Intelligent Gardener by Steve Solomon with Erica Reinheimer
What Your Food Ate by David R. Montgomery and Anne Biklé
Quality Agriculture, Vol. 1 by John Kempf
Organic Field Crop Handbook, Third Edition by Brenda Frick, Laura Telford, & Joanne Thiessen Martens; Edited by Janet Wallace
The Organic Grain Grower by Jack Lazor
Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations by David R. Montgomery
Grain Fact: What is Gluten?
Over the years, gluten has been a controversial topic in discussions about health and wellness. Some people advocate for avoiding gluten due to a link to increased inflammation in people who are gluten intolerant. However, significant research suggests that gluten contributes to a balanced diet for individuals without gluten sensitivity.
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, and spelt. When effectively developed in bread or other doughs, gluten supports extensibility and elasticity. Extensibility refers to how much the gluten network can stretch, and elasticity refers to how well the dough holds its shape while stretching, much like a rubber band. A good balance of both creates the springy and airy texture in a delicious loaf of bread.
Some people develop gluten sensitivity (celiac) or a wheat allergy, and their bodys’ immune cells attack gluten like a toxin. However, in anyone without a specific gluten concern, eating foods with gluten is associated with a lower risk of heart disease because they are more likely to regularly eat whole grains that contain extra fiber and essential nutrients.
If you are obligated to avoid gluten for health reasons, there are some whole grains that are naturally gluten free, like buckwheat, corn, rice, millet and oats! Learn more about the grains, gluten free or otherwise, and whole nonetheless, available in the region with our Mid-Atlantic Grains Guide.