A Message from CGA Executive Director Madelyn Smith
If I had to sum up this month in three words, it would be: Build. Plan. Reflect. We’ve been working behind the scenes to put together an exciting slate of upcoming events that range from our 2025 Mid-Atlantic Grains conference to a series of online webinars this fall. I won’t spoil too much—you’ll have to read on to find out more! You can also check out the Events Page on our website for a full recap of the CGA events happening across the Mid-Atlantic region this fall.
Meanwhile, there has been no escaping July’s brutally hot & dry weather, reminding me every day the importance of our movement’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Everyone in the local grains ecosystem, whether you’re a farmer, miller, baker, or consumer, is actively playing a role in building a more climate-resilient food system. It’s part of why CGA has built this alliance, which just turned 6 years old! Our collective voice is the most powerful tool we have to educate, inspirate, and organize change in order to protect our communities and build a better future.
Four Reasons to Fill Out the CGA Member Survey
If you’re a CGA member (and if you’re not, consider becoming one!), you’ve probably seen the reminders about our Member Survey in your inbox. Please make sure to fill out this survey by Friday, August 9! It will take no more than an hour of your time. Here’s why it’s so critical:
Raise Awareness : Aggregated results about the regional grain value chain will help educate consumers, policymakers, and partners about our regional grain network.
Shape the Future : Your feedback helps us understand the needs of Mid-Atlantic grain stakeholders and will guide CGA's strategy and development.
Support Funding : Quantitative data about our regional grain value chain strengthens our grant applications and makes us more competitive for funding opportunities.
Track Progress : We will distribute this survey every year, and results will help us track the development of the grain economy over time.
Part of CGA’s mission is to build our region’s knowledge and capacity to grow, process, and utilize local grain. As part of this mission, we are excited to offer scholarships up to $1,000 for CGA members to attend events and trainings that will expand our network’s knowledge about regional grain production, processing, and/or end uses. Our goal is to grow the expertise exchanged within our community, foster leadership, and strengthen our network. Applications are due July 31!
Mark your calendars and join CGA, the American Farmland Trust, Future Harvest, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for a field day at CGA member Green Sprig Ag! The event, held on August 6 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., will feature keynote speakers and sessions on growing & marketing small grains, corn plots, discussions on building our local grain economy plus an NRCS rainfall simulator, a milling demo by Deep Roots Milling, BBQ and more!
We’re excited to announce that on Monday, Sept. 23, we’re hosting a grain gathering in Philadelphia! This event will feature an open house and tours at Castle Valley Mill, and local beer, bites, and networking at Forest and Main Brewing.
The event program will include a talk from Tara Nurin, a freelance journalist and author of “A Woman’s Place Is In The Brewhouse - A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches and CEOS”.
Early bird tickets will start at $10 and will be released in August. In the meantime, we’re looking for sponsors and vendors!
Please reach out to madelyn@commongrainalliance.org if you’re interested in vending at or sponsoring this gathering.
$50 - Event Supporter: Receive a verbal thank you during our event & recognition on the event registration page.
$100 - Event Exhibitor or Vendor: Have a table during the event to promote or sell your organization’s offerings.
$300 - Event Speaker: Receive a 3 minute time slot to speak during the event programming about your organization.
The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair will be on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the historic Pierce Mill in Washington D.C.! This free, family-friendly celebration weaves together arts, agriculture and cuisine to celebrate the critical role local grains play in shaping the Mid-Atlantic region’s geography and food culture. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event. 🌾
We’re looking for exhibitors, vendors, and sponsors! Want to sell your local grains or grain-based foods at the market? Want to offer a hands-on craft experience? Reach out to madelyn@commongrainalliance.org and angela@friendsofpiercemill.org!
Check out our Events Page for other events happening across the Mid-Atlantic region this fall!
Grain Fact: Jacob’s Cattle Beans
Have you heard of Jacob’s Cattle Beans? This eccentric kidney bean is this week’s FRESHFARM Grain Share offering with a rich history and distinctive appearance. These beans, also known as the trout bean or Appaloosa bean, feature a speckled pattern said to resemble those of a “spotted Hereford cattle,” hence the name. Legend has it that these beans originated as a gift from the Passamaquoddy people of Maine to the first Caucasian child born in Lubuc, Maine. Since then, these heirloom beans have been passed down for generations, and have remained mostly in the northeastern part of the USA and Canada, namely Maine and Prince Edward Island. Thanks to heirloom preservation efforts, their presence has grown across the Mid-Atlantic and are now offered by CGA member Purple Mountain Grown for purchase.
Thanks to their nutty flavor and sturdy texture, these beans are perfect for using in a baked beans recipe. Try it out for yourself!
Homesteader's New England Baked Beans
Ingredients
1 pound Jacob’s cattle beans
Water
2 (3 by 5-inch) strips kombu (dried seaweed)
1 small yellow or white onion, sliced
1/4 cup molasses
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika (pimenton)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, plus more to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Combine the beans with enough water to cover by 2 inches in a Dutch oven or other large pot over medium-high heat. Add the kombu. Bring to a boil, turn off the heat, cover, and transfer to the oven. Bake until the beans are very tender, 60 to 90 minutes, checking a time or two to add water if they are no longer covered by it.
Remove the kombu and reduce the temperature to 200ºF. To the pot add the onion, molasses, maple syrup, salt, mustard, paprika, ginger, and pepper and bake for 8 hours, until the beans are falling-apart tender and infused with flavor. Stir in the vinegar, taste, and add more vinegar and salt if needed.
Serve hot, either as a side dish or over roasted potatoes and with a garden-fresh salad. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.