Join us for an exclusive tour of Blue Ox Malthouse, where centuries-old floor malting traditions meet modern craft brewing. Blue Ox is dedicated to pushing the possibilities of craft beer and spirits while supporting Maine agriculture through the production of high-quality, locally made malt.

This tour is part of MGA’s ongoing series connecting organic grain growers with the markets and makers that depend on their work.

Made possible with support from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Are perennial grains a viable option for organic farms?

Kernza, the first commercially available perennial grain, benefits soil ecology while yielding a harvestable grain crop for years after planting. It also produces high-quality straw that can grazed or baled as a dual-purpose forage crop.

In this workshop, Cornell professor Matt Ryan will discuss the latest agronomic research on perennial grains like Kernza, as well as their current potential as a marketable food to consumers.

This event is made possible with support from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Join Sarah Speare for a behind-the-scenes tour of Tootie’s Tempeh, Maine’s premier commercial tempeh producer. See firsthand how organically grown soybeans are cleaned, processed, and transformed into a finished product — and gain a deeper appreciation for the full journey from field to table.

This tour is part of MGA’s ongoing series connecting organic grain and soybean growers with the markets and makers that depend on their work.

Made possible with support from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

As part of MGA’s ongoing efforts to support organic/transitioning grain growers, we are now hosting office hour sessions with experts on all sides of the regional grain economy. 

About the Presenter:

A gardener, mechanic/ fabricator, tinkerer, and high school teacher, Richard became intrigued with the idea of a gristmill in Skowhegan and volunteered there and became a part time employee. He attended the Kneading Conference and worked as one of the original farmers in the MGA’s Heritage Seed Restoration Project and now leads that program. He continues to research and grow out varieties of cereal grains that are adapted to Maine’s climate. He works to create a network of gardeners, growers and seed savers in a larger grain community, throughout the world.

Join us on September 28th for a field day at Liberation Farms, which supports over 200 Somali Bantu families growing fresh produce and grains to build food and economic security for their community.

Tour the farm and learn about Liberation Farms’ approach to community-based agriculture. This field day will offer a chance to see their work firsthand and connect with the people growing a more resilient local food system.

This event is made possible with support from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Organic certification can feel like a daunting pursuit, especially when you’re just getting started.

In this virtual office hours session, MOFGA certifier Chris Grigsby will walk through the basics of planning for certification: what the process looks like, the costs and logistics to consider, and the resources and support programs available to help make the transition more manageable. Chris will answer your questions directly and leave you with a clearer sense of what the path forward could look like.

Made possible with support from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Heritage grains offer more than unique flavors and marketable stories. As a largely untapped source of genetic diversity, they may be the solution for organic growers seeking predictable yields in an unpredictable climate.

How can these old varieties help us adapt to climate change and how might their unique traits be put to work on modern farms? This workshop explores the potential of heritage grains not simply as relics of the past, but as practical tools for modern grain growers.

This event it made possible with support from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Join the Maine Grain Alliance and the Maine Tasting Center for an outdoor celebration of bagels, bakers, local grains, and friendly competition. Meet bagel makers from across the state, sample their featured creations, vote for your favorite, and see who takes home the title of one of Maine’s best bagel makers.

Come for the bagels. Stay for live music, demonstrations, local food and beverage vendors, and a full morning and afternoon celebrating Maine’s growing grain and baking community.