SUPPORTING THE GRAIN COMMUNITY SINCE 2007
Upcoming Events
The Kneading Conference
July 25th & 26th, 2024
Skowhegan
Seeds of Change & Stories of Collaboration
July 25th, 2024
The Miller’s Table Cafe at Maine Grains -Skowhegan
Join us for a thought-provoking journey in food storytelling at the Miller’s Table Cafe at Maine Grains. Meet founders and filmmakers over an evening of fiddling, fun, film and food! This is a ticketed event. Click here to purchase your ticket.
7:00pm – Join us for a live “Bread & Jam” fiddle music session on the front patio of the Miller’s Table Cafe with local musicians.
7:30-8:15pm – We will migrate to the landscaped courtyard at the Miller’s Table to share inspiring stories from Maine food businesses while sampling some of their outstanding products including tastes from Maine Grains, the Miller’s Table Café, Allagash Brewing Company, Crooked Face Creamery, and Bixby Chocolate. Each owner’s story will emphasize the collaborations that have helped these businesses innovate and thrive.
8:15-9:00pm – Watch the documentary film debut, “Seeds of Change”, the powerful story ofcollaboration at the Mountain View Correctional Facility. This captivating documentary delves into the transformative power of organic agriculture, featuring the intersecting narratives of lifelong farmer Mark McBrine and incarcerated individuals as they cultivate a five-acre prison garden, redefining notions of wellness, dignity, and sustainability. Filmmaker, Maximilian Armstrong, will join us for a Q&A session after the screening, offering insights into the film’s creation and impact.
This promises to be a wonderful evening and is open to Kneading Conference and the Skowhegan community alike.
Intro to Sourdough Baking
At the Maine Artisan Bread Fair
July 27th 12:00-1:30pm
$20 (space is limited and pre registration is required)
Introduction to Sourdough Baking
Ready to elevate your baking skills? Join our class to master the art of sourdough! Learn to maintain your starter, choose the right flour, and perfect shaping and scoring techniques.
Meet Your Instructor: Michael Hicks
Michael Hicks, owner of Expanding Circles Bakery in Tallahassee, Florida, specializes in naturally leavened breads and pastries made with local, organic ingredients. Inspired by European baking traditions, Michael is passionate about raising the standard of American bread.
Baking NY-Style Bagels the Maine way
At the Maine Artisan Bread Fair
July 27th 9:30-11:30am
$20 (space is limited and pre registration is required)
Join Jeff Mao for a workshop on baking New York-style bagels. Discover what makes bagel baking unique and learn to hand-roll bagels with a smooth shiny crust and signature hole. This hands-on session features locally produced Maine Grains flour.
Jeff operates Knead & Nosh, a micro-bakery in Brunswick, Maine, offering hand-crafted bagels and baking classes. He is the author of Essential Chinese Hot Pot Cookbook and is currently working on a bagel cookbook.
The Maine Artisan Bread Fair
Saturday, July 27th, 2024
9 a.m. to 3 p.m
Skowhegan State Fairgrounds
Free! Everyone is invited, and we encourage you to bring your family and friends to enjoy
PARKING: $5
Inspiring & Empowering Grain Community
Our Mission
To inspire & empower people who are building local grain economies. We create connections & share grain traditions & innovations from earth to table.
Make a Donation
Our Vision
We envision a world where local grain economies that are good for people and good for the planet can thrive.
Become A Member
Our Current Programs
RARE & HERITAGE SEED RESTORATION
Our seed restoration project aims to restore rare and heritage variety grains by turning handfuls of carefully kept seed into commercially viable quantities for farms.
Grain & Baking Education
Our grain and baking education program provides live and online workshops, baking tips, free learning resources, videos, handbooks and more provided by experts in the field.
Supporting Grain Farms
The ability to handle and finish grain to meet top quality standards is critical on farms. This project will purchase equipment and demonstrate its best uses on seven farms throughout Maine.
Kneading Conference & Maine Artisan Bread Fair
The annual conference and fair held in Skowhegan, ME features two full days of intensive workshops on grain topics and hands-on baking experiences where participants rub elbows with the some of the world’s most acclaimed bakers & chefs.
Grants
The MGA provides funds need-based technical assistance and equipment helping grain-based business owners secure economic opportunities. Most revently, the MGA has offered two rounds of Emergency Relief Funding in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Celebrate Our Incredible Grain Community and Remember All the Fun from Kneading Conferences of the Past
Explore Dozens of Educational & Instructional Videos from MGA
Baking Tips and Recipes from Kneading Conference Presenters
Kneading Conference Photo Galleries by Year
Explore the Kneading Conference via #KneadingConference
Help Us Make A Difference For Grain Businesses In A Time of Need
Support the Maine Grain Alliance As We Support our Community
$5
$10
$50
$250
$500
Other
Make a Donation
Our Sponsors
