Join Maine Grains for a tour the Somerset Grist Mill in Skowhegan, Maine and learn how a Victorian jailhouse was transformed into important processing facilty of grains and a  hub of innovation.

Kick off the conference with a warm welcome supper at The Miller’s Table at Maine Grains. Enjoy a delicious meal showcasing local grains, connect with fellow attendees, and dive into engaging conversations with farmers, seed savers, and grain experts. It’s the perfect way to start the conference.

As a gardener, mechanic/fabricator, tinkerer, and high school teacher, Richard became intrigued with the idea of a gristmill in Skowhegan and became a part time employee of Maine Grains. After working with the original farmers of MGA’s Heritage Seed Restoration Project, he now leads that program and continues to research and grow heritage varieties of cereal grains that are adapted to Maine’s climate.

The earliest Old World explorers to ever step foot in New England all made reference to the diversity of flint corn, dry beans, and sunflowers being grown here by the native people. These crops not only shaped the future of American agriculture and foodways, but also the world. Yet, despite the very practical value they offer to modern growers, many of our region’s heritage varieties are being forgotten. Join MGA’s TOPP Project Manager, Paul Pollaro, to discuss how organic farmers can use these varieties to their advantage and take a peek behind the curtain into the day-to-day work of a heritage seed restorationist.

The growth of Maine’s grain economy over the past decade has opened up many new opportunities for growers, but the daily challenges involved in producing a healthy grain crop can make it difficult to keep up with ever-changing market demands. Join Maine Grains’ Chief of Sales & Marketing, Kayla Carrier, to overview what today’s consumers are looking for most (and what may be soon to come).

Gather for a mid-day session that blends learning, networking, and nourishment. The Heritage Grain Exchange offers space for farmers, seed savers, and grain enthusiasts to share seeds, stories, ideas, and resources in an informal setting. Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared lunch by The Miller’s Table Café, featuring a delicious menu centered on local grains that showcase the flavors and versatility of Maine’s grain economy.

Moderator: Bonita Nicolas. Panelists: Heron Breen, Richard Roberts, & Sean O’Donnell

Growing grains for seed can greatly increase the value of your crop but introduces a new set of standards and practices for farmers. While familiar concerns like falling numbers and protein content no longer hold the power to make or break a growing season, considerations like disease management, seed sanitation, and proper licensing/labeling take on a much greater importance. In this workshop, Bonita Nicolas, Heron Breen, Richard Roberts, and Sean O’Donnell will discuss the basic tools and information for farmers to know when growing organic grains for seed production.

Join Tom Molloy, Sustainable Agriculture Research Associate at UMaine, for a discussion on the most problematic weeds impacting grain crops in Maine and the most effective, research-backed strategies to manage them using organic practices.

Starting with 50 seeds, how long will it take to reach small-scale food-grade grain production? What even is small-scale as it relates to growing cereal grains? Sowing, harvesting, drying, and storing — each scale up looks a little different. This talk will explore some of the challenges and opportunities unique to small-scale grain growers. Andrew will overview the types of equipment that you can get by with (and some that you’ll wish you had) and share his story of growing a handful of seeds up to a few acres.

To conclude the day, Tristan Noyes, Executive Director of the Maine Grain Alliance, will offer closing remarks reflecting on the insights shared, the connections made, and the path ahead for strengthening our regional grain community.