CGA Member Portal

Technical Assistance Library

For Farmers

  • Growing Grain Handbook - New and experienced farmers growing on the small to mid-scale can refer to these documents, educational videos, and blog posts for key considerations for incorporating grains into their businesses.

  • Video: Small Grains Workshop with John Kempf

    • Summary Document: Key Takeaways

    • This is a recording of CGA's workshop with John Kempf on September 24, 2024. A group of CGA member farmers and bakers joined this dialogue to discuss  regenerative approaches to improving grain quality and protein quality, controlling fusarium blight and other fungal infections, and a range of other agronomic topics.

  • Audio: Developing a Locally Adapted Farming System - Klaas Martens

    • Klaas Martens of Lakeview Organics in New York facilitates a dialogue with grain farmers. This session focuses on farmers sharing observations about their land and conditions and discussing how to develop more productive, locally adapted farming systems. The most powerful tool that organic farmers have is the wide diversity of crops that they have good markets for and the ability to use that wide range of crops in cropping sequences that work for them.

  • Audio: Potential for Perennial Grains in the Mid-Atlantic

    • Steve Haring of Virginia Agroecology Services explores the development of perennial grain species, such as intermediate wheat grass (perennial wheat being marketed as Kernza) and how they could fit into Mid-Atlantic cropping systems/food systems. Steve reviews key agronomic issues, including management strategies for establishment, maintenance, weed management, and integration into crop rotations. Additionally, we will explore how to obtain perennial grain seed and options for marketing. This session aims to provide practical insights into the potential of perennial grains to enhance farm sustainability in the Mid-Atlantic, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and collaboration to optimize their use in regional agriculture.

  • Audio: Equipment for Small and Medium Scale Grain Growing

  • Audio: Growing Grain for Malting: Truth, Lies, and Considerations for Diversification

    • Malthouses can be valuable partners to farmers as they consider diversifying crop operations to capture new wholesale markets. In this session, hear from expert barley breeder Nicholas Santantonio from Virginia Tech's Small Grains Breeding and Genetics program and maltster Jeff Bloem of Murphy & Rude Malting Co. They discuss consideration and recommendations for growing winter malting barley in the eastern U.S., malt house purchasing behavior and mechanics, and truth and myths around grain quality and parameters. This session is great for anyone interested in malting barley potential in the Mid-Atlantic region.

  • Audio: The State of Organic Grain Markets Panel Discussion

    • The panel was moderated by Kyle Pletcher from Tuscarora Grain Company and included economic expert Kellee James of Argus Media, farmer and miller Scott Morgan of Morganics Family Farm, and Michael Chapman, an organic buyer and founder of Fieldcraft. This session was sponsored by Rodale Institute and the Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

  • Audio: Demystifying Organic: The What, Why, and How of Organic Certification

    • What is organic certification? What does the certification process consist of? Is it right for you? Wren Frueh from the Transition to Organic Partnership Program will breakdown the organic certification process, discuss the benefits of organic certification, and connect you to a vast network of resources to assist in making the transition process as easy and affordable as possible.

    • View Presentation Slide Deck

  • Audio: Local Grains as a Climate Resilience Strategy

  • How are you planning for climate uncertainty? Our region’s climate is projected to shift to warmer, wetter springs and drier summers with more variable precipitation overall. Gabriela Salazar of American Farmland Trust presents regional climate trends and projections, then jumps into a discussion led by farmers in the group on strategies and challenges for grain growers.

For Processors

For Bakers, Chefs, and Other Grain Artisans

  • Video : It Doesn’t Need to be 100% - Strategies and Approaches for Successfully Incorporating Local Grains into Your Business

    • Summary Document: Key Takeaways

    • This is a recording of a webinar we hosted on Monday, October 7, 2024 in partnership with the Craft Miller's Guild, moderated by Gabriel Key. Guest speakers included June Russell at the Glynwood Center for Food and Farming, Martin Phillip from King Arthur Flour, and Chris Girardot of RavenHook Bakehouse. 

  • Audio: In Between White and Whole Wheat: Bolted, Blessed, and Baked

    • Using bolted flour, flour with a percentage of the bran removed, is a win-win proposition for bakers: allowing for a lofty crumb and a nutritious loaf. Most customers don't understand the subtleties and even some artisans aren't aware. Jonathan Stevens of Hungry Ghost Bread discusses the spectrum of bolted flours, its uses and advantages, as well as us making some naturally-leavened crackers together. The use of bran starters and dusters made from middlings is shown, and the whole discussion will be leavened with some storytelling and wheat-centric poetry.

  • Audio: Nosing and Tasting Masterclass 101: Discovering the Flavors of Virginia's Grains in Spirits

    • Explore the art and science of nosing and tasting single grain spirits with Shelley Sackier of Reservoir Distillery. Listen and follow along by tasting Reservoir's Founding line of whiskies - crafted from wheat, corn, and rye - this interactive session will guide you through the sensory journey of evaluating spirits, while diving into the history, biology, and chemistry behind distillation, fermentation, and grain farming. Perfect for anyone looking to refine their palate and deepen their understanding of Virginia's grain-to-glass heritage.

For All Grain Businesses

  • Audio: Advocating for Regional Grain: Policy, Impact, and Community Perspectives

    • Policy shapes the landscape in which we are operating to build a more equitable, regenerative, and vibrant regional grain economy. This session, led by Francesca Costantino, Policy Liaison of the Virginia Association of Biological Farming and Bev Paul, Founder of Davenport Policy, explores why policy and advocacy are critical tools for strengthening the regional grain economy, highlighting examples of policy changes that have directly impacted regional food production. Session participants shared current issues and policy topics that matter most to them and their businesses, fostering a dialogue about challenges and opportunities.

    • View the Presentation Slide Deck

  • Audio: Our Grain Growing Past Powers Our Future

    • This session is a panel discussion between Nathan Epling, Amanda Cather, Mid-Atlantic Deputy Director at American Farmland Trust, and Bill Shick, Director of Agriculture, PA Flax Project. Grain production in the Mid-Atlantic has been an integral part of our history and economy for nearly three centuries. What began with eastern woodland Indians and early settlers quickly evolved into a thriving industry that shaped not only the landscape but many of our social and economic foundations. Today, the legacy of grain production is deeply embedded in our rural communities still available for agricultural use today. The historic farms, mills, and open fields that once served the industry are now part of the region’s rural charm, making them highly desirable places to live and visit. Yet, as modern development encroaches on agricultural lands, the future of grain farming and processing in these areas face new challenges.

    • This session explores not only the history of grain production in the Mid-Atlantic but also its potential future. As pressures to develop farmland increase, grain production could play a critical role in preserving these landscapes for future generations. We'll look at examples of 1) regional best practices for zoning to get actual food production, 2) economic development successes, and 3) innovations by individual farmers or grain producers. By sharing these ideas we can help stem the tide of farmland loss and make local grains a larger part of the regional economy.

    • View the Presentation Slide Deck

  • Video: Humans Love A Good Story: Using Storytelling and Marketing to Make Your Product More Valuable and Approachable

    • Summary Document: Key Takeaways

    • This is a recording of a webinar we hosted on Monday, November 4, 2024 in partnership with the Craft Miller's Guild, moderated by Michelle Ajamian of the Craft Millers Guild. Guest speakers included Tatum Evans, Marketing and Relationship Manager at Janie’s Mill; Daniel James, Creative Director and Founder of Herd Ventures; and, Gabriel Key, Founder of Lead Well Eat Well.

  • Video: Common Grain Alliance Quarterly Meeting - Grain Value Chain Panel

    • This is a recording of a Regional Grain Value Chain panel discussion, which was part of a Pittsburgh Grain Gathering hosted on Monday, November 11, 2024. Listen to Mark Brault from Deer Creek Malthouse, Neil Blazin from Driftwood Oven, and T.Lyle Ferderber from Frankferd Farms discuss the regional grains economy in a discussion moderated by Cassandra Malis of CRAFT Chatham.

  • 2023 Mid-Atlantic Grain Conference Sessions

    • On Monday, October 23, 2023, we hosted our first-ever Mid-Atlantic Grain Conference at the University of District of Columbia in Washington D.C. View the conference agenda HERE and click the link above to watch recordings of the sessions.