A Message from CGA Executive Director Madelyn Smith
Dear Common Grain Alliance community,
What an inspiring gathering we had at the Mid-Atlantic Grain Fair and Conference last month! We gathered 171 grain farmers, processors, end users, and agriculture support organizations for packed discussions on building regenerative farming systems, hands-on baking and millstone maintenance workshops, and strategy sessions grappling with policy and infrastructure challenges facing regional grain economies. The full gallery of photos, plus a selection of conference videos, are now available on our website!
Our task now is to build on the conference momentum to continue fostering and deepening connections across the regional grain value chain. If you are a CGA member, I encourage you to participate in our spring election for the CGA Board of Directors. If you've been inspired by the conference conversations and have ideas for our collective future, please consider nominating yourself or a colleague for a board position.
We are also actively seeking regional leaders to host potlucks and networking sessions throughout the Mid-Atlantic throughout 2025. These gatherings are vital for maintaining the connections formed at the conference and building new relationships that strengthen our grain community. If you're interested in organizing an event in your area, please reach out to me directly at madelyn@commongrainalliance.org.
The continued federal funding freezes and other actions by the Trump Administration are putting significant pressure on both individual farms and agricultural support organizations like ours. Now more than ever, we need to band together and leverage our collective resources and knowledge. The conference clearly demonstrated that when we unite, we can develop creative solutions to even the most persistent challenges.
Let's carry forward the collaborative spirit of the conference into all our work this spring.
With gratitude for all you do,
Madelyn Smith
We are excited to make a selection of session recordings from the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Grain Conference publicly available with support from the Virginia Spirits Board and the National Transition to Organic Partnership Program. Head to either the Common Grain Alliance YouTube channel or our conference website to watch “The State of Organic Grain Markets”, “Growing Grain for Malting: Truth, Lies and Considerations for Diversification” and “Nosing and Tasting Masterclass: Discovering the Flavors of Virginia’s Grains in Spirits”.
CGA member access only: All additional recordings of conference sessions will be available online soon via the MembershipWorks portal. (Not a CGA member yet? Become one today!)
On Thursday, March 27, home and professional bakers, millers, farmers and local grains enthusiasts from all over gathered at the King Arthur Baking Company pop-up store in Fairfax, VA for an engaging discussion with experts Martin Phillip and Tara Jensen on everything from everything from milling your own flour, baking as an expression of love and community support, and connecting to the humans who grow and mill our grains. A special thank-you to King Arthur Baking company for hosting us! (And giving a CGA sticker a home on a register!)
A huge congratulations to CGA member business Reservoir Distillery, whose Virginia Heritage Grain Project was named the grand winner of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States’ (DISCUS) Innovation Showcase competition! This prize is a huge win for the entire Mid-Atlantic regional grains movement and a testament to CGA board member Shelley Sackier’s hard work studying and revitalizing Virginia’s heritage grains.
The Virginia Heritage Grain Project studied some of our country’s oldest grains used in the spirits industry aiming to answer the question: Are these landmark historical flavors just waiting to be rediscovered, and are they worthy of being unearthed? Through the project, they hope to bring value to a wide swath of individuals and industries who are trying to be diligent stewards of the land and history, and ultimately, the future. They’re also working to create a growing database that will connect farmers and distillers to strengthen local bonds and relationships.
his month’s recipe spotlight is another feature from CGA member business Deep Roots Milling! This warm, flavorful spiced granola pairs perfectly with a bowl of fruit and yogurt, goes great atop a scoop of ice cream, or works by the handful as a nutrient-dense snack. Find the recipe below and online here!
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup shredded unsweetened dried coconut
1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raisins or other dried fruit
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup coconut oil
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 275°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, coconut, pumpkin seeds, raisins (or your choice of dried fruit), ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, mix the coconut oil, honey, and molasses. Microwave on low until melted and smooth. Pour the warm mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated.
Spread the granola mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, keeping it in a thick layer.
Bake for 45 minutes, stirring gently every 15 minutes to ensure even toasting. The granola will still be slightly moist when it comes out of the oven but will crisp up as it cools.
Once completely cooled, transfer the granola to an airtight glass jar. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks.
