Grains Field Day!
On July 10, we hosted an inaugural Grains Field Day at Marksboro Mills to mark the beginning of the Foodshed Alliance’s new Grains Program, an initiative to grow the local grain economy in the Highlands using regenerative agriculture. Farmers were invited to come out and connect with their peers, glean insights from experts, and explore the entire process, from growing to milling, firsthand. The program is powered by a three-year grant from the New Jersey Highlands Council Sustainable Agriculture Program. Read more about the Grains Project here.
The response was incredible! Dozens of people showed up, from established farmers to apprentices. Everyone met at Marksboro Mills to learn about the Grains Program, River Valley Community Grains, and the establishment of Marksboro Mills. Elizabeth Dyck, founder of the Organic Growers’ Research and Information-Sharing Network (OGRIN), shared wisdom from her 50 years of organic growing experience and 15 years working with farmers in the Northeast on small and specialty grain production. Lenny, Larry, and Mike gave a tour of the mill so participants could see up close how locally grown grain is transformed into high-value products.
Then the group trooped across Route 94 to Ruthie’s Farm to learn about the grain production process, from field preparation to equipment to post-harvest, as well as how to become part of the Grains Program.
After all that learning and baking in the hot sun, guests were invited back to Marksboro Mills to chat, hydrate, and sample foods crafted by local artisans and made with diverse local grains. There were rye chocolate chip cookies by Coots Kitchen, spelt bread from Four Fields Farm, Neapolitan pizza by A Slice of New Jersey, and cacao nib whole wheat sablé cookies by Kate Munning (find the recipe here).
Thank you to the Foodshed Alliance, to Elizabeth Dyck of OGRIN for sharing her vast knowledge with everyone, and to Ruthie Perretti for letting us showcase her farm. We are grateful to the many the farmers, friends, and community partners that are making this regenerative grains movement a success. It’s amazing what we’re able to accomplish together!
