Farmers in the Upper Midwest face challenges accessing the essential knowledge needed to grow food-grade grains for their regional food systems. To address this, the Michigan Agriculture Advancement, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Artisan Grain Collaborative have developed "Training: Food-Grade Grains 101," the only online training of its kind specifically for farmer advisors in the region, with funding from an NCR-SARE Professional Development Program grant.
This simple, click-through training is designed to empower advisors and, in turn, their farmers with the practical know-how needed to cultivate and market high-quality grains.
Overview of the Training Modules
Each self-paced module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and focuses on critical aspects of food-grade grain production. Upon finishing each module, participants receive a PDF of the slides for future reference.
- Module #1: Crops, Varieties, and Market Classes Overview
- Covers the different crops, varieties, and market classes most commonly grown in the Upper Midwest.
- Explores the distinction between modern and heirloom varieties and identifies gluten vs. gluten-free grains.
- Details grains based on their planting season (winter, spring, or summer).
- Module #2: Agronomic Management
- Focuses on key agronomic practices for small grains.
- Topics include essential management for fertility and weed control.
- Provides information on recognizing and managing problematic pathogens.
- Module #3: Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling
- Addresses crucial steps once the crop is ready for harvest.
- Covers best practices for storage options, drying, and relevant equipment.
- Includes an overview of grain quality testing requirements.
By completing these modules, farmer advisors will gain a practical understanding of the requirements for growing, harvesting, and handling food-grade grains, directly supporting stronger regional food systems.
Ready to boost your knowledge? You can access the complete "Training: Food-Grade Grains 101" resource on the Artisan Grain Collaborative website.
Want more information? See the related SARE grant: