We admire the Maine Grain Alliance for many reasons, mainly the resolve to do some hard work. When we think about a single grain and the energy it takes to plant, grow, harvest, package, sell, save, and start over, we chew a little slower, let it all rumble around in our mouths, and really try to taste and feel the energy we get from it.
“The MGA mission is to preserve and promote grain traditions, from earth to table. We provide opportunities to learn and share how best to grow and use grains, using a combination of traditional, innovative, and sustainable techniques. The Alliance promotes beneficial uses of grain for good health, food independence, and purposeful jobs within viable communities. The Alliance connects people and supports the economic, environmental, and nutritional importance for establishing regional grain economies.”
We take part in this mission because we are evidence of its truth. Not long ago, we made what we consider a brave move. We completely replaced the organic rice we sourced from Lundberg in California with Maine grown and processed oat groats from Maine Grains in Skowhegan. We are sharing that development with you, our customers, by serving these healthy grains, answering questions, and having the packaged grains available for purchase here in our restaurant. In doing so, we are supporting the farmers, the producers, and the distributors who are living and working here and making great food happen in Maine. We are all part of establishing (or some would say bringing back) this regional grain economy.
If you would like to become a bigger part of this resurgence of grain traditions, attend the Kneading Conferenceย July 25 and 26th and/or the Artisan Bread Fair in Skowhegan on July 27, 2019. If you are a grain related business or business start up, consider that the Maine Grain Alliance awards grants of $250 โ $1,000 to fund need-based technical assistance and equipment that will help grain-based business owners secure economic opportunities in Maine. You could also participate in their Seed Restoration Program to foster the regrowth and use of heritage grain varieties important to scaling Maineโs grain economy. The MGA Seed Restoration project engages farmers, grain-based businesses, researchers, and consumers to grow the biodiverse seed supply to commercially viable levels and training farmers and seed savers on how best to grow these resilient and adaptive grains.
There is so much to do and so many ways to be a part of it all but together, we can make a difference!
Photo credit for “grains in hand” to HOLLAND HAVERKAMP.
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