Organic grain summit slated next week in PI
PRESQUE ISLE — The booming organic industry has seen an increase in consumer appetite for organic products, but domestic grain production continues to lag behind demand. To help promote expansion of local organic grain crops, an all-day grain grower-buyer event will convene Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Presque Isle.
Hosted by the U.S. Organic Grain Collaboration, the Organic Grain Promotion Day: Grower/Buyer Summit will be held at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center to bring in buyers and market information to support grower/buyer networking in the region.
The program will include a general overview of the organic grain market from Mercaris CEO Kellee James; Mercaris is an innovative Chicago-based company providing online pricing data and auction services for transitional and organic grain.
The group will also hear from Maine Potato Board agronomist and organic grain farmer Jake Dyer on organic production practices, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association representative John Chartier on certification, University of Maine Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Ellen Mallory on enterprise budgets, and Susan Arrants, USDA, on USDA support services for organic and transitioning farmers.
The afternoon will be open for one-to-one networking between growers and buyers.
According to Elizabeth Reaves, program director for the Sustainable Food Lab in Harland, Vt., Aroostook County’s significant land base and agricultural heritage make it a key region in New England for diversifying acres to include organic grains. The County already supports about 1,000 acres of organic grain, and pioneering farmers and market partners like Somerset Grist Mills and Aurora Mills have been working together for some time to improve the viability and marketability of organic grain produced in the region.
The U.S. Organic Grain Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association, is focused on improving the profitability and resiliency of the organic grain farmer in order to increase the available supply of domestic grain.
In March 2015, the collaboration hosted an engagement session with organic and conventional farmers in Aroostook County. At that meeting participants expressed a desire for better information on market demand and sourcing specifications through more direct contact with buyers.
All farmers, conventional and organic are encouraged to attend the Nov. 11 session. The event is free, but farmers are encouraged to register at https://foodlab.wufoo.com/forms/aroostook-organic-grain-promotion-day/.
Buyer participation from Grain Millers, New Brunswick Seed Growers, Full Sun Company, Stonyfield, Organic Valley, Somerset Grist Mill, Allagash Brewery, and Fedco is confirmed. Also invited are Grandy Oats, Johnny’s Seeds, Valley Malt, Blue Ox Malthouse, Whole Foods, Pete and Gerry’s, Green Mountain Feed, Morrison’s Feed, Bay State Milling, Maine Seed Company and Northern Girl.
