NCI Cereal Innovators Webinar Series | Featuring Alyssa Hartman
Alyssa Hartman, Executive Director at Artisan Grains Collaborative
During July 12th’s "Cereal Innovators" webinar series hosted by NCI, Alyssa Hartman, Executive Director of Artisan Grains Collaborative (AGC), presented on Reviving a Regional Grain Chain. Her presentation brought on a discussion of efforts between Midwest farmers, processors, end-users, and advocates, strengthening the regional grain shed and bringing more local foods from seed to table.
Alyssa started with the history of the Midwest region and how once upon a time, the Midwest was known as the breadbasket of America. But times have changed, and now the agricultural scene is all about corn and soy, which often end up as processed foods, animal feed, or fuel. However, she says there is a glimmer of hope. By introducing small grains, oilseeds, and dry beans that are suitable for human consumption, things can be shaken up in the farming world. Not only will it provide farmers with new income sources, but it will also reconnect them with the producers and consumers of these products. There is the power to create a better system for staple crops and one that thrives on collaboration.
The Artisan Grain Collaborative is working to help the regional grain chain and strengthen the Midwest grain shed. AGC was formed when bakers wanted to use local flour, and this caught the attention of environmentalists worried about farming's impact on the environment. Together, they realized that producing small grains locally could improve the Midwestern landscapes and increase the availability of fresh whole grains. Their main goal is to create a diverse regional grain network using sustainable farming practices that benefit communities, local economies, and the environment. AGC envisions a thriving and fair Midwest economy focused on staple crops, where the importance of preserving landscapes and ecosystems is high, rural and urban communities are connected, and regional food security is guaranteed.
AGC has four goals they have been planning to achieve in the past few years. First, they want to operationalize regional supply chains with the intent to scale. Alyssa talked in depth about this goal and all their efforts to make it happen. Next, to drive collection and open sharing of information, as well as increase awareness of the network’s composition, stories, and impact. The last goal is to enhance AGC’s capacity and capabilities to support an expanding organization. AGC aims to increase access to food-grade grains by creating and partnering with programs to assist farmers, food and beverage business owners, and consumers with education and production of them. To achieve their goals AGC has been a significant resource for farmers in the Midwest, as well as spreading awareness about food safety, and educating food and beverage makers on how food-grade grains matter to their industry.
One of the partnerships AGC holds is with Midwest GRIT (Grains Resource & Immersive Training). Midwest GRIT is a peer-learning program geared toward farmers beginning in food-grade grain production, value-added processing, and marketing. This year-long paid program brings together a cohort of 30 farmers from across the Upper Midwest for structured education, relationship development, and resource sharing. It is the first beginning farmer training program geared specifically towards food-grade grain farmers, with special events for women farmers.
There were three key takeaways Alyssa addressed regarding strengthening the midwest grain shed. These are that there needs to be improved distribution and logistics, access to appropriate process structure, and opportunities to better spread and share risk along with the supply chain.
Alyssa will be a speaker at the Ancient Grains Conference hosted by NCI on July 25, 2023. She will be again discussing growing the midwest grain chain alongside other colleagues in the field. For more information about the conference see the link below.
https://ancientgrainsconference.com/
If you missed this webinar, watch it below!