NCI Hosts Stone Milling: A Hands-On Experience Course | June 18-21, 2024

Andrew Heyn from New American Stone Mills presenting to participants.

The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) hosted its Stone Milling: A Hands-On Experience course this week from June 18-21, 2024. The course educated participants on stone milling start to finish from preparing and setting up a stone mill to milling flour and finally product development with the milled flour. This course was conducted in-person at the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, ND. There were 12 participants in attendance from across the United States.

Participants viewing flour quality samples.

Day one began with learning all about the stone mill. Participants listened to lectures and engaged in demonstrations on milling, cleaning equipment, stone mill design, machine, maintenance, parts of the stone mill, as well as grain quality.

Day two’s morning session started with educating participants on grain processing and milling, stone milling operation, adjustment, safety, and application. The afternoon was spent learning about grain cleaning & tempering, and finally a demonstration on stone milling wheat.

Participants creating products in NCI’s bake lab.

Day three focused on stone milling tempered wheat to partially remove bran and also included milling various other grains. Participants spent time listening to presentations as well as hands-on training on the stone mill. Topics covered this day included, flour quality evaluation, rheology and application of stone milled flour, flour quality, and refined flour and other grain milling on a stone mill.

Day four focused on product development using stone milled flour. Participants experimented with different flours to produce products such as bread, cookies and muffins. The afternoon was spent discussing product sensory and left time for Q&A and individual consultations for participants. The course concluded with the awarding of certificates to all participants.

To view and register for NCI’s upcoming courses, visit northern-crops.com/courses.