Grain and Bean CSAs

Locally grown grain seems to be the next major growth area for local food here in the Pioneer Valley. Upinngil Farm in Gill has whole wheat and flour available at their farm store all year round, and Four Star Farms in Northfield now has barley, wheat, and spelt, plus flour, available at Green Fields Market on a regular basis. The People's Pint is now making 100% Local Ale from local grain and hops, and Valley bakeries such as Hungry Ghost, Wheatberry, and El Jardin are expanding their use of locally grown wheat and other grains. It's an exciting time!

Last year we saw the introduction of the Pioneer Valley Heritage Grain CSA, organized by Wheatberry Farm, offering shares with a variety of heritage grains and dry beans.

Now I've just learned about another grain CSA in the Valley, from White Oaks Grains in Belchertown, which has 40 shares available of 150 lbs each.

Both CSAs provide the grains in whole grain form, but offer the use of mills at the farm if you don't have your own. Check them out!

Local Grain CSA

Just heard about this, again via CISA. Sign up for the Pioneer Valley Heritage Grain CSA, organized by Wheatberry Farm and Bakery with the participation of multiple Valley Farms, and get 100 pounds of heritage grains and dry beans.

A full share costs $350. A half share, about 50 pounds, costs $200. There are two pick-up dates in November, at farms in Hadley and Shutesbury, and shareholders must show up at both to get the whole share. The grains are unmilled (i.e. whole grain, not flour) but milling is available weekdays at Wheatberry Farm or you can use a home flour mill like I have.

See the website for details and the sign-up form.

(If 100 lbs, or even 50 lbs, sounds like too much at once, there are a few other sources of local grain and flour in the Valley, including Four Star Farms in Northfield and Upinngil Farm in Gill. I have seen Four Star Farms at Winter Fare and other markets, and Upinngil has a farm stand that is open year round.