Heritage Grain Guidebook

Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2021: $75,671.00
Projected End Date: 09/30/2022
Host Institution Award ID: G359-21-W7903
Grant Recipients: Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance; Southwest Colorado Research Center; NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas
Region: Western
State: Colorado
Principal Investigator:
Gretchen Groenke
Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance
Co-Investigators:
Emily Lockard
Colorado State University Southwestern Colorado Research Center
Description:
From 2016 through 2021, Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance (RMSA) worked with a grassroots network of nearly 200 grain growers in varying climates, initially across the Western United States and eventually growing nationally and globally, in trialing over 250 varieties of ancient and heritage grains including Indigenous and alternative (pseudo) grains to determine varieties that can thrive in the changing climate conditions of the 21st century. Through this effort, 20 of the most adaptive and resilient varieties of cereal grains, including wheat, barley, and rye, of which there was enough seed stock, were selected for formal replicated research trials at four locations in the Mountain West. Results of both the participatory grassroots trials and the research trials, including grower and grain profiles, are documented in this manual in an effort to inform and inspire others to grow these unique varieties of grains, and to support regionalized grain networks and localized food systems.
Type:
Book/Handbook
File:
Author:
Lee-Ann Hill
Target audiences:
Farmers/Ranchers; Educators; Researchers
This product is associated with the project "Growing Heritage Grains for Market Production"
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.