Final report for FW23-412
Project Information
Southern Oregon is known as a world class seed growing region, and is currently facing ‘catastrophic’ ‘historic’ drought. Many farmers have little to no irrigation water, farmers are moving, and farms are going out of business. In order to strengthen the viability, economic resilience, and climate adaptability for farmers during this difficult time, it is imperative that we learn from our peers about seed production during times of drought.
This project is significant because it supported regional farmers to learn from previous research, and other farmers, about non-irrigated farming, local adaptation of heritage grains, and strategies for bed preparation for seed production. Case studies resulting from the grant will provide farmers in the future with valuable information about seed production in drought. Many Farmers have expressed a desire to add heritage grains to their operations, and they want to learn from other farmers who have tried growing them in Oregon’s drought conditions. Our project brought together diverse farmers to learn, observe, and share their experiences producing grains and specialty seed crops during drought.
This project supports regional farmers in southern Oregon to expand commercial seed production in their crop rotations and during times of drought. Farmers continue to learn and trial non-irrigated farming, local adaptation of heritage grains, and strategies for bed preparation for maximum yield and biomass production. Our research trial incorporated case studies of different scales, and farming practices growing the same 4 grains (Tibetan Purple Barley, Ukrainian Wheat, Banatka Wheat, Rouge de Bordeaux Wheat) in order to determine largest yield, most amount of biomass, and which is best suited to include in seed production - especially in dry conditions
The benefits of heritage grains are they:
- grow more biomass than modern varieties, capturing more carbon and giving more organic matter back to the soil.
- grow over the winter, sending down deep roots in preparation to flower in the spring, requiring little, if any, irrigation.
- are naturally drought-tolerant and climate-resilient, adapt to low- or no-till agriculture, and need minimal fertility.
- are richer in flavor, higher in nutrition, antioxidants and protein, and are more digestible than modern grains.
Results:
Each of the heritage grains trailed (Tibetan Purple Barley, Ukrainian Wheat, Banatka Wheat, Rouge de Bordeaux Wheat) germinated, grew to harvest, and produced, grain, and ample biomass. However, the Banatka wheat grew the tallest (5+ft tall) and the plants grew up to 20 tillers each. This meant that the plants were tall, providing more yield, but also the number of tillers added to the substantial biomass from harvesting the Banatka Wheat. It was by far the best producer of yield with the largest amount of biomass.
Results from this project have been shared across Oregon through community partner networks, (such as Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association), the Organic Seed Growers Conference, Rogue Food Solutions Summit, and have been included in field day /outreach events. Our goal was to have farmers learn from each other about how to (and which heritage grains) to integrate into their current cropping plans despite differing bed preparation strategies.
Both the research and outreach portions of this WSARE trial had successful outcomes. All of the participating farmers will be increasing their heritage grain production as a direct result of this project. Each farmer said that this experience helped them to develop the confidence, knowledge, and understanding to grow heritage grains, and that they want to expand their efforts. Also, as regional farmers have more interest in growing heritage grains as a drought- tolerant, low input crop, bakeries have also taken more interest in creating products from heritage grain flour. This new market is growing and the region is not able to meet the demand for heritage grains, and the value-added products made from them.
Research Objectives:
Objective 1: Measure differences in yield and lodging of four different grain crops
Objective 2: Measure differences in biomass of four different grain crops
Objective 3: Measure the difference between beds with no-till preparation, mulching and beds prepared with tillage over two growing seasons
Education Objectives:
Objective 1: Develop case studies, record observations, and share results from 3 diverse farms in southerns Oregon using different bed preparation techniques to grow heritage grains with no irrigation.
Objective 2: Establish educational field tours of case study farms, and small-scale seed producers in drought conditions. Farmers will highlight growing seeds in times of drought using drip tape, choosing drought tolerant varieties and using practices that increase the water holding capacity of soils.
Objective 3: Present findings at Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association Annual meeting, and at the Organic Seed Growers Conference in February 2024.
Objective 4: Host an online workshop to present research findings and case studies in partnership with the Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association and Oregon State University Extension Small Farms program.
Objective 5: Disseminate presentation and information via nonprofit agricultural networks, including the Cultivate Oregon, Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association, Oregon Climate (OrCAN) and Agriculture Network, Organic Seed Alliance and Oregon State University Extension Service.
| April 2023 | Research team convenes | PI Huff, Technical advisor Powell, Consultant Simes, participating farmers |
| May-October 2023 | Hold four tours/demonstrations | Technical advisor Powell, Consultant Sims, participating farmers |
| November 2023 | Seed grain variety trials | PI Huff, participating farmers |
| November '23- May '24 | Collect data on trials | PI Huff, participating farmers |
| May-October 2024 | Hold four tours/demonstrations | Technical advisor Powell, Consultant Simes, participating farmers |
| November 2024 | Seed grain variety trials | PI Huff, participating farmers |
| November'24- May '25 | Collect data on trials | PI Huff, participating farmers |
| February '25 | Present findings at OSU Small Farms Conference | Participating farmers, Hardy Seeds Farm |
| June '25 | Write and publish case studies | Technical advisor Powell, Consultant Simes |
| May '23-May '25 | Conduct ongoing project evaluation | Consultant Simes |
Cooperators
- - Producer
- - Producer
- - Producer
- - Technical Advisor
- - Producer
Research
The project supported regional farmers in southern Oregon to expand commercial seed production during times of drought. Farmers learned from their peers about non-irrigated farming, local adaptation of heritage grains, and strategies for bed preparation for maximum yield and biomass production.
Objective 1: Measured differences in yield and lodging of four different grain crops
Each of the three producers tried four different types of heritage grain cultivation: Tibetan Purple Barley, Ukrainian Wheat, Banatka Wheat, Rouge de Bordeaux Wheat. Each farmer prepared one 25 ft bed for each grain crop, but each farmer used a different bed preparation method to trial the grains. These methods were impacted by the farm’s scale, soil type and climate conditions as seen in the case study details (included). All of the beds were in the field (not in high tunnels) and in close proximity to each other, if not adjacent. All the grains were planted at the same time (estimated planting date of mid-November based on precipitation and temperature) and received no irrigation or fertilizer.
Producer observations were also recorded through written notes. In particular, producers noted rates of lodging amongst the four different grain types. The greater the rate of lodging, means the more challenging the grain is to harvest and thresh.
At the end of the season, the producers used the purchased thresher to separate usable grain from biomass. They calculated both the total yield in weight of each of the four grains, as well as the volume of biomass produced by each crop.
Objective 2: Measure differences in biomass of four different grain crops
In addition to measuring yield and lodging rates and tendencies, the producers calculated the total volume of biomass produced by each crop. Greater biomass production is associated with greater ability to compete with weeds.
Objective 3: Measure the difference between beds with no-till preparation, mulching and beds prepared with tillage over two growing seasons
As described above, each of the farmers used a different type of bed preparation. Hardy Seeds used no tillage and mulch, Feral Farm tilled and used no mulch, and Fry Family Farm also tilled and did not mulch. Total yields of both grains and biomass provide useful information on the differences between bed preparation and grain varietals.
Heritage Grain: Farm case studies: Case studies served as a helpful tool to compare farms, strategies while farmers grew the same varieties of heritage grains (Tibetan Purple Barley, Ukrainian Wheat, Banatka Wheat, Rouge de Bordeaux Wheat) in Southern Oregon.
Feral Farm (Applegate, OR) is a four acre seed farm with sandy loam soils. Producer Cacia Huff is seeking to add heritage grains into her crop rotation.
Bed preparation: Producer Huff will till the trialing beds using a small tractor.
Feral Farm_WSARE Grain Case Study - Google Docs
Feral Farm_WSARE Grain Case Study_template
Hardy Seeds Farm (Ashland, OR) is a three acre no-till seed and grain farm with loamy soils. Producer Chris Hardy is seeking to raise grain stock seed for other local producers.
Bed preparation: Producer Hardy will use no tillage in the trialing beds and use straw mulch on the beds.
Hardy Seeds_WSARE Grain Case Study- Google Docs
Hardy Seeds_WSARE Grain Case Study_template
Fry Family Farm (Medford, OR) is a fifty acre vegetable and fruit farm with sandy loam soils and increasingly limited irrigation. Producer Steve Fry is interested in adding ten to twenty acres of non-irrigated grain crops to his rotation.
Bed preparation: Producer Fry will till the trialing beds using a rototiller and using no mulch.
Fry Family Farm_WSARE Grain Case Study_ - Google Docs
Fry Family Farm_WSARE Grain Case Study_template (1)
Project Results:
This WSARE project was very successful and yielded important results for our region and for Oregon grain growers and small farmers. Through our trials at Fry Farm, Feral Farm, and Hardy Seeds all of the growers reflected similar sentiments that they were glad that they had participated because it opened the door to including heritage grains in their crop rotation. In addition to local farmers offering their labor and land, Niedermeyer Farms of Jacksonville lent its grain combine to harvest the crops.
All the participating farmers showed similar results that the Banatka wheat was the overall most successful grain to grow in the Rogue Valley, regardless of bed preparation strategies. The Banatka wheat grew the tallest (5+ft tall) and the plants grew up to 20 tillers each. This meant that the plants were more robust in growth of side shoots and canopy, providing more grain, but also the number of tillers added to the substantial biomass from harvesting the Banatka wheat. It was by far the best producer with the largest amount of biomass.
No till farming practices that minimized tillage showed that the highest yields with the least amount of lodging expressed equally throughout the wheat varieties with Rouge de Bordeaux demonstrating abundant yield results.
As a result of this project, and the heritage grain trial, in the 2024-2025 planting season after the period of the grant, Fry Family Farm harvested enough Ukrainka Wheat to sell over 7,000 pounds and was also able to save seed to replant 20 acres.
Fry Family Farm was also able to have 5,000 pounds of the Rogue de Bordeaux to sell and saved seed to replant 15 acres. This means that after this WSARE Heritage Grain Trial, the Fry Family Farm increased heritage grain production (in the 2025-2026 season), and they will plant over 35 acres of heritage grains in the Rogue Valley. Feral Farm and Hardy Seeds are also increasing their scale of heritage grain production (they plan to triple the amount planted) after their positive experiences with this WSARE trial. In addition, local bakeries have also taken an interest in heritage grain flour, and there is now a growing demand for these value-added products throughout the region.
Research Outcomes
The research outcomes from this WSARE project have been surprising and have been more impactful than anticipated. As a result of this trial all the participating farmers have planned to plant more grain, and include larger portions of their farming operations to heritage grains.
Another outcome from the trial was that the Fry Family Farm was so successful and inspired by their work with heritage grains, that they have leased more land - just to farm heritage grains. This passion also led to the successful application to the USDA for an Infrastructure grant to fund the purchase of a mill and associated equipment so that the Fry Family Farm can utilize the heritage grains being grown in the area and can create value-added products from them. With support from this project team, the Fry Family Farm were awarded the grant to put in a grain mill, and have already developed the contracts with local bakeries that want to purchase the flour for use in their bread products. This project helped to create the feasibility for Fry Family Farm to trial the grain, find the best yielding variety, then scale up their farming operation and invest in infrastructure to create value-added products into the future. This is a huge outcome for our region and for Oregon.
Note: Quantities for each farmer's heritage grain production as part of this trial is included in a table in the farmer's case study.
Example: Results from Fry Family Farm reflect:
|
Grain Variety |
Harvest Amount |
Harvest Observation |
|
-Tibetan Purple Barley |
5 pounds in a 10 ft row |
Was a light harvest, |
|
-Kerangka Wheat |
10 pounds in a 10ft row |
Great, Very plentiful harvest |
|
-Rouge De Bordeaux |
10 pounds in a 10ft row |
Very good, high yield |
|
-Banatka Wheat |
10 pounds in a 10ft row |
Good, would grow again, tillers= lots of biomass |
Amount of lodging: 0 plants, and Amount of Biomass: 500 pounds
Lessons Learned and Recommendations: This project yielded great results with our education and outreach efforts. After conducting this trial and the outreach associated with the farm tours, we would recommend using specific language to identify and differentiate “heritage grains” from just “grains”. Including the emphasis on Heritage Grains means that these crops are highly nutritious, drought tolerant, low input, have cultural ties, and are very rare. In the beginning we only used the terms “Grain growers” or "seed growers", but then the seed growing cohort that formed through our farm tours, helped to identify the need to distinguish between heritage grains, and more modern grain varieties being grown at a large scale, often with many inputs. In addition, when we used the language of Heritage Grains, we had more interest in the tours, and more motivation from farmers that want to grow these crops in Southern Oregon.
This WSARE Heritage Grain Trial also show cased that heritage grains can be grown with no additional irrigation or fertilization, and each participating farmer had so much success with these grains, that they are ALL increasing production in the coming growing seasons.
We also learned through this trial that more equipment available locally is needed to help farmers scale up with heritage grain production, mill the grain, in order to utilize the flour in value-added products. The demand for heritage grain flour is growing from local bakeries, but special equipment is needed to help famers and bakers meet the demand in our region.
Education and Outreach
Participation Summary:
Our team planned a series of educational farm tours throughout the summer of 2023 and 2024 to maximize the opportunity for participants to observe seed crops in the field, learn from other farmers, ask questions, see in-field strategies, and to share first-hand experiences with drought innovation and heritage grain growing strategies. Our team also shared results at the Rogue Valley Food Solutions Summit and the Organic Seed Alliance Conference.
Objective 1: Develop case studies, record observations, and share results from 3 diverse farms in southern Oregon using different bed preparation techniques to grow heritage grains with no irrigation.
The three farmers participating in the case studies, recorded results of their heritage grain trials using different bed preparation techniques, but all the farmers grew the heritage grains without irrigation or fertilization.
Objective 2: Establish educational field tours of case study farms, and small-scale seed producers in drought conditions. Farmers will highlight growing seeds in times of drought using drip tape, choosing drought tolerant varieties and using practices that increase the water holding capacity of soils.
Our project team planned and implemented 2 years of educational field tours to the farms highlighted in the case studies, in order to observe and learn from their small-scale Heritage grain production in drought conditions.
Farm Tours 2023:
Tour 1: Hardy Seeds
Hosted in: June
20 participants
Topic: Grains, small scale, drought innovations
Tour 2: Wandering Fields
Hosted in: August
15 participants
Topic: Mixed crops, larger scale, drought innovations
Tour 3: Feral Farm Seeds
Hosted in: September
10 participants
Topic: Seed cleaning demos: mostly veg and flowers, drought innovations
Tour 4: White Oak
Hosted in: October
8 participants
Topic: Growing seeds, and ornamentals, drought innovations
Local farmers observing grain trial in the field
2024 Farm Tours:
Hardy Seeds- July 2nd
15 participants
Topic: Talent harvest by hand, harvest by hand
Feral Farm- July 25
10 participants
Topic: Harvest by hand
Fry Family Farm- August 14
12 participants
Topic: Harvest equipment/ milling
Objective 3: Present findings at Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association Annual meeting, and at the Organic Seed Growers Conference.
The project team has been sharing information through the Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association and through collaborating partners such as the Rogue Valley Food System Network, Rogue Farm Corp, and Oregon Community Food System Network. A member of our team, and participating farmer gave a well-attended (100+ people) workshop at the Organic Seed Growers Conference. We also shared about the results of this project at the Rogue Valley Food Solutions Summit (150 attendees), Rogue Valley Heritage Grains Educational Workshop, and through the OSU Small Farms program.
Objective 4: Host an online workshop to present research findings and case studies in partnership with the Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association and Oregon State University Extension Small Farms program.
The workshop is still being planned in collaboration with the OSU Extension Small Farms program and in cooperation with the Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association. Our project team has been very excited about the participation and investment from local farmers, so we have incorporated the findings from this project into the Rogue Valley Community Food Assessment that is being shared widely through the Rogue Valley Food System Network. The physical copies of this document have been shared with over 500 community members. Also, the Rogue Valley Seed Swap, and Rogue Valley Heritage Grains Day, were events that hosted short presentations about the research findings from this project. Note: A Heritage Grains themed workshop was being planned until the Small Farm agent (Powell), and project partner, lost a parent, and needed to postpone. We have a rescheduled date for June 14th, 2025, where results can be shared as a part of a “Farm Products Integration” workshop offered at Southern Oregon Research and Extension Service.
Our WSARE Grain Trial project had many positive outcomes. One of these outcomes was the creation of a seed farmer cohort that attended every tour together. Members of the community and other farmers attended the farm tours as well; however this group of seed farmers were able to share, learn, and grow from one another. This peer-to-peer learning that occurred was valued by the producers and each reflected on the lessons they gleaned from one another. Examples include innovative seed cleaning strategies with household technology, pest management, and creative solutions to retain water in the field. This seed farmer cohort has stayed connected through sharing equipment, resources, and information. The support they provide each other to support more seeds and grains being grown in our region is a significant result of this project.
This project has also resulted in additional community partnerships and collaborations around heritage grains. A member of the Rogue Farm Corp staff that attended the heritage grain tours, mentioned that the tours were valuable learning opportunities for student farmers participating in the Rogue Farm Corp beginning farmer training series. Students were encouraged to attend the tours to supplement what they were learning in the farm corp program. This opportunity helped to open the door to inexperienced and interested heritage grain farmers for the future.
In addition, a partnership of farmers (in the Heritage Grains Project) are collaborating and have also applied to several local foundations to fund needed upgrades to the grain thresher that would support seed increases for heritage grains. The Heritage Grains Project, which is supported by the 3 participating farms, are hosting a Heritage Grains Baking Day (March 17, 2024), outreach and educational event, for the community to taste baked goods made from locally grown grains. One of these collaborations motivated the Fry Family Farm to apply for ODA's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant to fund milling equipment to support the middle of the supply chain for locally grown grains. This will support more local farms to grow more grain and sell it. The demand for these grains and their value-added products has grown exponentially in the region. Bakeries, farm stores, and farmers cannot keep up with the growing demand. The education and outreach from this project is already having significant impacts in our region’s crop planning, need for equipment, and demand for value-added products.
The project team has been sharing information through the Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association and through collaborating partners such as the Rogue Valley Food System Network, Rogue Farm Corp, and Oregon Community Food System Network. Participating farm, Hardy Seeds, presented our heritage grain work at the 2025 Seed Growers Conference in Corvallis, Oregon. The workshop was well attended by over 100 people, and standing room only, it was so popular. We also shared the results of this project at the Rogue Valley Food Solutions Summit where over 150 food and farming people attended.
Also, at an Oregon Community Food System, Southern Oregon convening, members of the Rogue Valley Heritage Grain Project and this WSARE project connected with a baker in Klamath Falls who is interested in sourcing local grains. He is a member of Klamath Grown, and they are investing in a specialty grain mill for the region, and wanted to collaborate with our project to increase heritage grains grown across Oregon.
Lessons Learned: This project yielded great results with education and outreach. After delivering this program we would recommend using specific language to identify and differentiate “heritage grains” from just “grains”. Including the emphasis on Heritage Grains it means that these crops are highly nutritious, drought tolerant, low input, and are very rare. In the beginning we only used the terms “Grain growers”, but then the seed growing cohort that formed through our farm tours, helped to identify the need to distinguish between heritage grains, and more modern grain varieties being grown at a large scale. In addition, when we used the language of Heritage Grains, we had more interest in the tours, and in growing these crops in Southern Oregon.
Article about Rogue Valley Heritage Grain Project: Oregon farmers celebrate the rewards of nurturing heritage and landrace grains - oregonlive.com
Rogue Valley Seed Farm Tour Grain Seed Farm Tours 2024Series 2023 poster,
hardy seeds, wolf gulch, feral farm, heritage grains - Rhianna Simes, Cacia, Maud PowellGrain Seed Farm Tours 2024
Education and Outreach Outcomes
Our project team planned and implemented 2 years of educational field tours to the farms highlighted in the case studies, in order to observe and learn from their small-scale Heritage grain production in drought conditions. Through this project we learned how helpful it was for growers to see each phase of the grain growing process. Participants were able to see and learn about planting, addressing drought concerns and prep preparation strategies as well as see different types of ripe grains in the field for comparison. Then, participants were able to actually help to harvest some of the heritage grains and discuss equipment options for both small and medium scale farming operations. Farmers reflected that it was helpful to have a hands-on component in these tours to experience firsthand how to identify when grains are ready to harvest, how to harvest and techniques to thresh heritage grains. We would recommend project in the future, consider spacing farm tours throughout the season so that participants can learn from each stage of the production. Also see the note about using the language of "heritage grains" instead of just 'grains.'
Details about each tour and its theme is listed below.
Farm Tours 2023:
Tour 1: Hardy Seeds
Hosted in: June
20 participants
Topic: Grains, small scale, drought innovations
Tour 2: Wandering Fields
Hosted in: August
15 participants
Topic: Mixed crops, larger scale, drought innovations
Tour 3: Feral Farm Seeds
Hosted in: September
10 participants
Topic: Seed cleaning demos: mostly veg and flowers, drought innovations
Tour 4: White Oak
Hosted in: October
8 participants
Topic: Native plant seeds, and ornamentals, drought innovations
Local farmers observing grain trial in the field
2024 Farm Tours:
Hardy Seeds- July 2nd
15 participants
Topic: Talent harvest by hand, harvest by hand
Feral Farm- July 25
10 participants
Topic: Harvest by hand
Fry Family Farm- August 14
12 participants
Topic: Harvest equipment/ milling
The results and summary of the information gathered through this project has been shared with our networks, community partners, and the organizations listed above. We offered a more formal sharing of the results of this project and additional grain growing information during the Rogue Valley Heritage Grain event in May, the Rogue Valley Food Solutions Summit, Organic Seed Growers Conference, and at the annual Community Seed Swap.
Understanding of how to integrate Heritage Grains into cropping systems
Benefits of growing heritage grains for soil building, yield and biomass
Opportunity to grow heritage grains that tiller for increased biomass, and soil building opportunitiesNo-till farming yielded higher yields than tilled plots in this heritage grain trial
Heritage grains require no irrigation or fertilization and can produce enough grain to create valuable crop
How to harvest, thresh, and plant heritage grains during times of drought