State of the Grain: Defining, evaluating, and showcasing the regional grainshed in the Upper Midwest U.S.

Commodities

Practices

Project title: State of the Grain: Defining, evaluating, and showcasing the regional grainshed in the Upper Midwest U.S.

Problem: The Midwest was once considered America's bread basket. Today, the agricultural landscape is defined by corn and soybeans, the majority made into animal feed and fuel. Incorporating a variety of food-grade grains within crop rotations on Midwest farms offers an environmentally beneficial alternative to predominant cropping systems and provides opportunities for more resilient farm income. Farmers report that they want to produce more food-grade grains, but do not currently have access to the markets and processing infrastructure to do so. At the same time, buyers report a lack of consistent local and regional supply to support food and beverage manufacturers to develop products using local grains. As the modern regional grain value chain is young, this is an opportune moment to understand and evaluate grainsheds alongside the actors within them and networks that support them.

Approach/methods: We start by working with regional supply chain actors to create a shared understanding of a "grainshed" and a tool to measure its performance. To understand the state of the grainshed in the Upper Midwest, create a baseline of information through which to measure progress, and exemplify the use of the evaluative tool as a model for others, the research team will apply the evaluative tool to the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. We will use a variety of primary and secondary data sources including USDA and the AGC member survey, and additional surveys and interviews with grain chain actors as needed. Finally, we will create case studies highlighting various supply chain arrangements and successful business models of localized grain supply chains.

Outcomes: We anticipate project results, recommendations, and outreach will lead to 1) increased understanding of grainsheds and the state of the Midwest grainshed, 2) application of the evaluative tool to measure the status and progress of grainshed development in other regions and establish goals for grainshed development, and 3) increased knowledge of economically viable supply chain arrangements for local grains and subsequently enhanced profitability and longevity of grain value chain businesses.

This work will inform farmer and processor education and outreach as well as policies, programs, and more strategic investments to support regional grainshed development. Ultimately, the project will strengthen the viability of Midwest grain farmers, processors, and food and beverage end-users, creating more resilient communities and food systems across the Upper Midwest.

Project Objectives: 1) Create collective understanding of a "grainshed" and tool to measure performance; 2) Evaluate current state of Midwest grainshed(s); 3) Showcase successful regional grain supply chains in Midwest grainsheds.

Learning outcomes: Farmers, processors, end-users, researchers, Cooperative Extension, and other actors involved with the regional grain value chain can 1) Explain the concept of a grainshed; 2) Relate statistics on the state of the Upper Midwest grainshed and recommendations for development; and 3) Describe economically viable supply chain arrangements for local grains.

Action outcomes: 1) Grain supply chain stakeholders apply the evaluative tool to measure the status and progress in grainshed development in their own locations and develop goals for grainshed development; 2) Institutional influencers (policy makers, NGO and private sector leaders, funders) use findings and recommendations to inform strategic investments that strengthen the Midwest grainshed; 3) Educators use findings to inform farmer and processor outreach on viable local grain supply chains; 4) Farms and other grain-chain businesses enhance profitability and longevity.