Does anyone know of a source for locally grown wheat, spelt, rye etcetera in New England? I have heard that there are grain farmers in Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts, but I don’t know how where one might go to buy their grain in home breadmaking quantities.
I have been looking as well (I live in CT) but have only found Four Star Farms in MA. They don’t appear to be organic.
There is a grain growing cooperative in VT, but I have not been able to find an online source for ordering.
Maine Grains in Skowhegan is at the center of the grain renaissance in Maine. I have enjoyed lots of different grains from them. They usually have a Magog Wheat, but sometimes a specialty wheat like Red Turkey, which I love in breads. They also have very nice oats, which made the creamiest oatmeal I have ever eaten, and corn meal (varieties for both baking and grits/polenta), rye, grain berries etc. They have an online store. http://mainegrains.com/
I live in a town next to Skowhegan and it is wonderful for local bakers (and eaters!) to have them around. They are closely allied with the local Farmers Market and CSA community.
I have also enjoyed flour from Grange Corner Farm. I especially endorse the Red Fife, which is exquisite in breads. It’s an heirloom wheat which has been making a recovery in Canada and the norther states thanks to efforts of small farmers. I don’t know if they ship, but they are just a message or phone call away. https://www.facebook.com/GrangeCornerFarm/ .
It turns out that there is a grain CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group in Central Massachusetts called, “Heritage Grain Share,” https://localgrain.org/
All the grain and beans they sell are locally grown in New England and most are local to Central Massachusetss or Southern Vermont and New Hampshire (which are close by. We have little states in New England). Here’s what they have to say about themselves
"The Heritage Grain Share
“New England’s First CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for flour, grains and beans!
The missing link in the burgeoning local food chain, The Hertiage Grain
Share was created by Ben Lester in 2008 and has been a huge success.
Proving the best quality grains to over 200 members and counting.”
The sad part is that their grain seems to be very expensive—$185/50 lbs—in other words, $18.50 for five pounds! I really want to support local agriculture and it would be great to get local grain, but it is hard to justify that when I can get pretty good flour from King Arthur for less than $5 for 5 lbs., and 5 lbs of decent whole wheat or rye from the local healthfood store for $8.