By Carrie Muehling
BLOOMINGTON – The Grand Prairie Grain Guild continues to help farmers access food-grade markets for a variety of crops including wheat, barley, rye, sorghum and even corn.
“I started out focusing on wheat, which is a little bit novel but has tremendous potential. But then we just kept talking about different types of grain and what the farmers are interested in and what they would like to grow,” said Bill Davison, local food systems educator with the University of Illinois Extension in McLean County.
Davison is exploring the potential of different grains by setting up variety trials and also working to include new varieties into the University of Illinois research farm system. Two field days this summer will offer an opportunity to tour farms that are growing these novel varieties and hear from university specialists, as well.
After talking with a Central Illinois farmer who wanted to be able to send an actual product home with visitors who tour his farm, Davison realized he might need to do some more research on corn.
“Corn is an amazing plant. It dominates our landscape. There are some negative sides to it but it has tremendous potential. It’s part of our culture and history, and so now, I’m exploring corn – diversity in corn,” said Davison.
Lots of research is being done on breeding programs for corn to access food grade markets separate from the commodity market. These varieties include flint corn, dent corn and flour corn that would likely be open pollinated and grown to be milled into cornmeal, sold whole or otherwise sold directly into a food grade market for people. Davison said the group is starting small, but having some success.
“We understand the way the current system is structured and we’re just trying to introduce a little diversity in marketing and see what comes of it. So, we know we’re starting small but there is a lot of interest. There is strong consumer demand, so things are working in our favor in that regard,” said Davison.
Chicago and other Midwestern markets offer potential opportunities, as well as local markets like farmers’ markets, restaurants, stores, Community Supported Agriculture programs and even schools.
Carrie Muehling can be reached at [email protected].
