Organic Small Grains in the Pacific Northwest: Food, Feed and Malt.

Diverse organic growers, millers, bakers, maltsters, seed and feed dealers, food wholesalers and retailers and poultry producers in the Pacific Northwest are interested in improved varieties, infrastructure, cultural practices and networking opportunities to meet the needs of each other and their communities. Much of the region has lost the ability to produce and process local organic grain legumes and small grains when there is an increasing demand for these items. Grain legume and small grain crops are being evaluated for suitability in organic production systems in the Pacific Northwest. Research programs in the Pacific Northwest are using on-station and on-farm research trials to select new varieties; examine the effect of organic management on wheat end use qualities; test end-use qualities of organic grain legumes and small grains for poultry feed and of small grains for value-added processes such as baking and malting; measure feasibility of increased infrastructure for organic small grain handling and processing; and expand outreach on organic grain production throughout the region through workshops, classes, and the creation of an eOrganic network of scientists, stakeholder advisors, growers and end-users.