Carey Institute Hosts Fourth Annual Small Grains Workshop
February 13 event will focus on expanding small grains opportunities for farmers in the Albany area
Rensselaerville–The Carey Institute for Global Good will host its fourth annual Small Grains Workshop, “Beyond Beer: Diversifying the Capital Region’s Small Grains Sector” on Saturday, February 13 from 10 am – 3 pm at the Carey Institute’s Guggenheim Pavilion. The workshop is open to all local farmers, brewers, distillers, maltsters, bakers and any others interested in the future of small grains production in the greater Capital Region, Schoharie, Upper Hudson and Mohawk Valleys.
While previous years’ workshops focused on small grains production for the craft brewing industry, 2016’s workshop will also address market opportunities in feed-grade grain, distillers’ grain and grain for local bakeries. Speakers will discuss myriad topics including regenerative agriculture; grain quality, testing, terminology and malt analysis; local market viability; marketing to distillers; and quality characteristics of different types of grain.
“In order to revitalize the region’s small grains sector, we need to explore all the options available to local farmers,” said Rebecca Platel, manager of the Sustainable Communities program at the Carey Institute. “It’s important for our local economy to rebuild a thriving grain market in the Capital Region. We’re excited to introduce attendees to a wider network of opportunities while also discussing the technical aspects of growing high quality grain.”
The day features presentations, a panel discussion and technical sessions. Speakers include Ben Dobson of Mud Creek Farm; Aaron MacLeod, Director of the Center for Craft Food and Beverage at Hartwick College; Matt Jager, owner and distiller of Yankee Distilling; Sandro Gerbini, founder and president at Gatherer’s Granola; and Amy Halloran, author of “The New Bread Basket: How the New Crop of Grain Growers, Plant Breeders, Millers, Maltsters, Bakers, Brewers, and Local Food Activists Are Redefining our Daily Loaf,” who will moderate the discussion and answer questions.
Rebecca Platel, manager of the Sustainable Communities program at the Carey Institute, will also lead a discussion on Source NY, a new online marketplace for selling and buying NYS grains and other products, and will address how to create a Craft Supported Agriculture network in our region.
The workshop is free to attendees but space is limited. To RSVP, contact Rebecca Platel at rplatel@careyinstitute.org or via phone at 518-797-5100.
The Carey Institute for Global Good is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2012 by Wm. P. Carey and is dedicated to making the world better by contributing to a strong, educated and just society. Through its programs, the Institute strives to bring together innovative and dynamic people from around the world to seek creative solutions to the most pressing challenges of the day. careyinstitute.org
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