THE CASCADIA GRAINS CONFERENCE brings together farmers, bakers, brewers, distillers, brokers, investors, policy-makers and others to help rebuild our regional grain economy on Saturday, January 12, 2013 in Tacoma, WA.

GRAINS in Western Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia have been in cultivation since the fur-trade era of the mid‐1800s. Today, plantings of wheat, barley, oats, rye, and triticale are commonly rotated with high‐value fruit, vegetable, and bulb crops in the coastal Cascadia region. Grains play an important role in reducing nutrient loss, providing organic matter to the soil, as well as breaking disease and pest cycles.

THE DEMAND from consumers for regionally‐produced grains has improved the profit potential and kindled grower interest in better crop management practices and improved crop quality for bread, beer, animal feed, and other end-uses. However, developing markets outside of the commodity chain is not easy for growers in Western Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. In part this is due to critical handling and processing infrastructure having been moved, dismantled, or repurposed for non‐ agricultural uses. Also, the generational knowledge of growing grain has been lost in many corners of our region.

AT THE CONFERENCE:
●  Farmers learn about grain production, connect with scale‐appropriate buyers, and learn strategies on increasing demands for cereals used for poultry and livestock feeds, artisan breads, brewing, and distilling.
●  Processors & end-users get an inside look into grain production, quality, and brokering relationships to get the grain you want and need.
●  Investors, brokers & local government officials get the scoop on rising investment and policy opportunities.

This conference is presented by the Pierce County and Thurston County Washington State University (WSU) Extension offices. It was organized to augment the efforts of the Kneading Conference West held at WSU Mount Vernon. Learn more about Washington State University’s Agriculture Programs.