Potential of Value Added Organic Small Grain Production in Pennsylvania.

We have conducted a research and outreach program on the potential of value added organic small grains in Pennsylvania for the past three years.  This program has evaluated varieties of winter and spring wheat, emmer, einkorn, spelt, and hulless oats under organic systems.  We have also interacted with organic producers to conduct on farm research and address on farm production and marketing issues.  We have also developed a variety of outreach resources on our websites for organic small grain producers.  We have used data from colleagues in  a OREI project from Cornell, NDSU and several non-profit organizations in our work in Pennsylvania. The type and amount of organic small grain production has increased significantly during this period, due in part to successful seed increases by farmers of  rare seed provided by the project, including heritage wheat varieties, emmer, and einkorn. Collaborative work with farmers has resulted in affordable small-scale grain-processing equipment, including a dehuller for ancient wheats.  Public tastings of grains and grain products have provided insights on consumer preference and increased market outlets for growers.    We have also worked to help develop markets in urban centers such as Philadelphia by participating in a Food Fair event.  In this presentation, we will share some of the results of our variety evaluations, on-farm research, and common issues faced by organic small grain producers in our state.