By Andi Anderson
A Food Grade Grains Field Day will be held on June 10, 2026, 11:00AM - 2:30PM at Boyer Livestock, offering farmers, agribusiness professionals, and students an opportunity to learn more about food grade grain production and marketing. The event is designed to provide practical knowledge, encourage discussion, and connect crop producers with industry experts across the grain value chain.
The field day will begin with a guided field tour focused on wheat, rye, barley, and oat management. Experts from Michigan State University and the private sector will share insights on crop production practices, variety selection, and input management suited for food grade markets. Presenters for this session include Brook Wilke and Dennis Pennington from Michigan State University, Jamie Zbinden from Legacy Seed and Chem, and John Meadows from Nutrien. This segment will help growers better understand how management decisions influence grain quality and market success.
Lunch will follow the field tour, giving participants time to network and exchange ideas in an informal setting. The event organizers encourage preregistration to ensure an accurate lunch count.
After lunch, the program will continue with a session on cover crop benefits and seed production. Jeff Boyer and Madelyn Celovsky from MSU Extension will discuss how cover crops can improve soil health, support grain production, and provide additional income opportunities through seed production. This discussion will focus on both agronomic and economic benefits for diversified farm systems.
The afternoon will conclude with a food grade grain value chain discussion moderated by Julie Doll of Michigan Agriculture Advancement. The panel will feature representatives from different parts of the grain and food industry, including Joe Goetz of Goetz Brothers Organics, Todd Wright of Knappen Milling, Claire Smith of Tenera Grains, Robert McIntosh of Original Grains, and Josh Palmer of Upstart Bakery. Panelists will share perspectives on quality requirements, market expectations, and opportunities for farmers growing food grade grains.
The event is free to attend and is sponsored by MSU Extension and Michigan Agriculture Advancement. Farmers and stakeholders are encouraged to preregister to help organizers plan accordingly. Directions and registration information are available through the event listing.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu-extension
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Livestock