Grains are a critical part of our food system, yet a fraction of the grains we consume are grown and processed locally. From bread, beer and pasta to livestock feed and cover crop seed, the vast majority of grains produced in the U.S. come from the Great Plains region. However, local interest and investment has now resulted in a small grain revival, and NOFA NJ is committed to supporting the local small grain economy.
In 2024, we partnered with filmmaker Jared Flesher of Hundred Year Films to highlight the artisans behind the local grain movement in New Jersey. The resulting documentary, Good Grain, explores the opportunity and excitement that the local grain economy brings, and why it is important to shift away from our reliance on synthetic chemicals in the production of grain crops.
Good Grain features the Farmer (Morganics Family Farm), the Miller (River Valley Community Grains), the Maltster (Rabbit Hill Malt), the Baker (Sourland Bread) and the Brewer (Chilton Mill Brewing).
NOFA NJ Cooperative Grain Processing Hub
With support from a USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant, NOFA NJ has partnered with Morganics Family Farm to establish a grain and seed processing cooperative in Central NJ.
The Hub will make available specialized grain cleaning, sorting, and storage equipment, allowing farms to process, and add value to small grains and seed crops, opening up doors for new and better markets. The Hub will also serve as a site for education, training, and workforce development around grain production and processing, increasing our capacity to supply NJ with clean, local grain.
To learn more about NOFA NJ’s grain processing activities, email TA@nofanj.org
Find Local Grains
Morganics Family Farm
- Morganics Website
- West Windsor Community Farmers Market (Saturdays)
- Philadelphia Headhouse Farmers Market (Sundays)
River Valley Community Grains (Marksboro, NJ)