Recipient Organization
FIELDS, MICHAEL AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE INC
W2493 COUNTY RD ES
EAST TROY,WI 531201153
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
A small but growing segment of the Midwest region's important organic grain production industry focuses on food-grade grains-higher value grain crops intended for direct human consumption, oftentimes distributed through local processors and manufacturers. The production of food-grade grains for local communities has promoted well-being, rural development and economic growth, and contributed to demand for organic grains. Thus far, food-grade grain production has been dominated by wheat and corn, but oats and buckwheat are grown by farmers in rotation because of their agronomic and environmental benefits; however, a current lack of markets, resources, and processing infrastructure prevents growers from selling these crops at profitable prices. Food-grade grains have not received much attention from public research or extension agencies as they are considered "minor" crops; however, our grower-focused nonprofit organizations have received increasing inquiries from farmers regarding resource development to improve information availability for these crops. Preliminary stakeholder discussions have revealed a need for more economic cost/return production data, agronomic management recommendations, crop variety availability and development, processing and end-user capacity, and regional network development. Given the dearth of foundational information related to these crops, we have developed a Planning Project proposal to build the foundation to strategically design a larger project that generates recommendations from fundamental economic and agronomic and crop research, to value chain and market development. During this planning project, we will perform analyses of existing economic information to develop preliminary cost and return estimates for oat and buckwheat production on small and midsize farms in the Midwestat the farm level, as well as adoption by local/regional food businesses. We will address the lack of resources for organic growers in decision making around oat and buckwheat variety selection for food grade specifically, especially for buckwheat, where virtually no variety development has been performed in the region for culinary buckwheat applications. To connect actors throughout the local/regional supply chain to begin network development and create common purpose around identifying opportunites and challenges, we will convene at least six focus groups with seed industry experts, plant breeders, growers, grain cleaners, millers, distillers, chefs, and other end users. Focus group priority setting around field research and supply chain development needs will be used to develop research and economic objectives for an OREI Implementation Proposal. We will also convene a team of regional or transregional collaborators from different supply chain sectors to participate in developing aTier I or II OREI Implementation Proposal to be submitted in the FY2025 funding cycle. In the near term, this project will generate a variety trial report, a cost/returns economic factsheet, and a multimedia report on focus group learnings, to be shared via the web with Midwest grain chain stakeholders.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
Economic Potential: Review and synthesize USDA database cost/return data and conduct interviews with key oat and buckwheat industry actors to begin generating reliable economic data.Agronomic Variety Trials for Oats and Buckwheat: Generate one year of baseline data on vigor, grain quality characteristics (e.g., test weight, groat %, etc.) and yield, by conducting variety trials with readily accessible oat and buckwheat varieties evaluated in an organic system.Stakeholder Network Development: Hold focus groups with growers, processors, end users, and other value chain stakeholders to understand barriers and establish social networks and connections that facilitate the development of markets and supply chains for organic oats and buckwheat; identify agronomic research, education, and outreach priorities; and understand end user interests and needs for regional oat and buckwheat sourcing.Collaboratively develop an Implementation proposal with stakeholders, reflecting the long term goals of creating a resilient and equitable value chain for Midwest organic buckwheat and oats based on findings fromthe above objectives.
Project Methods
For Objective 1, we will assess the availability of information about costs of production and returns at the farm level and at the post-farm level for organic oats and buckwheat, through a review of secondary sources and interviews with relevant agencies and stakeholders. This information will provide an initial assessment of the value proposition for farmers and inform the need for additional data collection in the full OREI Implementation Proposal. We will also develop initial estimates of the costs and returns of dedicated value chains for oats and buckwheat using available secondary sources and interviews with key informants, and describe the key information gaps in understanding the value proposition for oats and buckwheat for farmers and the post-farm value chain that would be relevant for the development of a follow-on OREI Implementation Proposal.A graduate student, under the supervision of Dr. Nicholson, will review secondary data sources, collate, and write summary sheets with the outcome of this database review.For Objective 2, we willconduct a variety trial in two sites with at least six currently available oat and buckwheat varieties, each with four replicates. Variety trial plot dimensions will be 10 x 20 ft. and will be conducted on MFAI's two certified organic farms in WI. Varieties will be evaluated by measuring early-season vigor and competitiveness with weeds in the first six weeks of growth by conducting stand counts, height measurements, rating canopy cover, and weed counts. Grain yields will be measured with a small plot combine and grain samples will be bagged individually for each plot. Grain will be assessed for quality parameters such as test weight, groat percentage, and beta glucan levels for oat, and for protein content and bran:germ ratio for buckwheat.For Objective 3, we will conductat least six virtual focus groups with distinct categories of stakeholders including farmers [1 for small-scale (<300 acres) and 1 for mid-size (>300-1,000 acres) farmers], oat and buckwheat processors (e.g., cleaners, millers, etc.), buyers/end-users (e.g., bakers, food manufacturers, etc.), crop breeders and seed industry experts, and secondary market experts. We will also hold in-person roundtable/listening sessions at two organic conferences that welcome all of the above groups to holistically discuss oat and buckwheat value chains in winter 2024. Recruitment of participants for these focus groups and roundtables has already been underway.For Objective 4, through the focus groups and other project activities, co-PIs will work to assemble a team of breeders, researchers, technical assistance providers, and other necessary personnel to build a comprehensive and effective OREI Implementation Proposal in an effort to develop a framework that will support the creation of an equitable and resilient oat and buckwheat value chain in the Midwest.