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  #1  
Old 11/27/06, 04:59 PM
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Ancient grains

So what grains do we not use commonly anymore that are turning up in trendy (high dollar return) products? I am thinking I could plant a few acres into a small grain crop for retail sale as whole or ground to flour for the 08 farmers' market season. If nothing else the sheep will eat it and the straw is worth $4-5 per bales so I can't really lose much but what grain to plant and if you know of a seed stock source that would be a help too!
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Old 11/27/06, 05:09 PM
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Quinoa is a very popular ancient grain in the health food stores.
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  #3  
Old 11/27/06, 06:44 PM
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Spelt or Kamut seem to be pretty popular.
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Old 11/27/06, 07:43 PM
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Teff,and ensete. Alls I know is that they are from Ethiopia, and are supposed to be some of human's original foods!!
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Old 11/27/06, 09:24 PM
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I think Teff is an annual grass, can be grown, cut and baled as hay for horses. I have grown Spelt, it is a Biblical era grain. Makes great bread. tall plant so lots of straw. A seed company in Ohio, French's, has several varieties. Plant Spelt in the fall, like Winter Wheat.
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Old 11/27/06, 09:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross
So what grains do we not use commonly anymore that are turning up in trendy (high dollar return) products? I am thinking I could plant a few acres into a small grain crop for retail sale as whole or ground to flour for the 08 farmers' market season. If nothing else the sheep will eat it and the straw is worth $4-5 per bales so I can't really lose much but what grain to plant and if you know of a seed stock source that would be a help too!
check out http://www.nap.edu/books/0309049903/html for some ideas. There is also spelt which is used extensively as a wheat substitute for people with Celiac disorder (sorry if I spelled that wrong).

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Old 11/27/06, 09:50 PM
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Aramanth, Spelt, Kamut, Quinoa, Millet
That's all I can think of right now.
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Old 11/27/06, 09:55 PM
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Thank you very much everyone, I guess it needs to be a spring crop it's been too wet to plow much (my brother tried to roll 8 acres today but it rained (and it was wet to start) so he only got a few acres done. Maybe by friday.
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Old 11/27/06, 10:01 PM
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celiac disorder just got some attention from CNN. if spelt is used by it's victim's, perhaps that market will grow.
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  #10  
Old 11/27/06, 10:02 PM
 
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I pay about .80 a pound for organic kamut. I love baking with it.

I have had a hard time getting a hold of amarath. And I think I have tried spelt but don't remember it very well.

Good luck, it would be great if this would become successful for you.
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  #11  
Old 11/27/06, 10:11 PM
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Spelt is a no no for celiac disease. Contains gluten.
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  #12  
Old 11/28/06, 02:25 AM
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Their was a place called the KUSA seed institute a few years ago that would be great for you to check out as they were formed to preserve ancient grains from all over the world that were becoming rare.Dont know if they have a web site anyone?
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  #13  
Old 11/28/06, 06:51 AM
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Bountiful Gardens is an excellent site for the information you're looking for
http://www.bountifulgardens.org/

Many of the grains that have been mentioned are warm weather lovers, though.
I think I would look at the rye/wheat cross (is that triticale?),
or maybe just a specialty variety of rye. (Rye straw is said to be excellent quality)

We're experimenting with a very hardy plant that produces a large seed crop but also has lots of additional uses -
Siberian Pea Shrub:

Edible Uses:
The seeds of siberian pea-shrub are edible cooked. Small but produced in abundance, there are 4 - 6 seeds per pod. Having a bland flavor, it is best used in spicy dishes. The raw seed has a mild pea-like flavor. The seed contains 12.4% of a fatty oil and up to 36% protein, and it has been recommended as an emergency food for humans. More than just an emergency food, this species has the potential to become a staple crop in areas with continental climates. The young pods can be eaten cooked and used as a vegetable.

Medicinal Uses:
The whole plant, known as ning tiao, is used in the treatment of cancer of the breast, and the orifice to the womb, and for dysmenorrhea and other gynecological problems.

Other Uses:
A fibre obtained from the bark is used for making cordage. A blue dye is obtained from the leaves. The plant can be grown as a hedge. It is quite wind-resistant and can also be planted in a shelterbelt. The plant has an extensive root system and can be used for erosion control, especially on marginal land. Because of its nitrogen-fixing capacity, it is valued as a soil-improving plant.
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