This presentation was recorded on November 18, 2014. Watch it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/sjrpVU6K_zs
Presenters: Brian Baker, Nigel Tudor, Frank Kutka, and Elizabeth Dyck.
About the Webinar
One roadblock to the increased production of the “ancient” grains einkorn, emmer, and spelt is the need for dehulling capacity, since these grains do not thresh free of the hull in the combine. This webinar will provide an overview of the methods used to dehull grain and the components needed in a dehulling system. One focus will be on the current dehulling options for both larger-scale and small-scale growers, including custom dehulling, new and used dehullers, modification of milling/cleaning equipment to dehull, and building one’s own dehuller. The webinar will also focus on the economics of dehulling, including consideration of ancient grain yield, dehulling efficiency and costs, and prices for hulled and dehulled grain.
About the Presenters
Brian Baker grew up on a small farm in Upstate New York and has a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell University. He has been working with organic farmers for over 30 years.
Frank Kutka studied plant breeding with Margaret Smith at Cornell University and currently serves as a co-coordinator of the Farm Breeding Club organized among members of the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society. Kutka lives and breeds maize and other crops in western North Dakota.
Elizabeth Dyck, coordinator of the Organic Growers’ Research and Information-Sharing Network (OGRIN), has conducted research in organic cropping systems for over 20 years, primarily through collaborative on-farm trials with growers. Her current research includes work with modern and heritage wheat and the ancient grains.
Nigel Tudor grows and mills certified organic grains at Weatherbury Farm in southwest Pennsylvania; the farm also raises grass fed beef & lamb and offers overnight farm vacation stays. Trained in machining and architectural blacksmithing, he finds those skills useful in repairing, modifying and building farm equipment.
Slides from the webinar as a pdf handout
