Kneading Conference 2026: Full Schedule

We envision a world where local grain economies that are
good for people and good for the planet can thrive.

10:00am EDT

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

We hope you’ll join us for a free tour of the grist mill, it is a one-of-a-kind experience.Maine Grains is housed in the historic former Somerset County Jail building, which is also the home of The Miller’s Table café, Crooked Face Creamery, Happyknits yarn shop, WXNZ community radio & the weekly Skowhegan Farmers Market. The mill has been an engine of entrepreneurship and resides in the...
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Sponsors

Maine Grains

Maine Grains serves bakers, brewers, chefs and families freshly-milled, organic and heritage grains sourced from the Northeast.By re-localizing grain production and milling we support the health and livelihood of the farmers and communities we serve. Our traditional stone milling... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Maine Grains 42 Court St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

2:00pm EDT

Check-In

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

We strongly encourage you check-in on Wednesday, July 23rd if possible. The window for check-in on Thursday morning is much smaller, so this will help ease the flow of the conference.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

6:00pm EDT

Presenters Dinner Sponsored by Maine Grains

Wednesday July 22, 2026 6:00pm - 8:30pm EDT

The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill

At our Welcome Dinner presented by Maine Grains and The Miller's Table, we will greet our presenters, volunteers, Board of Directors, and ticket holders with a meal that features some of the best locally sourced products in our local grain economy.Maine Lobster Salad Fresh Maine lobster with shaved fennel, red onion, dill, and bright citrus. Farmhouse Salad Garden greens with fresh herbs and...
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Sponsors

Maine Grains

The Miller's Table at Maine Grains

The Miller’s Table is a destination gathering place located in downtown Skowhegan’s Maine Grains gristmill. Our cozy dining room and oven-side bar now occupy the former garage bay of the renovated Somerset County Jail and outdoor seating options are available in our courtyard... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 6:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill 7 Island Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976

6:30am EDT

Sunrise Yoga with April

Thursday July 23, 2026 6:30am - 7:15am EDT

The Space on the River, LLC

Join us on the mat for a gentle morning flow that pairs breathwork with movement and invites you into the present moment to start your day. All levels welcome, mats and blocks provided.

Speakers

April Davis

April is an Early Education Consultant, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and community wellness enthusiast. After completing her 200 hour YTT in 2018 she taught at Downtown Yoga in Augusta until COVID came on the scene and mixed things up. After completing her Master's program and... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 6:30am - 7:15am EDT
The Space on the River, LLC 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

7:00am EDT

Check-In & Breakfast

Thursday July 23, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Locally-sourced meals facilitated by the Miller's Table.

Details coming soon!

Thursday July 23, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

8:00am EDT

David Bauer - Keynote Address

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am EDT

The Skowhegan Opera House

Speakers

David Bauer

Founder, Farm and Sparrow

David Bauer is a miller, baker, seed collector and the founder of Farm and Sparrow in Mars Hill, NC. Farm and Sparrow works with family farms to grow landrace grains, which are carefully milled and sold fresh every week.

David began his baking journey as an apprentice to oven mason Alan Scott. He opened Farm and Sparrow in 2006 as a wood-fired bakery that milled all of its flour daily and baked breads fermented with the natural leaven. In the following years, Bauer began growing out ancient seed... Read More →

Sponsors

Maine Grains

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am EDT
The Skowhegan Opera House

10:00am EDT

Passing the Starter: Teaching Your Craft and Passion with Workshops in Your Community

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship

Join Brandon Cochran (“Sourdough Brandon”) for this inside look at how he built a popular sourdough starter workshop series that has taught thousands of home bakers across Massachusetts for over three years. In this session, Brandon will share how hands-on educational workshops can become a meaningful way to connect with your community while growing a thriving small business and sharing your...
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Speakers

Brandon Cochran

Sourdough Brandon

Brandon Cochran (aka “Sourdough Brandon”) is the founder of SourdoughBrandon.com, where he shares detailed recipes, baking guides, and practical tips for home bakers making sourdough bread, sourdough discard recipes, and other naturally leavened baked goods. Raised in the foothills of the Appalachians in North Carolina and shaped by Southern hospitality... Read More →

Sponsors

King Arthur Baking Co.

We're an employee-owned company, every one of us bakers at heart. And for generations, we’ve been there with you as you bake. Our mission is to be the ultimate resource and inspiration in the kitchen, to inspire connections and community through baking, and to use our business as... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Business

10:00am EDT

Starting, Scaling, and Sustaining an Organic Grain Business with Halee Wepking

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

In this workshop, Halee Wepking will trace her path from the restaurant industry in New York City to operating a certified organic grain and dry bean farm in Wisconsin’s Driftless region. She’ll walk through the succession deal that opened the door, the financial and structural barriers new farmers face when getting started, and how she and her husband John transformed the business with an...
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Speakers

Halee Wepking

Meadowlark Organics

Halee came to farming with a degree in Modern Dance and a resume filled with professional cooking jobs. She met her husband John while working at the restaurant Prune in New York City, and after several years of doing the kitchen hustle, was eager to join in his dream of returning... Read More →

Sponsors

Skowhegan Savings Bank

Our Bank was founded a century and a half ago by a group of hard working Mainers with an ambitious vision for the future and a genuine interest in seeing the region prosper. As the mighty waters of the Kennebec River and sturdy White Pine forests beckoned with the promise of economic... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

Organic Farmer Track

10:00am EDT

Mastering the Flame: Craft, Crust, and Cultivation

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten

Join Heather Kerner of The Good Crust and Scott Barden of Maine Oven Craft for a riverside, hands-on workshop dedicated to the art and science of wood-fired cooking. This short master class bridges the gap between master masonry and local agriculture. It is designed for bakers, chefs, and wood-fired oven enthusiasts who want to elevate their craft and...
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Speakers

Heather Kerner

Founder, The Good Crust

Heather Kerner is the founder and maker of The Good Crust, a small-batch artisan dough company featuring the grains of Central Maine’s own grist mill, and with a social mission to help people with disabilities to enter the workforce. She is an Occupational Therapist, experienced... Read More →

Scott Barden

Founder, Maine Oven Craft

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME, USA

10:00am EDT

Flavorful, Wild-Fermented, Gluten-Free Sourdough Bagels!

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT

The 1909 House

This workshop will cover the basics of making gluten-free bagels from scratch- starting with mixing the dough, fermentation, shaping, boiling, and baking. We will not use yeast or eggs for the dough, but rather rely on sourdough and overnight fermentation for flavor, rise and texture.Working with whole grains that are gluten-free is different from traditional bagel dough. This workshop will...
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Speakers

Sarah Magid

Knead Love Bakery

Sarah Magid is the founder of Knead Love Bakery, an artisanal gluten-free bakery in Brooklyn, NYC. She launched Knead Love in 2018 following a 15-year career as a jewelry and accessories designer, during which she pursued a custom cake business creating ornate wedding cakes inspired... Read More →

Sponsors

Hight Famliy of Dealerships

The Hight family is celebrating 108 years of selling cars in central Maine this year. They were here before the two world wars, sound motion pictures, and the discovery of penicillin and insulin. They were here even before L.L. Bean! Stop in at one of the Hight family dealerships... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT
The 1909 House 147 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME, United States, 04976

10:00am EDT

Good Pierogi: Authentic Fillings & Polish Dumpling Traditions

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT

The Maine Meal

Pierogi are far more than the familiar potato-filled crescents found in freezer aisles. This hands-on workshop invites you to explore the rich tapestry of authentic Polish fillings that have sustained families and celebrated seasons for generations. From savory to sweet combinations of local ingredients, you'll learn how traditional Polish cooking honors what's fresh and in season. We'll delve...
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Speakers

Krem & Lily Miskevich Combra

Good Pierogi

Good Pierogi is a traveling Polish pop-up and a small dumpling producer, started by Krem in their East LA garage in 2020. Now, joined by their wife Lily, they introduce Polish flavors always using local and seasonal ingredients - especially the flour!

Sponsors

Pure Hairstyling

Short Circuit Electrical Contractor

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT
The Maine Meal 4 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

10:00am EDT

Rye and Maize: Best Friends Forever

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Somerset Masonic Lodge #34

Hands-on workshop where we talk about the historical context of rye and nixtamal in the Northeast. We’ll mix, shape, and bake anadama, thirds bread & 100% rye bread with nixtamal.

Speakers

Kerry Hanney

Founder + Baker, Night Moves Bread

Kerry Hanney is founder and baker behind Night Moves, a bakery in South Portland, Maine, dedicated to baking high quality naturally leavened bread and investigating the possibilities of sustainably grown regional grain. Night Moves’ aim is to make sustainable regional grain more... Read More →

Jim Franks

Jim Franks Is an Author and Baker who has traveled the world studying whole grain sourdough bread and local food infrastructure. He lives in Chicago, Illinois. Where he is still trying to save the world, one loaf at a time.

Sponsors

Maine Grains

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Somerset Masonic Lodge #34 170 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

10:00am EDT

The Whole Grain Baguette

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT

185 Water St

Join writer, baker, and miller Graison Gill in a workshop designed to deepen your whole grain skills, learn about stone milling, and explore how to incorporate fresh flour into your favorite recipes. In this hands-on workshop, bakers will learn how to adapt their techniques, embrace flavor, and accommodate local flours to make loaves which are more nourishing for the bakers who...
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Speakers

Graison Gill

Graison Gill is a baker, miller, writer, and educator. In 2012 he founded Bellegarde Bakery in New Orleans and in 2021 Alma Mill & Bakery in London. Consistently recognized as a leader in his field, in 2020 he was a finalist as the best baker in the country by the James Beard Fou... Read More →

Sponsors

The Bankery

Situated in the historic Flat Iron district of Skowhegan, The Bankery & Skowhegan Fleuriste is an artisan bakery, cake shop, and florist. Our baked goods are made from scratch using the freshest of ingredients, and our flowers are exploding with colors and wonderful scents. We invite... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT
185 Water St

10:00am EDT

Tiny Cakes, Big Grains: A Whole-Grain Baking Workshop

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Tewksbury Hall

Join chef and baker Rose Wilde for a hands-on exploration of cake through the lens of whole grains. Participants will bake three small-format cakes — one gluten-free and two contrasting grains — to compare texture, structure, and flavor. Together we’ll bring each cake to life with a bright jam or curd and two buttercreams: a classic Swiss and a playful oat-milk Russian variation. You’ll...
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Speakers

Rose Wilde

Red Bread

Rose Wilde is a Los Angeles–based chef, writer, and co-host of The Kitchen Tape podcast. She is the author of Bread and Roses (W.W. Norton, 2023), named one of the Best Books of the Year by Bon Appétit and the Los Angeles Times, with a second cookbook forthcoming from Chronicle... Read More →

Sponsors

Kyes Insurance

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Tewksbury Hall

11:00am EDT

What Makes a Successful Hospitality Business in Maine

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Join Vanessa Santarelli (Your Maine Concierge) for an insider's perspective on thriving in Maine's hospitality industry. Maine is a magical destination with endless opportunities to see, do, and discover—but standing out in this competitive market requires more than just a great location.Drawing on expertise as personal Maine vacation and business trip planners, we'll explore:What's hot, what's...
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Speakers

Vanessa Santarelli

Founder, Your Maine Concierge

Founder of Your Maine Concierge
Producer & Co-Host on MaineLife

After a distinguished 20-year career in state and federal advocacy and public policy, Vanessa decided to pursue her entrepreneurial dream of starting her own business to promote her beloved home State of Maine, and the destinations, inns, restaurants, artisans, and experiences that... Read More →

Sponsors

Bromar Printing Solutions

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

Business

11:00am EDT

Fork to Future: Creating Educational Experiences for Entrepreneurs in the Food, Beverage and Hospitality Industry

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship

Fork to Future is a non-profit organization founded in collaboration with industry professionals, dedicated to advancing education and fostering community among women and other underrepresented groups within the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. Our first conference focused on the grain economy in WA and our next conference will focus on the dairy industry in CA. Learn more about how we can...
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Speakers

Stephanie Swane

Modernist Cuisine

Stephanie Swane is the publisher of Modernist Cuisine and their in-house publishing department, The Cooking Lab for over 10 years. She develops and leads new publishing projects and partnership opportunities. She brings over 30 years of experience working on book publishing, global sales & distribution, brand management, foreign rights... Read More →

Sponsors

Bread Bakers Guild of America

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Business

12:30pm EDT

Local Lunch

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Locally-sourced meals facilitated by the Miller's Table.

Details coming soon!

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

12:30pm EDT

Maine Grains Grist Mill Tour

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

Maine Grains

Sponsors

Maine Grains

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Maine Grains 42 Court St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

1:30pm EDT

Scaling Up: Partnering with a Co-Packer to Grow Your Bakery

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship

Join us for an insightful panel discussion exploring the journey from artisan bakery to commercial production. Whether you're a small bakery owner considering expansion or already exploring co-packing options, this session will provide practical insights and actionable strategies to help you make informed decisions about your growth journey.

Speakers

Naomi Neville

Food Accelerator Program Manager, Maine Center for Entrepreneurs

Naomi Neville is the Food Accelerator Program Manager at the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs and is responsible for MCE's Cultivator Program. Originally from England, Naomi moved to Maine 24 years ago and has since made a big impact in the food service and marketing industries. Most... Read More →

Paul Farrell

Union Bagel

Sponsors

Damons

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Business

1:30pm EDT

From Field to Flour: Regenerative Grains and the Future of Baking

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

The Space on the River, LLC

This presentation explores the work of the Grain Gang (a student club at The Culinary Institute of America) and their efforts to grow wheat using regenerative farming methods, with a focus on the research and development emerging from that work. It highlights how sustainable agricultural practices can serve as a foundation for deeper inquiry into grain quality, nutrition, and food systems...
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Speakers

Ryan Luttrell

The Culinary Institute of America

Ryan Luttrell ‘99 is currently an Assistant Professor at The Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California. He teaches in the Culinary Arts department and runs on-campus restaurants such as the Ghirardelli Bakery Café. With over 25 years of experience in professional... Read More →

Sponsors

Five County Credit Union

Somerset Public Health

Somerset Public Health is a coalition of staff members, community members, organizations, and businesses working together to improve health in Somerset County. Learn more about us below.

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
The Space on the River, LLC 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

Organic Farmer Track

1:30pm EDT

Additions: Scalds, Sprouts & Porridges

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

The Maine Meal

In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore the art of incorporating wholesome grains, sprouts, and porridges into bread doughs. Rather than relying on artificial additives, we'll delve into natural, flavor-packed ingredients that can elevate the texture, aroma, and nutritional profile of your homemade breads.Topics covered will include:Toasting and cooking grains (e.g. polenta from dried corn, oat...
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Speakers

Rick Cook

Manifest Bread

Sponsors

Whitemore's Real Estate

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
The Maine Meal 4 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

1:30pm EDT

From Molecules to Oven: the Science and Practice of Leavening

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Tewksbury Hall

This workshop will begin with a detailed introduction to what leavening involves, and will cover the microbiology and chemistry of the process at a fundamental level. Yeasted and sourdough baking techniques will be discussed in detail. This will be followed by a hands-on practical session with a wood-fired oven which will occupy the bulk of our time. Major techniques of yeast leavening ranging...
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Speakers

Dusty Dowse

Owner/Operator, Lammastide Bakery

Harold “Dusty” Dowse has been baking for a half century and is the Baking Education Coordinator for the Maine Grain Alliance, Director of the Maine Artisan Bread Fair, and Resident Baker. He has developed a year-round workshop program to help participants develop artisan baking... Read More →

Sponsors

American Glass

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Tewksbury Hall

1:30pm EDT

Mill to Muffin, Grain to Galette: Integrating Whole Grains Into Pastries and Baked Goods

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

The 1909 House

In this workshop, baker Dayna Evans will lead you through three pastry items — a pie dough with whole spelt flour; a vegan ginger cookie with whole rye flour; and a 100% stone-ground bran muffin using local soft wheat berries. Using her expertise and knowledge in bread, she'll teach you how to apply skills you may already have in integrating whole grains into your breads and doughs to a broader...
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Speakers

Dayna Evans

Downtime Bakery

Dayna Evans is the co-owner and head baker of Downtime Bakery, a bakery and cafe based in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. The bakery, which she opened with her husband, Sam Carmichael, in 2024, specializes in naturally leavened breads made with organic and locally milled grains, as... Read More →

Sponsors

The Miller's Table at Maine Grains

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
The 1909 House 147 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME, United States, 04976

1:30pm EDT

The Art of Mana'eesh: Exploring the Flavors of Levantine Flatbreads

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten

Join Danny and Johnny Dubbaneh, the brothers behind the acclaimed Z&Z Manoushe Bakery, as they take you on a journey through the rich culinary heritage of the Levant. In this engaging session, you'll uncover the art of crafting the beloved mana'eesh, a traditional flatbread that is a staple of Lebanese, Palestinian, and Jordanian cuisine.Mana'eesh, the plural of manoushe, derives from the root...
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Speakers

Danny and Johnny Dubbaneh

Z&Z

Danny and Johnny Dubbaneh are two of the brothers behind Z&Z Manoushe Bakery in Rockville, MD. Z&Z specializes in the manoushe, a traditional flatbread popular in Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and across the Levant. Manoushe is the singular form of the plural mana'eesh which comes... Read More →

Sponsors

Hammond Lumber

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME, USA

3:00pm EDT

Bake This Book: Erik Fabian with Rose Wilde, author of Bread and Roses

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill

Join a live recording of the Bake This Book podcast with Rose Wilde, author of Bread and Roses, in conversation with host Erik Fabian, CEO of Sourhouse. Rose, a self-proclaimed grain geek, will share her passion for texture, flavor, and ingredient diversity, drawing from her global travels and extraordinary debut cookbook, during this live podcast recording. About Bake This Book: For bread...
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Speakers

Rose Wilde

Red Bread

Erik Fabian

Co-founder, Sourhouse

Erik Fabian is a homebaker, dad and the CEO/co-founder of Sourhouse. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Sourhouse makes award-winning tools that simplify sourdough baking and inspire people to make more bread.

Sponsors

Crooked Face Creamery

Margaret Chase Smith Library

Sourhouse

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill 7 Island Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Business

3:00pm EDT

Buyer Panel: Expanding Grain Markets Through Collaboration

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Join us for this producer-led panel discussion on building strong markets for locally-grown organic grains, moderated by Kim Butz of the Rodale Institute! Panelists Amber Lambke, Joel Alex, Kerry Hanney, and Kyle DePietro will share where demand is growing, what makes grain market-ready, and how growers can enter and expand into new markets. Come ready to listen, share, and build what comes next....
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Speakers

Amber Lambke

Founder, CEO, Maine Grains

Formerly a speech language pathologist, Amber Lambke shifted gears to respond to a community need for grain processing infrastructure and is the co-founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc., carried by specialty food stores and used by bakeries, breweries and chefs throughout the Northeast... Read More →

Kerry Hanney

Founder + Baker, Night Moves Bread

Kim Butz

Rodale Institute

Rooted in organic agriculture from an early age, Kim Butz developed a natural love for the land. With twenty-six years of experience as a chef and food service professional, she brings a unique perspective to agricultural support. Over the past ten years, Kim has provided technical... Read More →

Joel Alex

Blue Ox Malthouse

Joel Alex is the founder of Blue Ox Malthouse, a malthouse based in Lisbon Falls, Maine, dedicated to connecting the state's craft brewing community with its agricultural economy through locally produced malt. Alex founded Blue Ox in 2013 with the goal of fostering relationships between... Read More →

Kyle DePietro

Sasanoa Brewing

Kyle DePietro is the brewer and owner of Sasanoa Brewing, a MOFGA-certified organic brewery on Maine's Westport Island. A veteran of Brooklyn Brewery, DePietro focuses on saison-style ales brewed with Maine-grown organic ingredients, many sourced directly from Tarbox Farm (including... Read More →

Sponsors

The Skowhegan

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

Organic Farmer Track

4:00pm EDT

Afternoon Yoga

Thursday July 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Coburn Park

Join us on the mat for a gentle afternoon flow that pairs breathwork with movement and invites you into the present moment to guide your day. All levels welcome, mats and blocks provided.

WEATHER DEPENDENT

Speakers

April Davis

Thursday July 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Coburn Park 419 Water sStreet Skowhegan, ME

5:00pm EDT

Grain Gab

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT

The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill

Kick back and relax among old friends and new! The Grain Gab will feature grain-based specialty cocktails, local beer, wine, cheese, and a spread of locally made delights.

Presented by the Hight Family of Dealerships

Sponsors

Hight Famliy of Dealerships

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill 7 Island Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976

6:00pm EDT

Dinner / The Grain Social: Where Markets Meet Community

Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill

After the conversation, we gather. Join us for an evening Grower-Buyer mixer designed to bring the grain community together in the way that matters most, over good food and good drinks sourced from regional farms. Held in conjunction with the Kneading Conference hosted by the Maine Grain Alliance and developed collaboratively with Maine Grains, with support from the National TOPP and...
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Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill 7 Island Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976

6:00am EDT

Sunrise Grain Walk with Richard Roberts

Friday July 24, 2026 6:00am - 7:00am EDT

Embark on an excursion with MGA's esteemed Director of Rare & Heritage Seed Restoration. Come explore exemplary organic grain restoration endeavors and engage in insightful discussions with industry leaders at the forefront of this vital field.• Meet at Solon Elementary School (76 South Main Street, Solon, ME, 04979) at 6:00 AM (20 minute drive from downtown Skowhegan)• Shuttle/carpool to...
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Speakers

Richard Roberts

Heritage Seed Restoration Project Coordinator, MGA Director of Rare and Heritage Seed Restoration

A gardener, mechanic/ fabricator, tinkerer, and high school teacher, Richard became intrigued with the idea of a gristmill in Skowhegan and volunteered there and became a part time employee. He attended the Kneading Conference and worked as one of the original farmers in the MGA’s... Read More →

Sponsors

KVCC

Real Maine

Friday July 24, 2026 6:00am - 7:00am EDT

Organic Farmer Track

7:00am EDT

Sunrise Yoga with April

Friday July 24, 2026 7:00am - 7:45am EDT

The Space on the River, LLC

Join us on the mat for a gentle morning flow that pairs breathwork with movement and invites you into the present moment to start your day. All levels welcome, mats and blocks provided.

Speakers

April Davis

Friday July 24, 2026 7:00am - 7:45am EDT
The Space on the River, LLC 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

7:30am EDT

Breakfast

Friday July 24, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Locally-sourced meals facilitated by the Miller's Table.

Details coming soon!

MGA Members: Enjoy an exclusive conversation over breakfast with our accomplished presenters!

Friday July 24, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

8:30am EDT

Bread Baking Fundamentals

Friday July 24, 2026 8:30am - 11:00am EDT

The 1909 House

Join us for an accessible, hands-on primer that walks through each stage of the bread baking process, from mixing and fermentation to shaping and baking. This class explores how key variables—hydration, mixing methods, temperature, and time—work together to influence dough development, structure, and flavor. Through demonstration and discussion, participants will learn to read and respond to...
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Speakers

Karen Bornarth

Bread Bakers Guild

Karen Bornarth has been a member of the Bread Bakers Guild for more than 20 years and has served as Executive Director since 2022. A lifelong bread baker and educator, she began her career at Amy’s Bread, where she rose from packer to supervisor while teaching part-time at the Artisan... Read More →

Sponsors

Lodge

Friday July 24, 2026 8:30am - 11:00am EDT
The 1909 House 147 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME, United States, 04976

9:00am EDT

Scaling Your Bakery: Challenges, Opportunities, and Risks

Friday July 24, 2026 9:00am - 11:30am EDT

Tewksbury Hall

In this workshop, Dan Leader will demonstrate four essential doughs while exploring the practical realities of scaling up your bakery operation. As he works through baguettes, pain au levain, a reconsidered miche, and 100% whole wheat with fermented grains, Dan will discuss different production possibilities for each bread—addressing how to maintain quality and character as you increase volume....
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Speakers

Daniel Leader

Founder, Bread Alone Bakery

Daniel Leader is an American artisan bread baker. He is the founder of Bread Alone Bakery, an influential bakery in organic and artisan bread making. Dan studied philosophy at the University of Wisconsin. He then went on to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New Y... Read More →

Sponsors

Walden Mutual

Friday July 24, 2026 9:00am - 11:30am EDT
Tewksbury Hall

Business

9:30am EDT

Heritage Grains & Beans of the Northeast

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

The most widely grown grain varieties in the modern day were bred for pesticide tolerance, unwavering uniformity, and boosting yields at any cost. In a world full of flavorful, nutritious, and resilient grains, this approach is not quite as “conventional” as it may seem. Join Paul Pollaro, the Maine Grain Alliance’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Project Manager, to discuss...
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Speakers

Paul Pollaro

TOPP Project Manager, Maine Grain Alliance

Paul Pollaro earned a degree in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems from the University of New Hampshire, following hands-on experience working on several organic farms in New Hampshire. Currently, Paul works as the TOPP Project Manager at the Maine Grain Alliance. He is also a... Read More →

Sponsors

Redington-Fairview General Hospital

Redington-Fairview General Hospital (RFGH) is a local independent critical access hospital providing quality comprehensive health care services. We are located at 46 Fairview Avenue, Skowhegan, Maine.

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

Organic Farmer Track

9:30am EDT

Tastes Naughty, Digests Nice: The Best Sourdough Discard Chocolate Chip Cookies

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT

The Maine Meal

You feed your starter. Now it's time it feeds you. In this demo-style workshop I will be showing you exactly how I make my signature sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies — the ones people can't stop talking about. In this fun-filled, mouth-watering workshop, we'll go over each step of the recipe and why the details matterthe mixing process and how to get to know your cookie...
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Speakers

Christine Cascella

Chicky's

Christine established Chicky’s in 2022 in Rockland, Maine as a small-batch sourdough pizza pop-up dedicated to highlighting local ingredients and serving up bold, creative pizza slabs and baked goods. For two years she dished out one-of-a-kind sourdough pizzas and sweet treats up... Read More →

Sponsors

Franklin Savings Bank

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT
The Maine Meal 4 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

9:30am EDT

Wood-Fired Pizza

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT

Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten

Join Martin Philip for pizza at the wood-fired oven. We will mix, ferment, stretch, and bake wood-fired NY-style pizzas using recipes, methods, and great tips from his NYT-bestselling book, The Book of Pizza. See you at the oven.

Speakers

Martin Philip

King Arthur Baking

Martin Philip is an award-winning baker and author. In 2025 he was nominated for a James Beard and an IACP award as a co-author of NYT bestseller, The Big Book of Bread. His newsletter, the Sassafras Curio, was additionally nominated for an IACP in 2025. His critically acclaime... Read More →

Sponsors

The Good Crust

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME, USA

11:00am EDT

Building New Markets for Organic Straw

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

The Space on the River, LLC

As demand rises for climate-friendly construction, grain growers are uniquely positioned to help supply a new generation of carbon-storing building materials.In this workshop, Andrew Frederick, founder of Croft, will share how straw is being transformed into high-performance building systems and why this emerging market could create new opportunities for Maine's organic grain growers. The session...
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Speakers

Andrew Frederick

Andrew Frederick is the founder of Croft, a Maine-based firm delivering the future of construction with plant-based building materials. As head of product development, Andrew is at the forefront of innovating new markets for a soil-based economy, and defining a holistic vision that... Read More →

Sponsors

Al's Pizza

Lynch Landscaping

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
The Space on the River, LLC 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

Organic Farmer Track

12:00pm EDT

Local Lunch

Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Locally-sourced meals facilitated by the Miller's Table.

Details coming soon!

Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

12:00pm EDT

Maine Grains Grist Mill Tour

Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

Maine Grains

Sponsors

Maine Grains

Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Maine Grains 42 Court St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

1:00pm EDT

Wood-fired Focaccia

Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten

Workshop description coming soon!

Speakers

Kerry Altiero

Sponsors

Old Mill Pub

Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Wood-Fired Oven at the Biergarten 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME, USA

1:30pm EDT

Strengthening the Midwest Grain Chain: Artisan Grain Collaborative's Network & Model

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT

Somerset Masonic Lodge #34

The Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC) is a Midwest-based network of farmers, processors, end-user, and advocates. Learn about its inception from a handful a bakers and environmental advocates in Chicago to a 200+ grain value chain member network. This session will explore AGC's evolving structure and the work it does to support its members through peer learning, technical resources, and...
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Speakers

Amy Halloran

Amy Halloran is the author of The New Bread Basket: How the New Crop of Grain Growers, Plant Breeders, Millers, Maltsters, Bakers, Brewers, and Local Food Activists Are Redefining Our Daily Loaf, which profiled people and groups making new food and farming routes for grains. In the decade since her book came out, she's become an advocate for regional grain systems, and is eager to share what she's learned to help brainstorm strategies for helping food grade grain enterprises suc... Read More →

Halee Wepking

Meadowlark Organics

Alyssa Hartman

Executive Director, Artisan Grain Collaborative

Alyssa Hartman is Executive Director of Artisan Grain Collaborative, a regional network of farmers, processors, end-users, and advocates working to strengthen a regenerative grainshed in the Midwest. She has a Masters in Food and Agriculture Law and Policy from Vermont Law School... Read More →

Sponsors

Animal Medical Clinic

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Somerset Masonic Lodge #34 170 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Organic Farmer Track

1:30pm EDT

Gather With Purpose: Designing Baking Classes That Matter

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

If you've ever thought about offering a baking class — or you're already teaching and want to bring more intention to it — this one's for you. We'll use Priya Parker's *The Art of Gathering* as our framework for designing classes that go beyond technique, ones with a real sense of purpose and space for genuine connection. You'll walk away with the tools to build your own class, including the...
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Speakers

Zach Martinucci

Founder + CEO, Rebel Bread

Zach Martinucci founded Rebel Bread in 2018 — a community bakery and bread school in Denver, CO — after studying Culinary Anthropology at UCLA and completing a professional bread program at the San Francisco Baking Institute. He's spent years designing and teaching baking... Read More →

Sponsors

Sodexo

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

Business

1:30pm EDT

Cross-Crusting: Using One Dough for Multiple Styles of Pizza

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

185 Water St

Using a high-hydration dough to create Detroit, Grandma, NY Squares, Focaccia and more! We will apply different methods after mixing and bulk fermenting the dough to create a variety of pizza styles from dividing, shaping, proofing and baking instructions that fit each style plus the sauce & toppings that compliment it. Learn how to make the dough and apply the principles to perfect...
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Speakers

Stephanie Swane

Modernist Cuisine

Sponsors

Brickyard Hollow

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
185 Water St

1:30pm EDT

New Techniques for Baking with Maize and Buckwheat

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Tewksbury Hall

In this demonstration class, we will explore ways we can re-envision our bread with an emphasis on heirloom buckwheat and corn. Corn is the foundational food of the Americas and yet it has a minimal space in the artisan baking world. Buckwheat is a superfood that plays an important role in regenerative farming systems. Both corn and buckwheat, when stone-ground, are brimming with vibrant flavors....
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Speakers

David Bauer

Founder, Farm and Sparrow

Sponsors

Holland's Variety Drug

Key Appliance

Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Tewksbury Hall

2:30pm EDT

Baking Local: A Conversation on Place, Grains, and Maine's Baking Identity

Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

The 1909 House

Join James Beard Award-winning food journalist and NPR's Here and Now Resident Chef Kathy Gunst for an engaging panel discussion with two innovative Maine bakers: Heather Kerner of The Good Crust and Christine Cascella of Chicky's. This conversation explores what it means to be a baker deeply committed to local ingredients and how place shapes the craft of baking. What does "local" really mean,...
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Speakers

Heather Kerner

Founder, The Good Crust

Christine Cascella

Chicky's

Kathy Gunst

Resident Chef, Here and Now, NPR

Kathy Gunst is a Maine-based James Beard award winning food journalist, cookbook author and the Resident Chef for NPR’s award-winning show, Here and Now. Her most recent book is Rage Baking —The Transformative Power of Flour, Butter and Women’s Voices (Tiller Press, Simon & Schuster February 2020... Read More →

Sponsors

Joe's Flat Iron Café

Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
The 1909 House 147 Madison Ave, Skowhegan, ME, United States, 04976

Business

4:15pm EDT

Closing Remarks

Friday July 24, 2026 4:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

The Skowhegan Hotel

Speakers

Tristan Noyes

Maine Grain Alliance

Tristan Noyes is the Executive Director for the Maine Grain Alliance. He is also the co-founder of GROMAINE, an organic farm in Aroostook County. GROMAINE specializes in the production of wide variety of vegetables, with a special concentration on lettuce. The farm sells produce to... Read More →

Friday July 24, 2026 4:15pm - 4:30pm EDT
The Skowhegan Hotel 7 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

5:30pm EDT

Back to Basics Grain Pairing: A Maine Beer, Bread, & Cheese Pairing [requires external registration]

Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT

The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill

https://kneadingconference.com/maine-beer-bread-and-cheese-pairing/#Back to Basics Grain Pairing is a Maine tasting event celebrating local grains through paired bites and sips. Guests will enjoy breads, pastries, and other baked goods paired with craft beer from Allagash Brewing Company and Bissell Brothers, along with cheeses from Crooked Face Creamery. The evening will feature remarks from...
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Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
The Biergarten at the Spinning Mill 7 Island Avenue, Skowhegan, ME 04976

9:00am EDT

Maine Artisan Bread Fair

Saturday July 25, 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm EDT

Skowhegan State Fairgrounds

The Maine Artisan Bread Fair is one of a kind. It is a fair dedicated solely to real bread and everything associated with this most ancient and central staple. The Maine Grain Alliance has sponsored the Bread Fair for fifteen years and the offerings have grown each year. The wares in each booth are captivating and your taste buds will be tantalized by food ranging from pizza cooked in wood-fired...
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Saturday July 25, 2026 9:00am - 3:00pm EDT
Skowhegan State Fairgrounds 33 Constitution Ave

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