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.

11:00am EDT

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

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 11:15am EDT

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 continue to build community and how to collaborate within the industry to create change.

Fork to Future is a non-profit formed through partnerships with industry experts, aiming to enhance education and nurture a sense of community among women and other underrepresented groups in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Our inaugural conference addressed the grain economy in WA, and the upcoming event will highlight the dairy sector in CA. Discover how we can build stronger connections and collaborate across the industry to inspire meaningful change.

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 →

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 11:15am EDT
Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Business

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

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

Business

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 Erik Fabian of the Bake This Book podcast for an engaging conversation with Rose Wilde, author of Bread and Roses. 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
Are we in the glorious final days of the physical cookbook just as interest in the ancient art of sourdough baking is at an all time high? Hopefully not, but if we are let celebrate what make cookbooks, especially bread cookbooks the lynchpin of the kitchen...counterculture if you will.

For bread bakers and all lovers of cookbooks, the Bake this Book podcast discusses the bread cookbooks that will be your reference for years to come.

Join Erik Fabian, cookbook lover and homebaker, as we discuss naturally leavened, sourdough breads with a bit of pastry, pizza and talk about baking culture. We invite authors to talk about their inspiration, their favorite baking tips and the impact cookbooks have had on their lives.

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 →

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

Sourhouse

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

Business

9:30am EDT

Scaling Your Bakery: Challenges, Opportunities, and Risks

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am 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. Drawing from his decades of experience building Bread Alone Bakery, he'll share insights on equipment options that can improve efficiency and output without compromising the integrity of your products. Whether you're considering expansion or simply looking to streamline your current production, this workshop will help you navigate the challenges, seize the opportunities, and understand the risks of scaling your artisan bakery.

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 →

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

Business