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.

10:30am EDT

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

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

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 on-farm grain mill to create value-added products from their harvest.

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 →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Somerset Masonic Lodge #34 170 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976

Organic Farmer Track

1:30pm EDT

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

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

Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship

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 innovation.

The Grain Gang also connects this work to an ongoing flour fractionation project, including examples of different levels of rise and what those variations reveal in baking and grain performance. In partnership with UC Davis, this research investigates the nutritional effects of flour that is fractionated versus whole or non-fractionated, helping to better understand how processing impacts the final product.

In addition, the presentation examines the role of ancient grains in this research and how they are being integrated across campus programs and curriculum. It also considers broader efforts to expand the use of ancient grains into communities throughout Northern California and beyond, strengthening connections between regenerative agriculture, education, nutrition, and community engagement.

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 →

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

Organic Farmer Track

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.

This event is made possible with support from the Rodale Institute and the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

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

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 →

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 →

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

Organic Farmer Track

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.

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 →

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

Organic Farmer Track

9:30am EDT

Heritage Grains & Beans of the Northeast

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

The Space on the River, LLC

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 how organic farmers can stay competitive with heritage grains, learn how to select the best varieties to achieve your goals, and peek behind the scenes into the day-to-day work of a heritage seed restorationist.

Presented by Key Appliance

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

Key Appliance

Friday July 24, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
The Space on the River, LLC 181 Water St, Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA

Organic Farmer Track

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 will explore what makes straw suitable for construction use and how regional supply chains could connect Maine farms with Maine manufacturing.

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 →

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

1:30pm EDT

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

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

185 Water St

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 networking and education opportunities. Come with questions, and plan to take away and share ideas and opportunities for your own region's grainshed.

Speakers

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 →

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

Organic Farmer Track