the heritage grain share
The best ingredients, as close to home as possible
In 2005, I was running a small bakery and cafe (WheatBerry) in Amherst, MA. We found that we were able to source the majority of our vegetables, cheese, meats and milk from local family farms and our own gardens in Shutesbury, MA, but there was a limited supply of local wheat and flour. I saw an opportunity to fill this gap. I began to experiment with growing heirloom wheat and other small grains on our five-acre homestead (with the help of a 1600-hundred pound draft horse named Cole!), but I couldn’t do it alone.
I built relationships with other local farmers, like Alan Zuchowski of Hadley, MA who shared my interest in developing a sustainable market for small grain producers. With their support I launched the Pioneer Valley Heritage Grain CSA in 2008, the first CSA of its kind in the United States.
Over fifteen years later we are still growing strong, and offer a wider selection than ever. We take great pride in creating a community-based model where we maintain long-lasting relationships with our members and our farmers. It’s been a tremendous honor serving this community, and I look forward to continuing to develop this program for many years to come!
our farmers
Back in 2008, we launched the CSA with just one farmer, Alan Zuchkowski of Lazy Acres Farm in Hadley, MA. Since then, our farm family has grown to include nine small-scale, organic growers from around the Northeast.
see below for more details!
the selection
After the harvest each year we work with farm partners to bring you the widest variety of high quality specialty grains and beans from the growing season.
Below, you’ll find a preview of the typical offering and learn about the individual product and the family farms who grow them.
distribution
Each year in February, our work culminates with our annual distribution events in Hadley, Waltham and Tyringham, MA where members gather at their selected time slots to pick up their shares.
the grain, rice and pantry shares are available at the same event. Pick up takes about 30-40 minutes. members weigh out and pack there shares. we provide everything you need. All you need to bring are some grocery tote to carry your individual packages.
if you’re wondering how to store all that fresh grain, click the link below for our storage recommendations. a share will easily fit on your kitchen cupboards.
alan Zuchowski
Since 2008, Alan has been growing organic wheat, corn and rye for the share at his farm in Hadley, MA. He’s a proud third generation farmer with a deep knowledge of agriculture and a commitment to sustainable growing practices.
Sean and Sandra O’Donnell
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Sean and Sandra O’Donnell– with the help of their five children and menagerie of animals! – own and operate a small organic farm in Parkman, Maine, They grow all the oats for the share, as well as Tibetan barley and a variety of heirloom wheats, which they also mill to order.
Sean and Sandra’s mission is to cultivate as much carbon-rich, healthy soil as possible to enrich farmers’ lives and provide the healthiest food that they can for this generation and the next, as well as help and guide the next generation of farmers in regenerating the soil.
tom kenyon
Meet Tom, The heart behind Nitty Gritty. Tom is a seventh generation Vermonter and farmer. Farming is a family obsession which Tom couldn’t kick – as any farmer can relate, it’s a hard habit to break. After spending a decade as a dairy farmer, Tom transitioned to growing organic grains and has spent the last 30 plus years perfecting his craft.
catherine kenyon
Meet Catherine, Tom’s older sister, aka “The Cornmeal Queen”, who joined to help manage the day-to-day operations of Nitty Gritty. Catherine found her way to Nitty Gritty after “retiring” from 30 years as an elementary school teacher. She is driven by Tom’s passion to create healthy, sustainable, and locally available grains right here in their home state.
morningstar farm
Seth and Jeannette Johnson farm 70 acres of certified organic land in the Northeast Kingdom in Glover, VT. They have been farming for 9 years and grow dry beans, oats, wheat, vegetables, beef and hay. They love being able to provide food for themselves, their neighbors and others who appreciate great quality. They offer a selection of their dry bean varieties, which are as beautiful as they are delicious. Their beans are freshly dried in the Fall. Morningstar beans are so fresh that they require much less soaking time than regular dried beans.
Bieler family farm
Jonas Beiler, his wife Lydia, and their 8 children have owned and operated Beiler Family Farm for 21 years.
The farm is located in the beautiful Penns Valley of Central Pennsylvania on 106 acres of permanent pasture and lush woodland. They grow einkorn wheat for the share each year.
The whole family pitches in to help. they like to make the most out of their beautiful acreage. They raise livestock, keep a large garden, and tap our their own maple trees!
The Beiler Family Farm is the place that they call home and it holds a special place in their hearts. They put their heart and soul into the work they do here on the farm so that they may share our farm fresh and homemade food with you, our valued customers.
sign up today
support these amazing farms and fill your kitchen with their top quality organic grains!