I moved the fences last night and checked on them today. Walking around with a volt meter and figuring out problem spots made me feel, perhaps unjustifiably, glad that I studied physics. Sure, reading a volt meter doesn't require complex theory or math, but I think my methodical approach to problem-solving is informed by my training. A rudimentary understanding of electricity is necessary to troubleshoot. Eh?
I thought I could nap the afternoon away, but I came home to a reminder that I signed up for an online webinar on Dehulling Ancient Grains. This is a sign that I'm on the path to becoming a grain nerd, or at least "mining the industry". This eOrganics hosted meeting comprised of some farmers, an economist, and some agricultural researchers. They primarily focused on spelt, emmer, and einkhorn. The take home message is that it's better to grow a lot (10 acres or more) and share equipment. I concluded for myself that einkhorn isn't worthwhile because of its low yields and greater difficulty to dehull due its larger size and frailty.
Presenters gave an overview of existing dehulling equipment options. The main brands, Heger, Horn, and Codema are expensive and require multiple passes to successfully dehull a sufficient quantity. Homemade dehullers came out as the best option, but cost $12,000 in parts alone and were made by farmers with metal-smith skills. Some existing equipment may be repurposed to dehull, like stone mills and scarifiers, but they tend to smash and break the grains. Even if one successfully dehulled grains, gravity tables and aspirators need to do pre- and post-clean-up. Egh, commercial grain farming requires too many machines!! There's a reason why hulled varieties became unpopular!
Overall, I think this workshop helped me decide whether I want to plant spelt next year and how important it is that I attend the upcoming meeting of North Coast grain growers about creating a grain hub. Also, while I think that being able to have a meeting with people from all over the country in a webinar is richly educational and reduces fuel use, a major drawback is that I'm not compelled to stay awake as I would be amidst other people. Or, perhaps I'm not that nerdy of a grain farmer.
I thought I could nap the afternoon away, but I came home to a reminder that I signed up for an online webinar on Dehulling Ancient Grains. This is a sign that I'm on the path to becoming a grain nerd, or at least "mining the industry". This eOrganics hosted meeting comprised of some farmers, an economist, and some agricultural researchers. They primarily focused on spelt, emmer, and einkhorn. The take home message is that it's better to grow a lot (10 acres or more) and share equipment. I concluded for myself that einkhorn isn't worthwhile because of its low yields and greater difficulty to dehull due its larger size and frailty.
Presenters gave an overview of existing dehulling equipment options. The main brands, Heger, Horn, and Codema are expensive and require multiple passes to successfully dehull a sufficient quantity. Homemade dehullers came out as the best option, but cost $12,000 in parts alone and were made by farmers with metal-smith skills. Some existing equipment may be repurposed to dehull, like stone mills and scarifiers, but they tend to smash and break the grains. Even if one successfully dehulled grains, gravity tables and aspirators need to do pre- and post-clean-up. Egh, commercial grain farming requires too many machines!! There's a reason why hulled varieties became unpopular!
Overall, I think this workshop helped me decide whether I want to plant spelt next year and how important it is that I attend the upcoming meeting of North Coast grain growers about creating a grain hub. Also, while I think that being able to have a meeting with people from all over the country in a webinar is richly educational and reduces fuel use, a major drawback is that I'm not compelled to stay awake as I would be amidst other people. Or, perhaps I'm not that nerdy of a grain farmer.
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