In 2015, Kinsman Farm Enterprises began experimenting with different varieties of heirloom wheat. Our first trial was a variety of khorasan wheat. After three years of trials, we deemed it inappropriate for our climate in the lower Great Lakes region. Our climate is too wet for winter sowing, and often cloudy. Khorasan did not do well for us. 

After additional research we found a source of Turkey Red Heirloom wheat being grown in central Ohio. We have been growing it since the fall of 2018 and have found it to be reliably productive for our region. Turkey Red wheat flour has a mild nutty flavor, and pleasant aroma for making whole wheat breads.

Our interest in heirloom grains was piqued and we received the request to grow einkorn. Einkorn as well as many ancient grains requires a dehulling process to remove the outer inedible "husk" of the kernals. A dehulling machine is very expensive (approx. $20,000). This led us to search for any einkorns that were free-threshing in a combine. 
 
We located a source in Canada growing a very small amount of Ble Dur Arcour einkorn reportedly free-threshing. They agreed to sell us a small abount-about 1/2 cup. It has taken us 5 years to grow out 8# of seed. We are looking forward to the day that we can sow one acre of einkorn that is free-threshing. Hopefully, we will see this materialize in two years. 

A new passion was born for free-threshing heirloom grains. We have since located three barley varieties in blue, black or purple tints. We have sourced two emmer varieties that are blue or black and free-threshing. In addition, we were able to secure another variety of einkorn from a history preservation site in Sweden that is reportedly free-threshing which we planted in the fall of 2022.  Like the first variety of einkorn, we were only able to secure small samples of these rare grains and are focused on growing out seed banks at this time before we will have product to sell. 

Currently, we are researching storage solutions and making plans for purchasing a small stone burr grinder for on farm grinding. We are looking forward to see what 2023 will bring us in our journey to provide ancient heirloom grains for our community.