Buckwheat! Community Call with the Staple Crop Growers Network

Returning from Summer Break, 2026 Staple Crop Community Call series is joined by MFAI Research Director and Agroecologist Dr Nicole Tautges to dig into the beauty of buckwheat. A gluten free crop often included in the grain family, this plant from the knotweed family brings great potential to the field and table. Cultivated originally in China, buckwheat is a staple crop for cultures from France to Tibet to Japan. Discuss best field and processing practices for small scale farms in the Midwest, as well as learn about consumer preferences from Nicole’s field variety and flavor trials. 

This webinar is part of an ongoing series focused on the food crops that sustain us, connect us to our heritage, and help us adapt to changing climates and food systems. Participants are encouraged to bring questions and share experiences from the field.

Participants will also connect with fellow farmers, and resource providers from Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Michigan Food & Farming Systems, Fondy Food Center, and Fresher Together. Together, we’ll learn about upcoming workshops, training opportunities, and available one-on-one support. You’ll also be introduced to USDA programs that may be a good fit for your farm business.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required to get the Zoom link. Can’t make it live? Sign up anyway and we’ll send you the recording!

Language interpretation (Spanish, Hmong) is available upon request. Please indicate your need for interpretation on the event registration form, or by emailing Christine Johnson (cjohnson@michaelfields.org) no later than September 16th.

Interpretación en español y hmong disponible a solicitud. Por favor, indique si necesita interpretación en el formulario de registro del evento o enviando un correo electrónico a Christine Johnson (cjohnson@michaelfields.org) a más tardar septiembre.

Muaj kev txhais lus Mev (Spanish) thiab lus Hmoob yog muaj raws li thov. Thov qhia tias koj xav tau kev txhais lus rau hauv daim ntawv sau npe rau qhov kev tshwm sim no, lossis xa email rau Christine Johnson (cjohnson@michaelfields.org).

About The Staple Crop Growers Network 

 The Staple Crop Growers Network is a community of farmers, gardeners, and food system advocates across the Midwest learning together about staple crops—the calorically dense, versatile crops that connect us to our heritage and nourish our communities every day.

The Staple Crop Growers Network is a project of Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, in partnership with Fresher Together, the Fondy Food Center, and Michigan Food and Farming Systems. This collaboration is supported by funding from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, MFAI supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events. Learn more and join us at michaelfields.org.

About Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS)

MIFFS is a statewide nonprofit with a mission to connect beginning and small-scale, diversified farmers, including farmers who underutilize support programs, to each other and resource opportunities to ensure resilient, healthy, vibrant, and viable local food systems. Learn more at www.miffs.org Growing in Michigan? Connect with Hagan hagan@miffs.org 

About Fondy Food Center  

The Fondy Food Center cultivates wellness in the Lindsay Heights and Amani neighborhoods and the Greater Milwaukee Area by focusing on issues of healthy food access and economic opportunity. We operate local farmers markets throughout the year, provide access to land, resources and support to local farmers, and work with partners to build a better food system for our community. Learn more at www.fondymke.org Growing in Wisconsin? Connect with Stephen spetro@fondymarket.org 

About Fresher Together

Fresher Together is a Black and LGBTQ+ owned and led food and farming collaboration dedicated to serving the people in our community with local nourishing foods and restorative spaces for healing, economic development, training and retreat. Learn more at www.freshertogether.com. Growing in Illinois/NW Indiana? Connect with Fresh outreach@freshertogether.com 

 The views and opinions expressed by the speakers in this webinar are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) or partners. The inclusion of these speakers, and the recording, hosting, or sharing of this webinar, does not constitute an endorsement of any individual, organization, product, or service mentioned.