Alternative Crops

 Associations and Organizations With the Information

 For Some Different Options

On this page you will find the first two sites have an abundance of information about a wide variety of grains. Then you will find a few of the associations related to specific grains. I wrap up the page with a few reference sites for more information.

Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute:     The Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute is a nonprofit agriculture education and research center based in Columbia, MO. Jefferson Institute staff conduct a variety of agriculture education and research programs.

Northern Grain Growers Association:    The Northern Grain Growers Association is a “farm grown” organization. Since 2004 many of the grain growers in Vermont have been gathering together for exchanging ideas, networking, and camaraderie. The initial focus of the group was to enhance organic seed saving, plant breeding, and variety improvement. Over time the group has developed a somewhat broader focus which includes all aspects of grain production.

National Barley Growers Association:    NBGA was organized in 1989 as a grass-roots organization dedicated to advancing the national and international interests of US barley producers.  We work closely with federal policymakers, consional offices and regulatory agencies to ensure our barley producers’ concerns are considered.

The Buckwheat Growers Association:    Currently the Buckwheat Growers offer feed for livestock, seed and supplies, grain cleaning, corn drying, and grain storage. Products and services are offered both as organic certified and as a transitional (non-gmo) product. As you will see, "We do more than just Buckwheat now."

Hop Growers of America:   HGA is a non-profit association that represents and promotes the interests of U.S. growers both domestically and internationally. As the national organization, HGA provides support, coordination and communication to growers, brewers and the world hop industry in areas of common interest, including; marketing statistics, promotion, education, and research.

American Sesame Growers Association:    The American Sesame Growers Association is organized to promote and encourage the establishment and maintenance of conditions favorable to the production of non-dehiscent varieties of sesame in the United States and to the marketing, processing and use of U.S. grown sesame in both domestic and export markets.

National Sunflower Association:    (NSA) is a non-profit commodity organization working on problems and opportunities for the improvement of all members. Membership in the NSA includes growers and the support industry. There are four general categories of NSA activities: Market Development and Promotion, Production Research, Education, Policy Issues.

California Wild Rice Growers Association:    Fall River Wild Rice, Wild rice really isn't a rice at all.  It's the seed of Zizania palustris, a tall, blooming water grass that prospers in shallow lakes, marshes and streams.  It is the only cereal grain native to the North American continent. Wild rice is grown in the clean, clear waters of the Great Lakes region and in the fruitful western valleys in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada's and the Rocky Mountains.

Cooperative Extension System Offices:    This section of our Web site will help you find your nearest Cooperative Extension office. The Cooperative Extension System is a nationwide, non-credit educational network. Each U.S. state and territory has a state office at its land-grant university and a network of local or regional offices. These offices are staffed by one or more experts who provide useful, practical, and research-based information to agricultural producers, small business owners, youth, consumers, and others in rural areas and communities of all sizes.

Innovative Farming Idea List:    This list of alternatives was compiled using AFSIC reference request files, the subject files in our office, as well as previously compiled lists, compiled by Nancy Grudens Schuck, Farming Alternatives Project, Cornell University and "Ideas for Alternative Agricultural Enterprises," (1996) put together by the Missouri Alternatives Center.

Purdue University. NewCROP:    The Web site of the Center for New Crops & Plant Products, at Purdue University. NewCROP provides windows to new and specialty crop profiles. Click On; CropREFERENCE Books and manuals on crops. Then Click On; The Alternative Field Crops Manual. (University of Minnesota)

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