Appalachian Grains, a pilot program urging Southwest Virginia farmers to grow grains for craft beer, is expanding, reports the Bristol Herald Courier.
The program is designed to create new revenues for farmers, promote interest among the next generation of farmers who want to participate in the craft beverage industry, attract new people interested in farming and reduce costs and environmental impact by providing a quality, local product.
The program’s first year was considered a success. Despite record rainfall, they harvested over 1,300 bushels of grain from 24 acres, malted 17,600 pounds of barley and supplied 18 breweries in this region and across Virginia.
They worked with Riverbend Malt House in Asheville, NC, a business that cleans and malts the grain.
By next year, they plan to construct and operate a grain terminal in Southwest Virginia.
Appalachian Grains is a Southwest Virginia specialty grain broker connecting local growers with craft breweries and distilleries across Virginia.
