Southeastern Grain Gathering
About this Event
About the Southeastern Grain Gathering
The 2026 Southeastern Grain Gathering returns this fall as an immersive, working gathering focused on the structural questions shaping small grain economies across the Ohio Valley and Southeast. Together, farmers, millers, bakers, chefs, brewers, researchers, processors, buyers, entrepreneurs, and capital partners will move between field, mill, and table to explore how durable regional grain markets are built and sustained. Regional grain markets do not build themselves. They take coordination, trust, infrastructure, and shared risk.
Presented by , with the support of other generous sponsors and partners, on behalf of the , the Southeastern Grain Gathering brings together the people shaping regional grain systems, from the field to the finished product. The gathering strengthens partnerships, accelerates learning, and creates new market opportunities that support resilient regional grain economies.
Why Attend?
The Southeastern Grain Gathering has evolved alongside the regional grain movement. Each gathering has reflected a different stage in the work. This year's theme, Making Diversified Grain Systems Work, recognizes that growing grain is only part of the equation. Long-term success depends on strong markets, coordinated infrastructure, trusted partnerships, and business models that reward quality, flavor, stewardship, and fair returns.
Making Diversified Grain Systems Work
The Southeastern Grain Gathering is designed as an immersive, cross-disciplinary experience. Rather than following a single track, participants move throughout the gathering, building their own experience across four program themes:
TALK explores the ideas, partnerships, and practical challenges shaping regional grain economies, from grain quality and certifications to sustainability, infrastructure, market development, policy, and farmer-led innovation.
EAT celebrates regional grains through thoughtfully prepared meals, culinary demonstrations, and conversations that connect farmers, chefs, bakers, and food businesses around flavor, culture, and place.
DRINK examines the role of grain in Kentucky bourbon, craft beer, barley tea, and other beverages through guided tastings, technical discussions, and conversations about terroir, sourcing, and craftsmanship.
MAKE invites participants to roll up their sleeves through hands-on workshops exploring flour, fermentation, milling, baking, noodle making, and the many ways grain is transformed into exceptional food.
Together, these experiences explore topics including:
- Diversified crop rotations, sustainability, and long-term farm viability
- Grain quality, certifications, and end-use performance
- Regional grain markets, infrastructure, and the "missing middle"
- Rye, barley, buckwheat, ancient grains, and emerging crop opportunities
- Brewing, distilling, milling, baking, and other value-added markets
- Business models, strategic growth, and capital for regional grain enterprises
- Grants, policy, and collaborative approaches to regional market development
- Hands-on experiences exploring flour, fermentation, milling, baking, and grain-based foods and beverages
Hosted at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
We’re pleased to host SEGG 2026 at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. The village offers a unique setting where history, agriculture, and craftsmanship come together across a preserved 3,000-acre working landscape. Once home to a thriving Shaker community, the site includes historic structures such as the restored mills that once processed grain for the village and surrounding region. These mills provide a fitting backdrop for SEGG, connecting todays conversations about regional grain systems with a long tradition of production, processing, and shared enterprise.
Lodging Information
Shaker Village On-site Options
GUEST ROOMS: A block of rooms at Shaker Village have been made available to us at a discounted rate. Please use this direct link to make those reservations.
CAMPSITES: Individual campsites are available as an add-on ticket option. They are located in the West Lot Field (site location shown in the map below). Access to restrooms and a severe weather shelter is available, though there are no bathing facilities. Camping spaces are reserved through registration. You will check-in and pay onsite at the Welcome Center. The cost is $25 per site.
Off-Site/Surrounding Area Options
HARRODSBURG
- Beaumont Inn
- Quality Inn
DANVILLE
- Comfort Inn
- Hampton Inn
- Holiday Inn
- Quality Inn
Flavor from the Fields Market
The Flavor from the Fields Market showcases the people, products, and organizations helping strengthen regional grain economies. Throughout the gathering, explore a curated marketplace featuring farmers, grain and food businesses, millers, equipment manufacturers, service providers, nonprofit organizations, universities, and other partners working across the grain value chain.
Whether you're looking for locally grown grain, value-added products, new equipment, technical resources, or your next collaborator, the market offers opportunities to discover new ideas, build relationships, and connect with the people moving regional grain systems forward.
Interested in exhibiting? We welcome applications from farmers, food and grain businesses, equipment manufacturers, nonprofit organizations, universities, and other value chain partners.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available to help broaden participation in the Southeastern Grain Gathering. We encourage farmers, students, beginning entrepreneurs, and others who would benefit from financial assistance to apply.
About the Ohio Valley Grain Exchange
The Southeastern Grain Gathering is presented on behalf of the Ohio Valley Grain Exchange (OVGE), a collaborative initiative working to strengthen regional grain systems across the Ohio Valley and beyond.
The Ohio Valley Grain Exchange exists to catalyze resilient regional grain economies by absorbing risk early, coordinating learning, and converting uncertainty into investable markets that reward stewardship, quality, and fair returns.
Learn more: https://www.ohiovalleygrainexchange.org/
The session "What's the Value of Certifications" and the Buyer-Supplier Discovery Event with Closing Reception are supported by the Rodale Institute and the US Department of Agriculture Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 250.00
