2026 Spring Microgrant Program

AGC Spring 2026 Technical Assistance and Equipment Microgrant Program

Recipient Snapshot

Recipients: 12 (9 AGC Members)

Combined award total: $25,132.10

Grain Chain Roles: 8 Bakers, 2 Farmers, 1 Miller, 1 Distiller

Geography: Minnesota (6), Illinois (2), Ohio (2), Michigan (1), Wisconsin (1) 

AGC Spring 2026 Technical Assistance and Equipment Microgrant Program Funded Projects

Askegaard Organic Farm (Farmer in Moorhead, Minnesota)

Expanding On-Farm Grain Cleaning Capacity

Askegaard Organic Farm’s microgrant will go toward the purchase of a Javelin Auger. The auger will be a critical tool for Askegaard Organic Farm to increase their efficiency and capacity for on-farm grain cleaning, with the goal of being able to supply more grains directly from their farm to the end-users they work with.

bakerbuie (Cottage Baker in Crystal, Minnesota)

Incorporating Home-Milled Grains

Bakerbuie’s microgrant will go toward the purchase of a tabletop mill which will support the increase in the variety of freshly-milled grains and pseudocereals incorporated into their baked goods. The mill will allow bakerbuie to mill on-demand and create their own flour mixes, providing the opportunity for more nimble recipe development and experimentation.

Baker’s Field Flour & Bread (Miller and Baker in Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Increasing Baking Capacity and Improving Flour Safety

Baker’s Field Flour & Bread’s microgrant will go toward the purchase of an oven loader belt, ceramic grate magnets for their flour mill hoppers, and proofing baskets. These investments will allow Baker’s Field Flour & Bread to increase local grain sourcing options, food safety, and baking production. 

Faith Over Fear Fermentary (Baker in Freeport, Illinois)

Increase Capacity and Storage for Specialty Grain Products

Faith Over Fermentary’s microgrant will go toward the purchase of a variety of operating and storage essential for expanding their sourdough waffles and black bean burgers. This equipment will allow Faith Over Fermentary to include a greater diversity of local and regional grains in their products while increasing efficiency and storage capacity.

Farina Rossa Kitchen (Baker in Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Convection Oven Replacement

Farina Rossa Kitchen’s microgrant will go toward replacing their malfunctioning double-stacked convection oven. This purchase will ensure Farina Rossa Kitchen can continue working with local and regional grains at both of their locations in Minnesota.

field & fire (Baker in Grand Rapids, Michigan)

GrainPro Storage Bags for Totes

Field & Fire’s microgrant will go toward the purchase of GrainPro storage bags to eliminate pest issues which have been an ongoing problem for both Field & Fire and the farmer they work with. These bags will increase the farm’s ability to store and sell grains locally while increasing Field & Fire’s usage of locally-grown organic grains.

Full Circle Farm (Baker in Starbuck, Minnesota)

Sourdough and Fresh Milled Flour Display

Full Circle Farm’s microgrant will fund the addition of a retail display area, including a cooler for flour and educational signage, at their bakery to help customers connect more deeply with where their food comes from. The display will strengthen Full Circle Farm’s ability to market farm-grown flour, expand access to whole grain products, and support the growth of their farm-to-bakery grain system.

Funks Grove Heritage Fruits & Grains (Farmer in McLean, Illinois)

Electrical Work to Power Post-Harvest Grain Handling

Funks Grove Heritage Fruits & Grains' microgrant will fund the installation of power and control equipment for their recently installed post-harvest grain handling system. This new system will dramatically improve the efficiency of Funks Grove Heritage Fruits & Grains' grain handling system, freeing up more time for other farm and value-adding activities. They also have plans to provide grain handling as a service to other small farmers in the area.

Hackel Haus Bakery (Cottage Baker in Hastings, Minnesota)

Improving Laminated Pastry Processing

Hackel Haus Bakery’s microgrant will fund the purchase of a countertop reversible dough sheeter to increase laminated dough production, simultaneously increasing their purchase of local flour and capacity to boost community sales.

Sap Run Distillery (Distiller in Rome, Ohio)
Finish Main Electric Line for Distillery

Sap Run Distillery’s microgrant will go toward the installation of the main electric line in their distiller to power their 130 gallon still.  This will substantially increase the amount of local and regional grain Sap Run Distillery will be able to purchase, increasing sales for farmers and millers in their community.

Shagbark Seed and Mill (Miller in Athens, Ohio)

Unlocking Institutional and Retail Growth Through Scalable Single-Serve Packaging for Local Grain Products

Shagbark Seed and Mill’s microgrant will go toward the development of single serving size packaging that meets USDA school meal nutrition requirements for their locally sourced, whole-grain tortilla chips. Shagbark Seed and Mill’s microgrant will also support the creation of 2 oz packaging for their cornbread minis which schools and other institutions have expressed interest in. These packaging investments will significantly increase the amount of Ohio-grown organic corn Shagbark Seed and Mill purchases each year.

Sway Brewing (Baker in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin)

Croissant Sheeter for Laminated Pastries from Local Grains

Sway Brewing’s microgrant will go toward the purchase of a countertop electric dough sheeter to make laminated pastries from scratch using 100% Wisconsin-grown flour. This piece of equipment will bring increased efficiency to Sway Brewing’s daily baking routine, allowing their business to create more pastries with the same number of hands and to ultimately get these pastries to more customers, connecting more people with local grain.

Funding for this microgrant round is possible through 

the Soil Health Alliance for Research and Engagement and The Soil Health Opportunities & Tools (SHOT) Fund.