Maine Grain Alliance

What Maine Grain Alliance does

Maine Grain Alliance (MGA) is a 501(c)-style non-profit membership organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Skowhegan, Maine. The organization's mission is to support and inspire people building local grain economies, operating as the primary convener of the Northeast regional grain value chain — connecting organic and conventional grain growers, millers, artisan bakers, craft brewers, maltsters, distillers, institutional buyers, and consumers through educational programming, networking events, and grant programs. Its core programs include the annual Kneading Conference (scheduled for July 22-24, 2026 in Skowhegan), the Maine Artisan Bread Fair, the Heritage Seed Restoration project, monthly Grain Education Workshops, Technical Assistance Grants, and an Emergency Relief Fund. The alliance also operates a Video Library of instructional content, baking tips, recipes, and handbooks, and runs specific events such as the Maine Beer, Bread & Cheese Pairing ($50 per ticket) and the Grain Social producer-buyer mixer.

MGA's business model is community-led, with revenue drawn from four streams: membership dues, event registration fees (most events free), corporate sponsorships (Maine Grains, Hight Motors, Adobe, Bissell Brothers, Franklin Savings Bank, Walden Mutual, Allagash Brewing Company, Crooked Face Creamery, Blue Ox Malthouse, among others), and tax-deductible individual donations at suggested tiers of $5, $10, $50, $250, and $500. The organization employs 7 people, has no proprietary technology platform, and relies on its website (kneadingconference.com), email newsletter, and social channels (Facebook, X, Instagram) for digital reach. There is no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no equity investment structure; the organization is governed by a Board of Directors and Staff and operates as a membership-based non-profit.

The alliance's strategic ecosystem is anchored by partnerships with the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), Rodale Institute, University of Maine (small-grain variety trials at Rogers Farm), the Maine Rice Project (rice cultivation workshops), Blue Ox Malthouse (processor tours), Allagash Brewing Company, Bissell Brothers, and Crooked Face Creamery. Distribution is primarily regional (Maine/New England) and delivered through in-person events, virtual workshops via Zoom, the membership program, and direct grant disbursement to qualifying grain-based businesses.

Name

Maine Grain Alliance

Legal name

Maine Grain Alliance

Website

https://mainegrainalliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Maine Grain Alliance is a Maine-based non-profit founded in 2007 that convenes and supports the regional grain economy by connecting growers, millers, bakers, brewers, and buyers through conferences, workshops, seed restoration, and technical assistance grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Agricultural Education and Grain Community Convening

NAICS

Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112), Other Grain Farming (11119)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Mixed Cereal & Grain Farming (Multiple Grains) (AFAGAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty/Heritage Grain Farming (Ancient Grains: Spelt, Einkorn, Emmer, Teff) (AFAGAAAL)

Keywords

• Grain education programs
• Artisan bread baking
• Heritage seed restoration
• Local grain advocacy
• Agricultural conference services

Headquarters

HQ city

Skowhegan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program providing access to organizational benefits, business member profiles, and community engagement opportunities within the grain economy network.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from paid ticketed events such as the Maine Beer, Bread & Cheese Pairing ($50 per person). Many events are offered free of charge with registration.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support the organization in exchange for brand visibility and sponsor benefits. Sponsors include Maine Grains, Hight Motors, Adobe, Bissell Brothers, Franklin Savings Bank, Walden Mutual, and others.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting local grain economies. Suggested donation tiers include $5, $10, $50, $250, and $500.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maine Grain Alliance is a non-profit educational organization that convenes the regional grain economy through conferences, workshops, seed restoration programs, and grant funding. The organization's flagship offerings are the annual Kneading Conference and Maine Artisan Bread Fair in Skowhegan, Maine, supplemented by the Heritage Seed Restoration project, monthly grain education workshops, Technical Assistance Grants, and an Emergency Relief Fund for grain-based businesses.

Product overview

Maine Grain Alliance is a non-profit educational organization operating as a platform-plus-programs model, providing community-based grain education and support services rather than a commercial product. The organization offers the annual Kneading Conference and Maine Artisan Bread Fair as its flagship events, alongside educational programs including the Heritage Seed Restoration project, Grain & Baking Education workshops, Technical Assistance Grants, Emergency Relief Fund, and a Video Library of instructional content. These programs work together to inspire and empower people building local grain economies through connections and shared grain traditions from earth to table.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Kneading Conference

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• USDA Transition to Organic Partnership ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) provides support for MGA events including Field Day at Rogers Farm and processor visits to Blue Ox Malthouse. This partnership helps connect organic grain growers with markets and technical resources.
• Rodale InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKim Butz of Rodale Institute moderates the producer-led buyer panel discussion on building markets for locally-grown organic grains. Rodale Institute provides expertise in organic transition and sustainable agriculture.
• University of Maine (UMaine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMaine researchers including Tom Molloy conduct small grain variety trials and organic spring cereal research at Rogers Farm. MGA hosts field days at this research facility for grain education.
• Allagash Brewing CompanysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAllagash Brewing Company provides craft beer for the Maine Beer, Bread & Cheese Pairing tasting event, showcasing how local grains contribute to the craft beverage industry.
• Bissell BrotherssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBissell Brothers provides craft beer for tasting events and is a sponsor of the Maine Grain Alliance, supporting the regional grain economy.
• Crooked Face CreamerysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCrooked Face Creamery provides artisanal cheeses for the Maine Beer, Bread & Cheese Pairing event, demonstrating the connection between local grains and value-added dairy products.
• Blue Ox MalthousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Ox Malthouse in Lisbon Falls represents a key market for organic grain growers. MGA organizes facility tours as part of its grower-market connection series, helping farmers understand malt production requirements.
• Maine Rice ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBen Rooney of the Maine Rice Project leads workshops on cultivating rice in Maine's climate, expanding the range of grain crops available to regional growers.
• Amy HalloransupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthor of 'The New Bread Basket' and advocate for regional grain systems, Amy Halloran provides virtual and in-person education on story-selling and championing local grains.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Organic Seed Alliance: National nonprofit advancing organic seed systems and grower education through workshops, publications, and policy advocacy. Highly comparable to MGA's Heritage Seed Restoration program and educational mission in the regional grain/seed ecosystem.
• Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA): Regional federation of seven state chapters (including NOFA-Maine) providing organic farming education, conferences, and certification. Direct peer in convening organic growers and bakers across the Northeast.
• Rodale Institute: Nonprofit research and education leader in organic agriculture, already a strategic partner of MGA (moderates buyer panels). Comparable mission in organic transition support, farmer education, and research dissemination.
• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Nonprofit farm and education center focused on regenerative agriculture and resilient regional food systems. Comparable mission of connecting farmers, bakers, chefs, and consumers around sustainable grain and food production.
• Cascadia Grains Alliance (now part of Tilth Alliance): Pacific Northwest nonprofit that organized regional grain conferences and supported craft malting/baking in Washington and Oregon. Closely analogous to MGA's Kneading Conference model applied to a different region.
• The Bread Bakers Guild of America: National nonprofit guild advancing the craft of bread baking through education, team competitions, and conferences. Direct peer in artisan baking education and convening bakers around grains and techniques.
• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA): Maine-based nonprofit supporting organic agriculture through education, certification, and the Common Ground Country Fair. Closest regional peer given shared Maine geography, organic farming focus, and annual educational fair model.

Broad incumbents

• Greenmarket (GrowNYC): New York-based nonprofit running farmers markets, wholesale supply, and food education programs across the Northeast. Broader incumbent in regional food system convening that increasingly intersects with grain value chains.
• King Arthur Baking Company: Major U.S. baking brand and bakery school that supports regional grain initiatives and baking education at national scale. Broader incumbent in the same space, with overlapping commitment to local grains and farmer-miller-baker connections.

Emerging players

• Washington State University Bread Lab: Public university research program developing regionally-adapted wheat varieties and supporting craft bakers/millers. Adjacent peer driving innovation in heritage and regional grain varieties, paralleling MGA's Heritage Seed Restoration work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/search
• Facebookfacebook.com/mainegrainalliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/mainegrainalliance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maine-grain-alliance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maine Grain Alliance