Artisan Grain Collaborative
Artisan Grain Collaborative is a Chicago-based non-profit network of 200+ farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, and researchers across seven Midwest states that strengthens regional regenerative grain supply chains through member groups, educational resources, and grant-funded programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Artisan Grain Collaborative does
Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC) is a non-profit member-led network founded in 2016 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, that convenes 200+ farmers, millers, maltsters, bakers, brewers, distillers, researchers, and advocates across seven Midwest states (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin) to strengthen a regional regenerative grain supply chain. The organization operates as a fiscal-sponsored project of Global Philanthropy Partnership and runs five member groups (Education & Outreach, Bakers, Farmer, Brewing & Distilling, Wholesale Development) that coordinate peer learning, field days, and grain chain gatherings. Its core deliverables include the Regional Grain Map (an interactive directory across 11 grain chain roles), the Grain Chain Connections docu-series, Food-Grade Grains 101 training modules, Grain Zines on eight Midwest grains, the Distillers Guide, Grains 101, and The Crumb newsletter.
AGC generates no commercial product revenue; funding comes from foundation grants (notably Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust), USDA grant programs (FMPP, OREI, NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher), and individual donations through the Cultivate monthly giving program. The go-to-market is community-led: prospective members apply through an Airtable form, applications are reviewed by the Coordinating Committee, and growth is driven by member referrals, field days, and annual surveys. Strategic research and regulatory partnerships with UW-Madison CIAS, UW-Madison Seed to Kitchen Collaborative, University of Illinois Food Science Pilot Plant, Vermont Law School Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, and the Craft Maltsters Guild extend AGC's reach into academic and policy domains.
Artisan Grain Collaborative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Artisan Grain Collaborative
- Legal name
- Artisan Grain Collaborative
- Website
- https://graincollaborative.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Artisan Grain Collaborative is a Chicago-based non-profit network of 200+ farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, and researchers across seven Midwest states that strengthens regional regenerative grain supply chains through member groups, educational resources, and grant-funded programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Artisan Grain Collaborative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Network Services
- NAICS
- Other Grain Farming (11119)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- On-Farm Grain Quality Testing & Sampling (Mycotoxins, Dockage) (AFAOABAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Specialty/Heritage Grain Farming (Ancient Grains: Spelt, Einkorn, Emmer, Teff) (AFAGAAAL)
Keywords
Where Artisan Grain Collaborative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Artisan Grain Collaborative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: AGC is funded through grants from foundations (Searle Funds at Chicago Community Trust, NCR-SARE, USDA grant programs) and individual donations through its Cultivate monthly giving program and one-time donations. AGC is a project of fiscal sponsor Global Philanthropy Partnership.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Artisan Grain Collaborative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Artisan Grain Collaborative is a nonprofit network organization that convenes farmers, millers, maltsters, bakers, brewers, distillers, researchers, and advocates across the Upper Midwest to strengthen a regenerative regional grain supply chain. The organization develops and distributes educational resources, training programs, and tools (including the Regional Grain Map, Grain Zines, Grains 101 guide, Food-Grade Grains 101 modules, Distillers Guide, and the Grain Chain Connections documentary series), and runs member-led programs such as Neighbor Loaves and the Grains in Institutions initiative.
Product overview
Artisan Grain Collaborative is a non-profit collaborative network (not a traditional product company) that strengthens the Midwest grainshed through programs, educational resources, and member services. Core offerings include: the Grain Chain Connections video documentary series showcasing member collaborations; Food-Grade Grains 101 training modules for foundational grain knowledge; the Distillers Guide for regional spirit production; Grain Zines educational materials on Midwest grains; the Neighbor Loaves program connecting bakers with local grain supply; Grains 101 comprehensive grain guide; and the Regional Grain Map connecting stakeholders across 11 grain chain roles. The organization operates through five member-led groups (Education & Outreach, Bakers, Farmer, Brewing & Distilling, Wholesale) and publishes The Crumb newsletter. As a network of 200+ members, AGC facilitates relationships rather than selling commercial products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Grain Chain Connections Documentary video series showcasing collaborations among AGC members across grain chain roles from farmer to processor to end user, highlighting regional grains in the Midwest. Aimed at members and the public interested in the regional grain movement.
- Food-Grade Grains 101 Training Three online training modules covering fundamentals of growing and marketing food-grade grains, targeted at farmers and prospective grain chain participants seeking foundational understanding.
- Distillers Guide Resources for distillers interested in working with Midwest farmers to craft local spirits made with regional grain. Aimed at craft distillers seeking to source local grain.
- Regional Grain Map Interactive map showcasing AGC's 200+ member network across 11 different roles (farmers, millers, maltsters, bakers, brewers, distillers, organizations, researchers, advocates, food businesses, food manufacturers), enabling Midwest supply chain participants to find trading partners and collaborators.
- Neighbor Loaves Program Pandemic-era initiative connecting bakers using at least 50% locally grown and milled flour with food pantries and community feeding organizations, while supporting regional grain farms, mills, and bakeries.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ members across 7 Midwest states
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Artisan Grain Collaborative
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Artisan Grain Collaborative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Artisan Grain Collaborative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate, major and minor.
- Food:Land:OpportunitycoreStrategic initiative supporting AGC's work. Listed alongside Global Philanthropy Partnership as key organizational supporters with shared mission around food systems change.
- James Beard FoundationmoderateFeatured in James Beard Foundation coverage as initiative strengthening the supply chain for regional grains. Represents earned media recognition and connection to culinary community.
- UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS)majorPartner on USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant (2020-2023) to connect grain producers with Wisconsin institutions. Part of Grains in Institutions project.
- UW-Madison Seed to Kitchen CollaborativemajorResearch partnership led by Dr. Julie Dawson focused on connecting research community, farmers, millers, and bakers to test small grain varieties optimized for baking end-uses. Part of USDA OREI grant project.
- University of Illinois Food Science Pilot Processing PlantmajorResearch partner conducting variety trials, bake tests, and distilling research including heritage corn whiskey development with Silver Tree Spirits and Cow Creek Farm through NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher Grant.
- Vermont Law School Center for Agriculture and Food SystemsmoderatePartnership to develop FSMA PCR Grain Guide helping grain value chain businesses understand and comply with Food Safety Modernization Act requirements.
- Craft Maltsters GuildmoderateNational organization building the craft malting sector. AGC member with shared goals around locally adapted seed varieties and brewer/distiller adoption of craft malt. Mentioned in MOSES Podcast grain series.
- Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)moderatePublished three-part food-grade grains series on MOSES Organic Podcast featuring AGC member farmers, millers, and researchers. Education & Outreach Working Group coordinator recorded conversations.
- Boxing Worm Creative CompanyminorCreative agency that produced the Grain Chain Connections video series with hearts and dedication to the project.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Artisan Grain Collaborative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Organic Valley (CROPP Cooperative): Large-scale organic agricultural cooperative with significant farmer membership and brand presence. While far larger and broader in scope, it overlaps with AGC's regenerative agriculture mission and serves as an established distribution/coordination model for regional organic food systems.
- National Farm to School Network: National information, advocacy, and networking organization supporting farm-to-school and farm-to-institution programs. Overlaps with AGC's Grains in Institutions project and shares the goal of connecting regional producers with institutional buyers.
Others
- Wallace Center: National nonprofit focused on developing regenerative regional food systems through market-based approaches. Comparable in its mission to strengthen regional food value chains, though broader in scope than AGC's grain-specific focus.
- EcoTrust: Pacific Northwest-based nonprofit working on food and farms, forests, and climate. Shares AGC's mission of strengthening regional food economies through network coordination, though broader in scope and geography.
- Bread Bakers Guild of America: Trade association for professional and artisan bakers. Provides a comparable community/network model for the baking community, which is a primary downstream user of AGC-member millers and grain producers.
Emerging players
- Craft Maltsters Guild: National trade organization building the craft malting sector and supporting craft maltsters, brewers, and distillers. AGC is a member and partner; both organizations work on locally adapted seed varieties and craft malt adoption by brewers and distillers.
Direct peers
- Greenmarket (GrowNYC): Regional food network operating farmers markets and food access programs in the New York City region. Comparable in its role as a network facilitator connecting farmers, food makers, and consumers, though broader in scope than AGC's grain focus.
- Cascadia Grainshed: Regional grain network in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) with a similar mission of strengthening the regional grain economy through education, networking, and value-chain coordination. Directly comparable in structure and programs to AGC.
- Northeast Grainshed: Regional grain network in the Northeast US connecting farmers, millers, maltsters, bakers, and brewers. Operates with a nearly identical model to AGC: member-led, focused on regional grain supply chain coordination, education, and convening events.
- Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES / Marbleseed): Regional nonprofit serving organic and sustainable farmers in the Upper Midwest. AGC actively partners with MOSES on grain-related content and podcast series; both organizations share overlapping farmer audiences and educational missions in the Midwest.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Artisan Grain Collaborative social profiles
Digital presenceArtisan Grain Collaborative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Artisan Grain Collaborative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Artisan Grain Collaborative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Artisan Grain Collaborative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Artisan Grain Collaborative
What does Artisan Grain Collaborative do?
Artisan Grain Collaborative is a nonprofit network organization that convenes farmers, millers, maltsters, bakers, brewers, distillers, researchers, and advocates across the Upper Midwest to strengthen a regenerative regional grain supply chain. The organization develops and distributes educational resources, training programs, and tools (including the Regional Grain Map, Grain Zines, Grains 101 guide, Food-Grade Grains 101 modules, Distillers Guide, and the Grain Chain Connections documentary series), and runs member-led programs such as Neighbor Loaves and the Grains in Institutions initiative.
Is Artisan Grain Collaborative a public or private company?
Artisan Grain Collaborative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Artisan Grain Collaborative founded?
Artisan Grain Collaborative was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Artisan Grain Collaborative based?
Artisan Grain Collaborative is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Artisan Grain Collaborative make money?
One revenue line is on record: grants and Donations.
Who are Artisan Grain Collaborative's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Organic Valley (CROPP Cooperative) and National Farm to School Network. Others are Wallace Center, EcoTrust and Bread Bakers Guild of America. Craft Maltsters Guild is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Greenmarket (GrowNYC), Cascadia Grainshed, Northeast Grainshed and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES / Marbleseed).
Does Artisan Grain Collaborative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Artisan Grain Collaborative.
What industry is Artisan Grain Collaborative in?
Artisan Grain Collaborative's product category is Agricultural Network Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAOABAH, On-Farm Grain Quality Testing & Sampling (Mycotoxins, Dockage), with a secondary code of AFAGAAAL, Specialty/Heritage Grain Farming (Ancient Grains: Spelt, Einkorn, Emmer, Teff). Its NAICS code is 11119 and its SIC code is 700.