We've always sourced Certified Organic grain- first from our family farm and then from a number of different growers across Vic and NSW. We're now trialling regeneratively grown grain to expand our range, support more growers in our region, and give our community of home millers more to work with.
First, what is Certified Organic grain?
Certified Organic wheat is grown without synthetic pesticides (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides etc.) or synthetic fertilisers, and has been independently audited and verified through a third party. We farm organically on our place, and while we don't like having to pay for certification, we appreciate that there's a community of people who trust Certified Organic products.
Organic grain growing in our context is not perfect- it often requires tillage, which can affect soil structure. We remediate this by minimising tillage where possible, shortening fallow periods, and using multispecies crops, pasture phases and biological inputs to restore soil structure and feed soil biology. Healthy soils, that are well structured and teeming with life, are fundamental to the resilience of our landscapes: capturing carbon, holding water, cycling nutrients, supporting biodiversity above and below ground, and sustaining the farming communities that depend on them for generations to come.
So what is 'regenerative' grain?
The term 'regenerative' is broad and there is no auditing body to determine whether a farm is or isn't regenerative. But it's a term that resonates with the growers we work with, and with us, because it captures the idea that farming can actively improve the land, not just reduce harm to it. We aim to be transparent and only work with growers we know personally and trust. We define regenerative grain as grain grown in a way that supports the health of the landscape and the community, and for us, that means in line with the following principles:
- No insecticides or fungicides- protecting the soil microbiome, beneficial insects and the creatures that depend on them up the food chain, including birds, frogs and bats.
- Minimal soil disturbance- low or no-till practices that preserve soil structure and the fungal networks beneath it. This means herbicide is often required prior to sowing.
- Diverse crops and crop rotations- Keeping diverse roots in the ground where possible to feed soil biology and support nutrient cycling, such as legumes grown with wheat, and multispecies cover crops.
- Reduced synthetic fertilisers- Rather than blanket applications of soil applied synthetic fertilisers, regenerative grain growing involves regular plant testing and targeted foliar applications of nutrients and biological inputs to give the crop exactly what it needs. This protects soil biology and makes for healthy plants that are resilient to pests and disease and better for us!
- A regenerative mindset- a genuine willingness to reduce harm, work with nature, and take pride in growing grain that is good for the soil, the landscape, and the people eating it.
Many Certified Organic growers farm according to these principles too, and we'd love to see more of them. But we understand why many grain growers choose not to farm organically. Yields are often lower, the certification process is costly, and the three year transition period is a real hurdle. We want to meet growers where they're at, and we want our mill to be a lever for change. We are only as good as our neighbours, and so by providing a premium market for regenerative growers, not just organic ones, we hope to support more farmers in our region to farm with greater care for their soil, their land, and the people eating their grain.
Picture 2. 2025 regenerative wheat crop at Marrar, grown without insecticides and fungicides.
Our first regenerative grower
The Pattison family in Marrar, NSW are well regarded in the farming community for their commitment to regenerative practices and their focus on growing high quality grain. They're particularly respected for their rigorous approach to plant nutrition, regular plant testing and targeted foliar applications of nutrients and biological inputs, which keeps their crops healthy and reduces the need for insecticides and fungicides. In a recent nutrient test, the Pattisons' grain showed higher levels of zinc and magnesium compared to a 'conventional' grain control. They're also championing intercropping in their region, for example, planting legumes alongside their wheat to naturally fix nitrogen and build soil biology. We're really excited for our home millers to test out their wheat!
Picture 3. The Pattisons spraying out nutrients and biology to improve plant health and resilience.
Where to from here
We will continue to source Certified Organic grain for our flour range, while building out our regenerative line. Whether a product is organic or regenerative will be clearly marked on our packaging. Every bag you buy, whether organic or regenerative, sends a signal that this kind of farming is worth doing. That means more farmers caring for their landscapes, and better grain for all of us.