Slow Grain? Yes, it’s a Thing!

It’s Oct. 27 at Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Madisonville.

Jon Branstrator is teaching a curious group of people about how he grows heritage grain on his 175-acre farm in Clarksville, Ohio – the basis for much, much better bread, as we quickly learn.

Chewy, flavorful and moist.

This event – Slow Grain Happy Hour – was hosted by Slow Food Cincinnati and its board member Tony Ferrari, who owns Mom ‘n ‘em with his brother, Austin.

To pair with wine, the Ferraris made several dishes from Jon Branstrator’s grains and squash.

Tony Ferrari, left, co-owner of Mom ‘n ‘ems Coffee, with farmer Jon Branstrator at Slow Food Cincinnati’s Slow Grain Happy Hour Oct. 27, 2023.

The international Slow Food movement celebrates local growers who farm sustainably, and who are fairly compensated for their healthy products.

In Cincinnati, the local Slow Food chapter likes to educate people about good, clean and fair food through events like these that spotlight local producers.

Jon is a fifth-generation farmer on his family’s land. He has decades of experience in seed production, soil improvement for superior crops, and teaching about regenerative agriculture.

Just a week earlier, Jon brought his bread and similar lessons to Green Umbrella’s annual meeting in Cincinnati, with hundreds in attendance. A few weeks after Mom ‘n em’s, he’ll head to Columbus for another show and tell.

On his Branstrator Farm, Jon grows heritage crops like Ohio Blue Clarage corn and Red Fife Wheat, first planted in America in the 1840s. You can read about his crops, farming philosophy and recipes using his products at branstratorfarm.com.

Slow Food Cincinnati greatly appreciates Jon Branstrator’s farming philosophy, products and time spent teaching others these valuable lessons – especially with us in Cincinnati!

-- Annie-Laurie Blair, Slow Food Cincinnati board member

Mom ‘n ‘ems staff crafted these food trays with Branstrator Farm products as well as other local producers’ goods.