Born from an Appalachian Ohio effort to bring staple crops back into the local food system, Shagbark Seed & Mill has operated since 2010. As Ohio’s first certified organic mill, it connects family farms with regional food businesses while grinding certified-organic heirloom grain to order. The Athens County company also makes its staple foods more accessible through discounted pricing for schools, pantries, and food banks.
Certified Organic
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Ohio Grown - Ohio Made
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Berlin Natural BakeryIn Ohio’s Amish Country, Berlin Natural Bakery makes small-batch spelt breads and baked goods by hand, with its old-fashioned sourdough fermented for at least 24 hours. The family acquired the bakery in 1997, and third-generation twins Nicole and Nick now carry forward its focus on organic, minimally processed ingredients and simple recipes. Its organic spelt flour is stone-ground on demand, and the bakery’s products remain Non-GMO Project Verified.MILLERSBURG, OH
Herbal Sage Tea CompanyBorn from Maureen Burns’s herbal experiments after a 1991 fire destroyed her vintage clothing business, Herbal Sage Tea Company has been handcrafting organic herbs, teas and spices in Southeast Ohio since 1992. Based in a historic building in Pomeroy, the company operates a certified organic blending facility and draws elderberries and other plant materials from its 200-acre Herbal Sage Farm in the Appalachian foothills. Its work also extends to Sage Teachings, a Meigs County nonprofit focused on health, healing and recovery support.POMEROY, OH
The Birkett MillsThe Birkett Mills has milled specialty grains in continual operation since 1797, with a particular claim to buckwheat processed using traditional stone-grinding techniques. This locally owned small business sources grain from family farmers—including New York farms it has worked with for generations—and turns it into products such as kasha, buckwheat flour and specialty wheat flours. Its buckwheat pancake mix was used to make the Guinness Book of World Records’ largest pancake in 1987.PENN YAN, NY
Arbaugh FarmPurchased by Julian Arbaugh’s great-grandfather in 1925, Arbaugh Farm is a southeastern West Virginia farm whose on-farm mill stone-grinds heritage grains into meal and flour. After beginning as a dairy and later focusing on beef and hay, the farm added milling and small-batch sorghum syrup in 2017, while continuing to raise grass-fed cattle. Its mill supplies retail customers and restaurants, with products also sold through shops in southern West Virginia.