Growing and Processing Oats for Human Consumption in Vermont

Oats are the cereal grain best suited for our northern New England climate.  They are easy to grow and are a great first grain crop to try.  Oats are also quite nutritious and are a healthy addition to most every diet.  Unfortunately, they are also one of the most difficult grains to process into human food because of their outer hulls.  This workshop will begin with instructions for growing and cultivating oats.  We will then move on to harvest, storage, and strategies for end use for cover crop seed, soil building, animal rations and finally people food.  A detailed overview of the Butterworks Farm's journey of turning oats into food for local consumers will be provided in the second half of the segment.  Small scale garden production of oats for home eating will also be demonstrated.  Everything you ever wanted to know about oats and more will be the subject of this workshop.