Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat (Whole & Sifted Appalachian Bread Flour) in the field:
Before planting Appalachian Wheat, the fields are plowed and harrowed. Harrowing (tractor in front) smooths the soil after plowing.
Appalachian Wheat is a winter planted grain. Most of our planting is done in the fall. This allows the crop to get a head start on weeds in the spring. With the wet weather in our area, this is a must. Winter planted grains need to vernalize over the winter to produce grain. If you were to plant these grains in the spring, they would just look like grass and not develop any grain.
Planting Appalachian Wheat
After the fields are plowed and harrowed, the Appalachian Wheat is planted. On the front of the planter, there is also a harrow which smooths the field, giving the wheat the best possible growing conditions.
A month after planting, the Appalachian wheat has begun to germinate. The wheat will continue to grow over the winter.
The fields of Appalachian Wheat emerging from Winter. The plants have already begun to tiller and put forth multiple stalks per plant.
This is the day we frost seeded clover into the Wheat. The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.
Close-up of the Appalachian Wheat.
Frost Seeding
Normally, we use hand spinners to spin clover onto the fields. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
Because it was so wet this spring (we are frost seeding a month later than we did in 2025) we used a spinder attached to the back of the tractor this year.
Appalachian Bread Flour in the field!
2 1/2 months later, the wheat is drying down and nearly ready to be harvested.
The Appalachian grains which will be milled into flour are in the wheat heads of the plants.
Harvesting Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat using our combine.
Happy Birthday America from the amber grains of Appalachian Wheat.
The threshed grains are retained in the body of the combine.
The straw is deposited from the rear of the combine back unto the field. We either bale the straw to use for animal bedding or leave it in the field, where it will increase the organic matter of the soil.
Increasing the organic matter of the soil is one of the best ways to counter global warming.
Unloading the Appalachian Wheat into a gravity wagon for transport back to the farm. Aerators will be placed in the wagon to bring down the moisture of the grain. The grain is stored in the wagon until it is cleaned.
With visions of bread dancing in our heads!
Appalachian Wheat Facts 2026
Appalachian Wheat Fields 2026
In 2026, Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat was grown in Independence Township on the farm established by Robert Leggett in 1815. Leggett had holdings totally 585 acres in the area and raised 1000 sheep. In addition to being a farmer, he was a breeder and dealer of 1st class Spanish sheep (Merino). Today the farm still raises sheep. Weatherbury Farm transitioned this land from conventional in 2013 and it was certified organic in 2015.
The wheat was planted on 2 fields totaling 4.5 acres on October 22, 2025.
Clover was frost seeded into the wheat on April 16 & 17, 2026. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain, increases soil organic matter, and eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
The Appalachian Wheat was harvested on July 4, 2025.
At the 2026 Washington County Fair, the sheaf of Appalachian Wheat won 2nd place and the jar of Appalachian Wheat grains won 5th place.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat
Appalachian is a hard white winter wheat. Because the humidity in our area increases the incidence of disease in the fields, the eastern United States is not hospitable to growing hard white wheats. Luckily for us, North Carolina State developed Appalachian White Wheat which flourishes in our region.
Products Milled from Appalachian Wheat
Appalachian wheat is milled into organic unbleached whole and sifted Appalachian bread flour.
Health benefits of Wheat
Wheat is an excellent source of protein, dietary fibers, manganese and selenium. Wheat’s fiber boosts the digestive process and improves overall metabolism. The vitamin B content of wheat provides you with energy. Additionally, the complex carbohydrates in wheat keeps you feeling fuller longer and give you energy over a longer period.
Manganese, which wheat is rich in, acts as a co-factor for greater than 300 enzymes involved in the production of insulin and glucose secretion. Wheat’s betaine content prevents chronic inflammation, which is a key constituent in rheumatic pains and diseases. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory property reduces the risk of ailments like osteoporosis, heart diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and type-2 diabetes.
More Information
Appalachian bread flour can be ordered at our online shop either for our monthly on-farm pickup or to have your order sent to you.
To read more about Appalachian bread flour, please visit our Appalachian Flour product page.
More information on Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.