Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat (Whole & Sifted Appalachian Bread Flour) in the field:
Before planting the Appalachian Wheat, the fields are plowed (shown) and harrowed. Harrowing creates a smooth surface for planting the wheat.
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 (most years) in our area, this is a must. Winter planted grains need to vernalize over the winter to produce grain. If you were to plant the grain in the spring, it 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.
The fields of Appalachian Wheat emerging from Winter. The plants have already begun to tiller and put forth multiple stalks per plant.
This photo was taken on the day clover was seeded onto the fields.
Two months later, grains (which will be milled into Appalachian Bread Flour) are developing in the wheat heads.
Harvesting Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat using our combine.
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. Aerators are then 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 2024
Appalachian Fields 2024
In 2024, 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 three fields totaling 5.43 acres on October 13 2023 .
Clover was frost seeded into the wheat on April 8, 2024. (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 1, 2024.
At the 2023 Washington County Fair, the Appalachian Wheat sheaf won 3rd place and the jar of Appalachian Wheat grains won 1st 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.
Managanese, 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 either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about Appalachian bread flour, please visit our products page.
More information on Appalachian Hard White Winter Wheat and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.