Weatherbury Farm Grain Tracker
From Planting to Harvest, Oberkulmer Spelt (Whole & Sifted Flour, Rolled Spelt & Spelt Berries) in the field:
Preparing the field for the Oberkulmer Spelt — plowing and harrowing.
After the fields are plowed, the harrow (on right) smooths the soil.
Planting the Spelt
The planter also has a harrow which smooths the earth to provide the possible seed bed for the spelt to grow.
The spelt has germinated 13 days after planting
Oberkulmer Spelt emerging from winter.
The spelt has developed heads.
Grain fields alternate with hay fields to control erosion.
Harvesting Oberkulmer Spelt using our combine.
The Oberkulmer Spelt grain is stored in the body of the combine. Straw comes out the back of the combine and is deposited back into field. The straw will be used to bed animals or left in the field to increase the organic matter of the soil.
Locally grown spelt for local Weatherbury Farm Spelt Flour, Spelt Berries and Rolled Spelt . The spelt travels just 4 miles to Weatherbury’s Mill.
After harvest, the spelt is unloaded into a gravity wagon for transport back to the farm.
Farewell, fair farm land. This land has been sold as a housing site.
We believe that farm land should grow food not houses.
Oberkulmer Spelt Facts 2024
Oberkulmer Spelt Field 2024
In 2024, Oberkulmer Spelt was grown in Independence Township on the farm known historically as “Pleasant View Farm.” J.M Welsh established the farm in 1824. Welsh is listed in the Caldwell Atlas as a farmer, grain, stock and wool grower. The farm was dormant for many years; however since 2006, organic grains and hay were grown on this farm. Weatherbury Farm has farmed this land since 2017. The farm has been certified organic since 2006.
The spelt was planted on on 3 field totaling 9.6 acres on October 16, 2023.
Clover was frost seeded into the grain on April 18, 2024. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the grain and, eventually provides nitrogen to the next crop.)
The spelt was harvested on July 7, 2024.
At the 2023 Washington County Fair, the Oberkulmer Spelt sheaf won 2nd place and the jar of Oberkulmer Spelt grains won 1st place.
At the 2022 Washington County Fair, the Oberkulmer Spelt sheaf not only won 1st place, but also best of show,
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
About Oberkulmer Spelt
Spelt is one of the three ancient hulled wheats. At Weatherbury Farm, we grow Oberkulmer Spelt, which is a robust old Swiss landrace.
Oberkulmer is a true spelt with no modern wheat genetics.
Spelt is protected from the elements by a hull which doesn’t come free in harvest (unlike the hulls on wheat which do). The removal of the hull prior to milling requires special machinery. Weatherbury is lucky to have a spelt dehuller, built by Farmer Nigel.
Products Milled from Oberkulmer Spelt
Whole & Sifted Spelt Flour, Rolled Spelt & Spelt Berries
Oberkulmer Spelt is milled into organic unbleached whole and sifted spelt flour. Sourdough spelt bread is thought by many to be the most tasty of breads.
Rolled Spelt offers a new dimension for breakfast and for use in other recipes.
Spelt berries (with their chewy texture and nutty sweet flavor, can be used as a hot cereal, in a salad or in place of rice for a soup or pilaf.
Health benefits of Spelt
Spelt is one of the healthiest foods. Prized for its superior nutrition, spelt is higher than wheat in protein, minerals and vitamins. With a gluten entirely different from wheat, spelt imparts a nutty flavor. It is gentle for the whole digestive tract and strengthens your immune system and your nerves.
More Information
Spelt flour, rolled spelt and spelt berries can be ordered on our order page for the monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about spelt flour, rolled spelt and spelt berries please visit our products page.
More information on spelt and other grains grown by Weatherbury Farm is on the grains we grow page.