At Grand Teton Ancient Grains, we don’t just grow crops—we work in close rhythm with the land. The ancient grains we cultivate, like spelt, einkorn, and emmer wheat, are deeply rooted in history. But growing them in today’s unpredictable climate requires care, timing, and a willingness to adapt when conditions shift.
Ancient Grains Follow Natural Rhythms
Unlike many modern grain varieties bred for speed and consistency, ancient grains move at nature’s pace. Some, like spelt, must be planted in the fall. They germinate with early rains and then go dormant through the winter, drawing energy from the cold season before resuming growth in spring.
This dormancy is essential. Without it, the grain won’t mature properly or yield a viable crop. That’s why fall rains and a protective winter are so important—when those conditions don’t align, the crop suffers.
That’s what we faced this past season. After planting a large field of spelt, we had a dry fall followed by a dry spring. The seed didn’t get the moisture it needed to establish roots, and by spring, the soil had crusted over. The young spelt couldn’t push through. The entire crop failed.
Adaptation in Real Time
Setbacks like this are part of farming. What matters is how we respond. In this case, we tore out the failed spelt and replanted the field with organic durum wheat—a spring grain well suited to current conditions and one our customers increasingly ask for.
Durum isn’t a fallback crop. It’s prized for its dense, golden kernels, high protein content, and its role in artisan pasta and bread. It grows well in our high-altitude climate when planted in spring, and it allows us to meet both the needs of the land and our customers.
Seasonal Cycles Guide Every Decision
We don’t chase harvests. We work with the seasons, not against them. Every decision we make—what to plant, where, and when—is shaped by the weather, the soil, and long-term sustainability. Crop rotation is carefully planned to protect soil health, reduce pests and weeds, and avoid exhausting the land.
Because we farm organically, we avoid synthetic fertilizers and herbicides. We use cover crops, manage moisture carefully, and practice low-impact tillage. These choices take more time and effort, but they result in healthier soil and stronger, more nutrient-rich grains over time.
Why This Matters
When you choose Grand Teton Ancient Grains, you’re not just choosing heritage grains. You’re supporting a farming philosophy that values resilience, transparency, and long-term stewardship.
Working with ancient grains means trusting nature’s timeline—and responding thoughtfully when things don’t go as planned. It means balancing tradition with adaptability, and always putting the health of the soil and the food first.
The seasons may change, but our commitment to growing well—never just fast—stays the same.
I’m new to milling grains and find it very fascinating! Thank you for keeping the chemicals out of your grain and for all the hard work you do!
Thank you for your comment! We appreciate our customers! We love being able to offer chemical-free products to help others live the highest quality of life they can!
I am learning that alot of grain is brominated. Do you use bromine? I’m not fully up to date on what it is, but I know enough to know that I should be questioning its use.
No, we do not bromate our flour. We don’t add anything to it.
You are making fellow Idahoans proud. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this information. We will be praying the Durum Wheat crop to be successful.
Thank you Terry! We appreciate it
Is your product glyphosate free? Is there such a thing in the US for flour?
I’m just starting to learn about flours. Yours is the grain or berry that mills down to flour right?
Hi Jana, we do not use glyphosate on any of our products. We also test all the fields we use to make sure the soil doesn’t have detectable amounts.
I pray the spring crop produces a great harvest. I appreciate your openness in sharing.
Hi Dee, we appreciate you keeping us in your prayers. The durum we planted is already coming up and looking great!
Great information. I am an advocate of ancestral grains that have not been modified and in my teachings, I fully promote the benefits of the ancestral grains and flour made out of these grains using the whole grain and not just the endosperm.
I own 3 stores in Mexico that carry only 100% organic product and would very much like to order grain from you. Do you provide flour, or only the grains? For US products, we order through a Custom Broker and he delivers to our address in Mexico.
Hi Barbara, we sell einkorn flour, but for every other grain, we only sell the berries right now.
Barbara, we will email you and make arrangements to make arrangements on the other details. thank you
Nature is just factor in farming that throws the curve balls!
Thank G-D that Ancient Grain Farmers are the token epitome of resiliency and continue the long term responsibility of maintaining stewardship of the LAND! And preserving the Nutrients in our FOOD!
I am curious, how many passes through the soil do you have to make to successfully remove the acceptable percentage of the ungerminated spelt seed from those fields in order to plant another type of grain in the same soil?
What percentage of the spelt seed remains?
What do you do with that ungerminated seed?
Does planting another non-ancient grain (like durum wheat) in that soil in any way leave
DNA shedding that affects any future planting of the ANCIENT Grains grown in that same field?
Hello, we don’t remove the spelt. We terminate it through tillage. Also, durum is not harmful to the soil. It is genetically simpler than spelt.