Brad and Mary Wheat are long time residents of the central valley, known for their hands on approach to sustainable grain growing and community oriented farm stand model. Their operation focuses on resilient wheat varieties, careful soil stewardship, and direct relationships with local bakers and millers.
Visitors often highlight the clarity of their operation, where field practices, pricing, and stewardship goals are explained through a simple shared calendar and transparent records.
| Operator | Core Focus | Primary Market | Location | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Wheat | Variety selection, soil health, machinery efficiency | Local bakeries, on farm stand, regional coops | Central Valley, near Riverbend | Organic, Certified Seed Grower |
| Mary Wheat | Grain quality, agronomy trials, community workshops | Farmers markets, school programs, milling partners | Central Valley, near Riverbend | Organic, Food Safety GAP |
Soil Health and Wheat Yields
Cover Cropping Strategies
Brad and Mary integrate diverse cover crop mixes to improve soil structure, manage nitrogen, and suppress weeds in their wheat fields. They track residue levels and spring termination timing to balance moisture and nutrients for the cash crop.
Reduced Tillage Outcomes
Shifting from conventional tillage to zone till and vertical tillage has helped retain surface residue, reduce erosion, and support more consistent emergence. Field notes show fewer passes and lower fuel use while maintaining target plant populations.
Wheat Varieties and Field Performance
Hard Red Winter Choices
The farm grows region adapted hard red winter wheat, selected for test weight, protein levels, and disease tolerance. Trials compare public and released varieties across moisture gradients to match customer mill specs.
Disease Resistance Trials
Side by side strip trials monitor Fusarium head blight and rust pressure, allowing timely fungicide decisions only when thresholds are met. This supports both grain quality and reduced chemical load in runoff.
Marketing, Pricing, and Farm Stand Flow
Direct Sales and Contracts
Brad and Mary prioritize forward contracts with local mills and long term accounts with bakeries. Transparent pricing ties base values to variety, protein, and testing results, with premiums for consistent delivery.
Key Takeaways for Growers and Buyers
- Prioritize soil health through cover crops and reduced tillage to support consistent wheat stands.
- Match wheat varieties to end use, testing protein and test weight to meet mill and bakery targets.
- Use disease threshold based management to balance grain quality and input efficiency.
- Secure forward contracts with local buyers to stabilize pricing and ensure reliable market channels.
- Maintain transparent records and certifications to build trust with direct market customers.
FAQ
Reader questions
What wheat varieties do Brad and Mary grow near Riverbend?
They grow regionally adapted hard red winter wheat varieties selected for protein, test weight, and disease tolerance, tailored to local mill and bakery specifications.
Can visitors buy directly from the farm stand?
Yes, the farm stand offers freshly milled flour, whole kernels, and selected retail products during market hours, subject to seasonal availability and field sanitation rules.
Are field trials open to agronomy students?
They host small group tours and workshops, sharing variety trial layouts, disease scoring sheets, and soil health data to support hands on learning for students and growers.
What certifications does the wheat operation maintain?
The farm is certified organic and holds a Certified Seed Grower license, along with food safety protocols aligned with local mill and distribution requirements.