Grains
In the summer of 2024, Billie was invited to join a project in Flevoland, Netherlands, a region known for its extensive grain cultivation. Here, most grains are grown for livestock feed, focusing primarily on maximising yield. However, this project aims to change that by creating a local grain chain dedicated to human consumption, where health and flavour take precedence.
The Grain Project unites a diverse group of farmers, processors, researchers, chefs, developers, and consumers. Together, we are exploring ways to establish a new local grain chain, prioritising ancient grain varieties known for their biodiversity and soil-enriching properties. This effort involves cultivating different grain species together, supporting both environmental and culinary benefits.
Some farmers in the area have already shown interest in these ancient grain varieties, and a few have experimented with them. However, for this initiative to be sustainable, we need a new value-driven supply chain. To contribute to this vision, Billie was tasked with developing applications for the grain’s residual flows, adding value and creating additional income for farmers.
The project is ongoing, with material research focused on using straw combined with wool, techniques like tufting and felting, and creating paper from grain chaff.
The Grain Project is an initiative from Eva Flantua and Robin Vroom.