March 2022 - Collab - lists.millets2023.space

Little millet, the shorter cousin of proso millet
by Don Osborn 14 May '22

14 May '22

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) featured an article on its website last year entitled "The Big Potential of Little Millet."/1 Part of what's interesting about little millet is that it's in the same genus as proso millet./2 It is shorter than proso, but from photos (see the article or the Pinterest section on little millet/3), its panicles bear resemblance to those of proso. Not aware that it is grown in North America, but could this be easily added as a crop? Could harvesting techniques for proso be adapted for it? Anyone anywhere done taste tests on the two? I have inquired why SSSA featured an article on this particular millet, and will share whatever I learn. Of possible interest for further reading (if you have access to Jstor or a university library) is a book chapter by Steven A. Weber and Arunima Kashyap entitled "Panicum sumatrense: The Forgotten Millet."/4 DO - www.soils.org/news/science-news/big-potential-little-millet/ - Little millet = Panicum sumatrense; proso millet = Panicum miliaceum. Among the dozen or so cultivated millets, these represent the only two from a common genus. - https://www.pinterest.com/drdonosborn/millets-plural/little-millet/ - MINNIS, PAUL E., ed. New Lives for Ancient and Extinct Crops. University of Arizona Press, 2014. Chapter 8, https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1mgmcgt.11

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 3, Issue 13
by Steve DeWitt 28 Mar '22

28 Mar '22

Yes, I have been talking with Jennifer Kocher about sorghum. The only teff grain producer I know of in the southern plains is Dean Smith at Hydro, OK. He does irrigate. I was previously working with Tesfa Drar of Selam Foods In Minnesota. His growers are in Oregon and Nevada and he and the Boise group are staunch competitors. The extension service here only knows of millet as a forage and are no help on grain production. Sent from my iPhone > On Mar 25, 2022, at 7:00 AM, collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space wrote: > > Send Collab mailing list submissions to > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space > > You can reach the person managing the list at > collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Introduction (Steve DeWitt) > 2. Re: Introduction (Don Osborn) > 3. Re: Introduction (D. Joni Kindwall-Moore) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2022 08:14:44 -0500 > From: Steve DeWitt <wcfarms2010(a)icloud.com> > To: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > Subject: [Collab] Introduction > Message-ID: <3A71E2C1-EEDA-46E5-89FE-BF185EBE8DE9(a)icloud.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > I?m Steve DeWitt, a Regenerative farmer from northern Oklahoma, growing heritage wheat, sorghum and diverse cover crop mixes for grazing. I tried growing Teff for grain production a few years ago but without irrigation and with hot weather during flowering it was not successful. I do still grow it as a forage crop for the premium horse hay market. I?m interested in growing other millets that are more adapted to my climate, such as Pearl. I?ve been looking into setting up a gluten free mill for sorghum and look forward to learning more about millets. > Regards, > Steve DeWitt > > Sent from my iPhone > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2022 06:16:00 +0000 > From: Don Osborn <donosborn(a)protonmail.com> > To: Steve DeWitt <wcfarms2010(a)icloud.com> > Cc: collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > Subject: Re: [Collab] Introduction > Message-ID: > <eElZAYg1ydhNdCBZT2CZbAQhbi3mSB_wMVENqyHTZ5v_3-tTsQrrNyP4aOFt9Tw8ZBh_KjfxENnus2tJ1Il-OraOvhfjBUVedHtK-vJ4xiY=(a)protonmail.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Thanks Steve. Interesting information, thanks for sharing. > > With regard to teff, do you know of any other farmers in your area who successfully grow it as a grain crop? Although it is said teff is grown in at least 25 US states (mostly as a forage crop), I am not finding information on how widely it is grown for grain production. I was a bit surprised several years ago, when I first learned of teff - a crop of the Ethiopian highlands - being grown for grains in Idaho. Apparently the conditions there work well for this crop. > > Regarding pearl millet, it is known to produce with low rainfall (and in very hot places). I'd be interested to know of anyone in North America is growing it for its grains as a food crop, and where they source seeds. If teff grains (flour, etc) can be marketed to the Ethiopian communities in the US, perhaps food grade pearl millet grown in the US (or Mexico?) could find a market in Indian or some African communities. (Currently, pearl millet grains, flour, and products are imported from India; so when I want that grain, I look in South Asian food stores for "bajra" or "bajri."). > > May I ask if your extension service has been any help regarding millets? Also, what format of information about millets would work best for you as a farmer and potential mill owner/operator? > > We're hoping to increase interest in millets as both crops and foods, which are of course interrelated goals. > > Don > > Don Osborn > East Lansing, MI > > > ------- Original Message ------- > >> On Thursday, March 24th, 2022 at 9:14 AM, Steve DeWitt via Collab <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: >> >> I?m Steve DeWitt, a Regenerative farmer from northern Oklahoma, growing heritage wheat, sorghum and diverse cover crop mixes for grazing. I tried growing Teff for grain production a few years ago but without irrigation and with hot weather during flowering it was not successful. I do still grow it as a forage crop for the premium horse hay market. I?m interested in growing other millets that are more adapted to my climate, such as Pearl. I?ve been looking into setting up a gluten free mill for sorghum and look forward to learning more about millets. >> >> Regards, >> >> Steve DeWitt >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> -- >> >> Collab mailing list >> >> Collab(a)lists.millets2023.space >> >> https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2022 23:54:49 -0700 > From: "D. Joni Kindwall-Moore" <joni(a)snacktivistfoods.com> > To: Don Osborn <donosborn(a)protonmail.com> > Cc: Steve DeWitt <wcfarms2010(a)icloud.com>, > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > Subject: Re: [Collab] Introduction > Message-ID: > <CAHVJMLKyUpOE4TMceo0o4_3a7VrNvCGJi6ybbFgA2ovhWxFUzw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hi Steve, > It?s Joni with NAMA and Snacktivist. Don thanks for the information. > I wonder if there would be value in speaking with our Teff farmers and > processors at Teffco/Meskal Teff in Boise? Good guys. I?m happy to connect > you to discuss. They have had really great success even with limited > irrigation in arid areas .They also mill it. > I would be thrilled if there was milling set up in your area that could > dehull and process small millets and milo. > Do you know Jennifer Kosher in Ohio? She just set up a GF mill and we are > working on projects together too. Happy to get you in touch. > We are hoping to develop market for floured and whole millets such as > pearl, foxtail and beyond via Snacktivist and allied brands with a focus on > biodiversity. > Don, I?ll ask Dr Alan Williams at Understanding Ag. We were just talking > millets and I recall him saying they are growing them in the south. They > are also hoping to see more market pull so we can harvest for sale rather > than just cover crop value. > Looking forward to more conversations. I still need to connect you with Don > Scheuerman at Palouse Heritage Farms who has a malting and artisan bread > making model integrated into his farm. Great guy, I?ll make this happen. > Cheers > Joni > > On Thu, Mar 24, 2022 at 11:16 PM Don Osborn via Collab < > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > >> Thanks Steve. Interesting information, thanks for sharing. >> >> With regard to teff, do you know of any other farmers in your area who >> successfully grow it as a grain crop? Although it is said teff is grown in >> at least 25 US states (mostly as a forage crop), I am not finding >> information on how widely it is grown for grain production. I was a bit >> surprised several years ago, when I first learned of teff - a crop of the >> Ethiopian highlands - being grown for grains in Idaho. Apparently the >> conditions there work well for this crop. >> >> Regarding pearl millet, it is known to produce with low rainfall (and in >> very hot places). I'd be interested to know of anyone in North America is >> growing it for its grains as a food crop, and where they source seeds. If >> teff grains (flour, etc) can be marketed to the Ethiopian communities in >> the US, perhaps food grade pearl millet grown in the US (or Mexico?) could >> find a market in Indian or some African communities. (Currently, pearl >> millet grains, flour, and products are imported from India; so when I want >> that grain, I look in South Asian food stores for "bajra" or "bajri."). >> >> May I ask if your extension service has been any help regarding millets? >> Also, what format of information about millets would work best for you as a >> farmer and potential mill owner/operator? >> >> We're hoping to increase interest in millets as both crops and foods, >> which are of course interrelated goals. >> >> Don >> >> Don Osborn >> East Lansing, MI >> >> >> ------- Original Message ------- >> >> On Thursday, March 24th, 2022 at 9:14 AM, Steve DeWitt via Collab < >> collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: >> >>> I?m Steve DeWitt, a Regenerative farmer from northern Oklahoma, growing >> heritage wheat, sorghum and diverse cover crop mixes for grazing. I tried >> growing Teff for grain production a few years ago but without irrigation >> and with hot weather during flowering it was not successful. I do still >> grow it as a forage crop for the premium horse hay market. I?m interested >> in growing other millets that are more adapted to my climate, such as >> Pearl. I?ve been looking into setting up a gluten free mill for sorghum and >> look forward to learning more about millets. >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> Steve DeWitt >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> -- >>> >>> Collab mailing list >>> >>> Collab(a)lists.millets2023.space >>> >>> https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab >> >> >> -- >> Collab mailing list >> Collab(a)lists.millets2023.space >> https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab >> > -- > Joni > > D. Joni Kindwall-Moore BSN-RN, BA > Founder, Innovator, Mother, Nurse, CEO, Activist > *SNACKTIVIST INC* > P: 406-334-1608 > *www.snacktivistfoods.com <http://www.snacktivistfoods.com/>* >

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Introduction
by Steve DeWitt 25 Mar '22

25 Mar '22

I’m Steve DeWitt, a Regenerative farmer from northern Oklahoma, growing heritage wheat, sorghum and diverse cover crop mixes for grazing. I tried growing Teff for grain production a few years ago but without irrigation and with hot weather during flowering it was not successful. I do still grow it as a forage crop for the premium horse hay market. I’m interested in growing other millets that are more adapted to my climate, such as Pearl. I’ve been looking into setting up a gluten free mill for sorghum and look forward to learning more about millets. Regards, Steve DeWitt Sent from my iPhone

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Soil care taker from ND
by DeAnna Lozensky 23 Mar '22

23 Mar '22

Hey there! My husband and i are grain farmers on our 2000 acre plant based farm. We grow many grains including ancient grains, flax, peas, mustard, wheats & barley. We have been considering millet at a request from a beer malter. We use soil care practices. No tillage, no fertilizer, no insecticide, no fungicide no desiccants. Im interested in learning more De Anna Lozensky Ndfarmgirl1(a)gmail.com Sent from my iPhone

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"The Story of Millets" (2018)
by Don Osborn 21 Mar '22

21 Mar '22

Worth the read: ICAR-Indian Institute of MIllets Research's "The Story of Millet" is a good overview of the history and current status and production of millets worldwide. At 110 pages it's a quick read, and very accessible to non-specialists. There's a particular focus on India, which is understandable not only given the origin of this publication, but also the fact that that country has historically been a "crossroads" of millets from Asia and Africa. However the book does a decent job of mentioning uses of millets in other parts of Asia, as well as Africa, Europe, and the US. The Story of Millets was published in 2018 (India's national year of millets) by Karnataka State Department of Agriculture, Bengaluru, India with ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, India. It was compiled and edited by B Venkatesh Bhat, B Dayakar Rao and Vilas A Tonapi of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad; with input from: Prabhakar, B.Boraiah, and Prabhu C. Ganiger (All Indian Coordinated Research Project on Small Millets, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, India) "This document is for educational and awareness purpose only and not for profit or business publicity purposes" The book is available online, for free, to read or download. For example, at: https://www.millets.res.in/pub/2018/The_Story_of_Millets.pdf (PDF) https://docslib.org/doc/164956/the-story-of-millets (text-based reader) Table of Contents: 1. Understanding millets...... 1 Sorghum...... 3 Pearl millet...... 3 Finger millet...... 5 Foxtail millet...... 6 Proso millet...... 7 Barnyard millet...... 7 Kodo millet...... 9 Little millet...... 9 Brown top millet...... 10 Tef...... 10 Fonio...... 12 Millets are smart foods...... 13 2. Millets are powerhouses of nutrition...... 15 Millets confer good health and protection against non-communicative diseases...... 17 Millets benefit diabetics...... 19 Millets and degenerative diseases...... 19 Anti-nutrients in millets – challenges and solutions...... 20 3. The Origins of Millets...... 22 4. Journey of Millets...... 26 Proso and foxtail millet- Journey starts from China...... 26 China to Eurasia...... 31 Millet in the Roman Diet...... 33 Japan and Korea...... 34 Journey to India...... 35 Millets in USA...... 36 Sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet were domesticated in Africa...... 37 The Indian domestication of sorghum...... 38 Sorghum in China...... 38 Sorghum arrived in the Near East...... 40 Sorghum comes to USA...... 41 Barnyard Millet has its origins in Japan...... 44 Millet of Indian origin...... 44 Niche millets of Africa...... 46 5. History of Millets in India...... 48 Introduction of millets...... 48 Millets from China...... 48 African millets transformed late Harappan agriculture in Western and Peninsular India...... 49 Millets in the Vijayanagara Empire...... 51 Indian Millets...... 51 Millets and Mughals...... 53 Kingdom of Hyder Ali...... 54 The colonial India...... 55 6. Millets Today...... 57 Millets in Asia...... 59 Millets in Africa...... 61 Millets in USA...... 62 7. Millets in India...... 65 Production Scenario...... 65 Consumption pattern...... 70 Exports of millets...... 70 8. Millets are Least-demanding and Most Sustainable Crops...... 71 Production and management of millet crops...... 72 Millets are eco-friendly crops...... 74 9. Utilization of Millets...... 77 Food and Food industry use...... 77 Millets in modern foods...... 82 Malting and fermentation...... 84 Other uses...... 87 Millets for animal feed and fodder...... 87 Millets for green forage...... 88 Stover from millet crops...... 89 10. Research on Millets- Indian Scenario...... 90 Establishment of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research and AICRP on Sorghum...... 91 Launch of All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICPMIP)...... 93 Establishment of All India Coordinated Millets Improvement Project (AICMIP)...... 93 Summary of developments in millets production in India in the R&D era...... 95 Technological developments...... 96 Ongoing R&D efforts...... 96 11. The Fall and Rise of Millets...... 98 Millets have been considered ‘not important’ or inferior...... 99 Fall of millets in India...... 100 Reasons for loss of area and production...... 101 Millets are rising again...... 102 R&D efforts and policy push for millets in India...... 102 12. Millets in Karnataka...... 105 Bengaluru- the millets food hub...... 106 Karnataka at the forefront of promoting millets...... 106 13. Millets were the first crops; Millets are the future crops...... 109 Why millets are the future crops...... 109 --

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Northern limits of pearl millet & proso millet cultivation?
by Don Osborn 21 Mar '22

21 Mar '22

By chance came across two items about pearl millet being grown pretty far north in North America (45°N-46°N), and wondered if those would represent the the furthest north it has been grown. Pearl millet - Pennisetum glaucum - is one of the millets domesicated in Africa. In this case probably in the West African Sahel (~14°N-18°N). It does well in intense heat with a minimum of rainfall, so it's really at home in the tropics of Africa and South Asia. The two northern North American locations were the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the US, and the Province of Quebec in Canada: - A 2007 article/1 mentions work with pearl millet at the Centre de recherche agricole de l'Outaouais/2 in Quebec, Canada. They were interested in potential use of this plant for ethanol (which I'm not advocating but it is of interest). Also, according to the story, one farmer in Pontiac, Quebec apparently had been planting pearl millet around his potato fields to deter insects. - Ten years later, there was a pearl millet trial in Hardwood, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula./3 "The 2017 research trial was designed to look at the effect of planting rates and mowing frequency on biomass production. For comparison, proso millet, which was domesticated and is primarily grown in temperate zones, apparently can be cultivated up to 54°N./4 DO Notes: 1. "Une plante à découvrir," Radio-Canada, 12 Sep 2007 https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/366591/millet-pele-plante 2. https://www.credetao.com/ 3. Jean, Monica, and Erin Hall, "2017 Upper Peninsula pearl millet trial," MSU Extension, 4 Dec. 2017 https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/2017_upper_peninsula_pearl_millet_trial 4. Habiyaremye, Cedric, et al, "Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) and Its Potential for Cultivation in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.: A Review," Frontiers in Plant Science, Vol. 7, 2017 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.01961

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"Millet(s)" as an "ethnotaxanomical" concept?
by Don Osborn 15 Mar '22

15 Mar '22

Tangential to our main concerns, but relevant to questions about "millet(s)" as a concept that hops across several sub-families of Gramineae, I've been musing on the notion of ethnotaxonomy. Ethnotaxonomy - which may be defined as "The naming system for plants and animals used by a particular ethnic group"/1 - is a term from anthropology. As such it may seem a bit unusual to apply to English language usage. However, I'm thinking a good case could be made for ethnotaxonomy as a framework to respond to questions about how to define millets. Ethnotaxonomy might also be useful in approaching issues of translation in the International Year of Millets that I've looked at elswhere./2 We know that "millets" include several cultivated species of Gramineae that have common names including the word "millet." The umbrella term "millets" may also be extended to some or all of several other Gramineae, notably sorghum, fonio, teff, and Job's tears. So the concept of "millet" seems to have become somewhat generic, and been applied to other species in common names, and then also to additional small grained cultivated Gramineae. All of which seems rather ethnotaxanomical. Anyway, will leave it there for the moment. DO Notes: - Wiktionary: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ethnotaxonomy - "Translation problems ahead of the International Year of Millets (IYOM2023)?" (blog post) https://donosborn.org/blog/2022/translation-problems-ahead-of-the-internati…

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