lentil underground

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist Jeff Schahczenski talks about the more than 30 year history of the development of the organic pulse and legume industry in Montana and beyond.

His conversation is with David Oien, founding farmer and CEO of Timeless Foods based in Ulm, Montana. David was on the forefront of the sustainable agriculture movement, and his story, along with the other founders of what will become Timeless Foods, is the subject of the popular book Lentil Underground: Renegade Farmers and the Future of Food in America.

Timeless Foods now represents dozens of organic farmers growing gourmet legumes and heirloom grains using biologically diverse organic farm systems. Under the brand Timeless Natural Food, this "lentil underground" has grown into a million-dollar enterprise that sells to hundreds of independent natural foods stores and a host of renowned restaurants worldwide.

Related ATTRA Resources:

• Guide for Organic Crop Producers
• Is Organic Farming Risky? Improving Crop Insurance for Organic Farms
• Organic Small Grain Production Overview
• Reducing Tillage Intensity in Organic Production Systems

Other Resources

• Timeless Natural Foods
• Lentil Underground

Contact Jeff Schahczenski via email at jeffsl@ncat.org.

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We’re talking Rusty Butz, Kernza bread, and peas in your mac n’ cheese. This episode is an exploration of Indigenous farming practices, ancient grains, and how regenerative farming might just show up on your plate or in your grocery cart.

Visit https://page.ideo.com/food-podcast-3 for full show notes

The continuation of our delightful conversation with Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones Crabtree of Vilicus Farms in Havre, Montana.  We talk about their efforts to establish and maintain an apprenticeship program to find and train new pioneers on one of the last farming frontiers left in America.

On this week’s episode of Sharp & Hot, Chef Emily Peterson welcomes guest Liz Carlisle, author of Lentil Underground. The book tells the story of David Oien, who leads a thriving movement of organic farmers working with heirloom seeds and biologically diverse, sustainable farm systems, in defiance of corporate agribusiness.