Reviving Our Texas Grain Economy

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April 03, 2024 2 min read

Why Reviving & Growing Our Local Grain Economy is Essential To Our Future.

Before grains were commercialized, flour mills operated in every township. They were a bridge between farmers and consumers, supplying farmers with an avenue to earn a decent living and consumers with nourishing food to feed their families.

But in the 20th century, if they hadn’t already shuttered, small mills were gobbled up by large food corporations, and the grain industry moved from locally-focused to globally driven.

With the mills gone, grain farmers, most of whom had been farming for generations, were forced to shut down or play to the hands of these large corporation that not only controlled the milling in America, but also a large portion of its grain production.

The weakness of modern food globalization was exposed in 2020. Empty supermarket shelves, transportation roadblocks, dwindling food supplies and price setting by a select few conglomerates added vigor to our mission to bridge the distance between farmer and consumer and revive our local grain economy, so all would have access to nutritious wheat & corn.

Farmer Aaron Vogler in LaMesa, Texas surrounded by his field of Purple Straw wheat.

From the beginning, the foundational mission of Barton Springs Mill is to facilitate the regrowth of the local grain economy.

Our stone-ground flour mill in Dripping Springs, TX (neighboring Austin, Texas) restores the autonomy of small grain farmers in Texas and surrounding states by giving consumers direct access to locally grown, nutrient-dense organic grains.

From field-to mill-and then directly to your table, our grains travel a short distance, ensuring maximum nutritional value and unbelievable fresh-flour taste.

Map of small scale, whole grain mills in America courtesy of Whole Grains Council. Barton Springs Mill stands alone in the southern region, sourcing organic heritage, landrace and whole grains directly from farmers for stone-milling.

And because we focus on grains that have historically thrived in southern soil, our farmer's harvest is robust with less spoilage, yielding a higher profit margin.

Giving farmers the opportunity to maximize their profits ensures that non-subsidized, non-gmo organic grain is a viable choice for farmers and therefore consumers in the future.

Top: Barton Springs Mill in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Bottom: Local grain is stone-milled in to fresh flour for professional & home bakers.

Strengthening Our Local Grain Economy Together

To make it easier for you to participate in your local grain economy, we offer flat shipping rates within Texas, and to Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Our local grain economy Flat Rate Shipping* rates (3-5 business days & subject to change) within our local grain economy are (but are subject to change):

0lb–24.9lb $12.00 USD

25lb–29.9lb $26.00 USD

30lb–45.9lb $30.00 USD

46lb–49.9lb $35.00 USD

50lb–55.9lb $45.00 USD

With every bag of stone-milled flour shipped, we're able to partner with more local farmers in growing ancient, heritage, and landrace non-gmo organic grains.

And each farmer added to our local grain economy strengthens our local food systems and is a win for us all. SHOP BARTON SPRINGS MILL STONE-GROUND FLOUR HERE.

Miller & Barton Springs Mill owner, James Brown with farmer Ralph Hoelscher in Miles, Texas surrounded by TAM 105 wheat.

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