PRESERVATION THURSDAY: A BRIEF HISTORY AND RESURRECTION OF OLDER FARMING METHODS AND ANCIENT GRAINS – A PATH FORWARD TO LOCAL MILLING OF LOCAL GRAINS

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Brian Stambaugh at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC), 150 Sherman Street, Deadwood. The event is wheelchair accessible. Please feel free to bring your lunch.

Owner of Belle Valley Ancient Grains and a fifth-generation South Dakota Agriculturist, Brian Stambaugh, will provide a brief review of farm methods, grains, and milling practices in South Dakota from the late 1800s to present. At the turn of the century there were over 300 flour mills in South Dakota, whereas today there are no large-scale mills and nearly all of the grains are shipped out of state for milling into demonstrably lower quality flour. Recently, despite many obstacles, some of the older methods and grain types have been restored on one western South Dakota farm.

South Dakota native Brian Stambaugh grew up on a dairy farm near Nisland, South Dakota. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and married his wife, Linda, in 1981. Stambaugh has worked for 37 years in the oil and gas industry in Colorado and Houston, and as a consultant since 1997, having taught 55 short courses in 13 countries. In 2002, wanting to get back to farming, he and his family purchased 200 acres on the Belle Fourche River near Newell, South Dakota, not far from the old home place. In a quest for added value from relatively small acreage, Stambaugh began to grow ancient wheat varieties in 2015, including emmer, einkorn, spelt, white Sonora, red fife, and golden flax. By 2017, he began the retail sale of whole grains and flour as Belle Valley Ancient Grains. With a family history in South Dakota agriculture, Stambaugh hopes to bring about a return to local milling of locally grown wheat and other grains in the region.

Preservation Thursday is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Deadwood History, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Saloon No. 10, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, and tdg Marketing & Public Relations.

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Photograph available upon request.

We inspire the global community by preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Deadwood and the Black Hills in the context of the American West through exceptional exhibits, innovative educational programs, and access to extensive collections in unique settings.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, and
Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC)

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.