2018 Kneading Conference

At the first Kneading Conference in 2007, it became clear to cofounders Amber Lambke and Michael Scholz that a resurgence of a local grain economy in Maine would require localized milling infrastructure. The Skowhegan area at one time produced robust amounts of grain, but the last mill had closed in 1955. In 1897 Somerset County produced 239,000 bushels of wheat. Wheat is 60 pounds to the bushel. This was enough to feed over 100,000 people. Seeing sturdy soundproof walls and multiple stories that would be perfect for a mill, the two purchased a 14,000 square foot historic jailhouse in downtown Skowhegan in 2009 for $65,000 and proceeded to raise $1.5 million to renovate the building and set up a mill. Equipped with Austrian millstones and other grain cleaning equipment, flour and oat milling, operations launched in September of 2012. Come see the facility and hear how the business continues to grow.