Grass-seed farmers switch to flax

As Oregon farmers try to adapt to the changing industry, some are switching from growing grass seed to growing flax.

31-year-old Clint Lindsey is one of these adapting farmers.

They modified grass-seed cleaning equipment, which screens and shakes out dirt and chaff, to handle wheat, oats and tiny flax seeds as well. They put the farm on course for organic certification. They formed a partnership, Willamette Seed and Grain, with nearby Stalford Seed Farms of Tangent and Sunbow Farm of Philomath. The farms collaborate on marketing, crop rotations, milling and grain storage.

Lindsey and his father decoupled the farm from the international commodities market. With their partners, they plan to install a small grain mill. From now on, they intend to sell grain, seed and flour to bakeries, restaurants and specialty stores within 150 miles.

It is less a revolution than a throwback. They are at the forefront of restoring an infrastructure that grows, processes, markets and consumes food locally.

Read more at OregonLive.com.

{biztweet}oregon farmer{/biztweet}