The Ohio Valley Grain Exchange (OVGE) is an emerging alliance of farmers, manufacturers and processors, end users, research and extension specialists, and other members of the grain value chain in the Ohio River Valley. The OVGE seeks to build a broad coalition of members throughout the Ohio River Basin, which extends from Pittsburg to Chattanooga, covering most of Tennessee and Kentucky. This initiative aims to: foster relationships and knowledge sharing across sectors and parts of the value chain; develop critical grain infrastructure; support research to advance local grain production, sustainability and utilization; and enhance demand for local products through marketing and branding throughout the Ohio Valley region and nationally. Building upon previous regional grain gatherings, OVGE will host annual grain events starting in 2024, facilitate development of community mills and other infrastructure and support development of an integrated marketing strategy to convey the unique Ohio Valley grain story.

Lauren Brzozowski of University of Kentucky, Sarah Halcomb of Walnut Grove Farm, Kelsey Keener of Sequatchie Cove Farm