Frequently Asked Questions

What are wheat berries?

Wheat berries is the retail name for whole grain wheat kernels for home milling. The wheat berries we produce on our farm are soft, white wheat berries perfect for pastries, pie crusts, non-yeast breads (i.e. baking powder/soda recipes), and other desserts. Wheat berries can also be used in soups and salads.

What’s the difference between hard wheat and soft wheat?

The difference between hard wheat and soft wheat is the protein and moisture content. Hard wheat berries have a high protein content and lower moisture content which creates the gluten needed for yeast breads. Soft wheat berries have a low protein content and high moisture content which creates the perfect, tender texture for quickbreads, cookies, cakes, pie crusts, and other non-yeast baked goods. To learn more, read our blog post here.

Why are you called Farm Fresh Wheat?

Because we believe that families should know where their food comes from and use fresh ingredients to create great family meals. Farm fresh cooking is a part of our lifestyle, and we’d love to share a piece of that with you!

Do you source wheat berries from other farms?

We do not source wheat berries from other farms. All our wheat berries are grown, harvested, stored, packaged, and shipped from our family farm.

What variety are your soft white wheat berries?

Our soft white wheat berries are an old variety called Club, named for it's short, fat club-looking head.

Are your wheat berries non-GMO?

Yes, our wheat berries are non-GMO.

Are your wheat berries certified organic?

Our wheat berries are not certified organic, but we use a variety of regenerative, organic, and conventional practices on our farm. Let me explain our farming practices for a moment.

We are what is considered a conventional operation (traditional farm) that has sustainable practices. We do not use pesticides because we are fortunate enough to farm in an area where we have no pests. Our wheat is non GMO, and we are implementing no-till practices to reduce soil erosion and maximize water retention. We also use a fallow rotation (the fields are planted every other year) to break up disease and maximize moisture retention.

We use a mixture of organic soil amendments and chemicals. In the fall we run our cows on our stubble field. They aerate the soil and break down the organic matter so it can decompost. Then in the spring we use chemical fertilizer that is a byproduct from a local plant that makes pig food. It is a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. Then it is applied to our land using a prescription that varies by acre depending on the soil's needs.

We often get asked about herbicides. We do use herbicides selectively. We may spray the wheat first thing in the spring if needed before the heads of wheat begin to form to make sure there is no residue. The reason we do use herbicides is because we live in an area with an average rainfall of 8 inches, and weeds will out-compete wheat for moisture, damaging or even killing our wheat crop.

As we transition more and more to regenerative agriculture, our farming practices evolve with the goal of using less and less chemicals. If you have any questions about our farming practices, please feel free to contact us using the contact form below.

Do you use Round Up on your wheat?

We do not use Round-up on our wheat because it would kill our wheat plants. Our wheat is allowed to dry naturally in the summer heat before harvest.

What is the difference between Regenerative Agriculture and Organic Agriculture?

In our opinion, the main differences between regenerative and organic farming is the focus. Regenerative agriculture is focused on rebuilding soil health through no-till, cover crops, and allowing nature to operate the way God intented. Organic agriculture is focused on avoiding certain types of chemicals or soil amendments. We are not saying one practice is better than another, but our farm has chosen to pursue a regenerative focus.

Can I use soft white wheat to make homemade bread?

As a general rule, soft white wheat is not used to make homemade bread unless the bread you like to make doesn’t require leavening. Our soft white wheat is better used in pastries, waffles, pie crusts, and other baked goods.

Does soft white wheat have less gluten than other types of wheat?

Yes! The lower protein content of soft white wheat creates less gluten than hard wheats.

Why are wheat grains so important to our health?

Out of the 44 essential nutrients we need to lead healthy lives, wheat has 40 of them! Wheat is a rich source of vitamin E and B, both of which promote heart health, prevent inflammation, and give your body the energy it needs to get through the day! Although carbohydrates often get a bad rap, they’re necessary.

What is the shelf life of my wheat berries from the time they arrive in my mailbox?

When stored properly your wheat berries will keep indefinitely. Wheat berries need to be kept cool and dry. Freezing is not required. Choose a food grade, pest-resistent container. We recommend a gamma lid to make prying the lid off a breeze. To learn how to store your wheat berries properly, read our blog post here.

How much flour does one pound of wheat berries make?

One pound (16 oz) of wheat berries produces around 4 cups of flour.

How long should I let my flour settle before baking with it?

Let your flour settle for about 30 minutes before using it in any baked goods. Freshly ground flour is filled with air so giving it time to settle means you’ll have more exact measurements in your recipe. To avoid the wait time, you can use a kitchen scale immediately after milling. To learn more about measuring, read our blog post here.

How do I store my flour after milling it?

Immediately after milling, freshly-milled flour begins to oxidize and lose nutrients, so milling on demand is always best. However, if you want to mill ahead, you can still reap the benefits of freshly-milled flour and avoid chemicals used in commercial milling. Always store in an air-tight, moisture resistent container. We recommend storing in the freezer aways from the freezer light. To learn more about storing freshly-milled flour, please read our blog post here.

What is the Farm Club?

The Farm Club is a monthly/quarterly wheat berry subscription. Our Farm Club members also get first notifications of sales, priority if our supply of wheat berries run low, and special updates.

How do I update my Farm Club subscription credit card information?

To update your credit card information, you will:

1. Click the person icon in the top right hand corner of our homepage.
2. Sign into your account.

After logging into account, to change credit card information:

1. Click on "Subscriptions"
2. Click on an active subscription
3. Click on "Payment Method"
4. Click on "Update Payment Method" and follow prompts
5. Click "Save"

How do I update my Farm Club subscription mailing address?

To update your mailing address, you will need to cancel your Farm Club subscription and sign up again using your new mailing address. We're sorry for the inconvenience!

How do I cancel my Farm Club subscription?

To cancel your subscription, you will:

1. Click the person icon in the top right hand corner of our homepage.
2. Sign into your account.

After logging into account, to cancel:

1. Click on "Subscriptions"
2. Click on an active subscription
3. Click "Cancel Subscription"
4. Click "Confirm"

How do I skip/delay my Farm Club subscription?

To skip or delay your Farm Club subscription, please contact us using the contact form below.

How much is shipping?

Shipping is $9.99 on all orders.