Title: Craft Flour Movement Bringing Hope to Farmers and Indian Country in Pacific Northwest Wheat Country In an era of economic uncertainty and low wheat prices due to President Trump’s trade war, the craft flour movement is bringing hope to farmers and Indian Country in the Pacific Northwest. The burgeoning business of “craft flour” has led Washington-state based Cairnspring Mills to build a new mill on the Umatilla Indian Reservation near Pendleton, Oregon. This expansion will increase production twelvefold and provide local markets for wheat farmers who have been struggling with high inflation and expensive imported fertilizers. The Pacific Northwest has long relied heavily on exporting its wheat, but the craft flour movement is changing that by creating a niche market for artisan breadmakers. While still relatively small in scale compared to the overall Northwest wheat market, this new mill will need about 2 million bushels of wheat annually once at full production – a significant boost for local farmers. Historically, economic drivers on the Umatilla Indian Reservation were limited, with tribal casinos being one of the few sources of income. However, the opening of this new mill within a year is expected to bring about positive changes in the region by providing more opportunities for growth and sustainability. The significance of this development cannot be overstated as it represents not only an economic lifeline for struggling farmers but also a potential shift towards self-sufficiency and local production in the Pacific Northwest wheat industry. As we navigate through these challenging times, movements like craft flour offer hope that innovative solutions can emerge from adversity, ultimately benefiting both farmers and Indian Country alike.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/10/26/nx-s1-5561008/how-the-craft-flour-movement-could-be-a-boon-to-farmers-and-indian-country)
#craft
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