Big Fiber: All About Grains and Beans | Mt. Hood Room

While protein and many of its ultra-processed variations have exploded in popularity in recent years, fiber has been making a quiet comeback. Grains and pulses are at the heart of fiber’s resurgence – a popularity driven by their nutritional content, and potential for minimally processed foods and lighter environmental footprint.

Big Fiber’s lineup of leading growers, buyers, sustainability experts and academics will unpack pulse and grain facts (i.e. do you know – really know – what a pulse is??), showcase actual pulse and grain samples, take attendees behind the scenes of grain and pulse farming, and unpack emerging market trends. This workshop balances presentation with moderated conversation to deliver insights that can influence purchasing decisions, inform consumer-facing materials, and provide an edge in today’s competitive marketplace.

Brigid Meints | Assistant Professor of Practice: Organic Grains and Pulses Extension Specialist | Oregon State University (OSU)

Brigid is an Assistant Professor of Practice and the Organic Grains and Pulses Extension Specialist with the OSU Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems. Her research focuses on organic weed and pest management, breeding multi-use naked barley for organic systems, and developing early maturing dry beans for western Oregon. She grew up in Corvallis, OR and developed a love for plants at a young age. She earned a BA from Scripps College in Anthropology and Gender & Women’s Studies but found her way back to plants after graduation when she began working for the barley breeding program at OSU. She earned her MS from OSU in Crop Science with a focus in Plant Breeding & Genetics and completed her PhD in Crop Science at Washington State University.

Kara LaVelle | Farm Connections and Sourcing Manager | Hummingbird Wholesale

Kara has been leading sourcing at Hummingbird Wholesale in Eugene, OR since 2019. She is a passionate advocate for regional, farm-direct supply chains and organic agriculture, and she loves that her role provides endless learning opportunities. Kara served on the ownership transition team during Hummingbird’s conversion to an Employee Owned Purpose Trust (EOT), supporting development of the trust purpose and governance structure. She also served as Secretary on Hummingbird’s Board of Directors post-transition. Her professional background includes several years of retail management for Whole Foods Market and leading fundraising for nonprofits in Minnesota. Kara earned a BA in Statistics from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2010 and became a Certified Professional in Supply Management in 2022. Her favorite activities are listening to her children play music, cooking, and watching the pollinators in her garden.

Tom Hunton | Owner | Camas Country Mill

Tom has been involved in agriculture for all his life, beginning with his childhood growing up on the family farm near Junction City. Following graduation from Junction City High School, Tom earned a BS in Agriculture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California. While at Cal Poly he was active in student government and continued those activities upon returning to the family farm. He has served as President of the Oregon Seed Council, President of the Ag Retailers Assn. as well as receiving various ag industry awards.

He has taken a deep interest in grain growing, in particular ancient grains as well as the milling and value added activities to make excellent flour, flakes and cereals. In 2010 Tom and his wife, Sue founded Camas Country Mill and have grown it to its present scale and reputations serving artisan bakers across North America. In 2015 he was Co-Founder of Cairnsprings Mill in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Tom shares management of the family farm operation with his son Jason and oversees the operation of Hunton’s Warehouse where much of Camas Country Mill grain is cleaned and stored. He frequently consults with other groups around the US aspiring to develop local grain economies such as those Tom and Sue have been part of.

Moderated by Lisa Bevacqua | Founder & Managing Director | Aether Impact

Lisa (Spicka) Bevacqua is the Founder and Managing Director of Aether Impact. Her career spans decades of sustainable business leadership, including executive management of organic farming and food production facilities, international supply chains, and sustainability strategy and consulting.

Lisa has held leadership roles at Trout Lake Farm, Cypress Grove Cheese, NSF, the Sustainable Food Trade Association, and the Climate Collaborative, working with businesses and nonprofits (then and now) to turn sustainability ambitions into practical results. She has a BA in Spanish from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a Global MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Lisa has led extensive work across the U.S., Latin America, and western Europe, and brings a practical and cross-cultural perspective on the intersection of farming, food production, environmental stewardship, and market opportunities. She’s delighted to help celebrate Provender’s 50th conference by moderating Feel the Pulse of the Big Fiber Boom, bringing together diverse voices from across the food system to educate, delight, and advance the work of Provender attendees.