Bean Nouveau: Dinner + Drinks with Sheridan Acres

Michigan farmers grow a lot of beans, particularly in the "thumb" counties, making the state the nation's second largest producer of beans by volume. Kevin Messing has deep roots in Michigan's bean growing industry. He's a fourth-generation farmer whose family has been growing dried beans on the same land since 1939. For most of that history, they were growing bean varieties most of us are familiar with and see on supermarket shelves. But after a trip to Oregon and trying orca beans for the first time, Kevin became fascinated with the unique history, colors, and flavors that heirloom beans have to offer. Today, he grows 20 different varieties of beans on a 10 acre portion of his farm, Sheridan Acres, in Ubly, Michigan. 

Sheridan Acres and Granor Farm's partnership began several years ago after being connected through the Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC)—a network that seeks to strengthen and diversify the Upper Midwest's regional grainshed. Sheridan Acres' farming philosophy mirrors our own with a focus on growing delicious, unique crops with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and engagement with our local communities. This October we are excited to have Kevin Messing not only returning as our featured bean producer for our Annual Not-Chili Cook-Off fundraiser, but to also be joining us for the first time as the featured guest for our Bean Nouveau dinner.