The Forever Green Markets Team is excited to introduce the three innovative businesses selected fo our inaugural Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Program—a 12-month program to accelerate product development for continuous living cover (CLC) crops.
Meet our participants:
40 Century Grain Beth Robertson-Martin
40 Century Grain creates delicious baking mixes and flours using perennial grains like Kernza that actively sequester carbon, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity, proving that planet-positive agriculture doesn't require compromise. Their delicious products deliver superior flavor and nutrition while measurably healing the planet through verified regenerative farming practices. Every purchase directly supports farmers pioneering deep-rooted crops, making sustainable food choices both accessible and irresistible to home bakers.
40CG is currently developing perennial granola through this program, expanding their mission to showcase Minnesota's diverse continuous living cover crops in breakfast foods that heal the planet.
CLC crops of focus: Kernza, hybrid hazelnuts, American elderberries
The Grain Shed Teddy Benson
The Grain Shed is a worker-owned Cooperative in Spokane, Washington baking and brewing with locally grown and processed grains. Their involvement in the SME Program will allow them access to some of the most environmentally healthy ingredients available, as well as to partner and organize with like minded organizations from around the country.
The Grain Shed is working with Forever Green to develop a Kernza-highlighted beer and bread product. Being part of this cohort will allow The Grain Shed to continue their work towards supporting farmers working to support humans and the earth.
CLC crop of focus: Kernza
Perennial Promise Grower’s Cooperative Represented by Alex Heikkinen
Perennial Promise Grower's Cooperative is a farmer-led organization that provides collective marketing and technical support to Kernza growers. Our ingredient company provides conventional, transitional, organic, and regenerative organic certified whole grain, flour, and flaked Kernza.
As part of the first round of the Forever Green SME Program, Perennial Promise will utilize the support and expertise of the Forever Green team to refine our marketing processes, with the goal of developing a market for conventional Kernza.
CLC crop of focus: Kernza
More about the SME program:
The CAS Markets Team established this program to offer structured time and financial support to these businesses, aiming to decrease risk and uncertainty for SMEs when navigating new product development. Alongside structured 1:1 meetings and support, these participants will receive funding for specific business development expenses, and the Forever Green Markets team will work on mini-consulting style projects for the specified business development needs. Peer-to-Peer engagement events will bring together resources and build community. This first round runs for 12 months from August 2025 to July 2026.
This program is generously supported by the Builders Initiative.