The mission of the Maine Grain Alliance (MGA) is to promote grains as an affordable, healthy staple and a significant economic cornerstone of local and regional food networks. MGA organizes the annual Kneading Conference which brings together about 250 participants - grain farmers, home and professional bakers, millers, chefs, maltsters, and food writers and entrepreneurs - for two days of workshops and lectures that cover the range on grains, from planting seed to baking bread to grain company startups. MGA organizes the Artisan Bread Fair, a free summer festival that invites people to learn about and celebrate handcrafted breads and healthy grains. During the winter of 2013 the MGA will launch farmer/baker workshops for professional bakers, chefs, and farmers interested in working with Maine-grown and milled wheat flour and other grains, and also an externship for Maine's culinary students and pro bakers interested in pursuing an artisan track.