Featured Product

Featured Product

Blue Corn Meal is a sought after item due to its sweet, intense flavor and hearty, fine texture. In addition to its striking blue color, it has several nutritional advantages, such as a higher protein & iron content.

Grown primarily in the southwest, it can be substituted for yellow or white cornmeal in many recipes. Blue Corn has been a staple food of the Native Americans, including the Hopi, Pueblo, Navajo, and Zuni tribes. For hundreds of years, it has been the backbone of their diet and an essential part of their culture.

For the Hopi, Blue Corn is still used in infant naming and wedding ceremonies. It is associated with the Eastern rising sun, wisdom, understanding, strength, and the beginning of life.

For details on how to get this season's featured product for FREE, click here.
 
2012 Summer's End - Kenyon's Grist Mill

Kenyon's Grist Mill, Logo


Farm to the Millstones ~ Grinding Fields of Gold


"The greatest wealth is health," wrote Virgil. As a son of a farmer, this ancient Roman poet recognized that there was more to wealth than monetary gain.

Today, more than ever, millers and farmers need to be reminded of this. At one time or another, we all have to make a choice to invest in a healthy path or sell out to an alternate approach. Just as farmers need to maintain best farming practices, millers are also responsible for grinding the finest grain and maintaining its integrity.

Unfortunately, the common practices and methods of agri-business and massive flourmills have produced a "fools gold", which has caused health problems across our nation. Some of these methods have actually been outlawed in others countries. Although doing things the right way is not always the most lucrative, it does produce quality products for our families and consumers.

Summer Happenings  


Projects and goals have kept us very busy during these summer months. We sharpened the millstones just before grinding a recent crop of Rhode Island White Cap Indian Flint Corn from Tibbits Farm in West Kingston, RI. Sharpening is very difficult and requires a lot of patience and skill, but is necessary at least once a year.
 

Caring for the property takes time and dedication as well. We are currently painting the mill and keeping up with repairs. Constant landscaping can also be daunting, but it is all worth it when we are visited by smiling customers to our small country store. We were so honored to host our very first wedding held at Kenyon's Grist Mill. A number of tour buses were also welcomed from across the nation. Our small business, Queen's River Kayaks, introduced many visitors to South County's rivers.

The 2010 Flood caused a substantial amount of damage to the mill's waterways. The spillway is being repaired by Thunder Spears and his crew. We are excited that it will be flowing again soon. The RI Conservation Committee and Northeastern Tree also removed 143 "blow downs" along the Queen's River.

In addition to our annual schedule of community fairs and events, we also attended various farmers markets across the state. The Woodstock Fair in CT and the Big E in West Springfield, MA are coming soon. For dates and details, click here.  

Johnny Cake Festival: October 20 & 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.


Visit Kenyon's Grist Mill during this authentic New England autumn celebration! Enjoy free samples of seasonal fare, beverages, Johnny Cakes, and more. Purchase from a variety of food, art, and products from over 85 local vendors, including area farms, artisans, restaurants and businesses. Sample local wine and beer, and purchase by the glass. Take a tour of the historic mill; enjoy a colonial encampment, visit with the alpacas and sheep, listen to live music, and watch a variety of old-world demos along the scenic Queen's River & waterfall. For more information, click here.   

Miller's Tale  


Just recently, I was firing up the mill at 11 o'clock at night, grinding out some corn for an order that was overdue. I thought about the previous owners in this new mill, dating back to 1886, standing in the same spot on the floor, adjusting the tentering wheel, and tending the mill. I found myself envious of the simplicity of their job.

Today, business is so much more complicated than simply perfecting one's craft. An abundance of time is taken up by administration, requirements, taxes, fees, licenses, registrations, insurance, and paying thousands of dollars for the privilege of working and taking a risk. "Businesses are all making money" is a common fallacy. In a word, it is a struggle, at best. Small business owners and individuals are working harder than ever for less and investing more in a diminishing return.


I fell in love with the mill at age 10, after my dad bought it in 1971. I was allowed to go to work with him in the summers. It was then I met Charlie Walmsley, the master miller of 62 years, who taught me the art of milling. He instilled in me a passion for the trade.

Since 1696, there have been economic ups and downs for the mills that have been on the property. Each of the owners' dedication has made it possible for Kenyon's to continue, allowing me to stand where I am today. Although their motivation was to make a living, my motivation is to preserve a piece of Rhode Island's history while continuing to produce quality, healthy foods.

There are many other families throughout our country - entrepreneurs, risk-takers, that are just starting out or who have been operating for generations. Please support them and their products the best you can. Learn about local businesses, their struggles, their dedication, their knowledge, their methods, and their commitment.