A Family Tradition

Farming is a family tradition for Boundary County natives Tim and Julie Dillin. Tim’s family has been farming in the Kootenai Valley for over 90 years, having arrived in Boundary County in 1924. Tim is a fourth generation farmer and after Julie recently retired from teaching, they decided to take their faming operation one step further. That marked the beginning of Farm to Market Grains, LLC.

“Our business came about as an idea that we wanted a little sideline to utilize the products we grow on the farm,” explained Tim. They have been working on the mill since early summer and produced their first flour in August. “We had an open house October 24 where we sold our first flour,” said Tim of their new venture.

By using a stone mill, the couple produces four different types of flour, providing the people of North Idaho a quality, locally produced product. Among the flour they produce are soft white flour for cookies and pastries; hard white flour for baking bread; hard red flour, which is traditional bread flour; and barley flour which is used for adding fiber to traditional recipes. “All of the grains used in our flour are grown right here on our farm,” said Tim who adds that they also plan to produce a couple of mixes – a pumpkin chocolate chip bread mix and a pancake mix that is half barley and half soft white flour.

So just what is involved in producing the flour? The milling process begins with placing kernels of grain in a hopper above the stone mill. “From there it passes through the sifter where the coarser particles are separated from the finer flour,” explained Tim. “We can turn a thousand pounds of grain into 600 pounds of finely sifted flour in less than two hours.” The flour is then stored in food barrels and is then packaged by hand and ready to sell.

Currently the flour is available at Sharon's Country Store in Bonners Ferry, but Tim and Julie have been in contact with many other stores and hope to have their product available at many more outlets soon.

The Dillins enjoy farming, but everyone knows it is a great deal of hard work. The couple currently farms 1,600 acres and raises winter wheat, spring wheat, barley and canola. In addition, Tim and Julie also raise Red Angus cattle.

While Julie recently retired after 35 years of teaching, she still plans to return to Mt. Hall Elementary School as a volunteer. In addition to farming and the new venture of Farm to Market Grains, Tim stays busy with his work on the Soil Conservation Committee and as Chairman of the Republican Party for Boundary County.

Farm to Market Grains, LLC

5285 Farm to Market Road

Bonners Ferry, ID

208.267.7192

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