Group of twelve people, the millers, posing in a warehouse with shelves of paper bags. Some are sitting, standing, or leaning, holding tools like hammers, a camera, or a screwdriver, indicating various roles in a creative or construction project.
A rainbow over silos and a building on a farm with green grass, trees, and dark clouds in the sky.

The Millers

of Farmer Ground Flour

The comeback of the regional mill means rediscovering and reinventing a lost trade. The common thread here is that we’ve all experienced bread that was baked with this kind of flour. We experienced the depth of flavor and the delightful complexity that exists in the best of these loaves. And we’ve made the beautiful connections to knowing where that grain was grown. So we fancy ourselves modern millers; the job is important and fulfilling. And if you see us in the world, you can spot us in a couple of different ways…

You can spot a miller by the way they look at other millers…

A man with a beard and mustache smiling and looking down at the millers below him, outdoors in a snowy landscape, wearing a black beanie and a plaid shirt.
A young man with a beard and mustache wearing a navy blue beanie, a blue Giants jacket, and a green hoodie underneath, standing outdoors in a snowy landscape with trees in the background, looking down at the millers below him In a Brady Bunch layout.
A smiling older man with glasses, a black beanie, a black jacket, and a neck gaiter outdoors in a snowy landscape. Looking at the miller next to him in a Brady Bunch layout.
A man with a beard and mustache, smiling broadly and showing his teeth, stands outdoors in front of a snowy landscape with trees. He is wearing a black hoodie, a checkered shirt underneath, and tan work overalls. Getting reactions of the other miller
A man with dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a plaid flannel shirt, smiling and looking to the side outdoors in a snowy landscape with trees reacting to the miller next to him.
A man with a full beard and mustache, wearing a gray knit beanie and a red plaid flannel shirt, stands outdoors in a snowy landscape with pine trees in the background, looking upward towards the millers above him in a Brady Bunch layout.
A woman with curly hair smiling and looking up at the millers above her, outdoors in a snowy landscape, wearing a brown puffer vest and a black shirt with white polka dots.
A smiling man with a beard wearing a gray jacket, a gray hoodie, and a dark beanie standing outdoors in a snowy landscape with trees in the background. Looking at the millers above him in a Brady Bunch layout.
Woman with long auburn hair wearing a colorful knit beanie and a dark hoodie, standing outdoors in a snowy landscape, looking to the side and smiling at the miller next to her in a Brady Bunch layout.
A man with glasses and a beard stands outdoors in snowy weather, wearing a black vest with a logo that says 'ororo'. Looking at the camera in a Brady Bunch layout.
A man with long brown hair and glasses looking down at the millers below him, outside in a snowy landscape, wearing a multicolored corduroy jacket with a small teddy bear pin on the chest. In a Brady Bunch layout.
A man outdoors in winter, wearing a gray Carhartt beanie and a brown plaid jacket, standing in a snowy landscape.
A woman standing outdoors in a snowy landscape, wearing a brown beanie and beige sweater, looking up and touching her chin with a thoughtful expression.
A man with glasses, a beard, and a mustache wearing a black Carhartt beanie and a beige button-up shirt, standing outdoors in a snowy landscape.

…by the way they use their hands

Photo by Jane Walker

Photo by Harry Littell

A person holding a handful of dry flour in their hand, with another person sprinkling more flour on top.
A man working on a woodworking project in a workshop, wearing glasses and a Star Wars-themed T-shirt, holding a piece of material and concentrating.

And by the way they greet you

A smiling woman standing in the doorway of a warehouse with corrugated metal curtains, with shelves and boxes visible inside.

Photo by Harry Littell

A group of seven men stands and crouches in front of large industrial grain silos on a farm. The men are dressed in casual and work clothes, and a grassy field is in the foreground.

Meet the Millers

  • A man smiling outdoors in a snowy landscape, wearing a plaid shirt over a black turtleneck.

    Greg Russo

    Has a musician’s ear and a chess board ready for anyone willing to match wits. Available to mow a hedge maze or build a fort in the woods. Will lead you to spring peepers or help you collect nice wood for your whittling project, just because he’s a good friend. Will host herbalism parties because he’s a good Dad. Holds date nights with his wife sacred.

    Player Comp: Henry David Thoreau

  • A bearded man wearing a black knit hat and plaid jacket outdoors in a snowy landscape.

    Ben King

    Can tell you how different Ithaca was in the 90’s. Actually listens to entire albums. Loves being in the woods, hunting responsibly, both with old friends and solo. Loves community sports, and being a dad. Keeps the oven set to low and slow.

    Player Comp: Little John from Robin Hood

  • A man with a beard wearing a gray Carhartt beanie and a plaid jacket outdoors in a snowy landscape.

    Reuben Granskog

    Our mid-western yeoman. Should have made it to the show (baseball speak). Could go for a good stout if offered one. Can be found at the farmers market with produce that is only outshined by his beautiful family.

    Player Comp: Joe DiMaggio

  • A smiling man outdoors in winter armor with a snow-covered background

    Dean Sparrell-Martin

    The steady shepherd of our team. He has twice as many hours in a day than you do, by using them well intentioned. Gently keeps us all on task. Has built and grown the most beautiful farm of his own. Has an impressive and extensive library of books about food. Dog dad.

    Player Comp: Jimmy Stewart

  • A man with a beard and mustache smiling outdoors in winter, wearing a black hoodie, plaid shirt, and brown suspenders, with a snowy background and some trees in the distance.

    Daniel Kidney

    There is a working theory that he may have built a door to other dimensions. Actually built a whole house and several of the walls around us here at the mill. Loves sea shanties, sailing, dancing, and being a dog dad.

    Player comp: Peter Rabbit

  • A smiling man wearing glasses, a brown beanie with a Carhartt logo, and a tan button-up shirt, outdoors in a snowy landscape.

    Alex Coxon

    Tough to box out in the low post. The personification of holding the fort down. Will keep watch while the town drifts to sleep. Thinks about the world’s largest organism often. Possible that the only time he’s not wearing a hat, is the time that it takes him to switch hats. Passionate about local businesses. Dad strength in spades.

    Player Comp: An owl

  • A woman outdoors in winter with a colorful knit beanie and purple hoodie, standing in a snowy landscape.

    Makayla Bunce

    Tapped into the heart core of multiple worlds and realms. The real deal artist among our band of misfits, working in many mediums, including vibes. Very possible that she is an air bender, but claims to be more stubborn than flowy. Cat Mom.

    Player Comp: Jenna Marbles

  • A young man with glasses, a beard, and brown hair, wearing a colorful jacket with a teddy bear pin, standing outdoors in snowy weather.

    Gabriel Williams

    Loves a good fantasy story and world building. Is a self-proclaimed “objects” person, fascinated by well-crafted, well-engineered, and hand-made things. Appreciates a system with good architecture. Gabriel would be the one on board a wayward ship to spot the signs of land first. Thinks of crickets and cicadas as an indication of presence and recovery.

    Player Comp: Kote from “The Name of the Wind”

  • Smiling elderly man wearing glasses, a black beanie, and a black winter jacket outdoors in a snowy landscape.

    Jeff Smith

    A gentleman machinist in vans. Searches for stray voltage, analog signals, and mysterious sounds in the millworks. Will give a wry smile if you mention Boris and Natasha from a certain moose cartoon. Wonders if he ever crossed paths with DB Cooper. Can be trusted to rig a shipping container over your head, or make you feel seen - your choice, just ask.

    Mantra: “Ancora Imparo” -Still Learning

    Player Comp: Harry Tuttle from “Brazil”

  • A man with a beard wearing a gray North Face beanie and a red plaid shirt outdoors in a snowy landscape.

    Logan King

    The prince that was promised. Potentially the best Magic the Gatherer among us. Has a sneeky smooth jump shot. Hot Sauce aficionado. Glue guy.

    Player Comp: Young Gandalf

  • A woman smiling outdoors in a fall or winter setting, wearing a brown puffy vest over a blue patterned shirt.

    Emily Reiss

    Our brilliant agronomist. At home in her garden, but can be found cross country skiing, when the snow falls on New York. Always experimenting and shaking the tree of big understandings. Passionate learner, explorer, cook, and mother.

    Player Comp: Alice in Wonderland

  • A young man with light skin, blue eyes, and a beard, wearing a navy beanie, a green hoodie, and a blue and red jacket, standing outdoors during winter with snow and blurred trees in the background.

    Ethan King

    Will catch you off guard with his old world charm. Chances are you will find him on the quiet bank of a creek, with a line in the water, contemplating the ripples and currents of the day. A romantic at heart.

    Player Comp: Everyone in A River Runs Through It put together

  • A man with glasses and a goatee, wearing a black vest, standing outside in a snowy landscape.

    Bill Hilferty

    A Gemini at heart, always orbiting multiple interests at once. Writer of poems and songs. Admirer of puppets. Meatloaf is his comfort food. Diners are his comfort environment. Thinks everyone on the planet should have a solo album. Wakes up to a Joanna Newsom song as his alarm —alongside his wife, a birth and death doula, and his cats Lydia and Dotty.

    Player Comp: Somewhere between Jim Henson and a Randy Newman song

  • A young woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors in winter, wearing a brown beanie, a beige sweater, and maroon overalls.

    Talia Yarbrough

    Loves getting outside into nature; hiking, swimming, camping… but really she’s a dancer at heart. She loves making objects and images; working in photography, clay, painting, or with a needle and thread. Passionate about good food and experimenting with different recipes in the kitchen.

    Player Comp: Misty Copeland

Neal Johnston

A smiling man with long hair, beard, and tattooed arm, sitting at a table with a menu, in front of stacked hay bales, wearing a gray cap and blue shirt.

March 11, 1973 - May 17, 2025

In 2010, Neal answered a Craigslist post, and took a gamble on a small start-up flour milling business. With his jack of all trades creativity and experience as a union electrician, Neal helped Greg build walls around his idea, and ran power to it. We lost Neal in 2025 and we miss him dearly. Farmer Ground Flour wouldn’t be what it is without his spirit, ingenuity, and friendship. Click below to read all the “Neal-isms” that we carry with us, and that are still making us smile.

Neal-isms
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