A highlight of the fall for our family is visiting the Firestone Farm at Greenfield Village.

We’re always interested in learning more about the preparations being made for the upcoming winter, such as the butchering of the hogs, preserving fruits and vegetables, and the work done around the barn and fields. We are also very eager to discover what wonderful aroma will greet us as we step into that warm and busy Firestone kitchen. Will it be something baking or stewing? No matter what is, it’s always a treat to see, smell and learn about—even if it’s linens boiling on the stovetop. (A great lesson for parents who want to explain to their kids that helping with the laundry—by sorting a few items and pushing a button—isn’t so bad after all.)

I recently learned that for the first time, visitors to The Henry Ford will have another unique opportunity to take part of their visit—specifically their experience at the Firestone Farm—home with them. Beginning the Fall Flavors Weekends, Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 1-2, visitors will be able to purchase Firestone Flour to use in their own kitchens. It is 100% stone-ground, whole-wheat graham flour made from some of the wheat harvested at the farm in July.

The wheat, Turkey Red Winter Wheat, is grown and harvested using the same methods employed by the Firestone Family in 1885. It is threshed using early 20th century steam-driven technology, then transported to and milled by Westwind Milling in Linden, Michigan. The mill has been in operation since 1836. The 800-pound millstone used was cut from North Carolina granite, and the operation is powered by a line shaft and belt assembly, similar to the one used at Armington and Sims Machine Shop in Greenfield Village.

Turkey Red Winter Wheat is a rare heirloom variety first brought to the United States in the 1870s. It is likely the same variety the Firestone family grew on their Ohio farm. Today, very few places in the United States grow Turkey Red Winter Wheat, so having it grown and harvested right at the village, then milled locally for sale at The Henry Ford is quite exciting for passionate cooks and history buffs. It is excellent for making bread and biscuits. I know I’m looking forward to trying it out with the kids.

I'm ready to make the Graham biscuits made with Turkey Red Flour at the Firestone Farm.

In learning about this flour, I also learned a little more about The Henry Ford’s commitment to building partnerships with local food producers, which is highlighted during the Fall Flavors Weekends and the seasonal Local Roots dinners held at The Henry Ford.

Firestone Flour will be on sale in Greenfield Village stores starting the last weekend in September (in coordination with Fall Flavor Weekends) through Holiday Nights. Firestone Flour will be sold in two-pound bags and will include a recipe for Graham Biscuits used at Firestone Farm. Each bag will cost $9.99. Firestone Flour is an incredibly rare product with a limited availability. The Henry Ford can only sell part of what is grown at Firestone Farm, and cannot make more flour once it is sold.