Barnes Farm & Milling Company is a family-owned farm in Salem, Kentucky, operated by Adam and Leslea Barnes. Farming approximately 300 acres, they have converted a portion of their land to certified organic production after witnessing firsthand the long-term impacts of conventional agriculture on soil health and land stewardship.

Both Adam and Leslea work for the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Throughout his career, Adam has balanced public service with farming, remaining committed to sustaining a true family farming operation.

Their journey into heirloom and ancient grains began after a trip to Italy, where they saw how ancient grans support both human health and regional food culture. Inspired, they began growing varieties well-suited to Western Kentucky, including Bloody Butcher and Blue Clarage corn, and wheat varieties like Einkorn and Spelt. Barnes Farm & Milling focuses exclusively on stone-ground milling. Their first mill was sourced internationally, requiring extensive logistics, paperwork, duties and agricultural exemptions.

One day, a broker called to say the mill had arrived at a Nashville airport warehouse and that storage fees were rising by the hour. Adam and Leslea jumped in their pickup and drove straight there. Leslea later joked that they "looked like the Beverly Hillbillies going to get that thing." The mill filled the entire truck bed and weighed down the suspension.