North American Millets Alliance

Promoting millets as climate-resilient crops and nutritious grains in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and neighbors

About us: NAMA’s “FAQ”
Millet heads clockwise from top left: proso millet; sorghum; teff; Japanese (barnyard) millet; finger millet; pearl millet; browntop millet; and foxtail millet.

Millets in the future of food & agriculture in North America

Millets are ancient grains that hold great promise for the future. Domesticated ages ago in diverse parts of Asia and Africa, some of this group of small-grained crops have found uses in North America, but their potential in this time of climate change and concern for healthier eating, is largely unrealized. Our goal is to change that.

What exactly are the millets?

Drought & heat tolerance

Most millets thrive in heat and produce with less water. Proso, pearl & foxtail millets especially.

High in nutrients & fiber

Nutrient & fiber profiles of millets vary, but are generally high, and sometimes remarkably so.

Diverse flavors & culinary qualities

Millets, like all grains have subtle flavors & characteristics that cooks & chefs can use.

Standing-water & shade tolerance

A few millets can also withstand waterlogging or or produce under partial shade.

Low glycemic index & gluten-free

Millets are very friendly to those on special diets, having low GI levels and no gluten.

Various non-food uses

Several millets are grown for animal forage, as cover crops, for birdseed, and even biofuel.

Advocacy, education, and projects

The North American Millets Alliance (NAMA) advocates for growers, processors, marketers, and consumers of millets, engages in public education about millets, and proposes and develops projects involving millets.

Ongoing activities

Past activities