Grain seems good and I base my crushing on what they send.
Starters - not real necessary - HOWEVER - Since I started making starters I have never worried about fermentation. Yesterday I brewed without a starter . . .well . . I made one 6 hours before I pitched so it was SORT of a starter - but anyway. Starters are easy and really make the fermentation start much much faster.
2 cups of water 1 cup of DME - boil for 5 minutes, add yeast nutrients. Cool, add yeast in a sterilized canning jar - put aluminum foil on top and swish around. Let it sit for a day or 2. Swich when ever you have a chance.
BINGO - a starter which will start your brew bubbling within 5 hours (as opposed to over night or 2 days)