More than 335,000 organic acres operated on in 2011
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
In an effort to address growing consumer concerns about traditional and organic agricultural production, Ardent Mills is trying to help farmers double the number of organic wheat acres in the United States by 2019.
The Organic Initiative 2019 hopes to increase the number of organic wheat acres, from 335,829 in 2011, to more than 671,000 organic acres. Ardent Mills is supporting farmers in the transition with its Transitional Certification Assistance Program.
Growers who join the challenge will be granted membership in the Ardent Mills organic supplier program, have access to partners able to help with best practices for organic agriculture and education on what to expect during the transition.
“We’re very excited to work with farmers as they transition to this growing market and to provide our customers with an assured supply in support of their new product and menu introductions,” said Mike Miller, VP of Ardent Mills Risk Management. “We know there is demand that will continue to increase well into the future. We’ve heard from farmers we work with, and we understand the barriers that they face when transitioning to organic. Ardent Mills is addressing these challenges with our Organic Initiative 2019.”
Representatives from the wheat sector are encouraged by the doors that could be opened to farmers as a result of the organic initiative.
“There is an opportunity for a premium, and the incentive gives farmers access to an additional market and a new income stream while meeting growing consumer demand for organic wheat flour and organic foods,” said Brett Blankenship, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service there were 335,829 acres of organic wheat in 2011.
The states with the highest organic wheat acreage in 2011 were:
- Montana – 55,063
- Utah – 51,917
- Wyoming – 31,266
- Colorado – 26,864
- North Dakota – 22,839
Join the discussion and tell us if you’ll think about transitioning from traditional to organic wheat production.