SSGA presents at Minnesota Organic Conference

SSGA Manager of Strategic Programs Shane Frederick spoke on the U.S. Identity Preserved assurance plan and brand program during a breakout presentation titled “Planning for a Change” at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Organic Conference on Jan. 5-6 in St. Cloud, Minn.

SSGA was invited to be part of the event by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, a major sponsor of the conference and a supporter and member of SSGA and many of its projects, including the U.S. Identity Preserved program.

Frederick highlighted the program and explained how identity preserved crops, including soybeans and corn might fit into an organic program or an organic transition. He also showed some organic trends, thanks to data provided by SSGA-member Mercaris. That information showed 178,000 organic acres were harvested in Minnesota in 2022 and 3.77 million total, a 14% rise from 2019. However, as organic acreage has risen, the number of operations has plateaued, dropping by 3% nationally as acres per farm have gone up 17%.