Star of the West Milling Company has launched its 2026 Sustainable Tracking of Agronomic Resources (STAR) program, a farmer-focused initiative that incorporates Ostara’s CG P2X™ fertilizer to help producers achieve measurable sustainability outcomes. The program, which targets the Great Lakes Grain Initiative, is supported through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant.
The STAR program enables Star of the West to provide downstream food companies with credible data on supply chain impacts, addressing increasing sustainability reporting requirements. By adopting or expanding sustainability practices when supplying wheat, dry beans, or food-grade soybeans, participating farmers can receive up to $50 per acre in incentives.
This announcement highlights the growing importance of supply chain transparency in the food industry. As consumers and regulators demand more sustainable agricultural practices, companies like Star of the West are collaborating with fertilizer innovators like Ostara to offer solutions that benefit both farmers and the environment. Ostara’s CG P2X™ is the first and only highly efficient phosphate fertilizer proven to release nutrients in response to crop demand, reducing nutrient runoff and improving crop yields.
Star of the West, a 156-year-old company based in Frankenmuth, Michigan, operates 32 locations across six states. The company has expanded from its original flour milling operations to include agronomy, bean processing, and organic divisions. Its involvement in the STAR program underscores a commitment to sustainability and supporting farmers in meeting market demands.
Ostara, known for its advanced nutrient recovery technologies, plays a key role in the agriculture sector through a network of retailers and distributors in North America and Europe. The collaboration between Star of the West and Ostara is expected to set a precedent for other agribusinesses seeking to integrate sustainable practices into their supply chains.
The STAR program also benefits from the USDA AMP grant, which aims to advance markets for producers who implement conservation practices. This federal support underscores the alignment between private sector initiatives and public policy goals related to environmental stewardship.
For more information about the STAR program, visit the full announcement at Star of the West and learn about Ostara’s CG P2X™ at Ostara.com.
