Star of the West Milling Company has launched its 2026 Sustainable Tracking of Agronomic Resources (STAR) program, a farmer-focused initiative that provides up to $50 per acre in incentives for adopting or expanding sustainability practices. The program, announced on July 8, 2026, incorporates Ostara’s CG P2X™ fertilizer to help farmers deliver measurable sustainability outcomes while addressing the growing demand from food companies for supply chain transparency.
The STAR program is centered on the Great Lakes Grain Initiative and is supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant. It enables Star of the West to provide downstream food companies with credible data on supply chain impacts, helping them meet increasing sustainability reporting requirements. Farmers supplying wheat, dry beans, or food-grade soybeans are eligible to participate and can receive financial incentives for implementing practices that reduce environmental impact.
“This program is designed to create value for farmers who adopt or expand sustainability practices,” the company stated in the announcement. By linking incentives directly to measurable outcomes, Star of the West aims to encourage broader adoption of sustainable agriculture in the Great Lakes region.
The use of Ostara’s CG P2X™ fertilizer is a key component of the program. Ostara, a leading producer of phosphate fertilizers, describes CG P2X as “the first and only highly efficient phosphate fertilizer proven to release nutrients in response to crop demand.” This technology is intended to improve nutrient use efficiency, reducing runoff and environmental impact while maintaining crop yields.
Star of the West Milling Co., headquartered in Frankenmuth, Michigan, is a 156-year-old agricultural company with operations across six states. It began with a single flour mill and has expanded to include 32 locations, including four flour mills, five agronomy locations, eighteen elevators, and processing facilities for dry beans and food-grade soybeans. Its organic division, Everbest Organics, operates in Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
The STAR program reflects a broader industry trend where food companies are increasingly requiring suppliers to provide verifiable sustainability data. By offering financial incentives and leveraging advanced fertilizer technology, Star of the West positions itself as a key player in meeting these demands while supporting farmers in the transition to more sustainable practices. More information about Ostara and CG P2X can be found at Ostara.com and PhosphatePerfected.com.
