02/26/07 Miller looking for more organic wheat

Farm and Ranch February 26, 2007 Central Milling of Logan, Utah produces organic flours and demand for those products continues to grow. Giusto: "It is growing our business, probably 10-15% per year." That's Keith Giusto an owner and president of sales for Central Milling. He says the company likes to treat the producers it buys from year after year as partners and expand their acreage. But when those growers maximize their acres Giusto says they have to find more producers interested in organic production to bring into their pool. Giusto: "I have a few producers in the northwest that produce some grain for me. We are looking for more producers in the Pacific Northwest that are good growers, understand organics and would be willing to work on a project with us. We can advise the farmer of varietals and the quality of grain we are searching for." Central Milling is interested in about every class of wheat and it can be dryland or irrigated. Giusto says they like to work with the grower on varieties the farmer currently grows. As for pricing, while there a many variables, Giusto says it's generally 25 percent above conventional wheat prices. Giusto emphasizes the partnership Central Milling has with its producers and putting the farmers face on the flour it sells. Giusto: "Our philosophy is to try and keep all the smaller, mid-range farmers in business and hopefully that their children can pass this on so they can make a living and pass it on to their grandkids as well. It is just what out company believes in." I'm Bob Hoff and that's Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. Keith Giusto 435-752-6625 email;kgorganicflour@sbcglobal.net