Our Sustainability Commitment
With over 100 years of history, the we continue the tradition of working with American farmers to grow and harvest the best varieties of wheat; while also promoting and advancing long-term sustainable farming practices. Wheat is a tried-and-true product that has been cultivated for centuries, but the process is continually being evaluated and improved by our growers to reduce environmental impacts, increase efficiency, and deliver consistent quality.
Our Focus
We focus on three areas of environmental optimization that our growers are evaluating and prioritizing.
Soil Health
Soil health is a foundational component in contributing to sustainable agriculture and optimizing natural resources. Nutrient Management Practices are key in achieving a healthy soil which optimizes nutrients, water, and erosion. More than 89% of Grain Craft growers conduct soil tests to determine nutrient needs.
Water Use
Wheat is inherently a water efficient crop. In many wheat growing regions, with soil management practices in place, growers can minimize evaporation and sustain ideal moisture levels without the need for irrigation. 78% of acres surveyed are rain-fed and don’t rely on irrigation.
Energy Use
Many growers have invested in practices and technologies over the past 20 or more years to achieve both energy efficiency and conservation on their farms. Both are critical to sustainable agriculture and contribute to reduction of fossil fuels—the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Operations
We are focused on continual improvement within our facilities and our equipment. With power efficiency audits, motion lighting upgrades, LED upgrades and investment in high efficiency motors, we are taking significant steps toward our path of energy reduction and carbon emission reduction.
Transportation
Half of our mills utilize direct farm shipments of wheat from local farmers which reduces the amount of transfers needed. We also maximize load size on shipments when possible and continually monitor shipping lane efficiency opportunities.
Packaging
Nearly all Grain Craft flour bags are Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified – sourced from forests that follow sustainable forest management practices.
Key Sustainability Initiatives
Shepherd’s Grain Partnership
Shepherd’s Grain is comprised of a select group of producers who use sustainable and regenerative farming methods including the strategic use of cover crops, crop rotations and no till/direct seed farming. Grain Craft proudly mills the Shepherd’s Grain wheat for Shepherd’s Grain branded flour products
Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation
Over the past five years Grain Craft has contributed to the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation (KWCRF) in support of research to improve wheat quality, yield and soil health through proper fertility management. One example is a current study being conducted to determine the ideal ratio of nitrogen and sulfur to optimize the soil and produce both a high-yielding and high-quality wheat.
Grain Craft Preferred Variety Program
Through the Grain Craft Preferred Variety program we consistently utilize local Kansas, Idaho and Oklahoma preferred varieties and provide a better performing flour.