General Mills, a leading global food company, entered sourcing agreement with Gunsmoke Farms to convert 34,000 acres of conventional farmland to certifıed organic acreage by 2020. The company expects natural and organic portfolio in North America to reach $1.5 billion in net sales by 2020.

General Mills announced a strategic sourcing agreement with Gunsmoke Farms LLC to convert 34,000 acres of conventional farmland to certified organic acreage by 2020. The farm, located west of Pierre, South Dakota, will grow certified organic wheat and other organic rotational crops. General Mills will use wheat grown on the farm to make Annie’s pasta products. “Investing in such a big acreage transition is a first of its kind for General Mills and is another step in growing our organic supply chain,” said John Church, chief supply chain officer at General Mills. As part of this agreement, General Mills has partnered with Midwestern Bio Ag (MBA) to provide on-the-ground mentorship for the farm operators to advance leading regenerative soil management practices such as no till, crop rotation and cover cropping. Healthy soil is showing potential to sequester carbon and regenerate the land. MBA will also offer on-farm skills-based learning program. General Mills has made sizeable investments to meet growing consumer interest in natural and organic foods. It is the third largest U.S. producer of natural and organic foods with brands including Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, Liberté and Annie’s. The company expects its natural and organic portfolio in North America to reach $1.5 billion in net sales by 2020. Increasing demand for organic products continues to outpace the supply of organic ingredients, especially in North America. In the U.S., acreage devoted to organic agriculture is about one percent of total cropland, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.