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Growing organic a matter of national security

The 2019 Organic Farmer of the Year says expanding organic agriculture is a matter of national security.

Southeast Minnesota farmer Jim Riddle says the U.S. continues to be heavily reliant on organic grain imports.

“Anytime you get farther from the farm you’re increasing the risk that it might be fraudulent. But even if it is authentic, we’re paying for environmental benefits in somebody else’s country. So to me it’s part of Homeland Security.”

Speaking to Brownfield at the MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Riddle says the U.S. should be investing in its own resources and family farms.

“We are importing over 70 percent of the organic soybeans used in this country right now (and) around half of the organic corn. If there’s anything we can grow organically here in the U.S. it’s corn and beans. And we’re not capturing that economic opportunity or the environmental protection benefits.”

Riddle and his wife Joyce Ford own and operate Blue Fruit Farm in Winona, Minnesota.

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