Star of the West Milling Company launched its 2026 Sustainable Tracking of Agronomic Resources (STAR) program, incorporating Ostara’s CG P2X™ fertilizer to help farmers deliver measurable sustainability outcomes while meeting growing demand from food companies for supply chain transparency. The STAR program focuses on the Great Lakes Grain Initiative and is supported through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant.
The program is designed to create value for farmers who adopt or expand sustainability practices when supplying wheat, dry beans or food grade soybeans. Working through Star of the West’s retail agronomy network, the program connects agronomic support with practical implementation at the farm level. Depending on participation, farmers can receive up to $50 per acre.
Participating growers receive compensation for data reporting, access to soil health sampling and results – with the potential for additional payments tied to strong soil health scores – and incentives to adopt practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage and low-emissions fertilizer options, like CG P2X.
“We’re directly supporting sustainable practices and linking them to food company demand,” said Katie Adam, grower partnerships advisor and project lead at Star of the West. “We are focused on connecting what the farmer sees as possible with what our customers need, rather than making assumptions or demands.”
The program enables Star of the West to provide downstream food companies with credible data on supply chain impacts, helping meet increasing sustainability reporting requirements.
“Our food customers are asking for more transparency and measurable progress across their supply chains,” said Lisa Woodke, sustainability director at Star of the West. “This program is how we meet that demand – by working directly with farmers and partners to deliver high-quality ingredients supported by Ostara’s CG P2X fertilizer and backed by credible sustainability outcomes.”
The Role of CG P2X in the Program
The program incorporates Ostara’s CG P2X fertilizer to help deliver more efficient nutrient use and reduce losses to air and water. CG P2X, a 9-42-0-9 Mg enhanced-efficiency phosphate fertilizer is made in St. Louis.
It is a highly efficient, magnesium ammonium phosphate fertilizer in which nutrients are released in response to crop demand. As plant roots and beneficial fungi interact with the product in the soil and at the soil surface, nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium become available through a natural, biology-driven process that supplies crops on demand.
This approach is designed to reduce common inefficiencies associated with traditional phosphate fertilizers, such as soil tie-up, runoff, and leaching, while supporting healthier soil and root interactions. CG P2X can deliver comparable performance at approximately 40% lower application rates per acre.
“Using CG P2X makes sense on the farm and helps simplify how we meet transparency and emissions data needs,” Woodke said. “For us, CG P2X is an efficient way to support reduced emissions in our supply chain. It’s our easy button.”
Farmers, agronomy partners, and food companies interested in participating in or learning more about the STAR program can contact Star of the West Milling Company through its retail agronomy network or visit the company’s website for additional details. For more information about CG P2X and Ostara’s portfolio of nutrient solutions, visit Ostara.com or reach out to the company directly to explore partnership opportunities.
As sustainability expectations continue to evolve across the food system, collaboration between growers, suppliers, and technology providers will be critical to delivering measurable, scalable outcomes. Programs like STAR demonstrate how practical tools and aligned incentives can help bridge the gap between on-farm realities and downstream demand.
“Third-party evidence shows enhanced-efficiency fertilizers deliver meaningful environmental impact with a high level of confidence, while also creating value for farmers and providing food companies with cost-effective options to meet sustainability goals,” said Austin Omer, director of sustainability at Ostara. “The future of sustainable sourcing isn’t about mandates; it’s about alignment and adopting proven innovations like CG P2X. When farmers, innovation, and customer demand come together, that’s where real progress happens.”
CG P2X™ is a trademark of Ostara.
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