BENSON HILL MOVES CLOSER TO IOWA FARMERS

The company specializes in breeding seeds for non-GMO, high-protein soybeans.

- Alex Gray

Benson Hill acquired ZFS Creston, a food-grade white flake and soy flour manufacturing operation in Creston, Iowa, last year as part of its mission to bring its operations closer to farmers.

"I'm just so proud that we're able to do [work] in a closed-loop, identity-preserved model here in Iowa with Iowa farmers who can, just down the street, produce something," says Matt Crisp, CEO of Benson Hill. "And then out here, have that delivered to food companies directly." Crisp says Benson Hill's partner farmers are the "tip of the spear," enabling the company's innovations. Delivering the to farmers is only the start of the process; throughout the growing season, Benson Hill keeps in touch with farmers to see how their fields are faring.

Reid Weiland, a sixth-generation farmer from Garner, Iowa, grew more than 3,000 acres of Benson Hill soybeans in 2022. He is part of the company's food system innovators program where farmers can voice concerns and suggest opportunities directly with the company.

"We had been seeking a way to add value to our operation no one really preferred our corn or our soybeans over the neighbors," says Weiland. "We wanted to do something more and be recognized for that.