Greene Economics selected by The Nature Conservancy to lead Minnesota oat storage feasibility study

Photo by Chad Stembridge on Unsplash

The study aims to expand market access and strengthen farm profitability, while supporting sustainability and economic resilience for Minnesota oat farmers

Greene Economics is partnering with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Highland Economics, and a network of Minnesota farmers to study the feasibility of shared oat storage infrastructure in the Driftless Region. The project supports TNC’s broader effort to improve soil health and promote regenerative agriculture, while helping farmers reintroduce oats as a profitable, environmentally beneficial crop and access premium markets.

Oat production and infrastructure gap

Once a Midwest staple, oat acreage across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin has dropped 98% since 1950 as farms shifted to corn and soybeans. Today, about 95% of oats used in U.S. food products are imported from Canada, even as demand for food-grade oats continues to rise, creating a significant opportunity for farmers in southern Minnesota.

The challenge is inadequate storage and processing infrastructure. Most regional elevators are built for corn and soybeans, leaving farmers without affordable options to clean, dry, or store oats. Transporting oats to distant facilities costs $0.50–$0.75 per bushel—an unsustainable margin for small and mid-size growers. Green Acres Milling’s new Albert Lea facility, opening in 2026, will process 3 million bushels annually, but regional growth potential far exceeds this single facility’s capacity.

“Shared infrastructure can level the playing field for capital-constrained farmers,” said Bea Covington, Director of Sustainability  at Greene Economics. “Our goal is to help growers capture more value from regenerative agriculture practices that improve soil health and to design solutions that make long-term business sense.”

Shared Oat Storage for Growing Markets

Greene Economics and Highland Economics are conducting a two-phase study to evaluate shared oat storage and processing infrastructure in the Driftless Region. Phase 1 will assess market conditions, facility requirements, and cooperative ownership and management models through farmer interviews, focus groups, and site visits. Phase 2 will develop up to three feasibility scenarios, including capital and operating cost estimates, break-even analyses, and five-year pro forma financial projections to guide investment, ownership, and operational decisions.

Improving access to shared storage will help Driftless Region farmers meet quality standards for food-grade markets and strengthen Minnesota’s role in rebuilding the domestic oat supply chain.

Agricultural and economic analysis expertise

Greene Economics and Highland Economics bring nearly 20 years of experience delivering agricultural economic analysis and infrastructure feasibility assessments to farmers, cooperatives, and rural communities across the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Greene Economics specializes in market analysis, business planning, and regional economic development for grain storage facilities, processing operations, and cooperative ventures, while Highland Economics adds expertise in agricultural production economics, facility design, and natural resource economics.

Learn more about environmental consulting at Greene Economics.