Sioux Honey becomes first honey in U.S. Farmed program

Sioux Honey Association Co-Op has the first of two honey brands to join the growing list of American Farmland Trust’s U.S. Farmed certified program. The program includes a standard for consumer-packaged goods proven to contain at least 95 percent of ingredients grown in the United States. Sioux Honey Association Co-op’s brands Sue Bee and Aunt Sue’s are the first honey brands to make the list. 

Last year, Anheuser-Busch was the first to adopt the certification and seal, which costs an annual $5,000 certificate fee as well as requiring a licensing royalty/contribution, which is done on a sliding scale based on the company’s estimated sales.

“By choosing U.S. Farmed products, consumers can ensure the products they purchase directly benefit the livelihood of American farmers, helping to ensure a vibrant and thriving agricultural sector in America,” AFT said. “Funds raised through the certification of each product will benefit American Farmland Trust’s work to preserve farmland and keep farmers on the land, both by providing U.S. farmers across all 50 states with free resources and one-on-one expert advisory services, while also expanding AFT’s programs to help them to access, protect, and maintain American farmland.”

Sue Bee and Aunt Sue’s honey have been around since 1921, and AFT said it is committed to pure, high-quality honey sourced directly from trusted U.S. beekeepers — families who have dedicated their lives to the craft.

Sioux Honey Co-op members come from generations of beekeepers, with some continuing family traditions and others forging new paths in the industry. They all share a passion for producing honey that customers can rely on. Knowing each beekeeper by name allows for a level of care and quality control that has stood the test of time, ensuring every drop of honey reflects over 100 years of dedication.

AFT said it created the standard because America’s farmland is threatened. Two thousand acres are paved over, fragmented, or converted every day, and millions more will be lost by 2040 if these trends continue. Moreover, one-third of the nation’s farm and ranch land, 300 million acres, will change hands in the next 20 years as aging farmers exit the field, making the land vulnerable to development.

“The U.S. Farmed certification is an important milestone in our ongoing dedication to honesty and integrity in our honey,” said Sioux Honey Association Co-op President and CEO Kevin Hueser. “From the beehive to the household, you can be sure that our honey is harvested and packaged within the United States. Sioux Honey Co-op and AFT commit to increasing demand for American-grown products; invest in the future by encouraging domestic production; and help to preserve farmland.”

“U.S. Farmed directly supports AFT’s mission — to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, keeping farmers on the land, and promoting forward-looking farming practices,” said AFT President and CEO John Piotti. “Businesses can market their support for U.S. farms by getting certified and proudly placing the U.S. Farmed seal on their products. Americans can support farmers by choosing U.S. Farmed certified products.”

American Farmland Trust is encouraging companies across the consumer-packaged goods industry to obtain U.S. Farmed certification for their domestically sourced products. AFT plans to use the money raised to expand programs and provide U.S. farmers across all 50 states with free resources and expert advisory services to help them access, protect, and maintain American farmland.

“We hope consumers and businesses alike will join the movement and help grow our future,” said Piotti. “Choosing U.S. Farmed is not just about a label, it’s about investing in the future of American agriculture. It’s about growing strong farms, vibrant communities, and delicious food and drinks — all from right here in the USA. Join the movement, choose U.S. Farmed, and let’s cultivate a thriving future.”

To become US Farmed certified, companies should reach out to AFT to talk about their eligibility for the program, then undergo a third-party audit to ensure their ingredients are at least 95 percent U.S. grown. Go to farmland.org/us-farmed to learn more.