Sunflower Oil Is Still Their Business

Sunflower Oil Is Still Their Business A central Minnesota family farm found a path to profitability with an unexpected crop—sunflowers. They’ve continued to grow since FARM SHOW featured them in Vol. 35, No. 2. “Smude’s Sunflower Oil began out of adversity,” says Katelyn Smude, Marketing Manager. “Founders Tom and Jenni Smude began as crop farmers, dedicated to growing feed and bedding for their herd of beef cattle. But two straight years of crop devastation tested their finances and their faith.” In 2009, the pair decided to take a gamble and plant sunflowers, an exceptionally drought-tolerant crop native to North America. The resulting sunflower seeds can be pressed to produce sunflower oil, and the byproduct, sunflower meal, is a protein-rich feed for cattle. “Sunflowers are effective at growing deep roots to access extra supplies of moisture, especially in sandy loam soils,” says Smude. “The soil channels created by their deep root systems allow water to go deeper into the soil profile, which protects existing moisture by making it less vulnerable to evaporation loss.” Similarly, sunflowers work well in rotation with corn, soybeans, wheat and other common Midwestern crops. “Sunflowers and corn are especially harmonious, thanks to favorable relationships between the microorganisms and fungi at their roots. What one lacks, the other fills.” The pair had planned to use the sunflower meal as feed for their herd of beef cattle and to sell the sunflower oil on the bulk market. However, three months in, the market tanked. With little sunflower oil on the retail market, they took another leap of faith and started Smude’s Sunflower Oil. In 2012, they began hand-processing small batches of sunflower oil to sell at local farmers markets. “Our sunflower oil delivers exceptional performance, nutrition and purity in one simple ingredient,” says Smude. “It’s cholesterol-free, rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and packed with more vitamin E than any other vegetable oil to support immunity and overall wellness.” Today, the business operates out of a facility that runs 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week, for 45 weeks each year, producing approximately half a million gallons annually. They specialize in two types of sunflower oil: high-oleic sunflower oil for cooking and mid-oleic oil for industrial uses, such as pet food. Smude Oil is sold across the Midwest and into the East Coast, as well as online. Nine varieties of infused sunflower oils are available, many developed in response to customer requests. Their microwave popcorn line is no exception. Launched in 2017, it features a chemical-free bag and just three ingredients: popcorn, salt, and Smude’s Sunflower Oil, which adds a rich, buttery flavor and is chock-full of heart-healthy fats. “Our microwave popcorn delivers the flavor of old-fashioned stovetop popcorn, minus all the work and unhealthy downsides of butter,” Smude says. “It’s quickly found a very devoted following.” The brand is in the process of launching a naturally refined sunflower oil into its lineup. This product, which lacks any distinctive flavor or odor, is processed without the more controversial chemical extraction and refining methods used in other vegetable oils. “Naturally refined, cold-pressed sunflower oil offers the nutritional benefits and stability of sunflower oil while providing a more neutral taste, color and aroma suited for broader culinary and food manufacturing applications,” says Smude. “Many refined oils start with a solvent-extracted, lower-quality oil. In contrast, ours begins with premium cold-pressed oil and a natural refining process that uses only citric acid, water, heat and steam to remove variability in odor, taste and flavor.” There’s no lye or harsh chemical extraction agents, and with a smoke point of 405 F, it performs exceptionally well for sautéing, baking and medium to high-heat cooking.  Over the next five years, the Smude brand aims to strategically expand its product line while continuing to grow distribution for both cold-pressed and naturally refined sunflower oils. “We’ll strengthen our presence in retail, food service and manufacturing channels, building partnerships that align with our all-natural, clean-label mission,” Smude says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Smude’s Sunflower Oil, 500 Centennial Dr., Pierz, Minn. 56364 (ph 320-468-6925; smude@smudeoil.com; www.smudeoil.com).

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