How the Next Aviation Revolution Could Begin in the Heartland
The Changing Landscape of Farming
At the annual Farmfest gathering in Morgan, Minnesota, farmers voiced a familiar concern, shrinking margins, uncertainty in commodity markets, and a growing challenge in inspiring the next generation to take up the mantle of agriculture. Yet this year, amid the economic pressures, something unusual, sparked optimism: sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.
It may seem unexpected. Aviation and agriculture do not often share the same stage. But now, they are forming an alliance with enormous potential. The idea that farming could power flight is not just romantic it is increasingly practical, scalable, and very close to commercial reality.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel as an Agricultural Catalyst
A key message echoed throughout the Farmfest panel discussion was that sustainable aviation fuel is no longer a distant idea it is a real, growing industry. With global demand for jet fuel topping 100 billion gallons annually, the potential for SAF to create new agricultural markets is massive.
Farms across the Midwest are already producing many of the raw materials that SAF producers need corn, oilseeds, even woody biomass. Instead of competing in oversaturated grain markets, growers now have a chance to become energy providers for a global industry that is actively seeking cleaner alternatives.
Familiar Foundations, New Directions
One insight shared by Jerry Groskruetz of KDHL Radio stood out: SAF today is where ethanol was three decades ago but with one major difference. The market is already waiting.
This is not an industry looking for justification. Airlines across the globe, including major carriers like Delta, have committed to reducing their carbon footprints. They are not asking whether SAF works they are asking when and where they can get it. The infrastructure to begin blending and distributing SAF is also further along than one might expect. Facilities are already under development, with one in Minnesota aiming to come online by winter.
Infrastructure Momentum and Policy Tailwinds
Public and private investment is converging on SAF. State-level incentives such as Minnesota’s SAF tax credit are giving producers a crucial edge. These programs not only encourage blending but also reduce the financial risk of early infrastructure development.
The federal 45Z tax credit, though not yet finalized, remains a key piece of the puzzle. Once in place, it could be the lever that shifts SAF from a regional opportunity into a national priority. Panelists emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation to unlock these benefits and speed up deployment timelines.
Data, Standards, and the Role of Farmers
There is more to SAF than planting the right crops. Carbon index scores a measure of how sustainable a fuel is playing a central role in determining which feedstocks qualify. Currently, these metrics lack standardization, and the systems used to calculate them are often inaccessible or overly complex.
As Julia Silvis of the Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel Hub explained, farmers must have a voice in shaping these systems. If the methods used to assess carbon impact do not reflect on-the-ground realities, many farms could be left out of the SAF value chain through no fault of their own.
This is where agricultural communities can take an active leadership role. Sharing practices, providing feedback to policy developers, and pushing for transparent metrics will help ensure a level playing field.
Growing More Than Crops
The SAF Hub has already achieved several milestones, including the first SAF-powered flight out of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the creation of a consortium of committed fuel buyers. The announcement of the Pine Bend Refinery’s SAF blending facility marks a significant logistical advancement and reinforces Minnesota’s position as a national leader in clean aviation fuel.
Yet perhaps the most striking development is the momentum forming around domestic SAF production. This year, the Hub aims to kick off full-scale production within the state an ambitious goal that, if met, would shift the conversation from potential to permanence.
Rethinking Rural Potential
Beyond the technical discussions, one idea consistently resurfaced: SAF is more than a fuel it is a blueprint for rural resilience. It creates jobs, revitalizes infrastructure, and restores a sense of forward motion in communities that have too often been defined by what they have lost.
For energy security, environmental health, and economic inclusion, SAF represents a convergence of interests. And unlike many climate solutions, it is not asking farmers to do more with less. It is asking them to grow a future where their role is indispensable.
Conclusion: A Strategic Shift Rooted in the Soil
Minnesota’s farmers are not just tilling soil they are cultivating a new industrial chapter. While traditional commodity markets remain uncertain, the rise of sustainable aviation fuel offers an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine the role of agriculture in the global energy transition.
Farmers, fuel producers, airlines, and governments are all part of this emerging ecosystem. But what will determine its success is not just innovation or regulation it will be collaboration. That includes developing standards that farmers can work with, building infrastructure that communities can benefit from, and investing in partnerships that last beyond political cycles.
For those navigating the pressures of modern agriculture, SAF is not a silver bullet. But it might just be the launchpad for a more sustainable, diversified, and dynamic future.
Be part of the global conversation on decarbonising flight.
Aviation Carbon 2025 registration is open – reserve your spot now.