MN Farmer Convicted In $19 Million Organic Grain Fraud Scheme

ST. PAUL, MN — A Minnesota farmer admitted to his role in a fake organic grains scheme, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced last week.

James Clayton Wolf, 65, of Cottonwood County pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court on Friday. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Authorities said between 2013 and 2021, Wolf — a certified organic farmer — sold non-GMO grains that he falsely represented as being organic.

Wolf admitted that he bought conventionally farmed grains from a supplier and resold them as if they were organic. The scheme netted him profits of more than $19.6 million, investigators said.

Wolf invested some of the profits and also bought real estate, vehicles, and farm equipment, authorities said.

Under his plea deal, Wolf will forfeit all the proceeds of the fraud.