Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
An ERS report on the adoption of certified systems in the United States for 2000-01 was published in 2003, and an update is underway. An ERS report on organic ecolabeling in U.S. farmers markets was completed in 2004. Findings from the adoption report indicate that U.S. farmland managed under organic systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and has sustained that momentum. Analysis of certified acreage and livestock data from U.S. certifiers shows that U.S. farmers and ranchers managed 2.3 million acres of farmland under organic farming systems in 2001. Most crop/livestock sectors and most States also showed strong growth between 1997 and 2001. Overall, certified organic cropland and pasture accounted for 0.3 percent of U.S. cropland and pasture in 2001, although the share is much higher in some crops, such as vegetables at over 2 percent. Findings on organic labeling in U.S. farmers markets suggest this marketing venue is providing an important marketing outlet
for many farmers, including organic farmers, who want to generate substantial income from high-value crops grown on minimal acreage. Information collected from farmersa market managers for this study suggest that demand for organic products is substantial and growing in many of the farmersa markets across the U.S. Critical factors affecting growth in demand for organic products and participation by organic growers at markets may include limited numbers of local organic farmers available to sell at markets, limited awareness and interest of some consumers and farmers in organic production systems, and negative perceptions of organic products or organic product pricing.
Impacts
Project findings have been presented in conferences and briefings in variety of academic and industry setting, and provide farmers, consumers, and policymakers with key information to help understand the adoption of organic farming systems in the U.S.
Publications
- Greene, C., Kremen, A., 2003, U.S. Organic Farming in 2000-2001: Adoption of Certified Systems, Agricultural Information Bulletin, AIB-780, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, February, 51 pp.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
U.S. farmland managed under organic systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and has sustained that momentum, as farmers strive to meet consumer demand in both local and national markets. U.S. farmers and ranchers have added another million acres of certified organic cropland and pasture since 1997, bringing the 48-State total to 2.34 million acres in 2001. Certified organic livestock grew even faster during this period. Most crop/livestock sectors and most States also showed strong growth between 2000 and 2001. Overall, certified organic cropland and pasture accounted for 0.3 percent of U.S. cropland and pasture in 2001, although the share is much higher in some crops, such as vegetables at over 2 percent. California was the leading State in certified organic acreage in 2001, with nearly 150,000 acres, mostly used for fruit and vegetable production. North Dakota followed closely with nearly 145,000 acres, mostly for wheat, soybeans, and other field crops.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Montana were other top States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented national organic standards on organic production and processing in October 2002, following more than a decade of development, and the new uniform standards are expected to facilitate further growth in the organic farm sector.
Impacts
U.S. farmland managed under organic systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and has sustained that momentum, as farmers strive to meet consumer demand in both local and national markets. U.S. farmers and ranchers have added another million acres of certified organic cropland and pasture since 1997, bringing the 48-State total to 2.34 million acres in 2001. Certified organic livestock grew even faster during this period. Most crop/livestock sectors and most States also showed strong growth between 2000 and 2001. Overall, certified organic cropland and pasture accounted for 0.3 percent of U.S. cropland and pasture in 2001, although the share is much higher in some crops, such as vegetables at over 2 percent. California was the leading State in certified organic acreage in 2001, with nearly 150,000 acres, mostly used for fruit and vegetable production. North Dakota followed closely with nearly 145,000 acres, mostly for wheat, soybeans, and other field crops.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Montana were other top States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented national organic standards on organic production and processing in October 2002, following more than a decade of development, and the new uniform standards are expected to facilitate further growth in the organic farm sector.
Publications
- Greene, C., Kremen, A., 2003, U.S. Organic Farming in 2000-2001: Adoption of Certified Systems, Agricultural Information Bulletin, AIB-780, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, February, 51 pp.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
This project has developed a new set of statistical indicators certified organic acreage and livestock estimates to track the organic farm sector as regulatory and market conditions change. These estimates are based on data from state and private certifiers in the U.S. and Canada who certify U.S. organic producers. All of the organic state and private certification groups operating in the United States (over 50 organizations) are contacted for this study, and membership directories, acreage reports, and other sources of certified acreage and livestock data are obtained from these certifiers. Data from all of the certifiers is analyzed for the major crop and livestock sectors defined by the Census of Agriculture, and acreage of the major commodities within each farm sector is also be calculated. Certified organic acreage and livestock estimates for 2000-2001, by commodity and by State, were published in an ERS Agricultural Information Bulletin in February 2003. In
March 2003, USDA-accredited certifiers were contacted in March 2003 to provide data on certified acreage and livestock in 2002. The U.S. certified organic acreage and livestock estimates are used by researchers, farmers, consumer groups, state government, farm input industries, investors and others in the U.S. and elsewhere. These estimates are also published in the Statistical Abstracts of the United States, and ERS has produced numerous articles and presentations based on analysis of this data.
Impacts
U.S. farmland managed under organic systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and has sustained that momentum, as farmers strive to meet consumer demand in both local and national markets. U.S. farmers and ranchers have added another million acres of certified organic cropland and pasture since 1997, bringing the 48-State total to 2.34 million acres in 2001. Certified organic livestock grew even faster during this period. Most crop/livestock sectors and most States also showed strong growth between 2000 and 2001. Overall, certified organic cropland and pasture accounted for 0.3 percent of U.S. cropland and pasture in 2001, although the share is much higher in some crops, such as vegetables at over 2 percent. California was the leading State in certified organic acreage in 2001, with nearly 150,000 acres, mostly used for fruit and vegetable production. North Dakota followed closely with nearly 145,000 acres, mostly for wheat, soybeans, and other field crops.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Montana were other top States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented national organic standards on organic production and processing in October 2002, following more than a decade of development, and the new uniform standards are expected to facilitate further growth in the organic farm sector.
Publications
- Greene, C., Kremen, A., 2003, U.S. Organic Farming in 2000-2001: Adoption of Certified Systems, Agricultural Information Bulletin, AIB-780, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, February, 51 pp.
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