I don't want to bore you, but I did gather together some articles on just how fast the organics market is growing in the U.S. and worldwide, so I thought I would post them so that you and anyone else who is interested can read them. Some of them are a few years old, and some of them are more recent, but they all document how quickly the U.S. and worldwide markets for organics is growing. I even found an interesting piece on how fast the market in Russia for organics is growing, but it was a PDF document, so I skipped it. I am really surprised that the farmers and other midwesterners who post at Feelies don't seem to be aware of these huge trends in agriculture:
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Information provided by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
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Overview
Organic Certification
Growth and Demand For Organics
Organic Farming and Marketing
North Carolina Department of Agriculture Information and Contact information
Defining Sustainable Agriculture
Center for Environmental Farming Systems-North Carolina State University
Funding for Organic Farming – OFRF
Resources
CEFS Organic Student Farm’s Virtual Classroom
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Overview
Organic farmers build healthy soils by nourishing the living component of the soil, the microbial inhabitants that release, transform, and transfer nutrients. Soil organic matter contributes to good soil structure and water-holding capacity. Organic farmers feed soil biota and build soil structure and water-holding capacity. Organic farmers feed soil biota and build soil organic matter with cover crops, compost, and biologically based soil amendments. These produce healthy plants that are better able to resist disease and insect predation. Organic farmers’ primary strategy in controlling pests and diseases is prevention through good plant nutrition and management. Organic farmers use cover crops and sophisticated crop rotations to change the field ecology, effectively disrupting habitat for weeds, insects, and disease organisms. Weeds are controlled through crop rotation, mechanical tillage, and hand-weeding, as well as through cover crops, mulches, flame weeding, and other management methods. Organic farmers rely on a diverse population of soil organisms, beneficial insects, and birds to keep pests in check. When pest populations get out of balance, growers implement a variety of strategies such as the use of insect predators, mating disruption, traps and barriers. Under the National Organic Rule, growers are required to use sanitation and cultural practices first before they can resort to applying a material to control a weed, pest or disease problem. Use of these materials in organic production is regulated, strictly monitored, and documented. As a last resort, certain botanical or other non-synthetic pesticides may be applied.
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Organic Certification (USDA)
Certification is the key to the National Organic Program. It assures that organic growers and handlers are, in fact, adhering to the law. Since October 21, 2002, it is a federal offense to label any food product as "organic" unless it has been certified. All uses of the labeling term "organic" for food are regulated.
The certification process focuses on the methods and materials used in production. There are three main requirements:
the methods and materials used in production must meet organic standards
there must be clear and ongoing documentation of these methods and materials
there must be a paper trail tracing a product back to its production site, in order to verify the methods and materials used in its production.
Who must be certified?
With two exceptions, everyone selling products labeled as "organic" must be certified. This includes producers of organic livestock, food, and fiber crops, and "handlers" of organic products. A "handler" is any operation that "receives, processes, packages, or stores agricultural products." Some examples: a processing company that buys organic tomatoes and makes canned spaghetti sauce; any distributor who "substantially transforms, repacks or relabels organic agricultural products." This last distinction is meant to exclude brokering, warehousing or trucking operations that merely store or move finished processed products from place to place without altering them in any way.
The exceptions:
Growers who gross less than $5,000 annually are exempt from certification. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommends that these growers sign a declaration (available from certifying agencies) stating that they understand and are in compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), and that they have written an organic farm plan which can be made available to the public upon request. NOSB further recommends that growers falling under this "Small Farm Exemption" may not use the term "certified organic" when marketing their crops, and may market through direct sales only (farm stands, farmers’ markets, or direct sales to a retailer).
At present, retailers aren’t required to be certified. NOSB, however, recommends certification for retailers that engage in activities that qualify them as handlers (i.e., repacking bulk products such as dry beans or grain).
How the certification process works
A grower or handler seeking organic certification submits an organic farm plan or organic handling plan to a USDA-accredited private or state certification program. The organic plan must detail all current growing or handling methods, and any materials that will be used. The plan also covers future intentions and improvements to all areas of production. Even growers or harvesters of organic wild crops, such as fiddlehead ferns, must develop a plan showing that harvesting practices will not be destructive to the environment or to the future productivity of the crop.
Records of all management practices and materials used in organic production must be kept for five years.
In addition to assessing the organic plan, the certification agency performs annual on-site inspections of each farm or handling operation participating in its program. Certification is then either awarded or denied. User fees are collected from each grower or handler to cover the cost of the certification program.
Accreditation of certifying agents
Now that the federal rule has been implemented, only USDA-accredited agencies may act as certifiers. Certifying agencies may be either state or private, but they must have expertise in organic farming and handling techniques. They must be able to fully implement all aspects of the certification program, including hiring an adequate number of inspectors to carry out on-site inspections. See a list of OTA member certifiers here.
Accreditation may be granted by USDA for a period not to exceed five years, and may be renewed. User fees are collected from each certifying agency to cover the cost of the accreditation program.
Certifying agents must keep records of all of their activities for ten years. USDA is required to conduct on-site audits of all records. USDA or a state organic program may suspend a certifier’s accreditation if the certifier is not in compliance with OFPA.
How can I reach an organic certification agency that serves my area?
Depending on where you live or farm in the U.S., there may be one or several organic certifications agencies that serve your region. There are more than fifty organic certification agencies operating in the U.S., and these include non-profit organizations, state- or county-affiliated agencies, and for-profit corporations. Some agencies work solely within a county or state, while others conduct organic certifications regionally or nationwide. Depending on the type of agency, an organic certifier may also provide additional services to farmers and the public, such as information about organic food and farming, sponsorship of workshops and conferences, or organic marketing materials. OFRF offers an annually updated National Organic Certifiers Directory or you can contact the USDA National Organic Program.
North Carolina
Accredited Certifying Agents
North Carolina Crop Improvement Association
3709 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607-5464
919-515-2851
Email: myron_fountain@ncsu.edu
Website: www.nccia.ncsu.edu
Scope: crop, livestock
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Growth and Demand for Organics (USDA)
The organic industry continues to expand. Here are some statistics regarding this burgeoning market.
"Organic foods have been a particularly bright spot on the agricultural horizon in recent years. According to industry estimates, retail sales in the United States grew from $1 billion in 1990, to $5.5 billion in 1998. Although part of a high-value niche market, organic products are no longer found exclusively at farmers’ markets or health food stores. Instead, mainstream shoppers are finding increasing numbers of organic products on supermarket shelves around the country. At the same time, demand for organic products overseas is at an all-time high, and growing."
—U. S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, AgExporter June 2000.
"Industry observers expect demand for organic products and commodities around the world to grow for several reasons. First, core support for organics is strongest among affluent, educated, health-conscious consumers. The motivations that first drew them to organics, such as concern for the environment and their personal health, are likely to endure. Second, today’s time-pressed organic product consumers want convenience and variety. Mainstream retailers who want to meet consumers’ preference for one-stop shopping will require a steady and reliable supply of organic products."
—U. S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, AgExporter June 2000.
"Almost one-third of the U.S. population currently buys organically grown food products. Another 60% does not, but would be willing to try them. Light organic buyers account for 29% of the U.S. population, while 3% are heavy organic buyers. Over half of all organic products are purchased at grocery stores and supermarkets. The most frequently purchased product groups are vegetables, fruits, and cereals/grains"
—Hartman Group, "The Organic Consumer Profile," January 2000.
"According to a January 25, 1999, United Nations Food and Agriculture announcement, "Consumer demand for organically produced food is on the rise and provides new market opportunities for farmers and businesses around the world."
—United Nations Food & Agriculture web site, 1999
"Organic shoppers are significantly more likely than other shoppers to say their diet is very important, and that their food choices are influenced by environmental issues. In addition, college educated shoppers are the key market for organic products."
—HealthFocus Inc., "What Do Consumers Want from Organics?" 1999.
The "Fresh Trends 2000" report published by The Packer found:
Nearly one-third of consumers bought natural or organic produce in the previous six-month period. Eighty-two percent of those purchasing organic fresh produce bought vegetables.
The leading purchasers are those ages 45–54 (36%) and 18–34 (35%).
Of 1,000 shoppers polled, 67% indicated their primary store provides natural or organic foods. Of the 669 persons who said their supermarket carries natural or organic foods; 54% buy organic or natural foods at least once a month; 23% buy them at least once a week; 31% buy them at least one to three times a month; and 26% never buy organic or natural products. Meanwhile, 37% said they have looked for and purchased products labeled as "organic," while 38% said they almost always or sometimes look at organic claims.
—Food Marketing Institute, Trends in the U.S.: Consumer Attitudes and the Supermarket, 2000.
Worldwide, more than 7 million hectares—an area about the size of South Carolina—are now producing organic food and fiber. Farmers in 130 countries now produce organically grown food. In the United States, 0.2% of cropland is now certified organic, compared with nearly 10% in several European nations. Globally, consumers now spend $22 billion a year on organic products. Organic farming is the fastest growing sector in the agricultural economy. Nearly half of the major U. S. supermarkets now carry organic products. In Japan, demand is growing by more than 20% a year. Companies from McDonald’s to Patagonia now buy at least some organic ingredients.
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Organic Farming and Marketing
Feature
U.S. Organic Farming in 2000-2001: Adoption of Certified Systems—U.S. farmland managed under organic farming systems expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s, and that pace has continued as farmers strive to meet consumer demand in both local and national markets. An increasing number of U.S. farmers are adopting these systems in order to lower input costs, conserve nonrenewable resources, capture high-value markets, and boost farm income. This report updates USDA estimates of land farmed with organic practices during 1997 with estimates for 2000 and 2001, and provides new estimates on the number of certified organic operations in each State. AIB-780 (4/03).
U.S. Organic Farming: A Decade of Expansion—American farmland under organic management has grown steadily for the last decade, with acreage for major crops more than doubling between 1992 and 1997, and again between 1997 and 2001. Certified organic pasture (including ranchland) also doubled between 1997 and 2001. USDA's national organic standards, which took effect in October 2002, incorporate an ecological approach to farming and are expected to generate further interest in organic products. Agricultural Outlook (11/02). Download PDF version.
Organic Agriculture Poster—Prepared to publicize the new organic rule's implementation, this poster gives the USDA definition of organic agriculture and presents summary data on growth in organic markets and the location and size of U.S. organic production. (10/02)
Recommended readings
Organic Agriculture:Gaining Ground— Organic agriculture is expanding rapidly in the United States, as consumer interest continues to gather momentum and new organic production and marketing systems evolve. In the wake of USDA's implementation of national organic standards in October 2002, continued growth in the industry is expected. Amber Waves (02/03).
Organic Food Markets in Transition—For the past several years, the organic foods industry has been growing at a remarkable rate of 20 to 24 percent annually . Such growth has led to a transformation in the organic foods industry. A major focus of this report is to determine how new and established firms are faring in this entrepreneurial climate, and whether they can expect to coexist and thrive in what is a unique market.
Organic Wheat Production in the United States: Expanding Markets and Supplies—describes the emerging markets and price premiums for organically grown wheat crops, as well as the production and distribution challenges posed by these crops. The article—which appears in the Wheat Situation and Outlook Yearbook (page 31)—also examines the competition for international organic wheat markets and other U.S. organic export and policy issues.
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North Carolina Department of Agriculture
Organic Growers Certification Cost Share North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has a cost share program to assist the organic grower with the cost of becoming certified under the National Organic Program. For a farm to become certified, a grower must be certified by a business or organization that is accredited by the USDA to certify organic operations. The financial assistance program is a 3-year program beginning January 1, 2002 and ending December 31, 2004. The NCDA & CS will reimburse current and transitional growers for 50% of the cost of certification up to a maximum of $500 per year. Return application by August 15th of the current year in which you are applying for funds. Download the Organic Growers Certification Cost Share Form. Requires free Adobe PDF reader.
Agronomic testing helps organic farmer
EAGLE SPRINGS—Billy Carter grows about 600 acres of vegetables, strawberries and tobacco in Montgomery and Moore counties. With 20 years of experience, he knows farming, but when he doesn't know something, he knows where to get help. When Carter learned that a new national standard for growing organic crops would go into effect this year, he contacted David Dycus, regional agronomist with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service's Agronomic Division.
"I've grown organic tobacco for seven years," Carter said, "and produced my own transplants in the greenhouse. Under the old rules, I could grow transplants with commercially manufactured fertilizer. This year, a new rule requires that transplants used in organic production be grown with natural fertilizers. This is something that no one around here has ever done. There is nothing published so I started doing some experimenting last year."
Tobacco transplants, and many vegetable transplants, are grown in floatbeds in greenhouses. The seedlings sit in styrofoam trays that float on top of a nutrient solution. Commercially produced fertilizers are ideal for floatbeds because they dissolve easily in water and do not clog pumps. Organic fertilizers do not possess these same properties and using them in a floatbed situation is pretty much uncharted territory.
Carter studied the organic fertilizers available and picked two he wanted try in the floatbeds: a seabird manure and a bat guano. "Then I called Dycus because I knew he had the resources at the NCDA&CS agronomic laboratories to help me evaluate these fertilizers. I was going to need both solution and waste analyses."
Solution analysis is a laboratory test that measures the nutrient content and other chemical properties of water sources and nutrient solutions. It tells growers whether water is suitable for a specific agricultural purpose, such as irrigation, fish farming, and greenhouse crop production. Waste analysis measures the nutrient content and other relevant properties of composted materials, manures or other waste products that are to be used as fertilizer. Both analyses cost $4 per sample.
Carter and Dycus took samples of each fertilizer to verify the nutrient content. They took a sample of the well water they planned to mix with the fertilizer. Then, after mixing the fertilizers with well water in five-gallon buckets, they collected samples of the nutrient solution.
Carter used the results to calculate how much fertilizer to add to each 4,000-gallon floatbed. It took three times as much bat guano as seabird manure to provide enough nitrogen for the seedlings, and the bat guano cost twice as much as the seabird product. With this information, it seemed obvious the seabird fertilizer would be the more economical choice, but as the "experiment" continued, other problems developed.
"After the organic fertilizers were added to the floatbeds, solution samples showed that nearly all the nitrogen in the seabird manure was in the ammonium form. The alkalinity of the water quickly rose to dangerously high levels. Plant roots could not even grow into the solution without being burned off. The floatbed fertilized with bat guano had half its nitrogen available as nitrate and half as ammonium, and the plants rooted just fine," said Carter.
Carter and Dycus brainstormed about the alkalinity problem. "In routine floatbed culture, alkalinity problems are solved by adding battery acid to the water," said Dycus. "Battery acid, however, is not a natural product. Citric acid or vinegar are the most acceptable choices for use in organic production."
Carter added citric acid to the nutrient solution in the floatbed and monitored it closely by taking solution samples. "I have a lot of confidence in solution analysis," said Carter. "It's a good way to find out exactly what's going on — alkalinity, pH, soluble salts, nutrient levels, everything you need to know."
Thanks to solution analysis, Carter was able to produce some field-ready organic transplants last year. This year, he's still experimenting and sampling — trying to resolve problems with the seabird product and adjust the floatbed alkalinity with vinegar since it is more economical and easier to obtain than citric acid.
Carter hopes, with the help of the Agronomic Division, to work out a standardized and effective fertilization method for organic transplant production. "Agronomic services are great and economical, and everybody bends over backwards to help," said Carter. "They're anxious to help because there is so much demand for this kind of information statewide."
In 2002, there were about 100 certified organic farmers in North Carolina. Organic production is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture, and it could be a very profitable option for North Carolina farmers who are dealing with the decline of other markets. With growers like Carter who are dedicated to pioneering new ways to resolve production problems, other organic transplant producers throughout the state will benefit by not having to start from scratch. |
