February 15, 1999
U. S. Organic Farmer Survey
Consumer support for organic products continues to rise, according
to a survey of U.S. organic farmers. Over 77% of the 1,200 farmers
surveyed stated that they plan to increase their organic acreage
and the number of crops they grow organically. This is the third
survey conducted by the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
in the past six years.
At least 45% of the farmers responding said that they use the
naturally-occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for pest
management. Organic growers are greatly concerned that due to a
dramatic increase in crops genetically engineered to contain Bt within
their cells, pests will soon become resistant to it even when it is
applied externally as an organic pest control tool. Respondents also
indicated a lack of faith in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) ability to publish a strong organic rule and added that the
Department fails to provide them with useful information. OFRF cites
this as an indication that the USDA is woefully out of touch with a
new generation of environmentally sound, consumer friendly farmers.
Highlights of the OFRF survey include:
** Organic farmers are family farmers -- 87% of the respondents are
single family operations or family partnerships.
** 62% farm full time.
** Average farm size is 140 acres.
** 56% of the respondents have college degrees.
** Farmers' average age is 47 years and 25% are under 40.
** 14% grossed over US$100,000 in organic product sales.
Commodities produced:
** 57% are organic vegetable, flower and ornamental crop producers.
** 40% are organic fruit, nut and tree crop producers.
** 52% produce organic field crops.
** 27% produce livestock or livestock products organically.
OFRF has conducted the biennial surveys to help serve organic farmers'
research and information needs. Founded by certified organic farmers
in 1990, OFRF's primary mission is to fund research and education
projects that benefit organic farmers, and to cultivate a broader
network of support for organic farming systems research. OFRF's 1997
report, "Searching for the 'O-Word" revealed that USDA and land grant
institutions responsible for agricultural research have largely ignored
organic systems research and information development. According to the
report, out of 30,000 agricultural research projects analyzed by OFRF
on USDA's Current Research Information System, only 34 projects were
rated as having a strong organic focus.
As part of the survey, respondents were asked to list their research
priorities. Overall, farmers ranked weed management as their major
concern. Second and third priorities were "relationship between
fertility management and crop health, pest and disease resistance" and
"relationship of organic growing practices to nutritional value of
product." Soil biology, crop rotations and cover cropping were also
high on the list.
Copies of the Third Biennial National Organic Farmers' Survey results
are available from OFRF. A US$10 donation is requested. The Executive
Summary is available on the OFRF web site: www.ofrf.org.
Source/contact: OFRF, P.O. Box 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; phone (831)
426-6606; fax (831) 426-6670; email research@ofrf.org.
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