USDA to gather new data on organic agriculture production
NASS is mailing the survey to all known certified organic farms. The form asks farmers to provide information on acreage, production, and sales for a variety of certified organic crop and livestock commodities. The agency urges all participants to respond by February 19th. After this date, NASS will follow up by phone and personal interviews with those who have not responded. Producers can return their form by mail or complete the survey online at www.agcounts.usda.gov.
“Organic agriculture is a rapidly growing segment of the industry and Minnesota ranks among the top 10 states for both number of certified organic operations and total certified organic sales. Last year, NASS reported that Minnesota’s certified organic farms sold a total of $92 million in organic products. Top organic commodities for Minnesota include milk, corn, and soybeans,” said Dan Lofthus, NASS’ Minnesota State Statistician. “As farm sales from organic products increase, demand for accurate statistics about organic farming grows as well. This survey will be another step forward by USDA in its commitment to helping organic agriculture thrive and will ensure that future decisions impacting the industry stem from factual information.”
Agriculture statistics are frequently used by business and policy decision makers, and in this case farmers themselves stand to reap the most benefits. The 2016 Certified Organic Survey will provide data for USDA’s Risk Management Agency to evaluate crop insurance coverage to help provide adequate pricing for organic producers. The report, to be released September 2017, will also assist farmers, suppliers and others in the private sector in planning the production and marketing of new products to help sustain industry growth.
“NASS has a long-standing reputation for providing objective, accurate data about all aspects of U.S. agriculture, but the only way for us to provide accurate information is with farmers’ input,” added Lofthus. “I hope that all organic farmers who receive a survey form will recognize it as a way to benefit their industry and take the time to respond.”
As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential, as required by federal law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.
The results of the 2016 Certified Organic Survey will be made available September 5, 2017 on NASS’ website at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information call the NASS Minnesota Field Office at 651-728-3113 or visit the website at http://bit.ly/2ji3azS.