A study by University of Florida shows consumers regularly mix up food labels. University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says consumers mix up foods labeled “organic” and “non-genetically modified” and some view the two labels as the same. A national survey of more than 1,000 consumers gauged their willingness to pay for food labeled genetically modified versus …
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help farmers and ranchers grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber, and other products. The grants are funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program (ORG). “Organic farming is one of many approaches to making American agriculture sustainable …
Farm Bill Discussion at Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit
By Jaci Schreckengost Discussion about the possible effects of the 2018 farm bill on organic growers was one of the topics at the recent Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit. With the farm bill expiring in September 2018, many are eager to speak their minds to let those writing the new farm bill know what has and has not worked …
Organic Growers Give Input for 2018 Farm Bill
By Jaci Schreckengost As the 2018 farm bill discussion continues, many growers are pressing to get their voices heard by those writing the bill. At the inaugural Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit in Gainesville, a workshop on September 18 allowed growers to discuss their concerns and suggestions for the farm bill. Sarah Hackney, grassroots director at the National Sustainable …
Organic Field Crop Production Numbers Rising
Organic farming is a rapidly growing segment of U.S. agriculture. Organic vegetables, fruits, and livestock make up the bulk of the entire segment. However, a new USDA report shows organic field crops are making gains in the number of acres planted and overall value. The National Ag Statistics Service released the numbers showing that U.S. farms and ranches produced $7.6 …
Organic Trade Association Responds To Jump in Organic Sales Data
A recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found a 23 percent jump in organic sales from 2015 to 2016. Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, says that’s very good news for the industry. She says the market has been growing faster in recent years at the consumer level than the base number of organic acres and …
Farm Bill Discussed at Florida Organic Growers Summit
By Jaci Schreckengost With 2018 farm bill provisions being discussed, many growers are interested in telling their stories about how certain portions of the bill have either helped or hurt them in the past. At the inaugural Florida Organic Growers (FOG) Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit in Gainesville, a workshop was held to discuss what is currently in the …
Florida NRCS Reminds Producers about Organic Initiative
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind producers that the current Farm Bill provides financial and technical assistance to help producers transitioning to organic farming and certified organic producers meet their conservation goals. Monica Jones, a district conservationist in Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties, says the Organic Initiative is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). …
Alabama Organic Cost Share Signup Deadline is September 30
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) wants to remind growers and handlers of organic agricultural products that they can recover part of the cost of their USDA certification. Through USDA, funds have been allocated to reimburse producers and handlers who either obtain or renew their organic certification in the fiscal year that ends September 30, 2017. The reimbursement …
2016 Sales of U.S. Certified Organic Agricultural Production Up
California continues to lead in certified farms, acres, sales Sales of organic agricultural production continued to increase in 2016, when U.S. farms produced and sold $7.6 billion in certified organic commodities, according to data released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Results of the 2016 Certified Organic Survey show that 2016 sales were …