USDA ERS Research: Organic Blueberry Production on Rise

Web AdminBlueberries, USDA

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) study has concluded that organic blueberry production has expanded tremendously over the past decade. Yields reached 77.5 million pounds in 2019 compared to 11.9 million pounds in 2008. Florida has contributed to the rise in organic yields. It produced less than 160,000 pounds in 2008 but increased to 1.9 million …

USDA ERS Study: Organic Strawberry Production on Rise

Web AdminStrawberry, USDA

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) study concludes organic strawberry production has helped increase domestic production over the past two decades. Most organic strawberries are produced in California, though Florida has experienced increased production in recent years. Approximately 680 organic acres were produced in Florida in 2019, compared to just 14 in 2008. From 2008 to …

U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Nutrition, Organics

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, endorsed nutrition and organic bills last week that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations: “The U.S. specialty crop industry is …

U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Nutrition and Organics 

Web AdminFarm Bill, Legislative, Specialty Crops

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has endorsed nutrition and organic bills that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations:  “The U.S. specialty crop industry is crucial to our national …

$3.2 M USDA Grant: CAES Leads Research to Improve Organic Onion Production

Web AdminOnion, Research

A team of researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is partnering with colleagues from Texas A&M University to find more effective production practices for organic onion growers in the southern United States where short-day onions — those that bulb with 11 to 12 hours of sunlight each day — are primarily grown. …

S.C. Farmers, Food Processors Seeking Organic Certification May Qualify for Grant Funding

Web AdminOrganic, South Carolina

COLUMBIA – South Carolina farmers and food processors who want to pursue organic certification may qualify for reimbursement through a grant administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency. For some producers, organic certification can help reach new customers and align with existing ones. “This funding enabled …

USDA Announces New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets and Support Producers

Web AdminUSDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative, launched in fall 2022, which is a …

USDA Provides Funding for Organic Growers

Web AdminOrganic, USDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional steps being taken to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative. The initiative is a suite of offerings to help existing organic producers and those transitioning to organic production and processing. “We …

Inflation Continues to Impact Organic Produce Sales

Web AdminFruits, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Ongoing inflation continued to impact organic fresh produce sales in the first quarter of 2023 as overall dollar sales grew by slightly less than 1%, and volume declined by 3.4% from the same per year-over-year period, according to the Q1 2023 Organic Produce Performance Report released by Organic Produce Network (OPN) and Category Partners. Overall, the total produce department gained …

Organic Onion Production is a Challenge in the Southeast

Web AdminResearch

By Bhabesh Dutta and Timothy Coolong Organic onion production in diverse weather conditions in the United States is challenging due to numerous biotic and abiotic factors. The challenges are more extreme in states with year-round warm climates which includes Georgia. Although these states grow onions in the  spring, mild winter temperatures can increase challenges related to plant pathogens, insect and …