Farmers
ORGANIC FARMERS are the most conspicuous holdovers of America’s steady transition from family farming to corporate agribusiness. But expansion in the sector is hindered by poorly developed markets and a lack of research and information.
“Organic farming systems research remains largely uncharted territory, with institutional support lagging far behind individual farmer innovation and the growth curve of the industry,” according to the National Organic Farming Research Foundation, Santa Cruz, CA.
Findings from a survey conducted by the foundation suggest farmers are starved for information on organic farming-they’re just not getting the data they need from periodicals, conferences, workshops and cooperative extension services. The survey preamble says the U.S. Department of Agriculture largely ignores organic farming systems research.
Among the 4,638 certified organic farmers polled, 61% say they would like to participate in farming research projects, including 23% with prior research experience.
Weed management is the most important research category to organic farmers. Another area of interest is the relationship between soil fertility, crop health and pest and disease resistance. Research concerning the impact of organic practices on the nutritional value of products ranks third.
>From a marketing standpoint, a general lack of consumer understanding about organic foods is the biggest barrier to developing markets, according to the organic farmers surveyed.
A lack of organic farming networks is considered the second greatest obstacle.
Only 13% of organic farmers sell directly to consumers, and 74% want to find ways to increase direct-to-consumer sales.
* Among America’s 1.9 million farmers, about 36% earn more than half of all U.S. farm income. The concentration of income is greatest among corporate hog farmers.
* About 87% of organic farming operations are single families or family partnerships. Organic farming methods are used exclusively by 75% of organic farmers, with the rest using a combination of organic and conventional farming methods.
* Gross annual income at 34% of organic farm operations ranges between $15,000 and $100,000. Income is less than $15,000 at 48% of those farms and higher than $100,000 at 14% of them.
* An average of 140 acres is farmed full time at 62% of organic farms. The typical organic farmer is a 47.5-year-old man. Only 25% of organic farmers are younger than 40, and only 21% are women.
* More than 60% of organic crops are vegetables. Organic farmers usually grow six to 10 commodities, but a quarter of them plant more than 25. As many as 20% produce greenhouse crops or eggs.
* Only 27% of organic farmers raise livestock or deal in livestock-related products. Few organic farmers breed livestock for profit. Most domestic animals on organic farms are used primarily as a fertilizer source rather than as a primary or secondary source of income.
