Organic farming continues to expand in California and now includes more than commodities, according to a new University of California report. The number of organic growers in California jumped from 2, in to 3, in The top 10 organic commodities for sales value in were cow milk, strawberries, carrots, wine grapes, table grapes, sweet potatoes, almonds, raspberries, salad mix, and chicken eggs.
This is the primary reference to learn about the size, diversity, and trends of organic agriculture in the state. The organic foods industry has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, climbing from U. In the next phase, CCOF will convene diverse stake-holders and identify policies to increase organic acreage from four to ten percent of agricultural land by CCOF will focus on four policy areas: transitioning more land, accelerating demand, streamlining regulations for organic producers, and making organic more broadly accessible to consumers.
This percentage is astonishing considering that California is not only the leading agricultural state, but it is also the leading organic state with the highest volume of organic crops and a multibillion-dollar organic processing sector.
The scientific literature shows that organic stimulates California's economy, ensures a long-term food supply that promotes public health, and protects the natural resources that humans depend upon for nourishment and safe living conditions. It is that in-between time of year when the storage crop of onions is heading toward its own finish line and the new crop of domestic onions has not yet gotten out of the blocks.
And while California remains king when it comes to the number of organic farms, several other states saw dramatic growth in organic farming over this time, particularly in the South. As the number of organic farms has increased, so too have sales of certified organic products: U.
Still, organic farming makes up a small share of U. Some states, however, had relatively large shares of organic farmland. Learn more about where organic foods are being grown in the U. The rise in organic farming in the U. And in , the Organic Trade Association estimated U. Federal spending on organic agriculture has also grown in recent years. The Farm Act , for example, helped organic producers with the cost of organic certification among other things.
Certified organic farms must also adhere to certain animal health and welfare standards, not treat land with any prohibited substances for at least three years prior to harvest, and reach a certain threshold for gross annual organic sales. About four-in-ten U. About half of U. Younger Americans and those who report eating at least some organic food are more likely to believe organic produce provides health benefits.
This gap also appears when looking at beliefs about fruits and vegetables grown with pesticides and meat from animals given antibiotics or hormones.
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