Organic products are growing so quickly in popularity that some fear the agricultural industry lacks enough producers to meet the growing demand of consumers, reports Agri-Pulse, a Washington newsletter. Currently 18,000 certified organic operators live in the U.S. and 25,000 worldwide.
Laura Batcha, executive director of the Organic Trade Association, said "sales of organic food and non-food products in the U.S. grew by almost
12 percent last year, with similar growth expected this year," Agri-Pulse writes. "Total sales, she said, have topped $35 billion, up from $3 billion back in 2002. But she said the industry is running into a serious problem attracting new suppliers, especially in dairy, where the growth rate was about 8 percent."
Anne Alonzo, administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's marketing service, said there are plenty of funding opportunities for organic farmers, Agri-Pulse writes. "Alonzo pointed to the work the agency is doing to implement provisions of the new Farm Bill, including laying the groundwork for the establishment of an organic check-off program that, in a first, would be spread across all organic commodities. She also described a USDA program that provides farmers transitioning to organic with up to $750 a year to help pay for certification costs." She said, “The money is there for you—take advantage of it." Agri-Pulse is subscription only, but a free trial is available by clicking here.
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