April 29, 2009
FIRST WIDE SCALE SURVEY OF ORGANIC PRODUCERS
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
encourages all organic farmers in the state to participate in the first
wide scale survey of organic producers and producers transitioning from
traditional to organic production methods. The National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), an office of the US Department of
Agriculture, will conduct the survey in May, June and July 2009. The
survey will look at all aspects of organic agriculture during the 2008
calendar year - from production and marketing practices to income and
expenses. The 2007 Census of Agriculture counted more than 20,000 US
farms engaged in organic production, nearly 315 of them in Virginia.
“The Organic Production Survey comes in direct response to the
growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, businesses and
others,” said Herman Ellison, director of the NASS Virginia Field
Office. “This is an opportunity for organic producers to share their
voices and help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of
organic farming in the United States.” He added that survey results
will help shape future decisions regarding farm policy and funding
allocations, such as the way that organic cost share funds will be
allocated among the states.
VDACS Commissioner Todd Haymore noted that a big part of the strength
of Virginia agriculture is its diversity, including organic production.
“According to the 2007 Ag census, Virginia had nearly 315 organic
farms, comprising 13,500 acres. Sales from those farms were more than
$14 million in that year. If our farmers are going to keep agriculture
as the state’s number one industry, they need to adapt constantly to
market demands. Organic food, milk, plants, seeds and tobacco are
currently in demand by many segments of the buying public, and our
organic farmers help keep the industry strong.”
The organic production survey will help agriculture officials at state,
federal and local levels to learn more about how the growth of organic
production is changing the face of U S agriculture. NASS will mail the
Organic Production Survey in early May to all known organic producers in
the United States. Producers are required to respond by June 17. NASS
expects to publish the results in the winter of 2009/2010.
“Participants may mail back their forms, but we encourage them to
complete the survey online at www.agcensus.usda.gov,” said Ellison.
“It’s convenient, it’s secure, and it saves the government
money on return postage and data entry.” He added that survey
participants are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U S Code) that their
individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses the
information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in
tabulated totals.
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm
Director, Office of Communication
Va. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Oliver W. Hill Building
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-7686
