USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service is gathering new data on organic agriculture production. They’re surveying Certified Organic crop and livestock producers to determine the economic impact of certified organic production in the United States. South Dakota organic producer Charlie Johnson, who farms near Madison, encourages farmers to fill out the survey because it will benefit them.
Last year USDA reported certified organic farms sold $5.5 billion in organic products, up 72-percent from 2008. Johnson says the organic farming industry has been growing rapidly in South Dakota and is popular with both producers and consumers.
He says there needs to be additional efforts to grow the organic livestock industry in South Dakota.
Johnson would also like to see promotion of organic livestock from political leaders, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, farm groups and SDSU.
