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U.S. organic food sales have grown between 17 and 21% each year since 1997 (total U.S. food sales over this time have grown in the range of 2-4% a year) Organic food sales represent approximately 2% of U.S. food sales Organic farms are about 0.5% of U.S. farms
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U.S. organic food sales have grown between 17 and 21% each year since 1997 (total U.S. food sales over this time have grown in the range of 2-4% a year) • Organic food sales represent approximately 2% of U.S. food sales • Organic farms are about 0.5% of U.S. farms • (Organic Trade Association’s 2004 Manufacturer Survey)
Why fewer organic farms in KY in 2003 than 2001? • Before national standards came into effect (October 21, 2002) • Kentucky Department of Agriculture certified farms • Inexpensive certification • Relaxed standards • Encouraged certification at all income levels • After national standards came into effect • Certification optional for farmers who sell < $5,000 of organic product annually and direct market • Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) lost its certifier status; farms had to certify out-of-state • Certification became more expensive, with more onerous paperwork requirements
KDA regained certifierstatus in January 2006 • Very low fees • $125/yr (early applicants were eligible for grants to further reduce fees) • Free farm inspections • Rapid increase in certified organic farms • Now ~35, up from 16 in 2005 • Application backlog
Organic land http://organic.kysu.edu