California leads country in organic crop production

The 2008 Organic Production Survey, the first nationwide survey of organic agriculture in the U.S., found that California leads the nation in the number of organic farms, the amount of land in organic production and in organic sales. The survey also showed that the state is home to 19% of the nation’s organic farms and accounts for 36% of the country’s organic sales.
The survey, which was administered by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, was analyzed by Karen Klonsky, a Univ. of Calif. Cooperative Extension economist. Klonsky found that the state is most prominent in organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries, with lettuce and grapes being the highest-revenue organic crops. The state leads the nation in all major crop categories except field crops, which include corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans and rice.
The survey also revealed that California produces more than 90% of all U.S. organic sales for 14 different commodities, including 99% of the country’s organic walnuts, lemons, figs and artichokes and 100% of its organic almonds and dates.
Klonsky said about one-third of the farms classified themselves as mixed operations with both organic and conventional production. She said most survey respondents indicated they planned to maintain or expand their organic production. However, there is no indication that many growers who are doing both organic and conventional production had plans to become entirely organic.

Pictured: California leads the nation in the number of organic farms with lettuce and grapes being the highest-revenue organic crops.
Photo courtesy of Univ. of Calif.