Illinois Small Farms
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Illinois Small Farms provides information for the commercial small farmer as well as the small acreage landowner. The website provides easy access to information for small-scale farmers and those who work with them.
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New USDA Data Offers In-Depth Look at Organic Farming
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2010 – The nation’s organic farms and ranches have higher average sales and higher average production expenses than U.S. farms overall, according to results of the 2008 Organic Production Survey released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
"This was USDA's first wide-scale survey of organic producers, and it was undertaken in direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, businesses, policymakers and others," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "The information being released today will be an important building block for future program and policy development."
The survey counted 14,540 U.S. farms and ranches that were either USDA certified organic or were exempt from certification because their sales totaled less than $5,000. These operations comprised 4.1 million acres of land, of which 1.6 million acres were harvested cropland and 1.8 million acres were pasture or rangeland.
While there were organic farms or ranches in all 50 states, nearly 20 percent of the operations were in California. California also led the nation in organic sales, with $1.15 billion - or 36 percent of all U.S. sales. Nationwide, 2008 organic sales totaled $3.16 billion, including $1.94 billion in crops sales and $1.22 billion in sales of livestock, poultry and their products.
The nation's certified and exempt organic farms had average sales and production expenses that were higher than those of U.S. farms overall. Organic operations had an average of $217,675 in sales, compared with $134,807 for all farms as reported in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. Production expenditures averaged $171,978 per organic farm, compared with the nationwide average of $109,359 for all farms.
Most U.S. organic producers sold their products locally, with 44 percent of sales taking place less than 100 miles from the farm. Nearly 83 percent of organic sales were to wholesale channels, including processors, millers and packers. Just over 10 percent of sales were direct to retail operations, including supermarkets. Only 7 percent of sales were direct to consumers, via farm stands, farmers' markets, community supported agriculture and other arrangements.
Survey respondents indicated that they face various challenges, including regulatory, production, management and marketing issues. Despite these challenges, more than 78 percent indicated that they plan to maintain or increase their organic production over the next five years.
Complete results of the 2008 Organic Production Survey are available at
http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/
Online_Highlights/Organics/
2009 - 2010 Illinois Organic Cost Share Program
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has funds available for the 2009 - 2010 Illinois Organic Cost Share Program through funds from the United States Department of Agriculture. The program will provide cost share assistance to organic producers and handlers receiving certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent commencing October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010. Under the Act, cost-share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer's or handler's certification costs up to a maximum of $750.00 per year.
To be eligible for reimbursement, an organic production or handling operation must be located within Illinois, comply with the USDA National Organic Program regulations for organic production or handling and have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent between the eligible dates.
One year of certification reimbursement is available:
- October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010
Under Illinois' current agreement with the USDA, producers and handlers can make application for reimbursement to the Illinois Department of Agriculture by submitting the following documents:
- Illinois Organic Certification Cost-Share Program application
- W-9 form (Rev. 10/07)
- Proof of NOP certification issued or continued within the cost-share qualifying period, October 1, 2009, through September 30, 2010 such as a copy of the certificate or continuation of certification document from the USDA-accredited certifying agency with effective date within eligible range of 10/1/09 and 9/30/10
- Itemized invoice demonstrating costs incurred for NOP certification such as a copy of your paid, itemized invoice from your certifier
Costs incurred for noncertification activities, such as, membership associations or farm/ operation inputs are not eligible for assistance through this program.
Based on the receipt of the completed application packet by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, reimbursements will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the limited program funds are exhausted.
For more information, contact Delayne Reeves at 217/524-9129 or delayne.reeves@illinois.gov.
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