NSAC's Blog
Organic Agriculture Grows in Northern Tier
October 8, 2010
Organic farming grew steadily from 2005-2008 in the Ninth Federal Reserve District, which includes Minnesota, Montana, North and South Dakota, 26 counties in northwestern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, according to an article published in the October 2010 FedGazette.
The rate of acreage certified as organic grew faster than the national average in the Ninth District during this period, with 37 percent growth compared with 19 percent nationwide, largely due to increases in organic pastureland and rangeland. Organic pastureland and rangeland in South Dakota alone increased ninefold, or 100,000 acres, during this three-year period.
District-wide acreage growth was largely driven by South Dakota and Wisconsin, as total organic acreage in South Dakota almost tripled, and roughly doubled in Wisconsin. However, Montana showed negative growth in both the number of certified organic farms and in total organic acreage during this same period.
The Ninth District produces 30% of the nation’s organic grains, and is looking to play a prominent role in the growing organic livestock and feed industries. For more details, check out the original article here.
Categories: Local & Regional Food Systems, Organic