April 20, 2009

The US Department of Agriculture wants to learn more about organic farmers and food producers in the US and is preparing to conduct its first nationwide survey.

"The Organic Production Survey comes in direct response to the growing interest in organics among consumers, farmers, businesses and others," Gary Keough, a director at USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, said Friday. "The results will help shape future decisions regarding farm policy, funding allocations, availability of goods and services, community development and other key issues."

Keogh is in charge of the survey in for the states of Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. New England, he said in an interview, is home to the largest concentration of organic producers in the US

Surveys will be conducted in all 50 states, Keogh said, and the results will be compiled on a national level.

USDA already knows a lot about the organic industry it regulates, like the value of organic production, but the survey is expected to shed new light on other aspects of the industry. he said.

"I'll be able to answer the question of how many milk cows in Vermont are raised under organic conditions," Keogh said, "or what is the acreage for organic certified hay."

The USDA said it will begin the survey in early May by mailing out questionnaires to "all known organic producers in the United States" and they will be required to turn in all of the information requested by June 17.