With demand for organic food outrunning U.S. production, state agriculture departments frequently have too little money and limited expertise to help the sector grow, says a report by the Berkeley Food Institute. It recommends states dedicate more money and personnel “to keep up with the growing organic market” and include organic agriculture in “state pride” programs that trumpet local products.
“As organic demand grows in leaps and bounds, state governments can play a crucial role in helping farmers transition to organic and provide needed technical or marketing support,” said BFI executive director L. Ann Thrupp. States play a variety of roles in the organic sector. Some act as the agents that certify whether a farm meets organic standards. Others provide information and expert advice to farmers.
For its study, BFI examined 21 states in four regions of the country. “Support for non-English speakers is uncommon,” it said in a summary. “State organic budgets are stretched too thin … Informational outreach is important for strengthening regional organic economies.” Among its seven recommendations, which included greater “language access,” was for states to gather high-quality data about the organic market.