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Survey Asks, Who Are Washington’s Certified Organic Producers?

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington state’s certified organic agriculture producers say that economic factors are the primary reasons that they are farming organically, however the majority feel that their farms are contributing more to environmental and social sustainability goals than to economic sustainability goals.

That is one of the findings from what is believed to be the first comprehensive survey of certified organic producers in Washington state. Jessica Goldberger, assistant professor of Community and Rural Sociology at Washington State University, conducted the survey between October and December 2007. Read more

New Report on Certified Organic Agriculture in Washington State

Organic farming is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture. According to a recent USDA-ERS report, Washington State has the third highest number of certified organic operations of all states in the country. It is important to understand the characteristics, marketing strategies, information sources, needs, opinions, and challenges of the state's organic producers. Jessica Goldberger, Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Rural Sociology and member of the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) Leadership Team at WSU, conducted a survey (in October – December 2007) of all certified organic producers in the state. Survey participants included producers certified by both the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Organic Food Program and Oregon Tilth. The survey was implemented with the assistance of WSU's Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). Over 350 producers completed the survey, resulting in a 56% response rate. The survey results are now available online at http://www.crs.wsu.edu/facstaff/goldberger/organicsurvey/

Washington State Organic Acreage Production Increases

WENATCHEE, Wash. – Certified organic acreage farmed in Washington state continues to expand, increasing by an estimated 27 percent between 2006 and 2007. Since 2004 the amount of certified acreage being farmed in the state has increased by 86 percent. Those growth estimates are documented in the annual profile of the state’s organic acreage and crops compiled by the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources. Read more.    Detailed statistics are also avaliable.

2008 Farm Walks

Now in it’s fifth year, the Washington State University Small Farms Team, in partnership with Tilth Producers of Washington, organizes and facilitates farm walks throughout the growing season. The farm walks are forums for producers and others interested to exchange ideas, at an advanced level, on specific types of farming practices and issues. The walks take place on organic and sustainable farms throughout the state where the focus is unique to the host farm. These farmer to farmer learning experiences provide an open dialogue in a hands-on environment to explore the farm’s production, marketing techniques and discuss emerging practices. To register for an upcoming farm walk visit http://www.tilthproducers.org.

2008 Farm Walks Schedule
Willie Green’s Organic Farm: Inspired Approach Yields Abundant Produce
Sweet Grass Beef Farm: Attention to Animals and the Environment
Stokesberry Sustainable Farms: Organic Pastured Poultry
Early Spring Farm Walk Provides: Innovation and Inspiration
WSU Grad Students, Local Farmers Tour Diversified Farm near Pullman
Alm Hill Gardens – Finding the Right Partners to Keep the Farm and Employees Thriving
New Farm Provides Opportunities to Emerging Farmers and the Community
Methow Creamery: Holsteins and Jerseys Thrive in Organic Twisp Dairy
Nash’s Organic Produce: Diversification on Sequim Farm Reaps Rewards
Intensive Grazing for Award-Winning Milk: Styger Family Dairy Farm

Steve Van Vleet Receives Prestigious Fellows Award
Steve Van Vleet, WSU Whitman County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, has been selected to receive the 2008 NACAA/SARE Fellows award. Van Vleet, who has a Ph.D. in agronomy, was one of four people from around the country to receive the honor. Read More.