Organic agriculture became one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture during the 1990s. According to USDA statistics, organic acreage in the United States has doubled, and consumption of organically produced products has increased 20 percent per year for the past decade. Today, 80 percent of organic products purchased on the market are fresh fruits and vegetables. The potential consumer demand for other organic products, like meat and processed foods, is wide open. Organic agriculture's importance was further solidified when the USDA implemented the first nationwide organic standards--the National Organic Standards--in 2002. CSREES addresses organic agriculture through formula funds and competitive funding, such as the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Program--Integrated Organic Program; the Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Program--Organic Transitions Program; and the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.
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