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Organic Production Surveys due by June 17 –
Complete Yours Today!
The USDA is conducting the Organic Production Survey, its first-ever, wide-scale survey of organic agriculture, and completed surveys are due this coming Wednesday, June 17. We strongly encourage all certified organic, non-certified organic, organic farmers exempt from certifying, and transitioning-to-organic farmers to complete the survey and send it in to the USDA. The information gathered from the survey will help inform USDA about the state of the organic industry and the needs of organic farmers. It will enable USDA to develop farm policies and programs that support organic agriculture.
In a speech presented at the 2009 Organic Summit last week, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture (and former OFRF board member) Kathleen Merrigan said that the organic sector “is growing so fast that information, from production and marketing practices to income and expenses is desperately needed…[to] help us do more across USDA and in conversations with our Members of Congress to talk about organic needs.” Deputy Secretary Merrigan urged farmers “to take advantage of this opportunity to tell the story, share information, and have a voice in shaping policy program decisions.” (Listen to the entire speech and read the transcript on the OFRF website.)
For more information, including instructions on how to submit the Organic Production Survey online, visit the USDA Census of Agriculture website.
Join the Organic Farmers Action Network today!
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