organic

What do growers, and consumers, need to know about the organic fruit industry?  We put that question before Mark Powers, President of the Northwest Horticultural Council.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

Ongoing inflation resulted in higher retail prices of organic fresh produce during the 3rd quarter of this year.  The Organic Produce Network says that generated a 4.1% increase in total organic dollars but also contributed to a decline of 4.5% in org...

While pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the area is inching toward normal, the University of Idaho’s Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center has announced it will host the Heritage Orchard Conference on-line again this year.  School officials say under the virtual format, the conference grew into an international affair for apple growers and researchers, drawing 20 times the number of parti

Washington State University’s Eggert Family Organic Farm will host U-Pick pumpkin times starting later this week.  Visit the farm Friday, September 30th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or Saturday October 1st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to find the pumpk...

Earlier this week, Economic Research Service reported organic trade reached $3.4 billion in 2021.  Since 2011, there has been an uptick in the total value of imported organic products, partially because more products are being tracked and partially because more high-value organic products, such as blueberries and squash, are being imported into the United States.  The Uni...

Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture announced the details of a $300 million investment for a new Organic Transition Initiative.  Funded in part by the American Rescue Plan, the initiative will help build new and better markets and income streams for farmers, according to USDA.   ...

The Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program and Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The programs help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses ...

Earlier this week, the USDA published the Origin of Livestock final rule for organic dairy. The Department said the change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers. The rule ensures that certified USDA organic dairy products are produced to the same consistent standard ...

Consumer interest in organic products continues to grow. Industry analyst Ryan Koory of Mercaris said the latest information is based on 2020, the latest full year data. “Organic food sales reach $20-billion, which is a record setting level.” ...

NASS is conducting the 2021 Organic Survey to gather new data on certified organic crops and livestock nationwide. USDA said the effort is critical to help determine the economic impact of certified organic agriculture production on the nation ...