Wisconsin Ag Connection - Wisconsin is Nation's Second-Leading State in Organic Farming

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Wisconsin is Nation's Second-Leading State in Organic Farming
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 02/11/2010

New numbers out from the USDA's National Ag Statistics Service shows that Wisconsin has 1,222 organic farms--the second highest in the nation, behind California. According to the agency, the Badger State had 195,603 acres of land in use for organic production purposes during 2008. Organic sales in the state total $132.8 million, including $30.1 million in crops sales and $102.6 million in sales of livestock, poultry and their products. Sixty-four percent of total organic sales in Wisconsin were from milk from cows.

Governor Jim Doyle says organic farms in Wisconsin had average sales and production expenses similar to all farms statewide. He notes that organic operations had average sales of $115,247 in 2008, compared with average sales of $114,288 for all types of farms, as reported in the 2007 Census of Agriculture. Production expenditures averaged $77,760 per organic farm, compared with the average of $86,011 for all farms.

"Farming is the heritage and the future of Wisconsin, and we've worked hard to strengthen and diversify agriculture across the state," Governor Doyle said. "Organic farming is one of the areas that Wisconsin is leading the way, and I am proud to support these efforts."

Most Wisconsin organic producers sold their products locally, with 56 percent of sales occurring less than 100 miles from the farm. In Wisconsin, seven percent of sales were direct to consumers via farm stands, farmers' markets, community supported agriculture, and other arrangements, while over 75 percent of Wisconsin organic sales were to wholesale channels. These percentages are consistent with those seen at the national level.

Over the past several years, Wisconsin has invested and promoted its diverse farm economy. Incentives to help modernize the dairy industry have helped increase milk production to record levels and have strengthened the state's status as the number one producer of cheese in the country. At the same time, efforts to strengthen diversity in agriculture have made Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries, specialty cheeses, organic vegetables and many other products.