Benefits of Organic Farming
There are more than 28,000 certified organic farms and businesses in the U.S. That number continues to grow as consumer demand for organic grows. In 2019, there was approximately $55 billion in U.S. retail sales of organic products.
Organic farming provides benefits to the farmer (economic) and to the environment. Becoming certified organic helps producers and handlers:
- Receive premium prices for products - Acre for acre, growing produce organically has been shown to be more profitable than growing conventionally, and organic dairy and meat prices are also higher and more stable for the farmer.
- Access fast-growing local, regional, and international markets - Many buyers, including supermarkets and distributors, and cooperatives, seek out and promote organic products because of the increasing demand for organic foods.
- Support local communities through job production
- Access additional funding and technical assistance from USDA, NRCS, and non-profits
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Benefits to the environment are numerous. An important practice of organic farming is using various means to improve soil health, resulting in one of the biggest benefits of organic farming. Healthy soils retain nutrients and biodiversity, which in turn grows healthy and disease-tolerant crops. Other environmental benefits that have been proven by research include improved water quality, conservation of energy, and increased biodiversity.