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MDA Asks Organic Farmers About Ideas, Experiences

Survey of state’s organic producers aims to shape programs

St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) wants to know what’s on organic farmers’ minds.

This month, the MDA mailed a survey of Minnesota organic farms to the state’s 800 certified organic operations. The survey asks certified organic farmers to share both their opinions and experiences and includes 27 questions about profitability, production costs and challenges, research needs, marketing, and outlook.

“The insights organic farmers share help us focus programs and resources on areas that will make a difference to their bottom line,” said Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “Organic market demand is very strong, and we want to do all we can to help existing and new organic farmers capitalize on that fact.”

The U.S. organic market hit a new record high in 2018, reaching $52.5 billion in sales, up 6.3 percent from the previous year, according to the 2019 Organic Industry Survey released by the Organic Trade Association.

Certified organic farmers who did not receive a survey in the mail can contact MDA Organic Agriculture Specialist Cassie Dahl at 651-201-6134 to request a copy. Survey results will be available at the MDA’s web site later this fall.

 

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