certified organic

Certified Organic Operations Shows Continued Growth

DanIndustry News Release, Organic

certified organicThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new data indicating the organic industry continues to grow domestically and globally, with 24,650 certified organic operations in the United States, and 37,032 around the world.

The 2016 count of U.S. certified organic farms and businesses reflects a 13 percent increase between the end of 2015 and 2016, continuing the trend of double digit growth in the organic sector. The number of certified operations has increased since the count began in 2002 and this is the highest growth rate since 2008.

Organic certification is an “opt-in” voluntary standard that is managed through a public-private partnership. The USDA accredits and oversees approximately 80 businesses and State governments that directly certify organic farms and businesses. USDA provides a number of educational resources to help organic producers access this growing market. These include interactive videos that help candidate farmers understand how to get and maintain organic certification, and fact sheets that explain the value proposition of organic certification and outline the standards in clear ways.

The complete list of certified organic farms and business is available through the Organic Integrity Database of certified operations maintained by USDA-accredited certifying agents. Launched in 2015, the database discourages fraud by providing more accurate and timely information about operations certified to use the USDA organic seal. The database also supports supply chain connections between buyers and sellers of organic goods.

Share this Post

Chad Bianco: “California Is in Crisis—And Agriculture Is Paying the Price”

July 13, 2025

California Fresh Fruit Industry Faces Crisis

July 13, 2025

Hilton Slams Solar on Farmland, Pledges Support for California Ag

July 12, 2025

David Tangipa: Defending California Farmers from Costly Policies

July 4, 2025

Morada Nut’s Jameson on Walnut Market Challenges

July 4, 2025

Water, Land, and Policy: Farmer Andrew Leimgruber Speaks Out

July 2, 2025

California Walnut Comeback: Norene’s Outlook

July 1, 2025

Jeff Bitter Warns: Wine Grape Growers Face Tough Road Ahead

June 29, 2025

Morada Produce Reports Cherry Shortage

June 29, 2025

Cunha on Immigration, Labor, Regulatory Reform

June 26, 2025

Joel Allen on Westside Farming, Family Legacy, and Football Fame

June 26, 2025

California’s Meat Industry Faces Historic Supply Crunch

June 19, 2025

“My Job Depends On Ag” Celebrates 10 Years of Grassroots Impact

June 18, 2025

Ryan Jacobsen: Defending California Agriculture

June 16, 2025

Generations of Growth: Daniel Jackson on Family Tree Farms’ Roots, Innovation, Future

June 7, 2025

California Freight Crisis Hits Farmers and Truckers Hard: A Conversation with Nick Foglio

June 5, 2025

Steve Hilton Pledges to Restore California Agriculture and Fight Regulatory Extremism

May 27, 2025

Fifth-Generation Dairy Farmer Sounds Alarm on California Ag Issues

May 26, 2025

AgNet News Hour Friday, 07-18-25

July 18, 2025

Trump Administration Ends Regional Food Business Centers Program

July 18, 2025

Beef Industry Backs USDA Farm Security Plan

July 18, 2025

U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Boosts Agriculture and Energy Exports

July 18, 2025