Wisconsin Is Second In Organic Farming
February 18, 2010 Wisconsin is second in the nation in the number of organic farms, according to numbers released by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
“Farming is the heritage and the future of Wisconsin, and we’ve worked hard to strengthen and diversify agriculture across the state,” said Governor Jim Doyle. “Organic farming is one of the areas that Wisconsin is leading the way, and I am proud to support these efforts.”
According to the USDA’s survey, Wisconsin has 1,222 organic farms, the second highest in the nation, behind California. Wisconsin organic farms use 195,603 acres of land. 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.
Most Wisconsin organic producers sold their products locally, with 56% of sales occurring less than 100 miles from the farm. In Wisconsin, 7% of sales were direct to consumers via farm stands, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture, and other arrangements, while more than 75% of Wisconsin organic sales were to wholesale channels. These percentages are consistent with those seen at the national level.