Organic Food Is Popular, But US Farmers Still Unsure
2022-10-03
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1Demand for organic produce has increased so fast that it has grown faster than the supply in the United States.
2The challenge for U.S. farmers is not getting buyers to pay higher prices; it is getting enough farmers to grow organic products.
3Instead of growing to meet the demand, the number of farmers starting to grow organic crops is dropping.
4Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it would spend up to $300 million to help more farmers make the change.
5Chris Schreiner is executive director of the organic-approving organization Oregon Tilth.
6He said about the government support, "It feels good."
7He added that it is an important step in this work.
8Schreiner has worked at the Oregon-based organization since 1998.
9He said expanding technical training is important because of the difference between farming land with usual, or conventional methods, and organic ones.
10Schreiner noted that one farmer told him that changing a farm to organic production was like asking "a foot doctor to become a heart surgeon."
11The important difference is the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and genetically changed seeds.
12Most conventional farms use those materials, but they are banned on organic farms.
13Instead, organic farmers must control unwanted plants and animals with different methods.
14They include seasonally changing crops and planting cover crops that push out unwanted plants and add nutrients to the soil.
15Crops can only be called organic if they are grown on land that has not been treated with synthetic products for three years.
16During that period, farmers can grow crops, but they do not get the extra income that comes with organic crops.
17Data from the USDA shows the number of conventional farms newly changing to organic production dropped by about 70 percent from 2008 to 2019.
18Organic produce makes up about six percent of overall food sales, but only one percent of the country's farmland is in organic production.
19Foreign producers make up the rest.
20Megan DeBates is vice president of government affairs for the Organic Trade Association.
21She said in the U.S., "There are so many barriers to farmers making that leap to organic."
22While farmers do not seem ready, U.S. buyers are.
23The Organic Trade Association found yearly sales of organic products have nearly doubled in the past 10 years and now reach about $63 billion.
24Sales are predicted to increase by 5.5 percent this year.
25The new USDA effort would include $100 million toward helping farmers learn new methods for growing organic crops.
26It would include $75 million for farmers who meet new conservation standards.
27It would include $25 million to expand crop insurance programs and to reduce costs.
28And it would include $100 million to aid the development and expansion of markets for organics.
29Nick Andrews of Oregon State University works with organic farmers.
30He called the USDA effort important.
31Farmers with small farms should find this effort appealing because the added value of organic crops makes it possible to make more money from even 10 to 40 hectare farms.
32That is much smaller than the commercial operations that provide most of the country's produce.
33Andrews said, "I've seen organic farmers keep families in business who otherwise would go out of business."
34I'm Gregory Stachel.
1Demand for organic produce has increased so fast that it has grown faster than the supply in the United States. 2The challenge for U.S. farmers is not getting buyers to pay higher prices; it is getting enough farmers to grow organic products. 3Instead of growing to meet the demand, the number of farmers starting to grow organic crops is dropping. Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it would spend up to $300 million to help more farmers make the change. 4Chris Schreiner is executive director of the organic-approving organization Oregon Tilth. He said about the government support, "It feels good." He added that it is an important step in this work. 5Schreiner has worked at the Oregon-based organization since 1998. He said expanding technical training is important because of the difference between farming land with usual, or conventional methods, and organic ones. Schreiner noted that one farmer told him that changing a farm to organic production was like asking "a foot doctor to become a heart surgeon." 6The important difference is the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and genetically changed seeds. Most conventional farms use those materials, but they are banned on organic farms. Instead, organic farmers must control unwanted plants and animals with different methods. They include seasonally changing crops and planting cover crops that push out unwanted plants and add nutrients to the soil. 7Crops can only be called organic if they are grown on land that has not been treated with synthetic products for three years. During that period, farmers can grow crops, but they do not get the extra income that comes with organic crops. 8Data from the USDA shows the number of conventional farms newly changing to organic production dropped by about 70 percent from 2008 to 2019. Organic produce makes up about six percent of overall food sales, but only one percent of the country's farmland is in organic production. Foreign producers make up the rest. 9Megan DeBates is vice president of government affairs for the Organic Trade Association. She said in the U.S., "There are so many barriers to farmers making that leap to organic." 10While farmers do not seem ready, U.S. buyers are. The Organic Trade Association found yearly sales of organic products have nearly doubled in the past 10 years and now reach about $63 billion. Sales are predicted to increase by 5.5 percent this year. 11The new USDA effort would include $100 million toward helping farmers learn new methods for growing organic crops. It would include $75 million for farmers who meet new conservation standards. It would include $25 million to expand crop insurance programs and to reduce costs. And it would include $100 million to aid the development and expansion of markets for organics. 12Nick Andrews of Oregon State University works with organic farmers. He called the USDA effort important. 13Farmers with small farms should find this effort appealing because the added value of organic crops makes it possible to make more money from even 10 to 40 hectare farms. That is much smaller than the commercial operations that provide most of the country's produce. 14Andrews said, "I've seen organic farmers keep families in business who otherwise would go out of business." 15I'm Gregory Stachel. 16Scott McFetridge reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional reporting from Reuters. 17________________________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19challenge - n. a difficult task or problem 20surgeon - n. a doctor who performs operations that involve cutting into someone's body in order to repair or remove damaged or diseased parts 21synthetic - adj. made by combining different substances: not natural 22pesticide - n. a chemical that is used to kill animals or insects that damage plants or crops 23leap - n. a great and sudden change, increase, or improvement 24standard - v. a level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or desirable 25_______________________________________________________________________ 26What do you think of organic farming? 27We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 28Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.