New York ranks third in the nation in the number of certified organic farms with sales of organic farm products rising 56 percent statewide from 2008 to 2014 and another 35 percent last year.
According to a report released October 14 by the Office of the NYS Comptroller, 934 certified organic farms were operating across the state as of 2015 with 213,000 acres of land dedicated to organic farming.
“Organic farming is not a fad, but a robust sector of our economy,” NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said. “As demand soars for organic and locally-grown products, New York’s farmers are competing at a national level and preserving our agricultural landscape.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines organic production as involving food or other agricultural goods that are produced through approved methods including cultural, biological and mechanical practices that promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. Organic production includes farms and ranches as well as food production and handling facilities and is promoted by the USDA as a means to reduce erosion and pollution and improve soil health.
Steve Ammerman of the New York Farm Bureau, tells the Suburban News/Hamlin-Clarkson Herald that the $164 million in organic farm product sales in 2014 pale in comparison to the total agricultural sales in the state which, “topped $6.3 billion on more than 35,000 farms. That being said, there is double digit growth in the organic industry highlighting growing interest among both farmers and consumers,” he observes.
Organic farming allows farmers an opportunity to seek expanding markets and diversify their operations, Ammerman explains. “We are also seeing a growing interest in organic farming from beginning farmers who are wanting to have a role in the local food movement that continues to gain in popularity as well.”
The New York Farm Bureau advocates for all growers, including organic members, Ammerman says, to ensure that there is a future opportunity for growth, “and that there are programs that the organic farmers can access to help with certification, education, research and regulatory issues along with the many other issues that affect all farmers.”
The top organic agricultural product in New York is cows milk – ranked second nationally in both sales, at $93.6 million and in the number of farms, at 402, the Comptroller’s report states. New York also ranks second in the nation for the number of farms for organic beef and farms for organic hogs and pigs.
Crops constituted 60 percent of all organic sales across the country. In New York, organic crop sales were $52.7 million with vegetables and melons the largest sellers followed by strawberries, maple syrup, blueberries and apples.
Ammerman says he believes there is growth in organic farming across the state, but, “especially in areas that are closer to customers in more urban markets.”
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York has an organic and local farm directory on its website – www.nofany.org/. They list several local farms as NOFA-NY Certified Organic, including: Growing Family Farms on Peck Road in Spencerport; VerWulst Tomatoes on Clarkson Parma Townline Road in Hilton; Frasers Garlic Farm on Johnson Road in Churchville; John B. Martin & Sons Farms on Redman Road in Brockport; and Gardner’s Farm Market on Howard Road in Holley.
