USA: 19 million $ for organic research, education and extension grants

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has announced that more than 19 million $ in grants have been awarded to universities across the country to solve critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects. "Organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing segments of  agriculture in the USA and USDA and Congress, through the 2008 Farm Bill, are committed to helping this industry succeed by addressing critical organic agriculture issues through the integration of research, education and extension projects," Ms Merrigan said. "These grants are an important part of USDA's new "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, which will help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity by assisting organic producers with new production and marketing practices to meet rising consumer demand."

Launched in September 2009, the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" includes such major agricultural topics as supporting local farmers and community food groups; strengthening rural communities; enhancing direct marketing and farmers' promotion programs; promoting healthy eating; protecting natural resources; and helping schools connect with locally grown foods. Producers in the USA are turning to certified organic farming systems as a potential way to lower input costs, decrease reliance on non-renewable resources, capture high-value markets and premium prices and boost farm income.
 
Research at USDA increasingly focuses on the science that supports development of sustainable practices in agriculture and forestry, including organic farming, to both reduce negative impacts on the environment and keep farmers in the USA competitive. Since the late 1990's, organic production in the USA has more than doubled, but the consumer market has grown even faster. Organic food sales have more than quintupled, increasing from 3.6 billion $ in 1997 to 24.6 billion $ in 2008. More than two-thirds of consumers in the USA buy organic products at least occasionally, and 28 % buy organic products weekly.

USDA