Advancing Organic Agriculture in the Mid-South: Evaluating Systems and Reducing Barriers to Entry September 2021 to August 2025

The number of certified organic farms (nationally) has increased dramatically recently with a subsequent increase of organic farm related sales reaching almost $10 billion. Demand is outpacing supplies, with growth rates quadrupling those of non-organic food sectors during the last 15 years. In 2017, for example, sales of organic food reached $45 billion with significant sales of organic non-food items growing steadily as well. Retail premium prices for organic products range from about 15 to 100% above standard prices, depending on the commodity.