Certified Organic Production: The Experiences and Perspectives of Washington Farmers
INITIAL QUESTIONS
How would you describe your role in this farm operation?
| Role in Farm Operation | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| I am the primary decision maker on the farm | 184 | 54.1 |
| I share decision making with my spouse or domestic partner | 83 | 24.4 |
| I share decision making with one or more other relative(s) | 34 | 10.0 |
| I share decision making with one or more non-family business partner(s) | 14 | 4.1 |
| I am a hired farm manager with no ownership interest in the farm | 19 | 5.6 |
| Other * | 6 | 1.8 |
| TOTAL | 340 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 16 | ||
* “Other” responses included: non-profit director, field representative for seed company, researcher, organic production supervisor for multiple operations
How did you begin farming organically?
| Frequency | % | |
|---|---|---|
| I transitioned from “conventional” (non-organic) farming methods | 174 | 51.9 |
| I did not transition – I have always farmed organically | 138 | 41.2 |
| Other * | 23 | 6.9 |
| TOTAL | 335 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 21 | ||
* “Other” responses included: bought organic farm, rent organic farm, cropping system allowed direct certification, developed new ground, transitioned from mostly organic
Which of the following products were certified organically produced on your farm in 2007?
| Certified Organic Products | % of Respondents Growing/Raising Products |
|---|---|
| Tree fruit | 44.5 |
| Vegetables, melons, or potatoes | 36.5 |
| Small berries or grapes | 31.0 |
| Forage (hay, pasture, silage) | 23.0 |
| Herbs | 22.7 |
| Poultry or eggs | 8.3 |
| Nursery, greenhouse, or floriculture | 7.8 |
| Milk or other dairy products from cows | 7.5 |
| Grains or oilseeds | 6.9 |
| Other crops * | 6.9 |
| Cattle or calves | 6.3 |
| Dry beans or dry peas | 4.0 |
| Tree nuts | 4.0 |
| Hogs or pigs | 1.1 |
| Honey | 0.6 |
| Other animals or their products ** | 0.6 |
| Goats or their products | 0.3 |
* “Other crops” included: vegetable seeds, mushrooms, hops, garlic
** “Other animals or their products” included: rabbit wool, turkeys, manure
Which product represents the largest portion of your 2007 gross organic farm income?
| Certified Organic Products | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Tree fruit | 110 | 32.4 |
| Vegetables, melons, or potatoes | 81 | 23.9 |
| Small berries or grapes | 48 | 14.2 |
| Milk or other dairy products from cows | 23 | 6.8 |
| Forage (hay, pasture, silage) | 17 | 5.0 |
| Herbs | 14 | 4.1 |
| Other crops | 14 | 4.1 |
| Grains or oilseeds | 10 | 2.9 |
| Cattle or calves | 9 | 2.7 |
| Poultry or eggs | 9 | 2.7 |
| Nursery, greenhouse, or floriculture | 2 | 0.6 |
| Tree nuts | 1 | 0.3 |
| Hogs or pigs | 1 | 0.3 |
| TOTAL | 339 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 17 | ||
How important were each of the following factors in your decision to farm organically?
| Factors | Mean Scores on a Scale from 1 (“Not Important”) to 5 (“Very Important”) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price premiums for certified organic products | 4.07 | |
| Consumer demand for organic products | 4.06 | |
| Economic sustainability of farm | 4.05 | |
| Land stewardship / environmental sustainability | 4.04 | |
| Quality of organically grown produce | 3.85 | |
| Health of consumers | 3.81 | |
| Personal, family, or farm worker health | 3.71 | |
| Community values / quality of life | 3.65 | |
| Challenging, intellectually appealing | 3.34 | |
| Reduced dependency on large corporations | 3.24 | |
| Philosophical or spiritual reasons | 3.22 | |
| Local marketing opportunities for certified organic products | 3.18 | |
| Means of farm diversification | 2.99 | |
| Customer or buyer required organic certification | 2.98 | |
| Humane treatment of animals | 2.94 | |
| Interest in learning new production methods | 2.94 | |
| Desire to pass farm on to next generation | 2.91 | |
| Social justice / equity concerns | 2.71 | |
| Opportunities to network with other farmers | 2.65 | |
| Reduced input costs | 2.38 | |
| Overseas marketing opportunities for certified organic products | 1.81 | |
| Nonresponses ranged from 8 to 25 | ||
How many years has your farm been certified organic?
| Number of Years Certified Organic | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 53 | 16.5 |
| 1-2 years | 55 | 17.1 |
| 3-5 years | 63 | 19.6 |
| 6-9 years | 66 | 20.5 |
| 10-19 years | 70 | 21.7 |
| 20 years or more | 15 | 4.7 |
| TOTAL | 322 | 100.0 |
| Mean years certified organic = 7.2 | ||
| Nonresponses = 34 | ||