Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Survey of Iowa organic farmers on the impact of the National Organic Program

Project ID: 2003-P08

Abstract

More than 400 Iowa organic farmers were asked how the implementation of the USDA-National Organic Program (NOP) rules in 2002 has affected their farming operations.

Key Question: Has the NOP helped Iowa farmers?

Findings: Yes, there have been many benefits of a national certification program: level playing field for all inputs, a more uniform system for marketing, and a national community of organic farmers has developed.

Lead investigator: Kathleen Delate, ISU Agronomy and Horticulture, et al

Year of grant completion: 2006

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Policy Initiative.

Topics: Organic production practices and comparisons, Policy