There was a 13% increase in the number of farms in the United States between 2015 and 2016. Approximately two million farms now operate in the country, many of which grow organic produce.
The Top States Known for Organic Agriculture Production
Many of the states from Texas to Florida to New Jersey have an impressive number of farms. Looking at the states with the largest number, California has more farms than any other state in the nation. Other states at the top of that list include New York, Wisconsin and North Dakota. The ownership of much of the farmland is mostly families that each own many thousands of acres of farmland.
The Largest Farms in California
The Emmerson family operates amongst the largest farming area in the state. They are considered the third largest in the entire nation. The family owns nearly two million acres. The acreage consists primarily of timberland which is loacted in the Pacific Northwest. Another prominent member of the CA farming industry is the Simplot family. It is reported that the family currently farms about 82,500 acres.
These and many other local farmers produce a wide range of crops. Their fruits, nuts and vegetables are distributed widely around the country. Some of the most widely known products are grapes, lettuce of all varieties, almonds, strawberries, walnuts, and oranges. The list also contains apricots, kiwi, nectarines, olives, plums, prunes, and pistachio nuts. The state is the largest distributor of almonds in the U.S. Other fresh products for which CA leads the way in production are lemons, melons, apricots, and peaches.
Why Organic Farming Differs From Conventional Farming
Conventional farmers have been helping to feed Americans for many centuries. Some consumers and farmers began to advocate for a more organic method of farming in the mid 1940s. One of the reasons was a growing concern about the agriculture industry’s use of synthetic or chemical types of fertilizers. The certified organic method of farming does not use chemical-based fertilizers on the produce. Instead, farmers rely on more natural fertilizing materials that contain compost and manure to grow their crops. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates conventional farming and organic farming procedures.