SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) has reported the number of operations it's certified has surpassed the 2,000 mark, with 199 new operations certified in 2008, contributing to the agency's 11-percent growth. CCOF now certifies farmers, processors, handlers, retailers and private labelers in 35 states and four countries.
Good news for the organic industry included a growth in organic acreage of 14.3 percent, based on an increase from 488,340 acres in 2007 to 558,137 acres in 2008. Along with this trend of converting more and more acres to organic production, there is a growing number of small- to medium-sized growers expanding their operations to include post-harvest activities—storage, packaging and handling—adding value to their organic production. As a result, more than 30 percent of CCOF members handle produce in some manner, representing an increase in the grower/handler category of certification by 33.8 percent.
Of the crops seeing more acreage, berries top the list, with several vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and garlic following close behind. In fact, total organic vegetable acreage increased 46.3 percent to 29,365 acres, while organic fruit acreage increased 43 percent.
In addition to the fruit and veggie gains, organic wine and tea production saw expansion, with 28 new operations certified by CCOF in 2008, a 61-percent growth to a total of 45 operations. The number of certified tea producers, including herbal tea processors, also increased, reaching 29 operations in 2008 from 20, a 44-percent growth rate.