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Published on 10/28/10

UGA receives USDA organic agriculture grant

U.S. Department of Agriculture

WASHINGTON – The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recently received $45,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address energy concerns in organic farming.

“More and more farmers are adopting organic agriculture practices to produce quality food and boost farm income,” said Roger Beachy, director of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. “These research and extension projects will equip producers with the tools and resources they need to operate profitable and sustainable organic farms.”

Energy in organic farming needs further research and discussion, he said. The grant is designed to development a proposal to address energy in organic farming. Stakeholders will discuss the current state of energy as it pertains to organic farming, helping organize research questions and outreach needs.

Since the late 1990s, U.S. organic production has grown. Now, more than two-thirds of U.S. consumers buy organic products at least occasionally, and 28 percent buy organic products weekly.

Experts/Sources:
U. S. Department of Agriculture
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