eNEWS
November 2009 > Growers invited to take surveys on aspects of organic production
Florida Organic Growers (FOG) is inviting specialty crop growers to provide their input on organic specialty crops in a short questionnaire that will assist in better understanding important production and marketing issues faced by Florida specialty crop growers. The responses provided will help inform agricultural researchers, service providers and policy makers about the challenges faced by Florida specialty crop producers and provide insight into growers’ perceptions about organic production. This survey is part of ongoing research by FOG and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS), made possible by a Specialty Crop Block Grant. For more information about the FOG survey and project, visit www.foginfo.org/scbg, call 352-377-6345 or email fog@foginfo.org.
In addition to the FOG questionnaire, the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is conducting a survey of growers to collect feedback on the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative. For more information visit www.ofrf.org/action/ofan/091026_alert.html.
Organic Seed Alliance would also like input from growers in a brief questionnaire that will help better assess certified organic growers' attitudes and perceptions regarding organic seed and categorize obstacles that restrict their usage of organic seed. Organic Seed Alliance is a nonprofit working with organic farmers, processors, seed companies, advocacy groups and others to create a "State of Organic Seed Report" that captures a snapshot of the successes, obstacles, opportunities, and risks in organic seed systems. This report will be public, and used as a discussion document, to create an organic seed action plan Feb. 25, 2010, at the State of Organic Seed Symposium in La Crosse, Wis.
If you have any questions or concerns or are interested in attending the February symposium in Wisconsin, please contact Matthew Dillon by email at matthew@seedalliance.org or at 360.385.7192.
RESOURCES
FOG Specialty Crop Grower Questionnaire
OFRF EQIP Survey
Organic Seed Alliance Questionnaire