RESEARCH
Understanding Organic and Transitioning Specialty Crop Growers’ Challenges and Expanding Markets for Transitional Produce
GROWER SURVEY
CONSUMER SURVEY
FOG is researching the most pressing production and marketing issues faced by organic and transitional specialty crop producers, attempting to understand the factors most important to conventional producers in deciding whether to transition to organic management. The research will also establish an understanding of the attitudes toward organic agriculture, specifically concerning transitional agriculture and market recognitions.
FOG will engage Florida-based retailers and nationwide food processors to consider the possibilities for creating viable markets for transitional produce. FOG will also identify regulatory barriers to the successful adoption of organic production practices and farm viability.
The potential impacts of this work include:
* Growers of specialty crops in Florida could benefit from increased market opportunity for transitional produce.
* Food retailers and processors could benefit by securing relationships with Florida farmers who could initially supply transitional produce for “natural” products and who could eventually supply certified organic ingredients.
* Consumers stand to benefit from wider availability of fresh, healthy, Florida grown produce that utilizes organic production practices.
The project is funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.