National Organic Coalition: Why Are We Losing Organic Farms?

Across the country, the number of certified organic operations has begun to shift in ways that warrant closer attention. While new operations continue to enter organic each year, the sector has experienced a net loss of certified operations within the crops and livestock scopes over the past several years. Understanding these dynamics is essential for supporting farm viability and strengthening organic food and farm systems.

Join us on Zoom Friday, Jan. 16 from 2 to 4:30 pm ET to explore what’s driving these losses, where the gaps in understanding remain, and how we can work together to reverse the trend.

This session will take a data-focused look at national trends using the Organic Integrity Database (OID) and certifier-reported information to help answer key questions: Who is exiting organic certification? Where are these changes occurring? What types of operations appear most affected? Presenters will share the latest available data, highlight what we know, and identify the gaps in information that limit our understanding of why these shifts are occurring.

We’ll also discuss how the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) can help strengthen farm viability and what additional policy levers may be needed to support farmers and protect organic integrity.