Research shows organic agriculture boosts local economies
This white paper finds that organic hotspots boost median household incomes by an average of $2,000 and reduce poverty levels by an average of 1.3 percentage points.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA), Washington, D.C., released conclusive research that for the first time links economic health at the county level to organic agriculture. This study also shows that organic food and crop production–and the business activities accompanying organic agriculture–creates real and long-lasting regional economic opportunities.
The white paper, titled "U.S. Organic Hotspots and their Benefit to Local Economies," was prepared by Penn State Agricultural Economist Dr. Edward Jaenicke, and finds that organic hotspots–counties with high levels of organic agricultural activity whose neighboring counties also have high organic activity–boost median household incomes by an average of $2,000 and reduce poverty levels by an average of 1.3 percentage points.