USDA Launches 2025 Organic Farm Survey: NASS Data Collection

The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2025 Organic Survey, a comprehensive study mailing questionnaires to approximately 19,000 organic farms and ranches by February 5, 2026, to gather critical data on production, marketing, income, and expenses in the organic sector. This mandatory survey, part of the Census of Agriculture program, provides the only source of national, state, and county-level statistics on certified organic commodities, practices, and economic performance, informing policy, research, and business decisions. Respondents will report on acreage, yield, value of sales, production costs, and marketing channels for crops like vegetables, fruits, grains, and forages, as well as livestock such as dairy, beef, poultry, and hogs under organic management. The survey captures trends in sustainable practices, including pest management without synthetics, soil-building rotations, and animal welfare standards, highlighting the sector's growth from $62 billion in sales in 2022. Data will reveal regional variations, such as California's dominance in organics versus Midwest grain focus, and economic impacts like premium pricing offsetting higher labor costs. Completion is required by law, with confidentiality assured, and online or paper options available; non-response follow-ups ensure high accuracy. Results, expected in late 2026, will benchmark progress toward sustainable agriculture goals, support organic certification programs, and guide investments in infrastructure like processing facilities. Amid rising demand for organics, the survey addresses challenges like supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and transition barriers for conventional farmers. It also tracks integration with regenerative methods, such as cover crops and composting, which overlap with organic principles. Economically, it quantifies contributions to rural jobs and exports, with organics representing 1% of U.S. farmland but outsized value. This quinquennial effort, last conducted in 2020, equips stakeholders with evidence for expanding eco-friendly farming, policy reforms, and market development, underscoring organics' role in diversifying agriculture and mitigating environmental degradation.