Also this month:

* Animal Science Experts Explain Antibiotic Use

* Erratic Weather Keeps Farmers Guessing

* Census of Agriculture Important, Says an NC A&T Specialist

* NC A&T School of Ag Honored with Winn-Dixie Award

* McAlpin Receives Doctorate

Other News Links:

Press Release Archive

Cooperative Extension Press Releases

Agricultural Research Press Releases

General Links:

NC A&T School of Agriculture

Agricultural Communications

Mitch Arnold, news editor

"Organic products are an increasingly viable alternative for North Carolina's small-scale farmers," says Dr. John M. O'Sullivan, a farm management and marketing specialist with the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program. O'Sullivan cites tobacco, fruit and vegetable growing, and domestic policies affecting international trade as possible areas which may be impacted by proposed organic standards.

"To be able to target this market appropriately, farmers must be aware of issues affecting organic growing, and the proposed standards are extremely important in this respect," said O'Sullivan.

In December 1997, the United States Department of Agriculture released its proposed organic standards. These standards seek to define specifications an agricultural product must meet to bear the organic label, and they are available for public review until March 16.

The proposed standards can be found in the Federal Register at some public libraries, and on the World Wide Web at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/.

"The standards, if they are accepted, will define the way organic growing is practiced," said O'Sullivan. "Farmers already targeting the organic markets should review them to see how the standards might change their practices. Farmers contemplating the organic market should be aware of what will be expected of them."

According to O'Sullivan, the market for organic products has been growing by an average of 20 percent per year for the past decade. Still, he cautions, organic products represent a very small portion of the nation's total agricultural output.

"Though the market is relatively small, organic foods are an interesting niche for small-scale farmers," said O'Sullivan. "A smaller market allows small scale farmers to incorporate their skills in intensive production management, diversification of production and local direct marketing."

O'Sullivan indicates that approximately 40 North Carolina farms are certified organic. The certifying agencies in North Carolina are the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and the Organic Crop Improvement Association.

For more information, please contact Dr. John O'Sullivan, NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program, (336) 334-7956.