North Dakota Organic Facts

Organic farming has been one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agriculture for over a decade. According to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), North Dakota had a total of 152 certified organic farms in 2008, which is down from a high of 176 farms in 2001, however the total number of acres farmed organically has continued to rise. As of 2008, North Dakota ranks third in the number of certified organic cropland acres.

North Dakota is by far the leader in production of oilseeds (flax & sunflowers). The state also leads the nation in production of organic oats, buckwheat and rye.

As of 2009, more than 40 companies in North Dakota are organically certified to handle and/or process organic products. These companies are diverse in size, ranging from commercial scale food processors to value-added on-farm processing plants, and in products, ranging from meat slaughter to flour milling.