US Case Studies for Organic Agricultural Development
	The organic sector evolved from scattered initiatives into a strong national movement with common goals, while maintaining strong regional organizations that provide organic advocacy, education and promotion and build the capacity of the organic sector. The organic sector was born in the 1940s with pioneers like Sir Albert Howard, Paul K. Keene and J.I. Rodale and the early farmers’ organizations were initiated in the early 1970s. The early organic sector was successful because the organizations were farm-based, operated regionally, and had a strong market-orientation as well as a philosophical agenda. The food coop movement was important in the early period of the distribution and marketing of organic products. Organic food is today an integrated and established part of the market and no longer a niche, with a diversity of market channels. As early as the 1970s organic grains and beans were exported to Europe and then to Japan, but exports to Japan significantly declined because of the Japanese organic regulation. Canada is still a strong export market. The early organizations developed standards and certification. In the early 1980s, at the urging of the organic farmer organizations, several states began to regulate the organic label. During the 1990s a national law was elaborated and the National Organic Program (NOP) was implemented in 2002. The common USDA Organic label is known by 60% of the population. The NOP is considered by the government as a labeling and marketing regulation, not an endorsement of organic farming. Because there has not been extensive government support either in policies or funding, the organic sector has remained market-driven. Certified organic farmland in 2003 accounted for 0.9 million ha, about 0.2% of total farmland. The variety of crops that are grown organically reflects the conventional agriculture sector, along with rapid expansion in livestock production. (Author: Katherine DiMatteo) Further reading on Early Organic Sector Development In the US: Case Study Overview Organic Agricultural Conditions Early Organic Agricultural Development Organic Market Development Regulatory Framework and Policy Supporting Structures and Lessons Learned (Adapted From IFOAM, Building Sustainable Organic Sectors) IFOAM is constantly updating the information on this website. Comments or suggestions contact the Platform Coordinator Back to the Growing Organic main page
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