Organic Farming Research in the Pacific Northwest: Challenges, Opportunities, and Outlook

Organic farming has grown rapidly in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Idaho, and Washington) during the past decade. Certified organic acreage in Washington alone increased eight-fold between 1993 and 2002. Yet the 145,000 certified acres in the three states still comprise less than 1% of the total farmland base. With the growth of the organic sector has come a commensurate expansion of research, education, services, and product development for organic farmers. In this paper, we discuss the current situation, trends, and key lessons learned about organic farming research in the region.