ST. PAUL, Minn. The amount of Minnesota farmland dedicated to organic production increased more than 50 percent since 2000, according to a new Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) report on the state’s organic farming sector. The MDA report also shows Minnesota leads the nation in organic corn and soybean production, and remains in the top 10 for organic production of other grains, dairy and beef cattle.

According to the report, Minnesota had more than 525 certified organic farms in 2006. Certified organic acreage grew 57 percent from 2000 to 2005, to slightly more than 129,000 acres. The complete report, titled The Status of Organic Farming in Minnesota; a Report to the Legislature , can be viewed on the MDA website

Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson said the continued growth of Minnesota ’s organic agriculture sector is driven by the popularity of organic products. “The ability to give consumers what they want is vital in today’s agriculture economy, and Minnesota ’s success with organic production shows we have that ability,” Commissioner Hugoson said. “Strong consumer interest is driving demand for organic farm products and ingredients, and we expect continued growth in this area.” Read the entire MDA newsrelease on the MDA website.

The St. Paul Garden Club Award for outstanding achievement in community vegetable gardening was given to the U of M’s Cornercopia Student Organic Farm on Saturday. This award is given to a group that is developing, sponsoring and perpetuating vegetable gardens that are educational, sustainable and provide opportunities for community members to grow fresh produce. Cornercopia Student Organic Farm is a student program of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture with faculty support from the departments of Agronomy & Plant Genetics and Horticultural Science. The student organic farm is currently in its third season transitioning its one and a half acre site on the St. Paul campus to meet USDA Organic Certification. Since the Student Organic Farm started in 2004, it has attracted students from over 25 different majors throughout the University. Currently there are 13 students enrolled in the student organic farm planning, growing and marketing course for spring semester. You can follow the students’ progress through the season on the Student Organic Farm website.

For more information on the Cornercopia Student Organic Farm contact Courtney Tchida 612-625-2738 .

Pictured: Clare Lane (Senior History Major), Paul Porter (Agronomy & Plant Genetics Professor), Ellie Bruner (St. Paul Garden Club), Courtney Tchida (Student Program Coordinator for the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture), Bud Markhart (Horticultural Science Professor) and Megan Mathey (Freshman Environmental Horticulture Major).