Supply and Market Analysis for Organic Producers in the Four Corners States

View the project final report

• 2005 annual report

Commodities

Practices

• Education and Training: extension
• Farm Business Management: market study

Certified organic producers in the Four Corners States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah want to be part of healthy food enterprises that benefit local (within the respective state) and regional (including neighboring states) economies. The project provides a better understanding of the opportunities for and barriers to a larger, more vibrant organic food market in the Four Corners States. Understanding the organic market, including the demand for and supply of organic products in the Four Corners States, was accomplished through a four-stage research program consisting of: a comprehensive literature search; a survey of the certified organic producers for 2005 from the Four Corners States; a series of interviews with experts in the four states; and three carefully-selected case studies of notable businesses.

Project Objectives
The project had the following three objectives:
Objective 1: To better understand current and potential future regional organic markets through a comprehensive market supply analysis.
Objective 2: To identify specific market opportunities for organic and “organic-interested” producers in the Four Corners States and develop solutions to overcome barriers that exist in their markets.
Objective 3: To communicate findings to organic and organic-interested producers,and to extension agents, industry members, and non-profit organizations