The recently completed Organic Needs Assessment Report from the University of Minnesota (UMN) provides valuable insight into the experiences, priorities, and challenges facing organic farmers and agricultural professionals across the region. The project was led by Claire LaCanne, UMN Extension Educator in Crops, and Kristina Cibuzar, UMN Evaluation Specialist in Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems. Together, they gathered feedback from organic producers, transitioning farmers, and agricultural service providers to better understand current needs related to production, markets, education, technical assistance, and policy support.
Findings from the report highlight strong interest in regionally adapted research, farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities, improved access to organic markets and infrastructure, and increased technical support for both transitioning and established organic operations. Respondents also emphasized the importance of soil health, climate resilience, diversified cropping systems, and accessible educational programming tailored to organic production systems.
The report will help guide future research, Extension programming, and collaborative efforts to strengthen organic agriculture throughout Minnesota and the broader Upper Midwest. By identifying key opportunities and barriers, the assessment provides a roadmap for researchers, educators, and organizations working to support a more resilient and farmer-informed organic agricultural system.
You can read the full report here: Organic Needs Assessment Report
