Columbia, SC, July 7, 2004: Recently released information from the 2002 Census of Agriculture provides the first quantitative measure for sales of organically produced agricultural commodities. Farmers were asked to report the value of certified organically produced commodities sold from their operations in 2002. Certified organic commodities were defined as those certified by a Federal, State, or private certification agency.

In South Carolina, 174 farms sold $746,000 worth of organically produced commodities in 2002, according to the USDA NASS South Carolina Statistical Office. For those counties with a published sales value, Barnwell County was the leader with $76,000.

Nationally, 11,998 farms sold $392,813,000 worth of certified organically produced commodities. Largest organic sales were reported in California ($149.1 million), Idaho ($25.3 million), Wisconsin ($20.8 million), Washington ($20.3 million), and Texas ($15.2 million).

Organic sales accounted for .1 percent of total agricultural sales in South Carolina and .2 percent nationally.

Additional press releases concerning the 2002 Census of Agriculture will be forthcomming from Mr. Graham's office. Results for all states and the United States can be accessed online from the NASS website at www.usda.gov/nass/ by clicking on "Census of Agriculture."

For additional information call:

Robert A Graham, Director

Steve Pavlasek, Deputy Director

Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333