FARM OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS
How many acres of farm/ranch land did you operate in 2007?
| Mean Acres | |
|---|---|
| Acres owned and operated | 262.0 |
| Acres rented (from others) and operated | 180.9 |
| Total acres operated * | 463.9 |
| Nonresponses ranged from 9 to 25 | |
* Because of missing data, total acres does not equal the sum of acres owned and acres rented.
Of the total acres of farm/ranch land that you operated in 2007, how many acres were . . .
| Mean Acres | ||
|---|---|---|
| . . . used to produce certified organic crops or livestock | 110.7 | |
| . . . in transition to certified organic | 23.1 | |
| . . . organically managed, but not certified or in transition | 92.7 | |
| . . . used to produce conventional crops or livestock | 228.4 | |
| Nonresponses ranged from 19 to 52 | ||
Which of the following business structures best describes your farm operation?
| Business Structures | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Individual or single family operation | 200 | 58.7 |
| Family partnership | 29 | 8.5 |
| Family corporation | 69 | 20.2 |
| Partnership, other than family | 10 | 2.9 |
| Corporation, other than family | 20 | 5.9 |
| Educational or research farm | 4 | 1.2 |
| Other * | 9 | 2.6 |
| TOTAL | 341 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 15 | ||
* “Other” responses included: non-profit organization, general business, co-farmer operation,
retreat center garden
How many people (including yourself) were employed in your farm’s organic operation in 2007?
| Employees | Mean Number |
|---|---|
| Family members, seasonal | 1.8 |
| Family members, year-round | 1.5 |
| Non-family, seasonal | 27.8 |
| Non-family, year-round | 5.3 |
| Nonresponses ranged from 10 to 13 | |
Did you produce any certified organic livestock products for market in 2007?
| Yes (%) | No (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Certified organic livestock products | 18.2 | 81.8 |
| Nonresponses = 15 | ||
For respondents who checked “Yes” . . .
In 2007, what percentage of the feeds and forages for your certified organic livestock did you purchase from off-farm sources?
| % of Feeds and Forages from Off-Farm Sources | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| 0-25% of feeds and forages | 18 | 29.5 |
| 26-50% of feeds and forages | 10 | 16.4 |
| 51-75% of feeds and forages | 13 | 21.3 |
| 76-100% of feeds and forages | 20 | 32.8 |
| TOTAL | 61 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 1 | ||
In 2007, what percentage of your purchased feeds and forages for your certified organic livestock did you purchase from Washington-based farm operations or suppliers?
| % of Purchased Feeds and Forages from WA-Based Suppliers | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| 0-25% of feeds and forages | 22 | 39.3 |
| 26-50% of feeds and forages | 8 | 14.3 |
| 51-75% of feeds and forages | 7 | 12.5 |
| 76-100% of feeds and forages | 15 | 26.8 |
| Does not apply – I did not purchase any feeds or forages for my certified organic livestock | 4 | 7.1 |
| TOTAL | 56 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 6 | ||
Approximately what percentage of your total household income comes from your farm operation?
| Percentage of Total Household Income | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| 0-25% of total household income | 104 | 30.7 |
| 26-50% of total household income | 55 | 16.2 |
| 51-75% of total household income | 42 | 12.4 |
| 76-100% of total household income | 138 | 40.7 |
| TOTAL | 339 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 17 | ||
Which of the following categories best represents the total farm receipts for your farm business in 2007?
| Total Farm Receipts | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $5,000 | 40 | 11.9 |
| $5,000 – $9,999 | 22 | 6.5 |
| $10,000 – $24,999 | 40 | 11.9 |
| $25,000 – $49,999 | 37 | 11.0 |
| $50,000 – $74,999 | 19 | 5.6 |
| $75,000 – $99,999 | 18 | 5.3 |
| $100,000 – $249,999 | 36 | 10.7 |
| $250,000 – $499,999 | 49 | 14.5 |
| $500,000 or more | 76 | 22.6 |
| TOTAL | 337 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 19 | ||
Are you planning to maintain your organic certification for the next five years?
| Yes (%) | No (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain organic certification | 94.2 | 5.8 |
| Nonresponses = 14 | ||
For respondents who checked “No” . . .
What is the primary reason why you plan to discontinue your organic certification?
| Reasons | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification is not necessary because my customers will continue to buy my products even if they are not certified organic | 5 | 35.7 |
| I will retire from farming | 4 | 28.6 |
| Other reasons * | 3 | 21.4 |
| Certification is too expensive | 1 | 7.1 |
| I do not receive sufficient organic price premiums | 1 | 7.1 |
| TOTAL | 14 | 100.0 |
| Nonresponses = 6 | ||
* “Other reasons” included: low demand for organic hay, NOP requirements are diluting meaning of organic, must sell WA farm
In what county is your certified organic farm located?
| County | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Yakima | 48 | 13.5 |
| Okanogan | 33 | 9.3 |
| Skagit | 27 | 7.6 |
| Chelan | 24 | 6.7 |
| Whatcom | 17 | 4.8 |
| Grant | 15 | 4.2 |
| Douglas | 14 | 3.9 |
| Thurston | 14 | 3.9 |
| Benton | 13 | 3.7 |
| Stevens | 13 | 3.7 |
| Kickitat | 11 | 3.1 |
| King | 10 | 2.8 |
| Snohomish | 10 | 2.8 |
| Lewis | 10 | 2.8 |
| Clallam | 8 | 2.2 |
| Clark | 8 | 2.2 |
| Franklin | 8 | 2.2 |
| San Juan | 8 | 2.2 |
| Two or more counties | 8 | 2.2 |
| Walla Walla | 7 | 2.0 |
| Grays Harbor | 5 | 1.4 |
| Island | 5 | 1.4 |
| Pierce | 5 | 1.4 |
| Kittitas | 4 | 1.1 |
| Spokane | 4 | 1.1 |
| Adams | 4 | 1.1 |
| Jefferson | 4 | 1.1 |
| Pacific | 3 | 0.8 |
| Wahkiakum | 3 | 0.8 |
| Whitman | 3 | 0.8 |
| Kitsap | 2 | 0.6 |
| Lincoln | 2 | 0.6 |
| Mason | 2 | 0.6 |
| Skamania | 2 | 0.6 |
| Asotin | 1 | 0.3 |
| Garfield | 1 | 0.3 |
| TOTAL | 356 | 100.0 |