Establishing an Organic Grain Cooperative in Pennsylvania

There is an increasingly high demand for locally produced organic grains in Pennsylvania. In 2016, Pennsylvania was second in the U.S., only to California, in total organic sales, with the greatest value of production coming from broiler chickens and eggs. Farmers receive a premium for organic eggs, dairy, and meat products. However, they struggle to purchase locally produced organic feed, which is necessary to feed certified livestock.

Because of this growing interest, many conventional grain farmers are interested in stepping in to meet the demand for organic grains. Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture are supporting the transition to organic production of 250 grain and dairy producers managing 20,000 acres of grain crops through a Northeast SARE grant. Additionally, the Northeast SARE State Program is establishing a support network that will provide outreach and information about organic grain marketing and production to 150 agricultural service providers and 100 farmers in PA.

Keystone Development Center is exploring the formation an organic grain cooperative as well as examining the economic feasibility of such a cooperative. A cooperative could provide organic dairy, egg and poultry farmers a reliable source to purchase their feed; organic dairy, egg and poultry growers could meet consumer demand for products; and grain farmers would have an assured market for their production of organic grain.

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For questions about this survey, contact Keystone Development Center at admin@kdc.coop  or 717-792-2163 or visit their website.