Continuing a trend of double digit growth, USDA reported there are now 21,781 certified organic operations in the US and about 31,160 around the world.

“Organic food is one of the fasting growing segments of American agriculture," says Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary. “As consumer demand for organic products continues to grow, the USDA organic seal has become a leading global standard. The increasing number of organic operations shows that USDA's strong support for the vibrant organic sector is helping to create jobs and opportunities in rural communities.”

According to data released by the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), the number of domestic certified organic operations increased by almost 12 percent between 2014 and 2015, representing the highest growth rate since 2008 and an increase of nearly 300 percent since the count began in 2002. The total retail market for organic products is now valued at more than $39 billion in the United States and over $75 billion worldwide. Along with consumer demand for organics, increasingly they are asking for local foods. Industry data estimates that US local food sales totaled at least $12 billion in 2014, up from $5 billion in 2008.