Wisconsin is a top-ranked state in organic agriculture, and we lead the nation in organic dairy production. Organic production and marketing are important research areas for CIAS. In addition, we report on the status of organic agriculture in our state.

Values-Based Food Suppy Chain Case Study: Red Tomato

Red Tomato is a non-profit organization that carries out marketing and distribution functions for 40 fruit and vegetable farmers, mostly in the northeastern U.S. more

Values-Based Food Supply Chain Case Study: Good Earth Farms

Begun in 2005 by Mike and Deb Hansen in central Wisconsin, Good Earth Farms includes five operations that sell nearly all of their certified organic meat through the internet. more

Values-Based Food Supply Chain Case Study: Organic Valley

In 1988, a small group of organic vegetable growers in Wisconsin formed a cooperative to provide stable and fair prices to its members. It evolved into Organic Valley, the largest organic, farmer-owned cooperative in North America. more

Values-Based Food Supply Chain Case Study: Co-op Partners Warehouse

Co-op Partners Warehouse was established in 1999 by the Wedge Natural Foods Co-op in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This certified organic wholesale distribution warehouse serves retail stores, food service businesses and buying clubs throughout the Upper Midwest. more

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2012 Status Report

Wisconsin boasts the second largest number of organic farms in the U.S., ranks first among the states for the number of organic dairy and beef farms, and is third in the nation for organic vegetable farms. Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2012 Status Report provides a wealth of information on the opportunities and challenges facing Wisconsin’s organic farms and processors. more

Cover Crops Case Studies: JenEhr Family Farm

Wisconsin is seeing a renewed interest in planting cover crops to prevent soil erosion, retain or add nutrients, reduce pest pressures and accomplish other goals. more

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2009 Status Report

While growth in the organic industry has slowed, U.S. consumers are not giving up on organic food. Organic sales, which expanded at a rate of 20 percent per year from the early 1990s through 2007, likely experienced negative growth in 2009. But 31 percent of U.S. families bought more organic food in 2009 than in 2008. more

UW-Madison Organic Research

The following information was gathered through a search of the USDA Current Research Information System and updates from researchers. This list may not include all organic research occurring at UW-Madison. If you know of other projects we should include, or if you have any questions about organic research at UW-Madison, please contact Erin Silva at […] more