University of Florida experts call for expansion of organic farming to meet rising demand
Published: September 23, 2025
Category: Organic News
Consumer demand currently outweighs the availability of farms growing fresh organic produce
University of Florida experts and stakeholders are inviting growers and investors to consider organic farming, as consumer demand for fresh organic produce is outpacing the availability of farms growing it.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, organic acreage makes up less than 1% of American farmland.
“There is limited commercial organic farming in South Florida, and yet there is opportunity and interest,” said Xiaoying Li, assistant professor of horticulture vegetable crops at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Li said that since most farms in the region are small scale, “many growers are already adopting organic practices, and new farmers are increasingly transitioning to organic production to meet local consumer demand.”
Faculty and organizers at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Organic Growers pointed to organics as a promising path for Florida agriculture during a program that featured experts and educators, highlighting the growth in the organic sector.
The panelists, including South Florida organic growers of yuca, tomatoes, sweet peppers, mushrooms, turmeric, and tropical fruits, addressed the challenges of organic farming and offered practical tips to keep production steady and sustainable.
Li said the increasing interest in organic practices isn’t just positive news for growers and new farmers who are considering “joining the organic movement and strengthening sustainable agriculture in South Florida,” but “it’s also great news for Florida’s economic potential.”
Source: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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