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Research Project: Improvement and Maintenance of Flavor, Shelf Life, Functional Characteristics, and Biochemical/Bioactive Components in Peanuts, Peanut Products and Related Commodities through Improved Handling, ...

Location: Food Science and Market Quality and Handling Research Unit

Title: Identifying interest, risks, and impressions of organic peanut production: A survey of conventional farmers in the Virginia-Carolina region

Author
item KAUFMAN, AMANDA - North Carolina State University
item JORDAN, DAVID - North Carolina State University
item REBERG-HORTON, S. CHRIS - North Carolina State University
item Dean, Lisa
item SHEW, BARBARA - North Carolina State University
item ANCO, DANIEL - Clemson University
item MEHI, HILLARY - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item TAYLOR, SALLY - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item BALOTA, MARIA - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item GOODELL, L. SUZANNE - North Carolina State University
item ALLEN, JONATHAN - North Carolina State University
item BRANDENBERG, RICK - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2020
Publication Date: 6/14/2020
Citation: Kaufman, A.A., Jordan, D.L., Reberg-Horton, S., Dean, L.L., Shew, B.B., Anco, D.J., Mehi, H., Taylor, S., Balota, M., Goodell, L., Allen, J.C., Brandenberg, R.L. 2020. Identifying interest, risks, and impressions of organic peanut production: A survey of conventional farmers in the Virginia-Carolina region. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management. 6(1):e20042. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20042.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.20042

Interpretive Summary: Eighteen percent of conventional peanut growers in the Virginia-Carolina Region of the US were interested in organic peanut production. Ninety percent of conventional peanut growers indicated that a price premium of at least twice that of conventionally-produced peanut would be needed for them to transition to organic production. Sixty-seven percent of conventional peanut growers indicated that yield of peanuts grown under organic certification would be at least 50% lower than peanuts grown using conventional practices. Challenges with disease and weed management were listed by conventional systems. The three-year transition for certifying land as organic was listed as a major hurdle to producing peanuts organically.

Technical Abstract: Production of organic agricultural commodities and certified organic cropland has been increasing and this includes peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). However for some commodities, consumer demand has not been met. Market research conduction in North Carolina and South Carolina indicated an unmet demand for over ten crops including broccoli (Brassica oleracea), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), strawberry (Frafaria x ananassa), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Peanut was included in that survey, but there is a perceived limitation in farmers' ability to supply organically produced peanut demand. This study reports results of a survey conducted among farmers in the Virginia-Carolina growing region and their perception of production of organic peanut crops.