ID-281: 2024 Kentucky Organic Small Grains Survey

Lauren Brzozowski, Ayla Koehler, Yoko Kusunose | May. 1, 2025 (New)

The number of organic farms and acreage doubled in Kentucky between 2016 and 2021. During that time, the number of farms grew from 100 to 207, and acreage increased from 10,255 to 20,467, according to the 2016 and 2021 USDA NASS Certified Organic Surveys. However, only 12 farms produced organic small grains, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats, in that same period. A survey by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension in 2007 reported that organic growers found growing wheat and oats organically to be “easy” or “easy to moderate” but did not identify specific areas for further research, Extension programs or education on grain crops. In this publication, we report results from a survey of current and prospective organic grain growers in Kentucky and the surrounding region to better understand the current challenges and opportunities for local organic small grain production for human food and animal feed or forage.