Amidst a national shortfall in organic farmland, University of Florida experts highlight the potential for South Florida growers to meet rising consumer demand and boost the state’s agricultural economy.
A significant gap exists between what American consumers want and what U.S. farms can provide when it comes to organic fresh fruits and vegetables. While consumer demand for these products is surging, certified organic acreage in the United States remains at less than 1% of total American farmland, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In response to this imbalance, experts from the University of Florida (UF) are calling on growers and investors to take a fresh look at organic farming, particularly in South Florida.
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“There is limited commercial organic farming in South Florida, and yet there is opportunity and interest,” said Xiaoying Li, an assistant professor of horticulture vegetable crops at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Li noted that many small-scale farms in the region are already adopting organic practices and new farmers are increasingly transitioning to organic production to meet local demand.
This call to action comes on the heels of a recently sold-out workshop hosted by UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Organic Growers. The event brought together experts, educators, and local growers to explore the opportunities and challenges within this fast-growing sector, presenting organic farming as a promising path for Florida’s agricultural future.
The workshop, which featured a range of experts, provided practical tools and science-based strategies tailored to South Florida’s unique conditions.
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Topics included:
- Resources available to farmers pursuing certification, presented by Juan Carlos Rodriguez of the Florida Organic Growers.
- Support services for vegetable and tropical fruit producers, outlined by UF/IFAS Extension agents Qingren Wang and Jeff Wasielewski.
- Management strategies for organic fruit production, discussed by Jonathan Crane, UF/IFAS TREC associate director and tropical fruit specialist.
- The role of cover crops in improving soil health and managing weeds, highlighted by Xiaoying Li.
- Non-insecticidal approaches to managing vegetable pests, presented by entomologist Dakshina ‘Dex’ Seal.
A panel of four successful South Florida organic growers offered firsthand accounts of the creativity and persistence required to thrive in the industry. The growers, who cultivate everything from yuca and tomatoes to mushrooms and tropical fruits, shared both their challenges and innovative solutions. They discussed overcoming obstacles like iguanas and weeds while also highlighting the benefits of practices such as using vermicompost teas, implementing succession planting, and maintaining diverse crop rotations.
Panelists included Margie Pikarsky of Bee Haven Farm, who addressed pest and disease management through organic methods; Peter Fedele of Lion Farms | Organic Gourmet Mushrooms, who explained his use of vermicompost to attract beneficial insects; Colleen Swingle of Regenerative Paradise Farms, who detailed her crop planning for a variety of quick-cut greens; and Marc Ellenby of LNB Grovestand, who stressed the importance of soil health and new breakthroughs in organic crop protection.
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“The success of this workshop reflects the growing interest in organic practices and offers valuable momentum for farmers seeking to transition or expand into organic production,” said Li. “This is great news for growers and new farmers who are interested in joining the organic movement and strengthening sustainable agriculture in South Florida. It is also great news for Florida’s economic potential.”
The event underscored that while the path to organic certification and production presents challenges, the significant and unmet consumer demand represents a substantial economic opportunity for Florida’s agricultural sector.
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