Engaging the Organic Conventionalization Debate - Re-Thinking Organic Food and Farming in a Changing World - page 169

Table 9.3 Texas producer characteristics by orientation toward organics (percent)

Pragmatic
conventional (n Conventional (n D 463) D 334) Organic (n D 100)

Years of farming*
Less than 5 years

2.8 4.8 9.3

5-10 years 8.5 11.3 16.5

11-20 years 19.2 20.2 18.6

More than 20 years 69.5 63.7 55.6

Annual gross sales**
Less than $50,000 46.0 42.4 68.7

$50,000 to $99,999 14.2 13.4 12.5

$100,000 to $499,999 25.5 31.8 11.5

$500,000 or more 14.3 12.4 7.3

Expected operation change within next 3 years**
Expanding 18.0 33.2 26.7

Decreasing or closing 18.9 12.8 20.9

No changes expected 63.1 54.0 52.3

Satisfaction with current farming system**
Satisfied 87.5 54.7 63.8

Neutral 5.9 21.4 23.4

Not satisfied 6.6 23.9 12.8

Increase in revenue facilitate adoption**
Facilitate 26.5 80.6 46.2
Not facilitate 70.3 9.3 29.7
Not necessary 3.2 10.2 24.2
Note: P values report significance levels for Chi-square test of producers' characteristics by their
orientation toward organics: *p

< 0.05; **p < 0.01

markets are reliable, that the necessary information is available, and that lenders
support organics. Finally, it is interesting to note that all three groups reports very
low levels of understanding of organic certification.
In summary, the research on Pragmatic Conventionals in Texas reveals that they
tend to be larger producers who are unhappy with their current farming situation,
interested in expanding, and that an increase in revenue would support organic
adoption. While the majority of Pragmatic Conventionals present philosophical
support for organics, their reported levels of uncertainty and concerns about organic
production, marketing, information, and certification highlights significant barriers
to adoption. Overall, Pragmatic Conventionals in Texas report that an increase
in revenue would support adoption, especially if their concerns about financial
viability and economic risks of transition were addressed. The changes in US
organic policies included in the 2008 Farm Bill appear to be designed to ameliorate
these uncertainties.