Although still a relatively small part of California agriculture, organic acreage and sales have increased at annual rates exceeding 50 percent since 1986. Positive, Negative Influences Many factors are contributing to the rapid increase in organic production. Positive factors include increased consumer demand, a larger more effective marketing and distribution system, new opportunities for processing raw organic commodities, and the premiums frequently paid to growers for organic products. Additionally, growers have found many agricultural chemicals less attractive because of their effects on the environment and health, increased regulation, and removal of some of these products from the market. Certain chemicals have been less useful due to the development of pesticide resistant pest populations, pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks.
Growers also have access to more and better information about non-chemical farming.
Production practices, marketing, and regulatory requirements are different for organic farming. California law requires that any product labeled or sold as organic must meet specific requirements. In general, the law prohibits the use of synthetic materials in the production, handling or processing of organic crops. It places restrictions and prohibitions on the use of drugs, hormones, feed additives, and preservatives used in connection with organic livestock products. The California Organic Foods Act, originally enacted in 1979, was revised and expanded in 1990.