Impact of COVID-19 on USDA-certified organic producers: exploring the role of sociodemographic and contextual factors

Abstract

The demand of local and organic products increased during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and farmers’ risk for transmission and infection also increased. A comprehensive picture on the effects of the pandemic on the organic farmer is not available. This was a cross-sectional survey study on the impact of COVID-19 on United States (US) certified organic producers, specifically on the challenges the pandemic imposed on the farm and the farming community. Data were collected in 2020–2021 through an electronic and paper survey. Participants included organic producers listed in the USDA Organic Integrity Database. Respondents represented producers from 40 states. The most frequently reported farm impacts were market availability (45.6%) and contact with the customer base (34.9%). The most frequently cited farming community impacts were economic hardship (44.2%), customer interaction and access (33.4%), and market availability (32.6%). Female respondents reported slightly more impacts than did male respondents (1.8 vs 1.3, p < .001). Hispanic reported more impacts on average than did non-Hispanic respondents (2.1 vs 1.4, p = .002). Differences by age and education were also found. Only a small percentage applied for and received emergency financial assistance. Results indicate that the pandemic had a multilevel impact on the workforce and on access to the market and costumers. They highlight the role of personal and contextual factors on how the producer experienced the pandemic. Also of relevance is that a high majority of participants did not pursue pandemic-specific assistance. The results of this study may inform research and policy, and interventions to protect and support organic producers in future emergencies.