An industry survey says the footprint of organic crop production is expanding. The study, by the organic data firm Mercaris, estimates U.S. organic crop acreage will exceed 3.4 million this marketing year, a four percent jump from last year. Total organic acreage, including pastures and rangeland, is about 8.5 million, an increase of three percent. Part of the reason behind that increase is because consumers want food with some kind of extra value, according to Ryan Koory, Director of Economics for Mercaris.

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