Midwest Organic Value Chain Summit-2027

The State of Wisconsin’s Organic Market 2026 Report examines Wisconsin’s organic market across production, processing, value-added products, agricultural inputs, retail, distribution, and industry governance. The report identifies sector opportunities and presents recommendations to strengthen and grow Wisconsin’s organic industry.

Download this four-page guide to unlock more regional production of high-demand organic crops, reduce dependence on imports, and build more resilient U.S. supply chains rooted in local identity.

Explore the full Farmer Toolkit for the Midwest Region to access region-specific tools that support organic market development, supply chain resilience, and long-term farm viability.

Explore the full National Farmer Buyer’s Landscape Toolkit to access tools that support national organic market development, supply chain resilience, and long-term farm viability.

This paper is the national companion to A Farmer’s Toolkit, a set of market-development resources built to help U.S. growers understand and act on the demand for certified organic food. Where the toolkit’s slide decks present the landscape at a glance, this document provides additional information and details in a narrative format, in order to give farmers, technical-assistance providers, and partner organizations the context, the numbers, and the reasoning behind where the organic opportunity is heading as the decade reaches its midpoint.

Organic farming isn’t just better for soil–it’s better for the bottom line. Our new Economics of Organic report breaks down the financial data, case studies, and funding pathways that prove transitioning to organic is a smart economic decision for America’s farmers.

The Organic Trade Association’s 2026 Organic Market Report reveals another year of strong momentum for the organic sector, with consumer demand fueling growth across categories and organic outpacing the overall marketplace the third year in a row. In 2025, U.S. organic sales reached $76.6 billion, marking a 6.8% increase from the previous year and double the growth rate of the comparable marketplace.

This strategy document outlines a collaborative framework to strengthen Value Chain Coordination (VCC) across the region, enabling farmers, businesses, and communities to thrive in a more equitable and resilient food system. 

Illinois has a sizable and growth-oriented organic sector: 810 certified organic operations managing 150,154 certified organic acres as of July 1, 2025. Corn, soybeans, and eggs are the state’s leading organic commodities, and 41% of Illinois organic farms expect to increase production within five years.

Minnesota ranked 10th nationally in 2025, with 881 certified organic operations and 217,315 certified organic acres. Its largest organic commodities are milk, corn, and soybeans, making the state especially significant for organic dairy and row-crop supply chain.

Wisconsin is a leading U.S. organic agriculture state: it ranked 4th nationally for organic operations in 2025, with 1,608 operations, and 10th for certified organic acreage, with 241,080 acres. Dairy is especially important—Wisconsin ranks 6th nationally in both organic milk and organic eggs by farmgate sales.

Minnesota is a major Midwest organic producer, ranking 10th nationally with 852 certified operations and 217,315 organic acres; its dairy co-ops, organic feed crops, and $16.5 million in research and extension funding create a strong base for growth. Key opportunities include expanding organic grain production to ease the national feed shortage, strengthening organic dairy, and increasing vegetable supply for the Twin Cities through food-hub and immigrant-farmer partnerships. Primary challenges are GMO and herbicide drift, difficult transition economics for dairy farms, weak small-grain price discovery, and consolidation pressure from large dairies; extensive support is available through farmer organizations, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, UMN Extension/MISA, and Midwest TOPP

Illinois is a high-leverage organic grain conversion state, ranking 11th nationally with 843 certified operations and 150,154 certified acres, supported by productive corn-soy farmland, experienced producers, and national-scale transportation and processing networks. Expanding organic corn and soy production, food-grade grain aggregation and processing, and specialty-crop supply near Chicago could reduce reliance on imports and serve institutional markets. Key barriers include GMO contamination risk, high cash rents, limited organic-grain infrastructure, and insufficient dedicated technical assistance, although the Illinois Department of Agriculture, U of I Extension, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, and The Land Connection provide important financing, training, mentorship, advocacy, and market-development support.

Wisconsin is the Midwest’s leading organic dairy state and ranks fourth nationally, with 1,617 certified organic operations, 241,080 certified acres, and $335 million in organic sales. Opportunities include expanding in-state organic feed-grain production, building vegetable and specialty-crop supply chains for urban and institutional buyers, and diversifying farm revenue through organic ginseng and other high-value crops. Dairy price volatility, processor consolidation, expensive organic feed, and short growing seasons remain important constraints, while DATCP, UW Extension, and Midwest TOPP provide strong statewide certification, research, mentoring, and market-development support.