The organic vegetable market is exploding due to the consumers’ knowledge and need for organically grown produce. Traditionally produced vegetables are now on a downswing due to the high demand of organically grown food. Because of this demand the organic vegetable seed industry has grown dramatically in order to fill the need. The increase in varieties and selections of vegetables in restaurants and supermarkets has also supplied the need for these organic seeds. The process of supply and demand goes right down to the small organic farm producing the organic vegetable seeds and then to the small farm that buys and grows the organic vegetables. The smaller seed companies are producing the majority of the organic vegetable seeds, but the commercial seed giants are starting to get their noses right into the fray and providing a more diverse selection of its seeds to the consumer. The FDA has now required a special certification label which must be present on the produce; therefore, the buyers are going directly to the smaller organic vegetable seed farms to be ensured they are getting the quality organic produce.

Seed Production

The commercial organic vegetable seed production in the United States largely occurs on the west coast in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California. The weather conditions in these areas of the country are ideal for high quality seed production. There is low humidity, excellent soils and warm, sunny dry climates during the summer. These good growing conditions allow for a lower incidence of disease and pest problems and there is a longer growing season. Organic vegetable seeds need longer growing seasons than the traditional vegetable seeds. The northeast and Midwest are now also into the organic vegetable seed production. This is a new area for these seed companies as they normally only produce conventional vegetable seeds. But with substantial experimentation their climates are now producing a large amount of seeds. Florida is one state that has virtually no seed production of any kind. Its climate is only conducive for a few select varieties of produce and there are currently no organic vegetable seed suppliers whatsoever in Florida.

Organic vegetable seed growers must be certified by a USDA certification agent in order to label or sell their crop as organic. Organic vegetable farms must use only organic vegetable seeds in order to become certified. They have to use organically grown vegetable seeds, annual seedlings and planting stock. Organic vegetable seeds only must be used in order to grow edible sprouts. Organically grown produce is very good for all of us to eat. It is healthier and helps to provide us with a longer life span because it lessens our chances to develop disease which is caused by the pesticides and chemicals used on conventional produce. Organic food is a way of life we should all be getting accustomed to in our everyday lives.

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