Mercaris Mercoterra Project

Understanding the Effect of Organic Certification on U.S. Farmland Rental Values

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The Mercaris Mercoterra Project is an exploratory initiative looking at the monetary value of certified organic field crop farms to assess whether these farm values are significantly different from comparable conventional field crop farmland in several areas of the Corn Belt and East Coast.
The Mercoterra Project findings demonstrate that there is a premium being paid for organic land in the United States. Furthermore, for those whose rent both organic and conventional land, in some cases organic land commands a higher cash rental rate than comparable conventionally farmed land. While limited, these results are promising for organic landowners, investors, and farmers. As more land in the United States is certified organic for a longer period of time, and as demand for organic products continues to grow; the value of organic land is something to watch. A first of its kind, the Mercaris Mercoterra Project is a pioneering view of the impact of organic certification on land’s market value.
Download the Mercoterra Project report and view the on-demand webinar by clicking “download now”.