The number of organic farmers in Minnesota continues to grow. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS), between 2000 and 2008, the number of certified organic farms in Minnesota grew by 42% to 543 operations and the number of certified organic acres grew by 88% to 154,136 acres. In May 2010, the MDA estimated there were approximately 650 certified organic farms in the state.

Despite the lackluster economy of the past several years, consumers have continued to purchase organic food and non-food items. Consumer research firms speculate that between 70 and 75% of Americans buy organic products, and that consumers from all income and ethnic groups buy organic. After dramatic average annual sales increases in the early part of this decade, organic growth has slowed, but is still outpacing that of conventional food sales. Organic now accounts for approximately 4% of all food sold in the United States.

According to the ERS, Minnesota ranks 7th in the nation in certified organic farms and 11th in certified organic acres. Minnesota consistently ranks #1 in organic soybean acres and #1 or #2 in organic corn acres. The state is in the top five for acreage of a number of other organic grain crops, #5 for broilers and turkeys, and #9 for milk cows.