The organic label is the most prominent food eco-label in the
United States. In 2000, USDA published national organic standards
that reflected decades of private-sector development. USDA
regulations define organic farming as an ecological production
system that fosters resource cycling, promotes ecological balance,
and conserves biodiversity. In 2005, USDA began to include targeted
oversamples of organic producers in its Agricultural Resource
Management Survey (ARMS), which collects detailed information about
farmers' production practices, as well as costs and returns in
major farm sectors. Some of the differences in practices and
characteristics of organic and conventional production systems are
apparent from survey responses by soybean, wheat, apple, and corn
producers. In general, organic acres are more likely to be owned by
the operator, enrolled in a conservation program, have planting and
harvest dates adjusted to control for pests, and use compost and
manure. This chart can be found in the ERS report, Agricultural
Resources and Environmental Indicators, 2012 Edition,
EIB-98, August 2012.