Abstract: A comprehensive USDA study of organic farming inthe U.S., Japan, and Europe is focused on the rationales for choosing this method, the sociopolitical influences,technology and management systems, economic factors andsuccess, research and educational needs, and implementationmethods. Interest in organic farming is increasing as theadverse effects of intensive chemical farming become betterknown, such as costs and availability of energy and chemical fertilizer, decline of soil productivity, environmentalpollution, health hazards, and the decline of the familyfarm and local marketing. A few of the findings of the study are that the organic farming movement covers a widespectrum of practice and is not limited by size; ismotivated by concerns for conservation, health, and costcontrol; uses modern techniques, equipment, and managementpractices; is suited to crop-livestock interdependence; andis more labor intensive, less energy consuming, and lessprofitable than conventional farming.