Beginning Sunday, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and Tilth Producers of Washington will celebrate Washington Organic Week to raise awareness about the important role organic farmers and ranchers fill in our state’s agriculture community and encourage consumers to try organic foods at home.

Gov. Jay Inslee has also issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 7 – 13 as Washington Organic Week, noting that the amount of certified organic farmland in Washington has doubled in the past decade to more than 90,000 acres today.

Organically grown products —from forage to dairy products and tree fruit to vegetables—represent a significant sector in Washington’s $49 billion food and agriculture industry, accounting for about 4 percent of all food sales. Washington ranks second in the U.S. with sales of organic products totaling $291 million in 2012.

“I would encourage everyone to help us celebrate Washington Organic Week by trying some local, Washington organic products for themselves,” WSDA Director Bud Hover said. “With more than 700 organic-certified farms spread out across nearly every county of our state, supporting organic products in many cases means you’re also supporting a local farmer.”

Tilth Producers of Washington is asking consumers to pledge to eat organic for Washington Organic Week. The group is also planning a series of events to celebrate the week, including an organic beer, cider and chocolate tasting night in Seattle on Sept. 10. Visit www.tilthproducers.org for information on these and other events.

WSDA’s Organic Food Program recently celebrated its 25th year. The program is supported by fees from the organic industry and certifies 1,100 organic growers, handlers and processors of organic products around the state. The program also registers 750 products for use in organic production. WSDA’s program is the longest-running and largest state certification agency in the country.