A new survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that Minnesota ranks among the Top 10 states with the largest numbers of certified organic farms.

According to the 2008 Organic Production Survey, Minnesota’s organic sector generated $69 million in sales in 2008. Nationwide, organic sales totaled $3.16 billion.

Minnesota placed seventh with 550 organic farms, while California was first with over 2,000.

Minnesota ranked first nationally in the production of organic soybeans and in the top three in acreage of other crops such as corn, oats and barley.

The state also ranked fourth in the number of farms transitioning to organic, with 84 farms reporting land in transition.