The National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program helps small and medium-sized farmers become certified organic producers. The program provides up to $750, which is 75 percent of the total cost of organic certification. The funding ($22 million over 5 years) was dedicated in the last Farm Bill, an investment that assisted the organic industry grow quickly, at an average rate of 20 percent per year. Last year, the sector grew by 5 percent, topping out at $26 billion in sales, according to the Organic Trade Association.

Continued financial assistance with certification will allow this sector to continue to grow. But now, funding for the program is in jeopardy. A bill introduced by Congressman Mike Conaway (R-TX), H.R. 5326, seeks the repeal of the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program.

It's important that the organic sector be supported in growing further. In a country that desperately needs more farmers, the phenomenal growth of this segment of the agricultural landscape is great news. The more small and medium-sized farms that can enter this field, the better off the health of our agricultural system will be. The continuation of the Cost-Share Program is key in making that happen.

Sign our petition in opposition to H.R. 5326, and tell Congress the organic sector needs continued support.