CHICAGO — Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns reemphasized his commitment to increased funding for organic programs in the 2007 Farm Bill, calling the proposed budget for farm transition assistance, market data collection and cost-sharing initiatives for certification the biggest that's ever been proposed since the USDA implemented the national standards. "I just think it's fair," said Johanns, here to address members of the Organic Trade Association and attendees of its All Things Organic trade show. "American consumers have a taste of what you're doing," he said, acknowledging the organic sector is one of the fastest-growing areas of agriculture, and needs to be encouraged.
