2009 Organic Excellence Award: Kathleen Merrigan
Jan 1, 2010 12:00 PM
Kathleen Merrigan is living up to her reputation of being a staunch organic advocate in her role within the USDA
Standing on the White House lawn, amid workers erecting a temporary greenhouse to protect the winter garden, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan — winner of Nutrition Business Journal's 2009 Organic Excellence Award — looked into the camera and asked a question to the American public: “Not every family needs an accountant,” she said. “Not every family needs a lawyer. But every family needs a farmer. Do you know yours?”
The question, posed in an earthy You Tube video taped in December 2009, went on to describe Merrigan's latest baby: a new multi-million dollar “Know Your Farmer; Know Your Food” initiative that aims to reinvigorate local, sustainable farming systems. Already, the program has shelled out $50 million to establish “farm-to-school tactical teams,” which will help school districts link to local farmers and buy healthy, sustainably produced school lunches. It has also spent millions to help small farmers build temporary greenhouses, called “hoop houses,” to extend their season and eliminate the need for consumers to buy imported produce.
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