Vilsack Picked for Agriculture Secretary - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com

Seeded on Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:24 PM EST (The New York Times)

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama has settled on Tom Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, as his Agriculture Secretary. The announcement will be made here on Wednesday morning, according to Democrats familiar with the decision, as Mr.

politics, monsanto, agriculture

Food Democracy Now | Home

Seeded on Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:13 PM EST (fooddemocracynow.org)

At FoodDeclaration.org, over 27,750 folks have signed a petition asking Prez-elect Obama to consider a few well regarded people for the job of Sec of Agriculture.

politics, barack-obama, secretary-of-agriculture

Op-Ed Columnist - Obama's 'Secretary of Food'? - NYTimes.com

Seeded on Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:08 PM EST (The New York Times)

As Barack Obama ponders whom to pick as agriculture secretary, he should reframe the question. What he needs is actually a bold reformer in a position renamed "secretary of food."

food, politics, agriculture, barack-obama

Wired News - AP News

Seeded on Mon Dec 1, 2008 9:28 PM EST (Wired News)

KUNMING, China – Zeng Yawen's outdoor laboratory in the terraced hills of southern China is a trove of genetic potential — rice that thrives in unusually cool temperatures, high altitudes or in dry soil; rice rich in calcium, vitamins or iron.

food, politics, sustainable-agriculture, gmos

Guest column: Obama should launch a New Farmer Corps | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

Seeded on Mon Dec 1, 2008 9:27 PM EST (The Des Moines Register)

In his nomination acceptance speech, Obama said, "America, now is not the time for small plans." Here is a big plan the president could embrace: Launch a New Farmer Corps and set a 10-year goal of establishing one-half million new farms in the United States.

food, politics, sustainable-agriculture

Vilsack won't be named ag secretary | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

Seeded on Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:53 PM EST (The Des Moines Register)

Washington, D.C. – Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack today said that he won't be the next agriculture secretary, ending speculation that an Iowan would snag the post important to a large swath of the state's economy.

food, politics, barack-obama, sustainable-agriculture, secretary-of-agriculture

Tasks for Obama's ag sec: School food, subsidy cap

Seeded on Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:44 PM EST (The Washington Post)

Tasks for Obama's ag sec: School food, subsidy cap By Charles Abbott Reuters Friday, November 21, 2008; 5:47 PM

food, politics, barack-obama, sustainable-agriculture

Food Declaration | Draft Declaration

Seeded on Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:15 PM EST (fooddeclaration.org)

The movement to create a healthier food and agriculture policy in the US has been slowly and steadily gaining ground for well over a decade.

food, politics, sustainable-agriculture

Civil Eats » Blog Archive » Michael Pollan is Optimistic About Obama Administration's Food Policy Potential

Seeded on Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:13 PM EST (Civil Eats )

Hear what Michael Pollan, author of the Omnivore's Dilemma, has to say about the future of our food policy

politics, sustainable-agriculture, michael-pollan, secretary-of-agriculture

Brasher: Obama, like Bush, may be ag biotech ally | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

Seeded on Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:56 AM EST (The Des Moines Register)

But there are clues President-elect Barack Obama could be an ally of the industry, too, especially in the effort to put biotech crops into widespread use in Africa. These hints come from both statements of policy and the type of people from whom he's taking advice.

politics, barack-obama, biotech, sustainable-agriculture

Wait an Ag Sec: Getting real about who will head the USDA

Seeded on Sun Nov 23, 2008 8:07 PM EST (ethicurean)

by steph larsen The excitement of the recent election has worn off. In its place, a new horse race has emerged. The media is now obsessed with who President-Elect Obama will pick to help lead his government of change.

politics, sustainable-agriculture, secretary-of-agriculture