New directions in ag policy?

USDA deputy secretary pick a key barometer of Obama’s policy direction 4

Whither Obama on ag policy? 

In one sense, the answer seems simple. Just go to whitehouse.gov and check out the rural agenda page. It’s no revolutionary document, but there’s some good stuff  there. It calls for more stringent limits on subsidies, stricter regulation on concentrated animal feedlot operations (CAFOs), and tighter enforcement of anti-trust and pro-competition rules for the highly consolidated meat industry.

All would be good first steps toward saner food and ag policy—and the latter two would enrage one of our nation’s most politically powerful and environmentally ruinous industries.

Intriguing policy document aside, Obama confused things last month by nominating former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as USDA chief. (Vilsack has since been confirmed by the Senate.) Some critics (including me) fretted about Vilsack’s strong support for ag-biotech and ethanol industries, and were less than impressed by his attempts to stand up to Big Meat as Iowa governor. But Vilsack also had supporters in the sustainable-food world—both well-regarded Iowa activists like Denise O’Brien and Big Organic types like Whole Foods exec Walter Robb.

They argued that Vilsack would listen to the concerns of the sustainable-food world—and, if not challenge the interests of agribusiness, at least acknowledge that other ways of food production exist and deserve support.

So the Vilsack pick doesn’t really clarify where the new president intends to go on food policy. Now we’ve reached another crossroads: the choice of deputy secretary of USDA. According to report in Congress Daily, three names are being floated: Chuck Hassebrook of the Center for Rural Affairs in Nebraska; Karen Ross of California Winegrape Growers Association and executive director of the Winegrape Growers of America; and Jim Miller, chief of staff and chief economist at the National Farmers Union.

All three represent a step up from the outgoing deputy secretary, Chuck Conner, who I once deemed Archer Daniels Midland’s Man at USDA. Two of the deputy candidates—Hassebrook and Ross—made the "sustainable dozen" list of desired USDA picks being circulated by Food Democracy Now.

From talking to sustainable-ag polic hands, by far the most inspring of the three is Hassebrook—who has a 30-year history of sticking up for small- and mid-sized farmers in the midwest, and doesn’t equate "rural development" with CAFOs and corn-processing plants.

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  1. Tom Laskawy's avatar

    Tom Laskawy Posted 12:28 am
    23 Jan 2009

    Other interesting tidbits in that articleI noticed, too, that Vilsack confirmed (without giving specifics) that he'll be conducting a review of recent USDA rules (which might include the "naturally raised" standard, GE corn for fuel, GE animal product labeling) as directed by President Obama. I also read in a Gannett article that the public comment period for the new USDA rules on more stringent requirements to qualify for ag subsides is ending on Jan. 28th.  Vilsack will have an opportunity to put his imprint on those rules immediately.
    And note that a big concern over Hassebrook is getting him through the Senate Ag Committee (remember that deputy sec'ys need Senate confirmation) - his hostility to the current subsidy regime is well-known.  Should he be nominated, we all will have an important role in reaching out to those Senators on the committee to communicate our support (crucial in that effort will be calls from voters whose home state Senators are on the Ag Committte - the list is here).

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  2. Tom Philpott's avatar

    Tom Philpott Posted 5:28 am
    23 Jan 2009

    Hassebrook and the ag committeeI'm not sure that Hassebrook would have trouble at the Senate ag committee, Tom. Seems to me that his views aren't as controversial or radical as portrayed. Payments limits? Vilsack supports them, and he skated through the committee. The Obama rural document entrenches payment limits as a policy goal. And many Midwestern senators -- with the notable exception of Kent Conrad -- have supported them (again, think Obama). True, southern cotton heads like Saxby Chambliss would freak out; but there's no reason to assume they'd carry the day.

    Victual Reality

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  3. Tom Laskawy's avatar

    Tom Laskawy Posted 6:25 am
    23 Jan 2009

    No one's on record yetSo it's hard to know.  You're probably right that he would win a majority vote in committee (which would be made easier assuming Al Franken gets Norm Coleman's spot on the committee which would give the Dems a 12-9 advantage).  But who knows if Hassebrook is perceived as crossing a line that Vilsack, who has a history of working with Big Ag, didn't.  Also I always keep in mind the fact that a single senator can hold up a piece of Senate business anonymously.  Minority or not, one GOP Senator could put the kaibosh on Hassebrook if so inspired...

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  4. BornOnANebraskaFarm Posted 7:22 am
    23 Jan 2009

    HassebrookChuck is of course a fabulous choice for Under Secretary.  He's smart, practical, understands rural issues -- in addition to agriculture -- and has negotiated things politically as a University of Nebraska regent.  What he is not is popular with many general farm organizations like Farm Bureau or even some members of National Farmers Union.  Payment limitations are needed and make sense - but they aren't a total fix for the agricultural market system where more comprehensive commodity reform is critical.  Plus, payment limitations make a lot more sense in Iowa and Nebraska (where few farmers get more than the proposed limits) and generate much less opposition there than they do in places like Arkansas, Texas and Missouri where Democrats regularly oppose them (because of their large cotton and rice farming areas).  

    Eating local makes you happy.

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