<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for With the food world’s eyes on farm policy, is the real action at Treasury?]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by rlibby http://www.grist.org/article/more-thoughts-on-usda-and-obama/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:23:42 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/more-thoughts-on-usda-and-obama/1 We have to work at both levels

The selection of a Secretary of Agriculture is just the start of a long discussion.  All of us working towards a more local, more organic food system have to continue to articulate this as our basic goal, at all levels of the policy discussion. If enough people do, it will influence what happens at USDA, and in Congress.  That means we need lots of local successes, but we also have to turn them into examples and use them in the policy debates.

We need powerful local examples to create successes at the State level.  If enough states are pushing policy changes, it will influence Congress, and the Secretary of Agriculture.  A new administration gives us room to push for new directions--it's up to all of us to do the work.

This week, when so many are both thinking about the food we are eating, and aware of the challenges ahead, is the perfect time to continue pushing the discussions forward.

Thanks, Tom, for your continued observations on how the pieces fit together.

]]> We have to work at both levels

The selection of a Secretary of Agriculture is just the start of a long discussion.  All of us working towards a more local, more organic food system have to continue to articulate this as our basic goal, at all levels of the policy discussion. If enough people do, it will influence what happens at USDA, and in Congress.  That means we need lots of local successes, but we also have to turn them into examples and use them in the policy debates.

We need powerful local examples to create successes at the State level.  If enough states are pushing policy changes, it will influence Congress, and the Secretary of Agriculture.  A new administration gives us room to push for new directions--it's up to all of us to do the work.

This week, when so many are both thinking about the food we are eating, and aware of the challenges ahead, is the perfect time to continue pushing the discussions forward.

Thanks, Tom, for your continued observations on how the pieces fit together.

]]> Comment #2 by marcbrazeau http://www.grist.org/article/more-thoughts-on-usda-and-obama/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:11:53 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/more-thoughts-on-usda-and-obama/2 I could see Obama splitting his cabinet.

If I was Obama, I would have made similar experience based choices related to the economy and foreign policy.  There just isn't any time for a learning curve.  

But for HUD, Ag, Education, EPA, Transportation, Interior, Veteran's Affairs, etc there real room bring in real fresh blood.  Max Cleland at Vets.  Earl Blumenaur at Trans. Bonior at Labor. Dan Reicher at Energy

The problem for Sec of Ag is that I don't see any clear choices from the organic/sustainability movement.   I see long lists of unacceptable candidates, but I don't see people on our lists that have major administrative experience or hands on political experience.   We have farmers, people running small advocacy non-profits and academics.  I just don't see a candidate to rally behind.   John Ikerd might be a good pick, no ones going to be saying "I can't believe they passed over Ikerd" when they make their pick.

Pollan and Hightower can't be considered serious picks.  So who should it be?

Harkin seems pretty good on the issues but I'd rather have him where he is.  Maybe Harkin's chief of staff Brian Ahlberg?  

]]> I could see Obama splitting his cabinet.

If I was Obama, I would have made similar experience based choices related to the economy and foreign policy.  There just isn't any time for a learning curve.  

But for HUD, Ag, Education, EPA, Transportation, Interior, Veteran's Affairs, etc there real room bring in real fresh blood.  Max Cleland at Vets.  Earl Blumenaur at Trans. Bonior at Labor. Dan Reicher at Energy

The problem for Sec of Ag is that I don't see any clear choices from the organic/sustainability movement.   I see long lists of unacceptable candidates, but I don't see people on our lists that have major administrative experience or hands on political experience.   We have farmers, people running small advocacy non-profits and academics.  I just don't see a candidate to rally behind.   John Ikerd might be a good pick, no ones going to be saying "I can't believe they passed over Ikerd" when they make their pick.

Pollan and Hightower can't be considered serious picks.  So who should it be?

Harkin seems pretty good on the issues but I'd rather have him where he is.  Maybe Harkin's chief of staff Brian Ahlberg?  

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