Good news for our food! February 25, 2009 (pulled from an online announcement from The Organic Center)
The Organic Center would like to congratulate Kathleen Merrigan on President Obama's intention to nominate her to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, the number two post in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Kathleen has served as a distinguished board member of The Organic Center over the past few years, giving generously of her time, ideas and energy. As chair of the Center's Science and Technical Advisory Council, Kathleen has helped direct The Organic Center's work with universities and research labs across the country and experts in agriculture, health and nutrition. As a result, Kathleen has assisted The Organic Center in furthering its mission to advance credible scientific research behind the health and environmental benefits of organic agriculture and products.
Kathleen's thorough knowledge of the science behind the organic benefit as well as her involvement at such a high level at USDA is sure to bode well for organic agriculture and sustainable food systems.
And it couldn't come at a better time. Research shows that organic farming can have a beneficial impact in helping to mitigate global climate change by tying up more carbon in healthy organic soils; that organic fruits and vegetables are higher in nutrients and antioxidants compared to their conventional counterparts; that the U.N. determined that organic farming can help fight world hunger and contribute to increased food security in Africa; and that dietary pesticide exposure can have significant adverse effects on children's health.
The Organic Center wishes Kathleen well in her nomination as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. She is sure to help build awareness of and interest in organic food and farming on a national level.
About The Organic Center
The Organic Center, based in Boulder, CO, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 to generate and advance credible, peer-reviewed scientific research and information on the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming – and to communicate those benefits to the public through education, resources and information. By doing so, it helps promote the conversion of farmland to organic methods, improve public health, and work to restore our natural world through more sustainable and ecological practices. All of The Organic Center's research reports and publications are available for free download at http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=101723513&sid=5983605&m=673953&u=ORGANIC&s=http://www.organic-center.org/. Individuals can also sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter, The Scoop. Additionally, consumers can download a free pocket guide, Organic Essentials, and access our educational video on our home page. For information about The Organic Center, its current programs and scientific reports please visit http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=101723513&sid=5983606&m=673953&u=ORGANIC&s=http://www.organic-center.org/ or call 303.499.1840.
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