Sustainable Ag at USDA, Please!

The Obama Administration will be appointing a lot of positions at the US Dept. of Agriculture, and this creates a great opportunity for the incoming President to make good on his pledge of change. Putting people who care about sustainable ag at the top in USDA would be a welcome change indeed.

The website below provides information on some strong candidates for key USDA posts, and has a sample letter for use in submitting your suggestions to both the Obama transition team and the NC and SC congressional delegations. Please review these candidates and considering weighing in on this highly important subject.

http://asap.sustainability.uiuc.edu/members/rebeccaroach/citizen-groups-lobby-to-shape-obamas-usda-posts/

The site has a link for submitting your letter to the Obama transition team. Contact info and/or links for Carolina Senators and Congresspeople is below.

You will find several past CFSA Sustainable Agriculture Conference keynote speakers on the list. In addition, we are aware that Jim Riddle, a frequent SAC speaker and friend to family-scale organic farmers, is a candidate for an appointed position with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees the National Organic Program.

Please take time to help our community influence these critical personnel decisions.

Thanks
Roland

PS: Although Michael Pollan’s name has been floated for the position of Secretary of Agriculture, he has said publicly that he would not accept the appointment.

Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC, 2d Dist) Rep. Mike McIntyre (NC, 7th Dist)

Phone: 202-225-4531 Phone: 202-225-2731

Fax: 202-225-5662 Fax: 202-225-5773

Ag Aide: Benjamin Bell Ag Aide: Kim
Sega

Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC)
Phone: 202-224-5972
Fax: 202-224-3808
Ag Aide: Laura Bauld

For contact info for other Members of the NC and SC Congressional Delegations, visit:

North Carolina: Senate Members
Kay Hagan, D- North Carolina, http://www.kayhagan.com/pages/contact
Burr, Richard R- North Carolina

Representatives
Butterfield, G.K., D-North Carolina, 1st
Jones, Walter B., R-North Carolina, 3rd
Price, David, D-North Carolina, 4th
Foxx, Virginia, R-North Carolina, 5th
Coble, Howard, R-North Carolina, 6th
Myrick, Sue, R-North Carolina, 9th
McHenry, Patrick T., R-North Carolina, 10th
Shuler, Heath, D-North Carolina, 11th
Watt, Mel, D-North Carolina, 12th
Miller, Brad, D-North Carolina, 13th
Larry Kissell, D-North Carolina, 8th, http://www.larrykissell.com/



South Carolina: Senate Members
DeMint Jim R- South Carolina

Representatives
Brown, Henry, R-South Carolina, 1st
Wilson, Joe, R-South Carolina, 2nd
Barrett, J.Gresham, R-South Carolina, 3rd
Inglis, Bob, R-South Carolina, 4th
Spratt, John, D-South Carolina, 5th
Clyburn, James E., D-South Carolina, 6th

Roland McReynolds, Esq
CFSA Executive Director
PO Box 448
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph: 919-542-2402
Fax: 919-542-7401
www.carolinafarmstewards.org