This is encouraging!

Bill Witt

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 1:23 PM, Peggy Murdock <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Review of Oct 21 address by Kathleen Merrigan
> Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
> ISU Memorial Union, Sun Room
>
> Ms. Merrigan was introduced by an warmly enthusiastic organic farmer, who
> told us she had asked organic farmers to bring their sleeping bags and sleep
> on the floor of her Washington apartment so they could afford to be in
> Washington to advocate for their needs.  He also related the story of a late
> night beer session during which she listened carefully to what the farmers
> had to say and at 2am told them she would change her position.  The next
> morning, she announced the change.
>
> She talked about the Know Your Farmer Know Your Food website that is being
> developed under her leadership,  It's purpose is to help farmers and
> consumers connect on a local level.  It is designed to help facilitate the
> creativity and implement the ideas of people throughout the U.S. Although it
> is still being constructed, there is a good deal of information already
> available.  You may access it at:
>
> http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/knowyourfarmer?navid=KNOWYOURFARMER
>
> If IOWA TOPICS doesn't allow the url to be posted, go to USDA and scroll
> down to the tan icon with the bright red tomato on it.
>
> Her talk was geared to students, especially young farmers.  She left a
> generous amount of time for questions, and in response to most, asked the
> questioner to give her contact information so she could connect them to
> groups that could help.
>
> In response to a question about the cost of farmland, for example, she
> mentioned that there are organizations geared to helping  prospective
> farmers connect with farmers who are on the way to retirement and have no
> children who want to carry on with their family farm.
>
> Peggy Murdock
> Ames
>
>
>
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