GA Senator Complains That USDA Nominee Loves Organics Too Much

by Jill Richardson · 2009-04-01 20:22:00 UTC
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The highlight of my April Fools Day came unexpectedly while watching the Senate confirmation hearings for USDA Deputy Secretary nominee, Kathleen Merrigan. Merrigan was one of the "Sustainable Dozen" advocated for by nearly 90,000 signers of the Food Democracy Now petition. But she had worked for 6 years on the staff of the Senate Ag committee (albeit long before Georgia's Saxby Chambliss came into office) and so she was treated like an old buddy by most of the Senators present as she was introduced. But then came Chambliss (R-GA), the ranking Republican on the committee. He said:

I do have some concerns that in promoting your passion for organic and sustainable agriculture that you tear down other types of agriculture and those with another point of view.

I was practically on the floor laughing. If that's his problem with her, then we picked the right girl for the job!!! Chambliss continued, quoting something Merrigan said in one of her publications. Then he said:

I would simply remind you that farmers and ranchers are the biggest environmentalists we have in America because they make their living off the land... I think it's your lack in balance that concerns me the most... There is no logic to believing that any one method of production is any better than another... [There are] as many arguments as there are FOR organic agriculture, there are just as many arguments against it... At the USDA your job isn't to focus on one type of agriculture at the expense of the others.

LOL!! If that's his problem with her, then I love her! And better yet, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) spoke up in defense of Merrigan and organics. What a fun day! You can pretty much expect to see Merrigan confirmed as the new #2 at the USDA by Friday.

Jill Richardson
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