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Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Letter to Obama: Top 6 Sustainable Picks for Secretary of Ag

December 08, 2008
By: Chris Stevens

This week, 88 prominent figures in sustainable food and agriculture signed a letter to the Obama transition team entitled “the sustainable choice for the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.” This letter offered up the top 6 picks for the new (and sustainable!) Secretary of Agriculture including Gus Schumacher (MA), Chuck Hasselbrook (NE), Sarah Vogel (ND, Fred Kirschenmann (IA/NY and 2008 CLF guest speaker!), Mark Ritchie (MN), and Neil Hamilton (IA).

The letter emphasizes the need for innovation as the new Ag Secretary must “…work to advance a new era of sustainability in agriculture, humane husbandry, food and renewable energy production that revitalizes our nation’s soil, air and water while stimulating opportunities for new farmers to return to the land.” The letter also emphasizes linking local farmers with school lunch programs to promote healthier options. Check out the NYT report and CLF’s school food initiatives.

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