USDA
Every week heralds news of Obama’s cabinet nominations for his upcoming administration. Some seem somewhat positive when viewed from my conservationist perspective, however many I view with skepticism due to their past record and current stance on certain issues.
Though all nominations are equally important for various reasons, the nomination for Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA), www.usda.gov, stands out as especially important because this is the position that not only determines what we eat but how we get our food, what sort of farms we have, what sort of crops are grown on those farms, and, contrary to what you might think, protection of our natural resources and the environment(National Environmental Policy Act).
Obama has nominated Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa and 2008 presidential candidate, for the position of Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. Video and transcript of the press conference can be seen here and here (Ken Salazar is also nominated to Secretary of the Department of the Interior in this press conference).
Tom Vilsack is a democrat and, as stated earlier, former Governor of Iowa, one of the largest proponents of agribusiness, genetically modified(GM) crops(www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Fact_Sheets/Food_and…/PIFB_Genetically_Modified_Crops_Factsheet0804.pdf), farm subsidies(particularly for corn)(http://farm.ewg.org/farm/progdetail.php?fips=19000&progcode=corn), and biofuel feedstock producers of the United States, especially during Mr. Vilsack’s tenure as governor, hence my concern over his future role as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. One more thing, he has been named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization(http://www.bio.org/news/pressreleases/newsitem.asp?id=2001_0920_01).
Why are biofuels and genetically modified crops so potentially damaging? Basically biofuel production is being taken over by agribusiness and is using large portions of farm land and/or the natural environment to produce crops that will be used to make fuel. This is a method that can decrease our dependence on foreign oil, but can cause a rise in the cost of food production, due to competition for land as well as subsidies that favor fuel crops(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3298862/Biofuels-stampede-%27damaging-the-environment%27.html).
GM crops are touted as helping to solve the worlds hunger crisis, when in reality they reduce food security by displacing poor farmers, reduce land area planted to food crops like corn and beans for local consumption, are controlled by corporations such as monsanto and are used in conjunction with their own pesticides, are used to feed livestock not people, and are used for biofuels. More can be seen here.
Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, expresses his disappointment in the nomination of Tom Vilsack here and a critical article on the decision can be seen here. The Organic Consumers Association has 6 compelling reasons the nomination could be a huge mistake as well. The article can be seen here.
So what can we do?
Well, first and foremost, by growing as much food as possible(gardens are great!), foraging in your parks or natural areas, attending farmers markets and supporting small local and organic farms you will know where your food comes from and how your food is grown. Because of this you will be supporting the local economy as well as the small organic farm which can then flourish and continue to feed your community. This is independence and empowerment that can remove you from an unhealthy food cycle.
Further, you can support organizations like Food Declaration and Organic Consumers Association. From there you can inform yourself, keep up to date, and know what food you put in your body.
