We just finished a couple back-to-back rounds of grant writing here at the Institute.  I have about two days until I jump into the next one.  So I finally have had a few minutes to wander around my favorite political sites and dip into a few other blogs, both known and new to me. One of the newer blogs, La Vida Locavore, is written by Jill Richardson, who blogs regularly at DailyKos as well, which is how I discovered her.  Jill is a national blogger/citizen activist who is passionate about food policy and food politics.  She asks questions about the links between agribusiness companies and politicians and promotes  progressives for roles at the USDA and explains why.

Yet she also pays attention to non-ideological parts of people.  For example, when she first wrote about the selection of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture, she talked about how well he listened to people.  That was after talking about his many links to agribusiness.  I like that ability to see someone from several angles.  

So it was with interest that I read Jill's take on how President Obama has done on food policy, "Obama at 100 Days: Did He Keep His Promises About Food?" at DailyKos.  Jill went down the list of the 7 rural items he is planning to focus on at the government's website.  Then she added another three, more international.

Here are the highlights on the Agenda items from the Administration's website:

Strong Safety Net for Family Farmers: "He proposed the $250,000 subsidy cap - a measure that has failed to pass in the Senate on more than one occasion in the past year - but he did so along with another proposal that was absolutely naive and laughable: Cut direct payments to farmers who gross over $500,000. As an ag policy expert said to me when it was proposed, it's totally possible for a farmer to have $500,000 in revenues and $600,000 in costs."  Summary: The cap will only work if there are different members on the Ag. Committee (more on that later - NO Washington Reps or Senators on any of the Ag. committees); the $500,000 cap is a non-starter.

Prevent Anticompetitive Behavior Against Family Farms: "Pass a packer ban. When meatpackers own livestock they can manipulate prices and discriminate against independent farmers. Strengthen anti-monopoly laws and strengthen producer protections to ensure independent farmers have fair access to markets, control over their production decisions, and transparency in price. . . .  Obama appointed Christine Anne Varney as Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division in the Department of Justice. During her confirmation hearing, she promised to make agriculture a priority."  Summary: Nothing yet but it should get better.

Regulate CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations): "Strictly regulate pollution from large factory livestock farms. . . . Support meaningful local control."  Summary: Nothing yet.  If the swine flu provides the opportunity for more emphasis on food safety, make use of it.

Establish Country of Origin Labeling: "Bush's USDA issued rather a rather weak rule during his last days in office. Vilsack made the Bush final rule final even though he still had an opportunity to strengthen it before putting it into effect. He asked industry to voluntarily comply with stricter standards and noted that he will pursue a stricter rule if the voluntary standards are not adhered to."  Summary:  Should be better.

Encourage Organic and Local Agriculture: "Unfortunately, the only area where I see this actually happening is the White House lawn. Can Van Jones come to the rescue perhaps? To be fair, Obama's appointment of Kathleen Merrigan as #2 at the USDA is absolutely huge. She's only been in office a few weeks and over time I hope to see her having an impact on organics and local food."  Summary: Wait and see.

Encourage Young People to Become Farmers: There is a new Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program being funded by the USDA.  There should definitely be more.  Perhaps Van Jones can help.  Summary: Expand it.

Partner with Landowners to Conserve Private Lands: "We already have a number of conservation programs in place. I haven't seen any major efforts to increase or improve them under the Obama administration thus far. However, Obama made an absolutely terrific appointment to head up the USDA's NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) and I know that Kathleen Merrigan is also well-versed in USDA's conservation programs, as is Carole Jett (Vilsack's Deputy Chief of Staff)."  Summary:  Keep it going.

Jill's three additions:

Global Hunger: "Obama's plans for global hunger sound noble - he's promised more money to help with the problem and Vilsack just met with the G8 on the subject - but their approach is "business as usual" and that's precisely what is NOT needed. . . . Right now there's a bill in the U.S. Senate (the Global Food Security Act) that's got a good chance of passing. If it passes, it will put a lot of money and power in the hands of USAID (the US Agency for International Development) to focus particularly on S. Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Summary: Learn to provide money that is not tied to subsidizing US agribusinesses because what is in the interests of the world's poor is usually not the same as what is in the interests of our big Ag companies.

Food Safety: "So far it's been all talk and no action."  This might change around once Dr. Raj Shah, agricultural development director at the Gates Foundation, who has been nominated as Undersecretary of Agriculture for food safety, climate and global food security, makes it into office.  There is also a food safety bill taking shape in the House that might be good.  Summary: Good place to focus your attention and political capital.

Childhood obesity: There is a bill being introduced in the House and another in the Senate to update nutritional standards of what food is and isn't allowed in schools.  Similar bills have failed before.  Summary:  When the time comes, get behind it and exert some pressure to get it to pass.

Jill's Summary:  Best things so far are the hiring of Kathleen Merrigan as #2 at the USDA and the new organic garden on the WH grounds.