Merrigan pick at USDA delights sustainable, organic communities

Sustainable and organic farming advocates celebrated President Barack Obama’s choice for the No. 2 spot at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan.
"This amounts to a major win for organic, sustainable and local food advocates, since Merrigan is not only well-versed in these issues but has been a tireless advocate for them," Samuel Fromartz wrote on his ChewsWise blog.

Merrigan is now an assistant professor and director of the Agriculture, Food and Environment Program at Tufts University. She has been administrator of the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and helped develop the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. Full story: LA Times