Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Merrigan steps down

Kathleen Merrigan, who had been serving as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture under Tom Vilsack, announced on March 14 that she would be stepping down from her post at the end of April. Merrigan has been considered a success in the organic community, advocating for beginning farmer programs, the National Organic Program, and the Know Your Farmer, […]

Farm Bill: Drought Puts Pressure on GOP

One in a continuing series of posts concerning the 2012 Farm Bill Up to this point, the strategy of the GOP House leadership concerning the proposed 2012 Farm Bill has been one of apathy; afraid of showing splits in their party’s unity running up the crucial 2012 election, and still seeking more cuts to an […]

President Establishes White House Rural Council

On June 9th, President Barack Obama signed an executive order establishing a White House Rural Council, with the goal of “better coordinating Federal programs and maximizing the impact of Federal investment to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in our rural communities”. The order particularly cited the promotion of innovation, improved access to capital, […]