Mr. Secretary

Ag Secretary Mike Johanns spoke before the fruit and vegetable industry advisory committee on Tuesday and he was warmly received. He answered a few questions from the committee, including one about the WIC food packages proposal. Johanns said the agency was working to get a rule out by September, and seemed genuine on that point.

Meanwhile, he said the Administration is close to releasing their recommendations on the 2007 farm bill, which may go a long way in telling how reform-minded farm policy will be. Look for that document by mid-February.