Leonardo Academy - no word yet

Just had a good conversation with Amanda Raster, project manager at the Leonardo Academy. No word yet about the ANSI hearing on Leonardo's status as standards developer for agricultural sustainability. She said ANSI has never removed accreditation status from any developer and Leonardo doesn't want to be the first. She said it is possible ANSI may provide a list of corrective measures for the group to proceed with....Amanda said she wasn't sure how or when the ANSI decision will be communicated.....Overall, I have the impression Leonardo has worked hard to answer USDA's objections... Raster says the soon coming stewardship/sustainability index should be able to co-exist with Leonardo's standard setting efforts.... stay tuned....

Dec. 17 - Coming soon and top headlines

Speaking on background, one source told me that the target date for a news release concerning the long awaited sustainability/stewardship index was Dec. 18 - subject to change, of course. Still some drama to be played out between the USDA and the Leonardo Academy relative to their sustainability standard setting effort.....

More headlines for today....

FDA chief to resign at end of Bush term Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach will resign..successor not named yet

A cautious farm and food pick From The Nation, the liberal take:


As governor of Iowa, Vilsack had to engage with farm issues. But that embrace was anything but inspired. Family farm activists, fair-trade campaigners and advocates for organic foods were regularly disappointed by the stands he took. The Organic Consumers Association was blunt, declaring: "Vilsack has a glowing reputation as being a shill for agribusiness biotech giants like Monsanto."

Natural and organic consumers not giving up The spin from this study by an organic and natural foods marketers is positive for the sector, though it acknowledges that 18% of consumers are planning significant adjustments to their natural and organic buying patterns.

Kenya embraces biotechnology USDA FAS report

Nanotechnology may be used for food safety

Reopening NAFTA would have consequences USDA FAS report translate a story in the Mexican press stating officials there believe renegotiation of NAFTA could hurt progress of tomatoes, avocados and other horticultural commodities in the U.S. market.



Food poverty soars in NYC About 3.5 million New Yorkers concerned about needing food assistance in the next year


Obesity tax stirs anger Proposed tax on sugared soda angers American Beverage Association, among others

Obama calls for broad strategy to fight recession

Housing starts drop 18.9% Slowest pace in the post WWII era

To have and have not: income inequality grows in U.S. Center for Budget and Policy Priorities reports that the incomes of the country's highest income families has climbed substantially since the late 1980s, while middle and lower income families have only seen modest increases. The trend accelerated in the late 1990s to mid-2000s, the study says.


Southwest border fence hits 500 mile mark 600 miles to be complete by Jan. 20, DHS says

McCain unsure of Obama immigration priority

New employment, labor and discrimination laws passed in 2008 Summary of new labor related laws that will go into effect Jan. 1

Healthy diet can keep breast cancer away More coverage of the research in the news from UC-Davis

Cheap is the new chic: generic brands grow Cheaper store brands expand influence

U.S. retail tracker raises holiday expectations for Wal-Mart Over a recent weekend, Wal-Mart had as many shoppers as Target, J.C. Penney, Toys R US and Sears - combined! Two thirds of Americans visited Wal-Mart over the weekend.

Canada's working poor increasing need food banks


Roubini: recession to continue in 2009 Dr. Doom doesn't disappoint; another scary forecast:

Things are going to be awful for everyday people. U.S. GDP growth is going to be negative through the end of 2009. And the recovery in 2010 and 2011, if there is one, is going to be so weak - with a growth rate of 1% to 1.5% - that it's going to feel like a recession. I see the unemployment rate peaking at around 9% by 2010. The value of homes has already fallen 25%. In my view, home prices are going to fall by another 15% before bottoming out in 2010.

Media reports Vilsack is Obama's choice for Ag Secretary: Harkin reacts

From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin, reaction to news that president-elect Obama will name Iowan Tom Vilsack as his nominee for Agriculture Secretary.

"I am extremely pleased by the news being reported that Tom Vilsack will be nominated as Secretary of Agriculture. I have known Tom Vilsack as a state legislator and as a governor. He knows production agriculture and he knows the changes we need to ensure its profitability and future, including for young and beginning farmers and ranchers. Tom Vilsack has the experience, dedication and forward-looking thinking critically needed to build a better future for all Americans in food, agriculture, conservation, and the economic vitality of rural communities. With these qualifications and his strong Iowa roots, I hope he is indeed nominated for this position."