Senators bash USDA local food campaign

The Kansas City Star reported that three Republican senators have a beef with a US Department of Agriculture campaign aimed at educating the public about locally grown, organic food. The “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” program last year used $65 million in federal agricultural funds to advance locally grown food projects, an affront to conventional farmers, the senators complained.
Pat Roberts of Kansas, Arizona’s John McCain, and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia told Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack the effort snubs those farmers growing most of our country’s food. Supporters say the campaign underscores the trend toward healthy eating and farm-fresh meals. While calling the debate good, the American Farm Bureau would not comment on the issue.