USDA supporting local agriculture

An article in the New York Times brings to our attention a plan by the USDA to connect small farmers with local consumers.

Warriors in the battle for more local, sustainable food have long been suspicious of the Department of Agriculture and its relationship to large agricultural interests. But even the most dedicated political agrarian has to admit that the U.S.D.A is getting local food fever.

This week, the top people at the U.S.D.A. announced they would be handing out almost $65 million to help connect small farmers — especially those using sustainable practices — with people who want to eat local food.

The money is part of their new “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” campaign which includes a series of programs to help farmers better market their food and the people who run large institutions buy it.

“Americans are more interested in food and agriculture than at any other time since most families left the farm,” said Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in a statement announcing the initiative.