HMI acknowledges USDA Deputy Secretary, Kathleen Merrigan

As we close out March and Women's History Month, I'd like to give acknowledgement to an important woman in agriculture today, USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. Working alongside Secretary Tom Vilsack, Merrigan oversees the day-to-day operation of USDA's many programs. In November 2009, she made history as the first woman to chair the Ministerial Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. In support of HMI's Beginning Women Farmer Conference last week,  Ms Merrigan, provided this seven minute keynote address via video.

In the video, she mentions to the USDA Know Your Farmer, Know your Food Compass. You can find that here on the USDA site.  This Web Resource Maps USDA Support for Local and Regional Food Projects, Highlights Business Opportunities for Farmers, Ranchers and Growers Deputy Secretary Merrigan also recently published this article in the Albuquerque Journal. She talks about how agriculture needs an infusion of young farmers.  We think so too!  That's  why HMI has so many educational programs centered on giving beginning women farmers the training they need to run successful agricultural operations.