Rural Tour Visits California’s Central Valley

Secretary Vilsack meets with business owners and United Farm Workers

Today, Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Merrigan met with leaders and members of the United Farm Workers at Monterey Mushroom, a company located on the edge of California’s Silicon Valley. The roundtable discussion involving 27 workers and eight growers is part of USDA’s ongoing effort to communicate with disadvantaged and underserved communities. The meeting began with a moment of silence for farm worker champion, Senator Ted Kennedy.

As Shah Kazemi, CEO of Monterey Mushroom, spoke about the contributions of workers to the success of his company, the growers in attendance nodded their heads in agreement. Mr. Kazemi highlighted the need for highly skilled workers and the investments his company made in its employees through extensive training. The result is a mutually beneficial relationship between the workers and employer and a low rate of turnover. Secretary Vilsack said during the meeting, “without workers you don’t have companies and without companies you don’t have workers” to emphasize the importance of partnerships in the agricultural industry.

A thirty-four year employee of Monterey Mushroom, Rogelio Lona, spoke about the great pay and benefits he receives from his employer. But, he shared his concern for “other workers who are paid much less and suffer under the sun without shade and water.” Secretary Vilsack took careful notes throughout the meeting and thanked the farm workers for their commitment and sacrifice they make to feed this nation. Jim Cochran, President of Swanson Berry Farm, stood before the group and said, "I am almost speechless to hear from a Secretary of USDA who understands our concerns and wants to work with growers and workers to find solutions." Mr. Cochran added, "Mr. Vilsack, now I know why you are Secretary of USDA."

The meeting concluded with photographs of the workers with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary and UFW President Arturo Rodriguez.

Permalink  |  Posted: 09:10AM Aug 31, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [3]

U.S. Embassy Seoul #35 School Garden Project

When I visited Washington, I met the Secretary of Agriculture who comes from the great farming state of Iowa and he knew that we were going to begin this project. In fact, the idea for this project was inspired by the First Lady’s work with Washington, D.C. students who’ve always lived in the city and have never had a chance to grow vegetables or tend to a garden. As I have the rare privilege of having some land in the center of a very crowded city, I thought some of Seoul’s city students might enjoy a similar experience.

Towards the end of May, I had a very welcome break in a fairly intense week when a group of fifth grade students from Duksoo Elementary School visited my residence in Seoul to begin a class study on gardening and growing vegetables.

Each group of three or four students is growing a different crop and they planted one pot using soil from the ground and the other using enriched soil. This way they can see the difference in the growth of their crops depending on the soil type and study the importance of nutrients in the soil. And in addition to what the students have planted, we have a long-standing tradition at the residence of growing our greens in the summer, and with the spring rains they’re doing pretty well. I will keep you posted on how things go with all of our gardening this summer.

Originally posted on June 12, 2009. Reposted with permission of the U.S. Embassy Seoul.

Permalink  |  Posted: 09:53AM Aug 28, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

First Community Garden Opens in Dunwoody

The first community garden in the newest city in the United States, founded in 2008, celebrated its grand opening during National Community Gardening Week.

Volunteers of the Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run near Atlanta worked hard this summer to ensure its new community garden opened in time for National Community Gardening Week and for fall planting.


According to Rebecca Barria, chair of the new garden’s board of directors, “We could not have achieved this without the unyielding cooperation of the City of Dunwoody, DeKalb County, the Brook Run Conservancy, the Citizens for Dunwoody, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, a small group of dedicated citizens who now form our board of directors, and the community members who participated in our work sessions to get the foundation of the garden in place.”


Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 23-29 National Community Gardening Week at the recent American Community Garden Association’s 30th annual conference, which was recently held in Ohio. The Dunwoody Community Garden is a great example of how your community can make a difference.

Go to the Dunwoody Community Garden at Brook Run Web site to see for yourself.

Find out more information about the People's Garden initiative and National Community Gardening Week proclamation or follow the People’s Garden on Twitter for the latest updates, harvests and events.

Permalink  |  Posted: 05:10PM Aug 27, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

The Pool: The Great Equalizer

When I received an email from US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding the President and first Lady’s summer of service initiative, United We Serve, I thought, “Oh no, now what?” As I read about the goals of the program, I wasn’t sure if I would have either the time or the energy to do anything. But, as I thought about how lucky I am at this time to have a job, a roof over my head and a reliable vehicle, it seemed very little to ask me to give up one afternoon. Little did I know how much value I would find in giving up one afternoon of my time.

I looked at Serve.gov and the various programs that needed volunteers in my area. There were so many different programs for different interest and it came down to questions like: “What do I like to do?” and “What would I enjoy doing with my free time that would benefit one of these programs?” I like kids and lost a brother who was a special needs child, and also like animals. Once I answered my own questions, it was very easy to narrow down the options to just a few.

After reviewing the links, I found an organization called LA WORKS, which featured many different service opportunities and even ones that actually fit my criteria. I noticed that there was an event that Sunday called KEEN LA, a program that works with special needs children of various ages and disabilities. The event was to be held at the Los Angeles Police Academy, which donates its lap pool facilities to the program. It was a day to play with special needs children who would not normally be given that opportunity to swim because of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Though sometimes there are not enough volunteers to work with each child, there were two volunteers for every child that weekend; another volunteer and I did lifeguard duties. As I stood there lifeguarding, watching the other volunteers interact with the child they were paired up with, it was evident that the children weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves.

In addition to being given the opportunity to serve, I felt I was given the opportunity to be an observer. There were children of different ages, ethnicities and disabilities. But the pool water was the great equalizer and these children became children who just wanted to play. I looked at these children who had no idea that they were different, didn’t feel sorry for themselves for what they couldn’t do, they only knew that there was a pool, water and toys. They were definitely determined to get in that pool and have fun. This event found those children with physical disabilities floating and splashing like everyone else. Even those having their first experience with a pool and fearful of water were soon in the water, jumping and laughing. This was all due to their volunteer partners, who gently coaxed them in. The joy, smiles and laughter said it all.

I was a little ambivalent about giving up my free time, but then I thought, “If I could just for one moment think of the needs of those around me, even if only for one afternoon, what difference would that make?” I volunteered thinking that I would be sacrificing something. Instead, I found that day that I was the one who received a new appreciation for my life and my family. The children taught me through their example, “Don’t worry be happy.” They were just there enjoying life. It was truly a gift to work with them; they were amazing and courageous.

I don’t have the money, but I do have the time. I can’t wait for my next adventure.

Written by Mary A., a Consumer Safety Inspector for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. She is returning to LA WORKS, a Hands On Volunteer Action Center, this Saturday to volunteer with a group of toddlers. To find a similar service opportunity in your area, keyword search: “lifeguard” “swim instructor” “special needs children.”

Permalink  |  Posted: 07:30AM Aug 27, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [2]