Politics. On Point.

Andrew Brietbart , the conservative blogger best known in Washington, D.C. for his malicious manipulation of a video of then USDA employee Shirley Sherrod, has been found dead. Two years ago, Brietbart convinced millions of viewers of his video that Ms. Sherrod provided unacceptable service white farmers by saying she wasn't going to help them save their farm land. Sherrod was immediately fired, upon viewing of the video by her employer. It was later found that Sherrod never made such comments, but that Brietbart extracted pieces of her comment to make it sound as such. Sherrod was offered her job back, which she declined, and reports indicated the Sherrod had planned to sue Brietbart. No word on the outcome, or the if an original suit was ever filed. Breitbart's death came as a surprise to many, including presidential candidate Rick Santorum. "That's horrible, anybody know what happened?", asked a shocked Santorum of reporters who broke the news earlie...

Seven Transmission Projects Across 12 States Will Increase Grid Reliability and Integrate Renewable Energies (USDA Press Release) Demonstrating its commitment to job creation and modernizing America's infrastructure, the Obama Administration today announced it would accelerate the permitting and construction of seven proposed electric transmission lines. This move will speed the creation of thousands of construction and operations jobs while transforming the nation's electric system into a modern, 21st century grid that is safer and more secure, and gives consumers more energy choices. "The President wants to get America working again. He is committed to cutting red tape and making immediate investments to put people to work modernizing our roads, bridges, airports, and energy systems," said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. "Building a smarter electric grid will create thousands of American jobs and accelerate the growth of do...

It's More Complicated Than Just Bringing Healthy Food To Communities Last month the First Lady included more retailers in her arsenal to help families afford, and have access to, healthier food. Several retailers, along with Walmart, made commitments to lower their food prices, improve food quality, and add more fruits and vegetables to their retail chains in support of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! model designed to rid childhood obesity within a generation. The First Lady is continuing her initiative to ensure that families have access to nutritious foods -- from birth to adulthood. “The commitments we’re announcing have the potential to be a game-changer for kids and communities all across this country,” said the First Lady. “We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, but if parents can’t buy the food they need to prepare those meals because their only options for groceries are the gas station or the local minimart, ...

The First Lady helps Americans with healthier menu options for a healthier plate. As I look at the new MyPlate icon presented today by First Lady Michelle, USDA’s Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak and US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, I am reminded of a young boy at a gathering who had nothing but meatballs and cookies and on his plate. “You’re plate doesn’t have anything green on it”, I said to him, as I suggested he get some of the lovely salad and fruit that was also being offered. Reluctantly, he headed over the table with the fruit and salad. With the new MyPlate icon, kids and parents everywhere can make better food choices. The USDA and First Lady Michelle Obama launch new icon to help Americans choose healthy menu items, and portion sizes. The icon is a departure from MyPyramid. Visit MyPlate.gov.  "This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we're eating and as a mom, I can already tell how much this is going ...

Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon today announced that more low-income kids will have access to nutrition assistance when school is out and during critical gap periods. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service provided waivers to simplify existing regulations making it easier to provide critical meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The changes will expand and enhance the ability of the SFSP to provide nutritious meals and snacks to children in low-income areas during the summer months and long vacation periods for schools on year-round schedules. "When it comes to our kids, we must do everything we can to provide them with the nutrition they need to grow up and win the future," Concannon said. "The changes we have made to the Summer Food Service Program will improve program efficiency and start to reduce unnecessary barriers for participation so that local SFSP sponsors who are on the frontlines of ending childhood hunger can provide nutrition a...

The First Lady U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to education stakeholders via a conference call to discuss advancing the Let’s Move! initiative goal of doubling the number of schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) HealthierUS School Challenge Program . Education stakeholders from across the country were invited to participate, including representatives from the American Association of School Administrators, National School Boards Association, National Association of State Boards of Education, Council of the Great City Schools, National Parent Teacher Association, the School Nutrition Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Association of School Nurses, the National Association for Educating Young Children, and the Association for School Business Officials International. During the call, edu...

As Well She Should Shirley Sherrod , the ousted USDA employee is finally having her just desserts.  After being called something, for which she is not, via a manipulated video last August, Sherrod is finally suing the perpetrator, Andrew Breitbart, for "defamation, false light, and infliction of emotional distress". Breitbart's infamous video portrayed Sherrod as a racist who wouldn't help white families with saving their land. "This lawsuit is not about politics or race," Sherrod said in a statement. "It is not about right versus left, the NAACP or the Tea Party. It is about how quickly, in today's Internet media environment, a person's good name can become 'collateral damage' in an overheated political debate." Sherrod, after refusing the offer from US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak to return to the USDA, said she is unemployed and that no offers of employment are on the table. "I'm just trying to survive....

Investments in Application Systems to Improve Access to Nutrition Assistance Program Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $5 million in grants for eight State agencies to simplify Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application and eligibility systems and improve access to program benefits for America's low-income households. SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps ensure that people have access to healthy and nutritious food by providing low-income households with electronic benefits they can use to purchase food at authorized grocery stores. "Collaborative partnerships are critical to combating food insecurity and hunger in our communities," said Vilsack. "These grants will help reach our goal of increasing program access and participation among America's most vulnerable citizens and to deliver healthy and nutritious food assistance to those in need." USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) continues...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of “The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.” "I applaud the bipartisan action in the Senate today to reauthorize and reform the child nutrition and WIC programs by passing the “The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.” "First Lady Michelle Obama has been a tremendous champion for this legislation, and I commend the leadership of Senators Reid, McConnell, Lincoln, Chambliss and the remainder of the Senate for their unanimous support. This is a great victory for America's children. This bill advances the Obama Administration’s priorities to improve meal quality, strengthen nutrition standards for school meals, reduce barriers and increase access to healthy school meals, promote nutrition education, establish standards for competitive foods, and provide food to needy children during gap periods when the regular nutrition assistance programs are not in operation. Passage of this legis...

USDA Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service’s Deputy Under Secretary Darci Vetter will join former Senator George S. McGovern in Kenya May 10-16 to visit World Food Program sites and observe, first-hand, how nutrition programs fit into broader food security initiatives in Africa. “The World Food Program is an important participant in USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program,” said Vetter. “Congress recognized the vision of Senators McGovern and Dole when it established this program. It is an amazing opportunity for me to travel with Senator McGovern and see firsthand the direct impact that these programs have on children and families.” McGovern currently serves as the Ambassador to the World Food Program and was recognized in 2008, along with Sen. Robert Dole, by the World Food Prize for his leadership in forging the link between the productivity of American farmers and the needs of hungry children around the world. Vetter and McGovern will...

Members Of Congress Take To The Hill With NBFA For Resolution This week on the Hill members of Congress joined John Boyd , President of the National Black Farmers Association  to address the continuing saga of Black farmers who have been denied credit, funds, and their dignity by the United States Department of Agriculture . Congressman Bobby Scott (along with Congressman Danny Davis ) helped the organization introduce a bill that was passed into law in May of 2008 that would have allowed some 80,000 African American farmers have their cases heard based on its merit.   Since then, President Obama put into his budget $1.15b to compensate the farmers.  An agreement was entered into with African American farmers, the USDA , and the Department of Justice for Congress to make those funds available by March 31, 2010. Congressman Bobby Scott w. BFA's John Boyd. Photo: CD Brown "We're days away from the deadline, and the Obama administration (wh...