Long Island will be welcoming USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan for an official visit this week. Deputy Secretary Merrigan will hold an informational meeting at the Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center, and it is critical that she hears voices from the organic farming community.

Deputy Secretary Merrigan is an organic advocate. She was named among Food Democracy Now’s “Sustainable Dozen” for the position of Secretary of Agriculture. During her visit, she discuss USDA policy and programs to support farmers and increase opportunities for agriculture, both domestically and through exports.

The informational meeting will also include a question and answer session to give local farmers the opportunity to raise concerns and discuss how the federal government can best help them in meeting the challenges they face.  Working alongside USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Merrigan oversees the day-to-day operation of USDA’s many programs and spearheads the $149 billion USDA budget process.

All are welcome to attend this event! Please come out and let your voices be heard!

For more information, call (631) 727-3777.