ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ken Cook

Ken Cook is president of Environmental Working Group, a public interest research and advocacy organization known for its Farm Subsidy Database. The author of dozens of articles, opinion pieces and reports on agricultural, public health and environmental topics, "[Cook's] fingerprints can be found on nearly two decades of U.S. farm law" (Omaha World Herald). Read more about Ken.

Craig Cox

Craig Cox is EWG Midwest Vice President. He Mulches from EWG's office in Ames, IA. Prior to EWG, Craig served as Executive Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Society and was Acting USDA Deputy Under-Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, and Special Assistant to the Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Michelle Perez

Michelle Perez is EWG's Senior Agriculture Analyst. She has a BA in Biology from Occidental, a Masters from the University of Maryland (UMD) and is finishing up a PhD in agricultural-environmental policy at UMD.

Don Carr

Don Carr is EWG's Press Secretary for agriculture and public lands issues. Prior to EWG, Don worked as a Communications Director for the DNC in his home state of South Dakota and on former Senate Leader Tom Daschle's 2004 reelection campaign.

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Johanns: No Free 'Early Outs'
On CRP Contracts

Looks like I won't be sending that CRP letter on Monday after all (hat tip to Chuck Abbott at Reuters).

Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

STATEMENT BY AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MIKE JOHANNS REGARDING THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM

March 30, 2007

"Today's report on planting intentions suggests that market forces are inspiring changes that will help to meet the high demand for corn. According to the report, U.S. farmers intend to plant 15 percent more corn acres, 90.5 million acres, in 2007. This would be an increase of 12 million acres over 2006 and the largest number since 1944.

"In light of this information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will not offer penalty-free early releases from Conservation Reserve Program contracts at this time. As circumstances exist today, I would not anticipate a change in this policy in 2007..."

Posted by Cook on March 30, 2007 4:42 PM |

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