Thursday Online Chats – Merrigan and Hirshberg

Tomorrow is full of online chats about sustainable agriculture – the first hosted by the USDA at 3pm (Eastern) with Kathleen Merrigan and the second hosted by Take Part featuring Gary Hirshberg at 9pm (Eastern).

Thursday at 3 p.m. – Kathleen Merrigan, “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food”

Agriculture deputy secretary Kathleen Merrigan will host her second Facebook chat. The topic of this chat will be farm to school, which involves getting and using fresh produce and other farm products from local and regional farmers for use in local schools. The effort not only supports increasing economic opportunities for local farmers but also helps school children make healthy food choices.

Details are available at www.usda.gov/live and people can submit a question in advance of the chat or watch the conversation on the USDA website. The website, at www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer , features social media tools to help focus the public conversation about farming and food, while engaging American agriculture and linking producers to customers.

Thursday at 9p.m. – Gary Hirshberg, co-founder and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm and Josh Trought, of D Acres Farm

Love Stonyfield yogurt? Have questions about sustainable agriculture and organic farming? Well now is your chance to ask Gary Hirshberg co-founder and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm as well as Josh Trought of the D Acres farm and supporter of the National Family Farm Coalition about food, food politics and Food, Inc.

Grab your friends and family to watch Food, Inc. on DVD and then join our live discussion -the DVD hit shelves Tuesday, November 3rd!