Deputy Secretary of Agriculture to Speak at USU Extension Annual Conference

Kathleen Merrigan, deputy secretary of agriculture, is coming to Utah State University to speak at the Extension Annual Conference. Her presentation “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” is Thursday, March 4, from 3-4 p.m., in the Eccles Conference Center auditorium. She will address combating childhood obesity and hunger problems by explaining the benefits of making healthier food choices while supporting local farmers. All students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to attend the free presentation.

Merrigan served as an assistant professor and director of the Agriculture, Food and Environment Programs at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston. In 2008, she was an expert consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome. She holds a doctorate in environmental planning and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s of public affairs from the University of Texas and a bachelor’s from Williams College.

“Its an exciting opportunity for USU to have Kathleen here,” explained Noelle Cockett, vice president for Extension and agriculture. “Our students are receiving experience that will make them leaders in tomorrow’s world and it’s important for them to be exposed to the perspective roles of leaders today.”

For more information about the USU Extension annual conference visit the Web site (http://extension.usu.edu).