Hi folks - We've got one month to submit panel ideas to the Netroots Nation folks. I plan to submit something, but not without the input of anyone who has opinions on the subject.
I think about this all year and I've got a tentative "theme" for this year in mind: What is the current reality of food politics under the Obama administration? (Kind of a no-brainer)
Then again - if you prefer, we could take on more narrow or interdisciplinary themes if you want, like food and global warming; food safety; food and health care; or food activism in your community. Or, those could merely be subtopics addressed within the broader umbrella of the larger topic of food policy.
And last - last year it seems that panel submissions were a no-go unless they specifically applied to bloggers (i.e. How can BLOGGERS change the food policy of the U.S.?). Probably a good idea to take that angle :)
A Recap on Previous Years
Just to recap: In 2007 we had our first food panel with panelists Kerry Trueman, Marion Nestle, and Tom Philpott. Last year we did our second panel with Judith McGeary (a Kossack, farmer, and lawyer), Margaret Krome (amazing policy wonk), Mark Winne (food security advocate), and Michele Simon).
The benefits of inviting these panelists were two-fold because 1) We informed our own community on their ideas and 2) In many cases, we got our panelists interested in blogging!!! Michele Simon now has a DailyKos account, Mark Winne's tried blogging, Marion Nestle has her own (wonderful) blog, Kerry and Tom could probably teach us a thing or two about blogging, Judith was a blogger already, and Margaret was absolutely fascinated on how blogging and bloggers might lead to better food policy.
Changes This Year
This year we've got a new situation in a few ways.
- We have friends in power in D.C. (maybe they could come speak to us?)
- The entire food policy landscape has changed with Obama in office
- A select few things are actually WORSE under the Dems than better (although most are better or unchanged)
- To my knowledge, we can no longer cover our guests' airfare and hotels
My Ideas for Panelists
Please add your own ideas in the comments but here's what I could think up for panelist ideas:
- Tom Vilsack - USDA Secretary
- Kathleen Merrigan - #2 at the USDA, loved by sustainable food advocates, former food/ag policy and science prof at Tufts University
- Jim Hightower - Author and former TX Ag Commissioner
- Steph Larsen - Blogger, former Community Food Security Coalition Policy Director (i.e. she knows DC), currently at Center for Rural Affairs, policy wonk
- Deb Eschmeyer - Organic farmer, blogger, Community Food Security Coalition board member, and farm to school expert
- Mark Kastel - organic industry watchdog at the Cornucopia Institute (I get a lot of info for diaries from his research and calls for action)
- Ronnie Cummins - Director of the Organic Consumers Association
- John Stauber - Executive director of the Center for Media & Democracy, PR industry watchdog, author of several books that uncover scandalous info about how big business co-opts public opinion & government policy
- Judith McGeary - organic farmer, blogger, and lawyer. Previous panelist from last year.
- Tim LaSalle - CEO of Rodale Institute, amazing voice on how ag can be a solution (rather than cause) of global warming
I made a survey here (one that allows you to rank choices instead of just picking one - it's just 1 question long): Click Here to take survey
What are your thoughts on this?