Michelle Obama vs. Agribusiness

If you haven't heard, Michelle Obama is planting a vegetable garden on the White House lawn. She has decided to forgo the use of any chemicals and go organic "to promote fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet".  Upon receipt of this news Mid America CropLife Association (MACA), which represents agribusinesses like Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences and DuPont Crop Protection is worried that the lack of chemicals may plant a seed of doubt in consumers’ minds about conventionally grown crops.

In a letter to Michelle Obama, MACA attempts to persuade the first lady to use 'conventional agriculture,' i.e., chemicals and genetically modified seeds:

“As you go about planning and planting the White House garden, we respectfully encourage you to recognize the role conventional agriculture plays in the U.S. in feeding the ever-increasing population, contributing to the U.S. economy and providing a safe and economical food supply.”

I hope she doesn't cave and start blasting her garden with roundup. It would be nice if at least one Obama in the White House will not be influenced by the outside pressures of special interest groups.

I wonder if Michelle scolded Barack for nominating pro-agribusiness Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture. Hmmm...