FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 12, 2011

CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651.201.6131, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us

Cottage Grove woman appointed to Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force  

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has appointed a Cottage Grove woman as the consumer representative to the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force (OATF).  The OATF advises the Commissioner of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota about policies and programs that will improve organic agriculture in Minnesota.

Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson named Mia Naseth-Phillips to a two year term.  Naseth-Phillips is a master gardener and a strong advocate for access to and education about organic foods.  Her appointment was made in consultation with the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the dean and director of University of Minnesota Extension, and the dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.  Frederickson named organic apple grower Jackie Hoch of La Crescent chair of the task force earlier this year.

The OATF is a 15-member body mandated by Minnesota Statute that includes organic producers, processing and retail representatives, consumers, researchers, educators, and agricultural membership organizations.

More information about the task force can be found at www.mda.state.mn.us/organic.

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