A critical look at the transformation of the USDA from the "People's Department" into "USDA Inc."
The reorientation of USDA has been occurring over many years, but it has now reached a dra matic
stage. Thanks to its growing political influence within the Bush Administration, Big
Agribusiness has been able to pack USDA with appointees who have a background of working, lob bying,
or performing research for large food processing companies and trade associations. Conversely,
there are virtually no high level appointees at USDA with ties to family farm, labor, consumer or
environmental advocacy groups.
