Day 6: Snow and Sleet in DC

Monday provided the class a unique opportunity.  We started the day at Georgetown University, visiting Father Matt Carnes.  Father Carnes is an Associate Professor in the Department of Government, and is a specialist in comparative economics.  He’s also spent a great deal of time in Latin and South America.  Father Carnes discussed the inequalities of the poor and marginalized throughout the world, specifically the inequalities faced by the poor in Brazil.  He provided a view into the basis for the inequality and the determination of the current government to balance the playing field and to begin to improve the quality of life of this group.  We learned that Brazil’s creation of Bolsa Familia and the success of this program has become a beacon and model for other governments throughout the region to address this issue.  Bolsa Familia is a government supported conditional cash transfer program for doing “good things” such as immunizations and ensuring school attendance.  Father Carnes also discussed micro finance, which has been instrumental to small business in the developing world.

After visiting with Father Carnes, the Class enjoyed lunch at The Tombs, a Georgetown eating institution.

Our second visit was to the Watergate Complex to visit Marshall Matz, Principal Attorney, of Olsson, Frank, Weeda, Terman, and Matz, a law firm specializing in FDA and USDA issues.  As a specialist in food, agriculture, and nutrition, Marshall has dedicated his career to increasing food production and improving human nutrition.  Along with other partners and policy advisors, including former Secretary of Agriculture for the Reagan Administration, John R. Block, Marshall provided us with a compelling argument as to methods in which to discuss agriculture with elected officials and the public, both supporters and opponents.  To quote Marshall, “We need to convince the public of how good of a deal their food is”.  Furthermore, as a group of agricultural professionals, it is imperative that we spend more time addressing the influencers in society that may not understand the net positive effects of agriculture.

Our third stop brought us to the Department of the Interior, where we had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Mike Connor.  Commissioner Conner shared his enduring passion with water in the West and has spent the majority of his career working on water issues that are critical to agriculture in our state.  Looking at the overwhelming issues that surround water in California, he encouraged us to collaborate with all stakeholders and continue to seek solutions that will result in a win-win situation for all parties.

After a long day in the abnormally brisk DC weather, we were fortunate to dine at Brazilian churrascaria, Fogo de Chao.  The variety of grilled meats, pickled vegetables, leafy green salad bar, and delicious desserts, were trumped by the attendance of our surprise guest, Dennis Nuxoll, Vice-President for Federal Government Affairs for Western Growers.  We were honored to have Dennis with us, and would like to thank Western Growers for their continued support of the California Agricultural Leadership Program.