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Name: Helen D. Gunderson
Category: Former Rolfe student
Year:
1963
Contact: gunderson@globalccs.net
Remote Name: 207.199.197.85
Date: April 16, 2006
Time: 01:28 AM
Yesterday, there was an interview with Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals on National Public Radio on the Science Friday program of Talk of the Nation. Most of the discussion focused on the corn industry. I believe that the U.S. society in general, but especially people connected to Iowa and Iowa agriculture, should become aware of the issues that Michael presents about our nation's dependency on corn, the effect of corn on nutrition, the true costs of Ethanol, and other topics. There are reviews of his book at Amazon. Of course, the issues are not issues simply for the Corn Belt states. The issues are in large part due to federal legislation, which is influenced by voters from all states and by corporate interests. Because I was running errands on Friday while the show was aired, I heard only a few segments of the interview via my car radio. However, I have heard complete interviews with Michael on other topics and have enjoyed his book, The Botany of Desire: A Plant's Eye View of the World. It is extremely informative about the history of the apple, tulip, marijuana, and potato. If you read it, you will get a whole new sense of what Johnny Appleseed did and did not do. Today I talked with a friend, Matt Liebman, who is head of the sustainable agriculture program at Iowa State University. He said that Michael had spent a lot of time in Iowa, talking with sustainable ag leaders as part of his research for The Omnivore's Dilemma. You can listen to Michael's interview on Talk of the Nation. I have also been told that Michael was also interviewed on Fresh Air on NPR earlier in the week. I encourage you to read some of the reviews, listen to one of the interviews, or get a copy of the book. Michael's thoughts would make great fodder for discussion at the family dining table, local coffee shop, farmers coop, public library, or classroom. They would also provide a good base for a book club or other organization looking for a program topic. And you can share your ideas via this message board.