Kathleen Merrigan to Join AGree as Co-Chair as Gary Hirshberg ...

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Washington, DC (February 23, 2015) – Dr. Kathleen A. Merrigan, who recently served as U.S. ... Director of Sustainabil
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Kathleen Merrigan to Join AGree as Co-Chair as Gary Hirshberg Steps Down Washington, DC (February 23, 2015) – Dr. Kathleen A. Merrigan, who recently served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will join AGree as a Co-Chair, announced AGree Executive Director Deborah Atwood today. Dr. Merrigan, who currently serves as Executive Director of Sustainability at the George Washington University, will replace Gary Hirshberg, Co-Founder and Chairman of Stonyfield Farm, who is stepping down after four years. Merrigan will serve as a Co-Chair alongside Dan Glickman (former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture), Jim Moseley (former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture), and Emmy Simmons (former Assistant Administrator at USAID), all of whom have been with AGree since 2011. “Kathleen is a bridge builder in the food and ag policy space – she is equally at ease among CEOs, policy wonks, farmers, ranchers, Senators and members of Congress, heads of state, academics and students,” said Mr. Hirshberg “She is brilliant, an extraordinary listener, and profoundly dedicated to promoting sustainable food and agriculture solutions. She is an ideal choice as AGree works to implement its recommendations.” “I am honored to join AGree’s leadership,” said Kathleen Merrigan. “AGree is identifying new approaches to food and agriculture policy that are supported by diverse interests and serve the common good – and then implementing them. That’s not easy. I look forward to the challenge and having the opportunity to work alongside Dan, Emmy, Jim, Deb, and the many others who participate in AGree’s work.” “Working alongside Gary these past four years, we have strived to identify productive paths forward for the entirety of food and agriculture” said Jim Moseley. “That has required challenging our biases and learning from one another, which really is the essence of AGree. Now we have a new opportunity to do the same with Kathleen as we work to implement AGree’s recommendations.” “Kathleen is both a deep thinker and effective at bringing people together to take meaningful action,” said Emmy Simmons. “That’s an ideal combination for AGree.” “Throughout her career, Kathleen has focused on working creatively with the diverse interests that are U.S. agriculture,” said Dan Glickman. “She is very forward looking. I couldn’t be more delighted that she has agreed to join us.” Kathleen Merrigan’s tenure as a Co-Chair begins immediately. Gary Hirshberg has published a blog about his tenure with AGree that can be viewed here.

### AGree drives positive change in the food and agriculture system by connecting and challenging leaders from diverse communities to catalyze action and elevate food and agriculture policy as a national priority. AGree recognizes the interconnected nature of food and agriculture systems globally and seeks to break down barriers and work across issue areas. AGree is supported by leading foundations that fund food and agriculture, international development, and health and well-being. To learn more about AGree visit www.foodandagpolicy.org