I have been reading through the various speculations on who will be appointed Obama’s “King of Corn.” I signed a petition today for Michael Pollan. This kind of public statement speaks volumes regardless of the practicality of nominating an intellectual warrior for a physical post. Journalists play just as strong a role in our politics as do those in office, and Michael Pollan has stepped up to that challenge many times. Whether Pollan is the best suited, we need someone better equipped, more knowledgeable, and capable of turning our food system around. It all started with Earl Butz under Nixon. The hope is there will be change under Obama. We need someone in office who can balance the interests of politics and business with quality, health, and the sustainability of our planet’s resources.

I have been saving Michael Pollan’s “Farmer in Chief” from the Times for a quiet moment (estimation: 1 hour) when I could devote myself. It’s worth the read (actual: 37 minutes). I was disappointed by his impractical and whimsical close to The Omnivore’s Dilemma so much so that I skipped In Defense of Food. In this proposal to Washington, Pollan redeems himself, breaking down his “sun-food agenda” which posits that we return to a sun-based food system. Regardless of the practicality of his measures and the length at which he describes them, our current economy necessitates change. Even if you’re simply waiting for a better tomorrow, it is important to have a prospective picture of what that will look like.

For cliff notes, here is Michael Ruhlman’s concise summary.