By Zac DeJovine, ASU sustainable food systems graduate student
As a graduate student in ASU’s Master of Science (MS) in sustainable food systems program who also majored in political science as an undergrad, one of the lessons that has come up repeatedly in my studies has been this: crafting policy oftentimes is an exercise not only in effective communication, but in building relationships. From meeting farmers in the field, to taking week-long immersive trips in Arizona and D.C., to working as a team to produce a capstone report, the aspects of writing, speaking, socializing and networking have come across time and again as being inextricably linked. Our Model USDA event, the very first of its kind and held over the course of the weekend of January 31st through February 2nd, was not only a prime reminder of this lesson, but perhaps the best example yet. By giving students the perspective of working as policymakers within a context that demanded both clear communication and instant collaboration (amongst a group of individuals that were for the most part all meeting each other for the first time), it was an exercise in coordination and coalition-building unique from any other I've participated in throughout my time as a student at ASU.
Hosted via Zoom, Model USDA brought together over 140 students from various universities participating in the USDA NextGen program, with participants not only from across the states, but from around the world as well, checking in from as far away as Guam. Split into smaller groups to simulate different policy-making scenarios, students in my group were tasked with assessing the role sustainability should play in formulating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). An overview of the importance of these guidelines was offered by Dr of Public Health, Angie Tagtow, who previously held the position of Executive Director for the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
After Tagtow’s inspiring talk, the students were then tasked with representing different members of the food system landscape. Students were assigned roles representing a wide selection of positions ranging from cattle industry spokespeople to USDA scientists. My role was a journalist, responsible for presenting breaking news updates to the group, connecting individuals looking to meet and speak with each other in breakout rooms, and summarizing and sharing my findings on the discussions taking place.
Given the wide range of food systems players represented, there was a wide range of opinions presented as well. While increased support of whole foods and local sourcing and decreased reliance on ultra-processed foods all made the final cut, after much spirited discussion adding soil health information to the DGAs did not make the list of recommendations. In regard to the final proposal formulated, responses varied widely, ranging from support for not overstepping pre-established boundaries:
"Majority Staff Director of the House Agriculture Committee approves of how the recommendations stay within the original scope of intent of the DGAs.”
To support for progressing in its consideration of local and culturally relevant food:
"Director, Office of Tribal Relations is in support of the new guidelines: Though the steps made toward TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), and Indigenous Food Sovereignty were small, we are moving in the right direction for substantial change regarding the health of Indigenous Communities."
To feeling as though inclusion of soil health in any future DGAs would be going too far:
"National Cattlemen's Beef Association believes the DGA should focus only on nutrition and dietary patterns for Americans. Soil, water and any other sustainability efforts should not be included in the future.”
"[The Smart Foods Coalition] fully acknowledge[s] the vital connection between soil health and food quality. However, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are not the appropriate place for these regulations. The FDA, USDA and EPA already establish comprehensive agricultural standards for soil management, crop growth and food safety. Adding soil health to the DGA is redundant and misplaces regulatory focus."
And finally to dissent for not going far enough:
"Friends of the Earth would not support the measure without having the DGAs also account for sustainability measures also within the guidelines.”
"The Union of Concerned Scientists supports the consideration for UPCs [ultra processed foods], however would like to see further consideration of how environmental conditions ultimately affect the quality of nutrients produced. We are concerned these recommendations may be short-sighted given the drastic decrease of nutrient density in produce given current production practices."
The disparate opinions presented and lively discussion held in reaching these conclusions made for an excellent microcosm of the contentious political environment in which we find ourselves today. Given the need to collaborate, cooperate and compromise in order to craft policy, I feel as though this event has provided valuable experience for the next generation of food systems leaders and should be carried on into the future. If repeated annually I think it will become an important opportunity for future policymakers to gain some of the initial experience and potential connections that they will need to continue to progress in their food systems journeys.
I think one of the most important aspects of the Swette Center is the fact that it brings passionate people together around what can at times feel like a very niche topic. Being able to create community and forge ties with other like-minded individuals has been one of the biggest benefits of being involved with the program. I am what Kathleen Merrigan, the Executive Director of the Swette Center, likes to call an "nth-year student." While the MS program can be completed within two years, there are a number of students that sometimes take three or four years to finish. As I finish the program this year, I have been reflecting on my time as a Swette student and what I have learned, both in terms of class content and my experiences interacting with my peers on the journey through this program. From my first immersive trip in December 2021 to now, I have been amazed by the expansion of the program, both in terms of cohort size and in terms of a list of accomplishments and activities that continues to grow. The latest of these accomplishments一hosting the first ever Model USDA event一aimed at introducing students not only to their potential future roles as policymakers, but also to their potential future colleagues as well. This is exactly the type of innovation needed to prepare our food system leaders-in-training for the future.
This blog is part of a series written by ASU graduate students who role-played as journalists in the Swette Center's inaugural Model USDA, held virtually from January 31 to February 2, 2025.