Did you know that one measly kitchen garden can threaten the future of Big Ag? It can if it’s at the White House. From the letter writing campaign launched by CropLife, the website of the agrichemical industry [via Tom Philpott at grist.org]:

“The garden is a great idea and the photo op of the First Lady and local elementary schoolchildren digging up the ground was precious, but did you realize that it will be an organic garden? What message does that send the general public about the agriculture industry that the majority of you are so proud to serve? What message does that send to the non-farming public about an important and integral part of growing safe and abundant crops to feed and clothe the world — crop protection products?

“Bonnie McCarvel, executive director of the Mid-America CropLife Association and Janet Braun, CropLife Ambassador coordinator, “shuddered” at the thought that the White House garden will be organic.”

To which … really? REALLY? You “shuddered”? I feel strangely empowered all of a sudden. As, I’m sure, does “Mrs. Barack Obama.”

And, in the other Washington, WSU pulls freshman reading of The Omnivore’s Dilemma. For “budgetary reasons” — though they’d already bought the books. It’s all very murky.