Carolyn Brickey to lead organization’s efforts to reduce use of pesticides through consumer recognition of eco-label

(Watsonville, CA) -- Carolyn Brickey has accepted a position as the first executive director for Protected Harvest, a non-profit organization that independently certifies farmers' use of stringent environmental growing standards. The announcement was made today by Protected Harvest board president Dr. Jeff Dlott on behalf of the search committee. In making the announcement, Dlott expressed his “absolute excitement at having recruited someone as capable and talented as Carolyn.”

Prior to joining Protected Harvest, Ms. Brickey served as the executive director for the National Campaign for Pesticide Policy Reform, as chairwoman of the National Organic Standards Board, and as senior counsel to the chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. She earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Ms. Brickey also serves as the executive director of the Institute of Environment and Agriculture, conducting policy analysis on a variety of issues including farm price supports, water contamination, sustainable and organic farm practices, the implications of and regulatory structure for biotechnology and other food and environmental policies. She is project administrator of Dividing the Waters, a network of judges, special masters and referees who preside over general stream adjudications or other complex water cases in the western United States.

“Carolyn Brickey is the ideal person for this position,” said Dr. Jason Clay, senior fellow at the World Wildlife Fund and Protected Harvest board member. “She brings extensive experience managing legal and political strategies on agricultural, environmental and trade issues. She is nationally recognized as a leader in building coalitions to reduce the use of pesticides and develop safer alternatives, and will lead Protected Harvest in advancing the adoption of large-scale reduced pesticide agriculture.”

The Protected Harvest label, which introduced certified Wisconsin potatoes into grocery stores over the past few weeks, evolved out of an innovative collaboration of the World Wildlife Fund, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, and the University of Wisconsin. This new “eco-label” certifies the reduction in the use of toxic pesticides during the growing process through a complex farm management system known as Biologically Integrated Pest Management (BioIPM).

“I am very excited by the challenge of directing such a dynamic and innovative organization,” said Brickey. “My main focus will be to develop a long-range strategy to increase the capacity of Protected Harvest. This will include developing certification standards for additional crops, developing strong retailer and industry partnerships, and implementing a consumer outreach campaign.”

“Most of all,” added Brickey, “I am honored to be working with farmers throughout the country that are committed to reducing their use of toxic pesticides, improving soil and water quality, and protecting wildlife habitat. Consumers are increasingly making food-purchasing decisions based on environmental friendliness. Our job will be to make it easier for consumers to identify and support farmers that are truly making a difference – and at an affordable price.”

Protected Harvest is funded by a grant from the Joyce Foundation.

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