Kathleen Merrigan
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Mail code: 7904Campus: Tempe
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Kathleen Merrigan, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and a leader in sustainable food systems, serves as inaugural executive director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University. Merrigan also holds the position of the Kelly and Brian Swette Professor of Sustainable Food Systems with appointments in the School of Sustainability, College of Health Solutions and School of Public Affairs.
From 2009-2013, Merrigan was U.S. Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a $150 billion, 110,000 employee institution. As Deputy Secretary, she created and led the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative to support local food systems; was a key architect of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign; and made history as the first woman to chair the Ministerial Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Before joining the USDA, Merrigan held a variety of agriculture policy positions, including faculty member at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Administrator of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, and senior staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where she wrote the law establishing national standards for organic food.
Recognizing the history and scope of her work, Time Magazine named Merrigan among the “100 most influential people in the world” in 2010.
- Ph.D. Environmental Planning and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Master of Public Affairs, University of Texas
- B.A. English and Political Science, Williams College
2023
Merrigan, K. (2023, May 8). These four challenges will shape the next farm bill – and how the US eats. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/these-four-challenges-will-shape-the-next-farm-bill-and-how-the-us-eats-202555
Merrigan, K. (2023). What is bioengineered food? An agricultural expert explains. Mark Zimmer, ed. Johns Hopkins Press. https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/33264/conversation-biotechnology
Caron, P., Gitagia, M., Hamm, M., Hoffmann, U., Kimani-Murage, E., Martinez-Cruz, T., Merrigan, K., Mooney, P., Riemer, O., Scialabba, N.E.H., and Shah, T.M. (2023). Blind spots in the debate on agri-food system transformation. In FORESEE (4C) – The Transformation of Agri-Food Systems in Times of Multiple Crises (4Cs: Climate, Covid-19, Conflict, Cost of Externalities). Berlin: TMG – Think Tank for Sustainability. Report 3. https://doi.org/10.35435/1.2023.3
Kennedy, E. Torero, M., Mozaffarian, D., Masters, W., Steiner, R., Hendriks, S., Morrison, J., Merrigan, K. Ghosh, S., Mason-d’Croz, D. (2023). Beyond the food systems summit: Linking recommendations to action – The true cost of food. Current Developments in Nutrition, 7(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.100028
2022
Merrigan, K., Jablonski, B., Bellon, M., Jalbonski, K., Natarajan, M., Garry, F., Lemon, S., Overlin, A., Hanley, C., Rhoades, R., Nichols, G., Dillon, J., Bernard., Bauman, A. (2022). Unveiling the hidden capitals of cow-calf operations in rangelands of the west, a TCA TEEBAgriFood application. Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems. https://sustainability-innovation.asu.edu/food/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2023/04/04252023-Unveiling-Hidden-Capitals_web.pdf
Gustafson, D., Decker, E., Drewnowski, A., Hamm, M., Hwang, J., Merrigan, K. (2022). Making healthy, sustainable diets accessible and achievable: A new framework for assessing the nutrition, environmental and equity impacts of packaged foods. Current Developments in Nutrition, 6(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac136
Merrigan, K., Giraud, E., Scialabba, N.E.H., Brook, L., Johnson, A., Aird, S. (2022). Grow organic: The climate, health, and economic case for expanding organic agriculture. Natural Resources Defense Counsel. https://sustainability-innovation.asu.edu/food/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2023/02/Organic-Ag-R-22-10-A_07_locked-002.pdf
Merrigan, K. (Ed.) (2022). Achieving food system resilience & equity in the era of global environmental change. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/16420/achieving-food-system-resilience-equity-in-the-era-of-global-environmental-change#overview
Archambeau, E., Merrigan, K. (2022, June 20) Beware the false dichotomy: The EU need not choose between food security and sustainability. Medium. https://medium.com/@astanor/beware-the-false-dichotomy-the-eu-need-not-choose-between-food-security-and-sustainability-bff9754b19ce
Merrigan, K. (2022). Fertilizer prices are soaring and that’s an opportunity to promote more sustainable ways of growing crops. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/fertilizer-prices-are-soaring-and-thats-an-opportunity-to-promote-more-sustainable-ways-of-growing-crops-183418
Merrigan, K. (2022, January 21). What is bioengineered food? An agricultural expert explains. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/what-is-bioengineered-food-an-agriculture-expert-explains-175003
2021
Merrigan, K. (2021, November 3). Unlike the US, Europe is setting ambitious targets for producing more organic food. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/unlike-the-us-europe-is-setting-ambitious-targets-for-producing-more-organic-food-169078
Merrigan, K. (2021, August 17). Organic food has become mainstream but still has room to grow. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/organic-food-has-become-mainstream-but-still-has-room-to-grow-164220
Merrigan, K. (2021). Embedding TCA within US regulatory decision-making. In B. Gemmill-Herren, L. Baker, P. Daniels, (Eds.), True Cost Accounting of Food: Balancing the Scale (pp. 179-188). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003050803
Merrigan, K. (2021). Tradeoffs: Comparing meat and the alternatives. In B. Gemmill-Herren, L. Baker, P. Daniels, (Eds.), True Cost Accounting of Food: Balancing the Scale (pp. 235-243). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003050803
Scialabba, N.E.H., Obst, C., Merrigan, K., Muller, A. (2021). Conclusion: Mobilizing the power and potential of true cost accounting. In B. Gemmill-Herren, L. Baker, P. Daniels, (Eds.), True Cost Accounting of Food: Balancing the Scale (pp. 263-273). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003050803
Merrigan, K., Giraud, E., Greene, C. (2021). The critical to-do list for organic agriculture: 49 recommendations for the president. Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems. https://sustainability-innovation.asu.edu/food/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2021/06/Organic-Report-2021-2.pdf
2020
Leoni, D., Merrigan, K. (2020). Congress needs to come to rescue of restaurants. Arizona Capitol Times. https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2020/10/21/congress-needs-to-come-to-rescue-of-restaurants/
Merrigan, K. (2020) Striving for better policy with food systems thinking. Agrilinks. https://agrilinks.org/post/striving-better-policy-food-systems-thinking
Sandhu, H., Muller, A., Pukhdev, P., Merrigan, K., Tenkouano, A., Kumar, P., Hussain, S., Zhang, W., Pengue, W., Gemmill-Herren, B., Hamm, M., Tirado Von Der Pahlen, M.C., Obst, C., Sharma, K., Gundimeda, H., Markandya, A., May, P., Platais, G., Weigelt, J. (2019). The future of agriculture and food: Evaluating the holistic costs and benefits. The Anthropocene Review, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2053019619872808
2019
Sandhu, H., Muller, A., Pukhdev, P., Merrigan, K., Tenkouano, A., Kumar, P., Hussain, S., Zhang, W., Pengue, W., Gemmill-Herren, B., Hamm, M., Tirado Von Der Pahlen, M.C., Obst, C., Sharma, K., Gundimeda, H., Markandya, A., May, P., Platais, G., Weigelt, J. (2019). The future of agriculture and food: Evaluating the holistic costs and benefits. The Anthropocene Review, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2053019619872808
Schlosser, P., White, D., Merrigan, K., Lackner, K., Dirks, K., Aggarwal, R., Berman, N., Boone, C., Eakin, H., Laubichler, M., Sarda, B., Ven Der Leeuw, S. (2019). Recognizing the urgency of our climate crisis. Medium. https://asuglobalfuture.medium.com/recognizing-the-urgency-of-our-climate-crisis-5042bd77117f
Sylvetsky, A.C., Hiedacavage, A. Shah, N., Pokorney, P., Baldauf, S., Merrigan, K., Smith, V., Long, M.W., Black, R., Robien, K., Avena, N., Gaine, C., Greenberg, D., Wootan, M.G., Talegawkar, S. (2019). From biology to behavior: A cross-disciplinary seminar series surrounding added sugar and low-calorie sweetener consumption. Obesity Science and Practice, 5(3), pp. 203-219. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.334
Courses
2025 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
2024 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
SOS 790 | Reading and Conference |
SOS 590 | Reading and Conference |
2024 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 565 | Organizational Leadership |
2024 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
2023 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 562 | Managing Resources Food Proc |
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
2023 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 565 | Organizational Leadership |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 565 | Organizational Leadership |
2023 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
2022 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 562 | Managing Resources Food Proc |
2022 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 565 | Organizational Leadership |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
2022 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
AGB 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SOS 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
SFS 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SFS 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SOS 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SOS 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
AGB 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
AGB 216 | The Sustainable Plate |
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
2021 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SOS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
AGB 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
SFS 562 | Managing Resources Food Proc |
2021 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 565 | Organizational Leadership |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
2021 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 562 | Managing Resources Food Proc |
AGB 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SOS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
SFS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SOS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SOS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
AGB 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
AGB 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 596 | Capstone |
2020 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
AGB 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
AGB 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SFS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SFS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SFS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SOS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SOS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SOS 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
AGB 215 | Fundamentals US Food & Agricul |
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
2020 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 565 | Organizational Leadership |
2020 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 562 | Managing Resources Food Proc |
AGB 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SOS 216 | Subsectors US Food & Agricul |
SFS 563 | Applied Food Policy Immersion |
2019 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
SFS 560 | Tools and Tactics |
SFS 561 | Food and Farm Immersion |
Current Affiliations
CIFOR-ICRAF Board of Trustees
Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Board of Directors
Heatland Health Research Alliance, Policy Chair
Organic Farming Research Foundation, Advisor
Astanor Ventures, Advisor, 2017-present