Thicke appointment welcomed

To the editor:

Dr. Francis Thicke?s appointment to the NOSB (National Organic Standards Board is something that everyone in the Fairfield community can celebrate. Dr. Thicke?s presence on the NOSB will be a boon for the American public, the future of organic agriculture and the integrity of USDA-certified organic products in the US and worldwide. By accepting this appointment, Dr. Thicke is truly providing public and national service of the highest order, particularly given the time commitment required.

The National Organic Program standards have been under assault by the corporate-industrial-faux-organic complex since the day the standards were signed into law. Having someone like Dr. Thicke there to represent all of us who want the integrity of those standards protected and maintained could not ask for a better representative and advocate.

Dr. Thicke?s leadership of the Leopold Group, southeast Iowa chapter of the Iowa Sierra Club, has been outstanding. He will be missed by all of us who have had the privilege of working with him. However, our loss is America?s great gain. We wish him well in this important new endeavor. Congratulations, Dr. Thicke!

? Patrick Bosold, conservation chair of Leopold Group, Iowa Sierra Club