California agribusiness pressures school to nix Michael Pollan lecture

Agribusinesses across the U.S. have a beef with sustainable food guru Michael Pollan, but at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo it has taken on a definite sizzle. 

Threatening to pull donations from the school, a major California agribusiness has succeeded in turning what was to be a campus lecture by Pollan tomorrow into a panel discussion involving Pollan, a meat-science expert and one of the largest organic growers in the U.S.

"While I understand the need to expose students to alternative views, I find it unacceptable that the university would provide Michael Pollan an unchallenged forum to promote his stand against conventional agricultural practices,'' David E. Wood, chairman of the Harris Ranch Beef Co., wrote in a scathing Sept. 23 letter to the Cal Poly president.

Wood has pledged $150,000 toward a new meat processing plant on campus. In his letter, he said Pollan's scheduled solo appearance had prompted him to "rethink my continued financial support of the university.'' He also criticized an animal sciences professor who said that conventional feedlots like the one run by Harris Ranch were not a form of sustainable agriculture.

Cal Poly officials said they had contemplated using Pollan's talk as the basis for a panel discussion at some point, but the negative reaction to the scheduled lecture from Harris and other agricultural interests propelled the plan onto the front burner.

"When we realized how significant a backlash was coming, we thought of having the panel right after his speech," said David Wehner, a Cal Poly dean.

"I'm frustrated and saddened by some people's attitudes,'' he said. "They've looked at this as us supporting his views and not supporting them. We don't have a political position -- we only educate students.''

In an interview, Pollan said he rejected the idea of appearing on a panel after his scheduled talk.

"I thought, 'Wow! You're going to add some whole other event at the behest of some cranky donors?' " he said of his response to the change. Pollan said he offered the university a choice of either having him lecture or participate in a panel.

Pollan, who teaches in the journalism program at UC Berkeley, has encountered resistance to his campus appearances from farm businesses in Washington and Wisconsin. "It's part of what appears to be a more aggressive industry pushback against critics of industrial agriculture,'' he said in an interview.

He said the Harris letter raised troubling questions about academic freedom.

"The issue is about whether the school is really free to explore diverse ideas about farming,'' he said. "Is the principle of balance going to apply across the board? The next time Monsanto comes to speak at Cal Poly about why we need [genetically modified organisms] to feed the world, will there be a similar effort? Will I be invited back for that show?"

-- Steve Chawkins

Photo: Michael Pollan (Credit: Library Foundation of Los Angeles)

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Comments

[Robert Lamb]

Maybe I'm missing something, but why does a university need "a new meat processing plant on campus"?

[Miloje]

It's PEOPLE! Soylent Green is people!

[Carol]

Public colleges should not be reliant on large donations by private companies. The quest for donations is stifling free speech.

[jad]

If you ever needed proof that all the bad things Pollan has to say about agribusiness are true, this should be it.

So "Eat food; not too much; mostly plants."

[Johnny G]

And this is a great example of why education should be completely state funded and free--the same reason why political campaigns should be 100% publicly financed. You don't get business interests using their money as leverage to control academia and policy. If agribusiness wants to challenge Pollan, then do so in the academic setting by rebutting arguments. The problem with donations like this is that universities have become dependent on donors who have certain special interests.

[Peter Poole]

Universities with agricultural programs typically have campus farms and sometimes processing plants like dairy, winery, and I guess, meat processing. Ag majors should be hearing from industry experts on a regular basis and Pollan is one of those.

David Wood of Harris Ranch is an industry expert as well. I'm sure he would normally be allowed an Ag student audience at Cal Poly. I can only surmise that college students, who may have driven past the hellish looking Harris Ranch feedlot off Interstate 5 might be asking him some tougher questions than Pollan might have faced.

A few years ago, my daughter taught a community education course on agriculture through U.C., Berkeley. Among other activities over several weeks, they visited a mixed organic and conventional production beef ranch right next to Harris Ranch. In planning, they had requested a tour of Harris Ranch as well, but were denied permission.

I guess it remains to be seen whether Mr. Pollan's panel presentation will now be made more poignant due to the revelation of big agriculture's attempt to muzzle him. Harris Ranch seems to want a better reputation than they might deserve.

[Tim]

Yet another Berkeley wacko out to brainwash our youth with their communist agenda. Glad to hear sensible minds took a stand against him.

[Jack]

The school should be able to have anyone they speak without corporate interference. The statement from David E. Wood is ridiculous, since when do schools provide a counter view for guest lectures? Obviously Harris Ranch has something to hide. I end this to do some research into what Michael Pollan has to say about the likes of Harris Ranch.

[Steven Scott]

Monsanto is an enemy of life itself. Boycott~

[Brian]

Troubling eh? Schools should have open forums, not political pressure from deep pockets.

A note to Mr Wood, I will never again eat beef, not because of you, you only re-enforce a good choice many years ago.

[Craig Warden]

Omnivore's Dilemma provides imperfect nutrition advice because the science backing Pollan's advice to eat mostly vegetables was roundly rejected by the results of the largest randomized trial ever conducted -- the Womens Health Initiative which found no benefits from eating more fruits and vegetables. David Wood would be better served just by supporting speakers who base their talks on the best available science of randomized clinical trials.

[Mike]

And this is why Cal Poly is never going to be respected as a great university. Because it isn't. To a large degree it's the publicly-subsidized trade school for business. The "meat processing plant" the administrators are afraid to jeopardize is just a way for the meat packers to outsource their apprenticeship programs. If the college had any guts they would not only return the donation, they'd refuse to accept any from Harris Ranch in the future until Harris is willing to acknowledge the independence of the University. Which may be a long time in coming, because its clear to Harris Ranch (and now everyone else) that they're not.

[Christine Beatty]

Are there any questions now who's *really* calling the shots in our supposedly free and democratic country?

[julie]

So much for free speech in higher education, and encouraging students to THINK, and think for themselves. Mr. Wood is giving us proof that Harris Beef is just another company like all those credit card companies and tobacco companies, sucking in young people for what the companies hope is a lifetime of umbilical money going straight for them. I barely buy beef, but my Harris boycott has begun, Mr. Wood. You may win a few, but you're losing *many* more than you'll win with this stance.

[lil_gaucha]

cal Poly slo stopped being an ag college more than a decade ago. time to move with the times. I like Harris beef, but I'd be willing to boycott it due to behavior like this.

[Ritamarie]

A school needs a meat processing plant because it is has an agriculture program. Yes, people go to school to learn such things. It would be the equivalent of a chemistry lab for an agriculture/food program.
And, yes public colleges should not be reliant on private donations but without enough goevernment support and lack of adequate income from tuition - there are few alternatives.

[Brenda]

The donors couldn't be satisfied just by having Monsanto or some other agribusiness giant come and talk to the kids at some other date? That just sounds like they're scared Pollan's view will actually be heard.

[Mark Hickox]

This nothing more than an attempt by a major agribusiness to stifle its critics. David Woods beieves that Cal Poly SLO exists to further the agenda of Harris Ranch. Do anything less and you will not receive any sort of support from him be it fiscal or moral.
The market place of ideas is an alien concept to David Woods.
Harris Ranches should also be able to easily rebutt Michael Pollan on technical issues in regards to animal science/meat science-if they have such a technical grasp themselves. This is because Michael Pollan is basically an English major with little understanding of how agricultural systems work in detail. The fact that they have not engaged in debate but instead try to squelch debate says more about david wood than Michael Pollan none of it good.

[Anne Green]

Does this mean that Cal Poly is just a glorified Vo Tech school? Not really an "academic" institution?

[Chandler Hill]

Perhaps David Wood failed to think through the wider implications of strong-arming Cal Poly to stifle Michael Pollen. I stop by Harris Ranch 8 times a year, have dinner, and bring beef home to family and friends. Not any more. Nor will I recommend their products to friends and business partners. Perhaps while Mr. Wood 'rethink(s) (his) continued financial support of the university...' he might also think about the type of person who coerces an educational institution into restricting freedom. I urge anyone concerned about this to boycott Harris Ranch.

[bill Kelly]

Micheal Pollan will attract the kind of future ag student that will make Cal Poly a leading institution; by shutting him up we are sending a VERY bad message to current and future students: This is NOT the institution for you!

[Jack C.]

It's a sad day when the owner of a meet packing facility has the power to decide what college students should and should not learn to say nothing of the fact that it's downright scary that a college would accept his request. Colleges are suppose to be places where thoughts and ideas, of varying degrees, can be debated; to allow young minds to learn the facts and opinions of each side of any issue and decide for themselves what they believe to be good and not good. To allow an obvious "special interest" to deprive these students of the chance to learn about a topic based on the fact that the "special interest" does not agree with that opinon is to allow this country to take several steps backward. A difference of opinions and the debate of those opinions is what makes this country great; in fact, it's protected by the constitution. Shame on the CSU system. I do hope that Mr. Pollan sues on the grounds that his constitutionally protected right to have a different opinion than that of Mr. Wood has been infringed upon.

[markiejoe]

Oh great. So a prominent donor threatens to pull a $150,000 donation to the University unless they do what he says. Isn't that called extortion? And the university caves? What a wonderful institution of higher learning that Cal Poly must be.

[KC]

Why can't Pollan just give his lecture and the students can decide whether they agree with him or not? It should be assumed that the Cal Poly students are rational adults who can do their own research on the topic and think for themselves, so I don't understand why there's some great danger in presenting them with Pollan's opinion alone. Pollan gains nothing by coming to the conclusions he does about the problems with the American food industry. Can we really believe that industry representatives are as unbiased in their positions?

[Marilyn Beardslee]

Amazing how some supposed free-market capitalists (Harris Ranch, e.g.) are actually supportive of fascism when their ox is about to be gored.

[Darci]

This year I watched "The Future of Food" and "Food, Inc" - and the feedlot conditions were egregious, disgusting, and incorporating a powerful lobby. So i'm vegetarian now, and can't believe how easy it is. And i've been meaning to research Monsanto to make sure I never buy any of their products. Thanks for reading/posting,

[Josh]

Disgraceful on every level.

Why should the public college need donations from Big Business?

Why should big business be allowed to threaten free speech, particularly when it's someone whose voice is as important as Pollan's.

Just disgraceful.

[Joe]

Harris Ranch has already given me a reason to not buy their products. This attempt to bully critics and limit donations now gives me reason to organize a boycott of this company. We, as consumers, have the huge responsibility of voting with our dollars and educating others about the practices of agribusiness. If we all knew what many of these companies were doing, we would not be buying their food products. They care more about profits than they do about our safety and health. Now they have gained the power to limit free speech. Watch the documentary Food, Inc. and prepare to be horrified by the practices of these corporations. They don't want us to know, but the truth will ultimately win out and force them to change their practices or fail.

[Richard P]

I understand Pollan feels dissed by Wood. I don't understand why he would turn down the chance to verbally rip Wood to pieces in a follow-up discussion, since he would certainly have a chance to negotiate a fair set of rules for that discussion.

[Dario]

Why would Mr.Wood of Harris Ranch Co. be so worried about what Pollan has to say?

If Pollan is so wrong about the sustainability of their practices, it should be easy to show that he is. Or does he think the students at Cal Poly are so easily manipulated that anything an authority figure says will be taken as gospel? Either way, it doesn't sound good for Mr.Woods.

And I'm sure that there are regularly plenty of speakers at Cal Poly from agribusiness. As Pollan said, if Cal Poly requires this for his talk, then they should do the same for those speakers. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Food Science Student]

In response to an above comment:
"A new meat processing plant on campus" enables students to do research in that particular field. Additionally, these facilities can be a source of income for departments by fielding outside work, which usually helps foster local businesses.
It's pretty typical. Dairy processing plants, beer processing, wine processing. It's near impossible to do research (for industry advancements in terms of food safety, preservation, flavor, packaging) without said facilities on campus.

In response to the article, I'm incredibly disappointed at this act of censorship. If the donor is so concerned why doesn't he/she give a talk expressing the differing point of view instead of making demands that deprive students of an opportunity. Step up and defend your beloved point of view instead of just tearing a person down because he doesn't believe the same thing as you.

[Eddie Tucker]

Whoa! Big Business having undue influence on education as well as public policy? I'm shocked!

[Peter Panos]

As much as Cal Poly SLO is a state college and part of the agricultural dominance of the state, it is very unsettling to see private industry stepping in and threatening away free speech and alternative ideas of living and thinking.
We all deserve to be educated on issues which touch our lives everyday, not told what to believe, which is what this article smacks of.

[Kevin Watson-Graff]

If you've ever driven I-5 and smelled the sickening stench emanating from the Harris Ranch feedlot from 10 miles away you will tend to disagree with Mr. Wood's opinion that what his company is doing is in any way conventional agriculture; there is nothing conventional about it.

There is no need to "balance" a discussion when one side is so clearly in the wrong. You don't generally have a physics lecture in which one side is maintaining that there is no such thing as gravity. Why must a sustainability lecture give voice to the argument that forcing cattle to stand in mountains of their own feces is a good thing?

[jeff finney]

Cal Poly punked out for the money. Where are the students on this? The guy should have been told to take his patronage and shove it. Definitely a lack of integrity at the top at the university. Funny how the monied interest all of a sudden believe in "the fairness doctrine" whenever they're criticised. Unending exploitation is not sustainable, but that doesn't really matter to dead enders anyway.

[BigTuna]

Yea, and maybe I'm missing something else but who actually thinks that conventional feedlots like the one run by Harris Ranch ARE a form of sustainable agriculture??? What exactly is sustainable about a conventional feedlot?

[KenG]

Why doesn't the beef lobbyist just ask for the chance to give their own speech another day? Why do they have to suppress Pollan's speech?

It's too bad Cal Poly doesn't have the rocky mountain oysters to tell Mr. Wood to keep his $150K.

[Daria]

This is preposterous! The first guest lecture I ever had at UC Berkeley was by Michael Pollon and it was the best guest lecture I ever had the pleasure of attending. He is a brilliant academic and I agree with Carol--private companies should not be allowed to dictate who can and cannot speak, teach, or do research at a university. And yes, Robert...why do they need a meat processing plant on campus?!

We as a community need to say NO to these types of scare tactics trying to control the academic debate in food politics. I'm all for panels, but a donor demanding one...no!

[Lawrence Kolb]

This looks terrible for Cal Poly. The ag people have always been dumb and angry, so no change there.

[Rich]

Oh I get it. He is happy to spew his left-wing-lunatic drivel, but chickens out when it comes time to debate the subject with industry professionals. What a loser.

[Makadoo]

Hmmm, do you all know where your food comes from?Do you have any idea how many people in our own country, let alone the world, would not be able to afford food if current agricultural practices were reverted to those used 40 years ago, as Mr. Pollan suggests? Mr. Pollan is promoting his unproven ideas (I mean he's a journalism prof at Berkeley after all). Not information on current practices in his profession. If he were informing the students about how he can sustainably produce enough food to replace industrial agriculture that would be different. I feel the panel discussion is the perfect forum. I mean would you let a well informed/educated hairdresser come and speak about their proposed views for cancer research without having information from cancer researchers?

Hope you all eat well today.

[Joe from SLO]

Looks like free speech is for sale in San Luis Obispo, and the price is a paltry $150,000. Cal Poly should return Wood's money should he press the issue.

Factory farming, like that practiced by Harris Ranch, has been well documented for its poisoning of ground water and heat-trapping methane.

Big Ag in the Valley needs to face the reality of a changing world.

[SLOnEasy]

Congratulations to Mr Woods. His efforts to stifle free speech are making him look foolish and greedy. Perhaps Harris Ranch Beef could learn something from dissenting opinions - if it would ever entertain them.

[perry chamberlain]

WOW, no mention of this on cal polys site, there will be a huge backlash because of this.
Ive already seen a boycott site already against harris ranch.
what were they thinking.

[Wendy L. Connolly]

As a graduate of Cal Poly (early 80's) from the Dietetics & Food Administration program, I am appalled by this decision to prevent Michael Pollan from giving a lecture on the campus. This is a clear example of the suppression of intellectual freedom. The faculty should be disgusted by this decision.
The University should be a venue for open discussion of ideas without threat of "financial intimidation". I am a Registered Dietitian, Food Enthusiast, & a strong supporter of "eating local". Mr. Pollan has not always spoken favorably of Dietitians, yet I appreciate & deeply respect his opinions & well-written books. A society that allows a large financial interest to censor a speaker at a public university has a bigger problem than not having Mr. Pollan on the campus. Shame on you for blocking "open education" for the students.

[Balance]

Harris blew it. A panel is a great idea, but threatening to withdraw funding to throw their weight around and force suppression of academic freedom is awful. I will NEVER buy Harris beef again. They have crossed a line by trying to limit critical thinking and trying to control who gets to express their ideas on a public university campus. Harris should be ashamed of putting university leaders in that position, and should feel embarrassed about the message this sends to students.

[Cal Poly Student]

I am a student at Cal Poly (not animal science or ag business) but understand these departments due to roommates and friends majoring in both. I am also a fan of sustainable agriculture. At this point Cal Poly is suffering budget cuts and can use all the help it can get to support struggling programs. The facilities paid for by big business donors are necessary for continued education in areas that provide everyone with food, whether they recognize where their meat and produce is coming from or not. The choice to do a panel is a fair middle ground, allowing the students to learn about less spoken of practices, while allowing more traditional producers to support their methods. Way to go Cal Poly, fight for the programs that bring me fresh meat, new students and my friends careers.

[Deborah A. Gordon]

This is what comes from university leadership which refuses to organize its faculty, students and staff and face down the real battle which is ultimately not with Mr. for public funding to their boards of regents/trustees, state legislators, and ultimately the public. De-incentivizing public funding for higher education and opening yourselves up to even more politicization, pressure, corruption, from donors is not leadership. It's the opposite.

[Laura]

No one is stopping Pollan from speaking, he will be part of the panel, his voice will be heard along with the views of experts in the field he is critical of. This is a win-win! And is most certainly a better learning opportunity for students. I helped organize the farmers who attended Pollan's speech at Wisconsin, we were very respectful to Pollan and simply offered those attending the chance to talk to farmers about how we raise food for them in a caring and safe way, while using technology that Pollan disagrees with. Pollan is not all wrong, most farmers who have read his work know that. However, the small bits where he doesn't tell the whole story, or where he simply misrepresents the technology we use is enough to show up and tell our story OURSELVES. Pollan is a journalist not a farmer, and not a scientist, when we are talking about the important issue of food production ALL should be involved.

[Debbi]

This is beyond infuriating. Cal Poly needs to step up and say no thank you to funds with such restrictive strings attached. What next – force kids to eat meat or run the risk of loosing scholarships?? The only redeeming value is that when the intelligent students and deans of Cal Poly hear the debate between Pollan and the meat industry, they will make the determination that meat consumption is not only hazardous to the environment and animals but, worse, disastrous for their health.

[YRUstupid]

If suggesting that we try to eat more vegetables is what passes for 'elitist' these days, the bar has really been lowered.

[Alan Stanley]

I guess I'll stop puchasing Harris Ranch Beef. Seems besides their stinking feedlots, they don't have any respect for free speech. Your money only bought the few faculty who are willing to sell out their values. I cannot support a 'rancher' who throws his weight around to suppress free speech. Back to the web and searching for that boycott site...

[DRE DAWG]

When big business wields its money bags around, the people are the loosers!!! Shame on you Cal Poly!!!!

After decades of pesticide, hormone, corn industry, and soy industry businesses shoving chemical packed, cheap, unhealthy food down our throats ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

THERE'S A FOOD REVOLUTION GOING ON RIGHT NOW!!!!

Tip of the day: when shopping in the grocery store, ignore the middle aisles. Buy fresh produce, dairy (hormone free), meats, seafood, and fresh baked bread. No need to look at any of the items in the center. Think about it =)

[Julie]

Thank you Mr. Wood for allowing us the opportunity to hear a diverse panel instead of just a lecture. I felt that I learned something from each participant that I heard today and that would not have been possible without his voice. I liked some of Mr. Pollan's thoughts and ideas, however he is not a farmer, rancher, or scientist (as he admits). He is a journalist who makes more money by the more controversy that he creates. I appreciated the differing view points. I agree with him that we need more farmers and that many (i.e. white collar society) look down on farmers as stupid and that point of view needs to change as we rely on them to keep our food source safe and secure.

[Carrie]

I was fortunate enough to attend this discussion today at Cal Poly SLO. Michael Pollan addressed the issue of academic freedom right away and how intellectual thought should not be suppressed by university officials. He also pointed out the value in representing differing opinions. For anyone who was there, it was obvious how Pollan's vision for sustainable agriculture is far superior to conventional methods for so many different reasons. The person who was chosen to represent the conventional industry was obviously in over his head. Pollan rose to the occasion and counter-balanced the "conventional" argument with thoughtfulness and vision. Bravo, Michael Pollan!

[Chris]

For all the ney sayers I would like to remind you that there are a little over 1 million farmers and ranchers in the United States feeding a population of 305 million and that organic or sustainable agriculture can not support feeding the United States. These were statements straight out of Michael Pollan's mouth in a lecture I watched last week on DirecTv. So for those who criticize Mr. Mood and his business practices keep in mind if it wasn't for them and others like them you would not be eating safe, cheap, and reliable food. One example China, lead anyone. If you think organic is better, let me give you a lesson the leafy green problem a few years ago involving ecoli in spinach, that was an organic field.

As for what alumni give, how they give, and the use of that money is at the discretion of the donor, if you think the buildings and labs get built by the state funds, remember the state is broke. It is donors who help build these facilities for students to use and to get the "Learn by Doing" education that Cal Poly offers. To call us dumb and angry is an ignorant statement.

I am an alumni of Cal Poly and I am appalled at all you critics who obviously have no clue what it takes to run an agribusiness under heavy regulations to provide food for America, you all must be the same people who think food comes from Whole Foods, Trader Joes or any other local grocery store. If you think you could do better than buy some land, farm it and see how you do before you cast stones.

[Lauren H.]

As a recent graduate of Cal Poly, SLO, I have been involved in this continual debate about Pollan speaking. First of all, the College of Agriculture is lucky to have donations by people like Harris Ranch and the Lau Family. Without this money, our tuition would be raised considerably and we would not have the means to continue with our "Learn By Doing" motto. As a Meat Science emphasis, I have spent many hours in the lab conducting research on tenderness, and food safety. With these studies, we are continuing to improve food safety and quality for the consumers. With a new meat processing center, we would have better means to continue our research and improve the food system. When we have generous donors like the people from Harris ranch, they deserve a say in research and the continuing education of the students that they are providing funds to educate.

I have been to several speakers over the years and listened to what they have to say. Some of these speakers were for and some were against our conventional practices in Animal Agriculture. However, I have yet to go to a speaker at Cal Poly that does not have a board for debate afterwards. Believe it or not, Cal Poly is great at presenting both sides and allowing for debate. It is when a speaker comes in and refuses to allow any arguments against his/her position that students and others involved in the school start to question the position and competence of the speaker and if he/or she can even defend their positions. In a class called "Issues in Animal Agriculture", a required class, Animal Science students spend hours listening to one-sided debates on many of the topics that Pollan brings up in his book all the while never getting the chance to hear rebuttals. I understand that we need to hear the debates against animal agriculture, but we also should be able to defend ourselves and our practices.

As a 4th generation producer, I KNOW that Pollan is WRONG in many of his statements in his book. Unfortunately, many city-dwellers believe in everything this man says, but I can guarentee you, its not true. Any producer would be happy to explain to you the reasons for what we do and how we are continually looking to produce a better product in a better way.

Thank you Mr. Wood for standing up for what the student body of Cal Poly College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has to say.

[An Individual]

The University needs a new meat processing plant because a public servant of the University determined that a big revenue generating housing development (just another kind of money maker) needed the land. So this development tore down the existing facility and has not stepped up with the money to complete the relocation. In other words, to hold up their end of the bargain.

Michael Pollan is A GUY SELLING A BOOK (the same way Meat/Farm/ETC. industry is selling THINGS). The general public is the target, the CONSUMER, and these things are not being done to improve your standard of living. They are selling you things.
Pollan's book is a COMMODITY TO GENERATE PERSONAL WEALTH. Pollan IS NOT A SCIENTIST, nor is he a leading authority on ANYTHING that has to do with Farming, Sustainability, or EATING. He is a journalist who went out to find "facts" that are his own point of view to validate an argument that is a HOT TOPIC and will SELL HIS BOOK to generate PERSONAL WEALTH.
Pollan tell us what/who your donations support in this life? How are you holding up your end and contributing to society?
How do you criticize Harris Ranch who IS donating to their cause?

Isn't that the issue here, aren't we worried about what happens to us, each individually?

[An Individual]

to Johnny... Do you realize how much government is controlled by those "donating" to their special interest cause??

This is nothing new ...it is just media today and gone tomorrow.

If society really cared about this very specific donor issue why doesn't society start placing Term Limits on every single public position. No one should be allowed to become a Career Polition and make decisions based on being re-elected.

[Chelsea]

As a Cal Poly student I believe this article is lacking some information. I think the student uproar needs to be addressed. As soon as students received the information that Michael Pollan was being paid to speak here unopposed, several students started Facebook groups against it and emailed the heads of CAFES. It was not just Harris Ranch that was opposed but the actual students. What's wrong with Cal Poly taking the students' opinions into consideration? If you ask me, it needs to happen more often. I also know that the students were upset about Pollan speaking unopposed, not about him speaking. As a student of agriculture, one of the most important things I need to learn before becoming an agricultural advocate is what the people who oppose my life profession have to say about it. Learning about Pollan and his views is necessary, but I thought it was much more educational and interesting to hear Pollan go up against people with differing opinions. It also made it easier to wrap my head around his ideas when I heard the whole conversation, not just a one-sided monologue. This being said, I can understand why everyone is so upset, but I also believe it is important to look into both sides of every story.

[LESLIE GILLIN]

I can see both sides and I appreciate the comments from the Cal Poly alumni.
I do feel that free speech should not be thwarted by contributions, but it happens globally, not just in this arena. Look at Washington!

My next few remarks are not exactly responses to this specific issue, but I've been meaning to write Harris Ranch for years now. The only thing I do at Harris Ranch is stop to use their beautiful bathroom on my way north or south. After viewing FOOD, INC, I decided to stop even doing that. The movie is so remarkably well done and I commend Mr. Pollan on his dedication to the research that has gone into the creation of this film.

This may not be the place to express this, but Harris Ranch obviously does not care much about the cows themselves, leaving them to suffer in the intense valley heat, standing in their own feces (and making us gag as we drive by). This is inhumane cruelty to animals. If you'll notice as you drive by, cows like shade; they all try to fit under the lengths of covering put up in the last few years. Looks like they stopped building coverings, however. Why don't you try standing out in your feedlot for hours without any shade, Mr. Wood?

I have not eaten beef for several years now and if I ever go back to eating it, it will only be hormone-free, free-range, grass-fed. You need to see this movie to see the horrendous method of prodding cattle to walk on their knees when they can no longer walk on their feet!! How can these people live with themselves? It is heart-wrenching and I will not have it on my conscience that I benefit (by eating that cow) from this form of cruelty.

[LESLIE GILLIN]

I can see both sides and I appreciate the comments from the Cal Poly alumni.
I do feel that free speech should not be thwarted by contributions, but it happens globally, not just in this arena. Look at Washington!

My next few remarks are not exactly responses to this specific issue, but I've been meaning to write Harris Ranch for years now. The only thing I do at Harris Ranch is stop to use their beautiful bathroom on my way north or south. After viewing FOOD, INC, I decided to stop even doing that. The movie is so remarkably well done and I commend Mr. Pollan on his dedication to the research that has gone into the creation of this film.

This may not be the place to express this, but Harris Ranch obviously does not care much about the cows themselves, leaving them to suffer in the intense valley heat, standing in their own feces (and making us gag as we drive by). This is inhumane cruelty to animals. If you'll notice as you drive by, cows like shade; they all try to fit under the lengths of covering put up in the last few years. Looks like they stopped building coverings, however. Why don't you try standing out in your feedlot for hours without any shade, Mr. Wood?

I have not eaten beef for several years now and if I ever go back to eating it, it will only be hormone-free, free-range, grass-fed. You need to see this movie to see the horrendous method of prodding cattle to walk on their knees when they can no longer walk on their feet!! How can these people live with themselves? It is heart-wrenching and I will not have it on my conscience that I benefit (by eating that cow) from this form of cruelty.

[Bettie]

Cal Poly SLO is an embarrassment as an institution of higher learning.

Apparently they offer a major in extortion.

Cal Poly Chickens. And weasels.

[Jay]

Michael Pollan was paid $20,000+ to appear at Cal Poly. He was picked-up at the door of his home in Berkeley by limo driver and driven to San Luis Obispo. He was driven home in a limo.

Wasn't exactly a "free speech" issue. It cost a lot of money! No one would stop Mr. Pollan from coming to campus to give a "free speech."

Academic freedom? Pollan the academic, wasn't free - he was paid. It was business transaction. The donors objected to their money being spent in this way.

Would be nice to see Mr. Pollan return to Cal Poly pro-bono.

[Nik]

Because they took the old meet plant out to make additional housing. The ag at poly continues to threatened by other school projects.

[Nik]

Cal poly is an amazing agriculture college, but would sease to be without industry support. Most people don't realize the hard work and struggles that the industry goes through. I'm sure most of you have never work in the ag industry. I do and I did go to cal poly and I did study agriculture and I am very proud of of these things. The agriculture units have increasing pressure from other colleges that want to take their faculties and turn them into new buildings and housing. Which is what happened to the old meat processing facility. The majority of consumers are realtivly uneducated about their food. Hearing one persons view point tends to sway a persons view point. Duh! Hearing from a group of experts allows a person to make their own decissions. I feel that this was the main objection that wood and ther industry people had. PS agricuture is CA's number one industry that's alot of jobs and revenue.

[Melissa & Diane]

This is outrageous!!!! First of all, Harris Ranch Beef Co. threatened President Baker to withdraw their donation to the campus in exchange for Pollan not lecturing on his beliefs. This by definition is wrong, whether you side with Pollan or the BEEF CORP. Secondly, Harris Ranch is using their power to impose their view on students (ie giving donations) instead of letting students make their own decisions on sustainability. This is a public school where various speakers with opposing opinions can express themselves freely and in return students can choose to agree or disagree. By hearing multiple opinions, students become more aware and maybe tolerant about societal issues. I can't believe a campus like Cal Poly would bend to the pressure of a big corporation.

[Melissa & Diane]

This is outrageous!!!! First of all, Harris Ranch Beef Co. threatened President Baker to withdraw their donation to the campus in exchange for Pollan not lecturing on his beliefs. This by definition is wrong, whether you side with Pollan or the BEEF CORP. Secondly, Harris Ranch is using their power to impose their view on students (ie giving donations) instead of letting students make their own decisions on sustainability. This is a public school where various speakers with opposing opinions can express themselves freely and in return students can choose to agree or disagree. By hearing multiple opinions, students become more aware and maybe tolerant about societal issues. I can't believe a campus like Cal Poly would bend to the pressure of a big corporation.