Itâ??s no secret farm groups in Wisconsin are in a froth over the UW-Madisonâ??s invite to Michael Pollan to visit campus.
The best-selling author of “The Omnivoreâ??s Dilemma,” Pollan has emerged as the leading critic of mainstream agriculture, factory farming and the meat-heavy diet of Americans. His call to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” has enraged cattle, pork and dairy producers nationwide — not to mention its various front groups like the Center for Consumer Freedom.
Pollan will visit Madison on Sept. 24 for a lecture at the Kohl Center. He also will participate in a panel discussion on Sept. 25 as part of the UWâ??s “Go Big Read” campus-wide book reading program where his 2008 work “In Defense of Food” will be discussed.
Yet while farm groups have openly criticized UW chancellor Biddy Martin for approving the Pollan book for the “Go Big Read” effort, Martin is also taking some behind-the-scenes heat from left-wing foodies.