The USDA’s sustainable food champion steps down. “For generations, the message from the US Department of Agriculture to the nation’s farmers could be summed up in the famous piece of advice offered by Ezra Taft Benson, President Dwight Eisenhower’s USDA chief: “get big or get out.” That’s why (Kathleen) Merrigan’s tenure is so significant. Under her influence, the USDA suddenly began to urge consumers to ‘Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food,’ and made a concerted effort to marshal USDA resources to support local and regional food systems supplied by farms of varying scales: the opposite of the globalized, monolithic system envisioned by Benson and put into place with the consent of his successors.”

Wave of prawn deaths baffles Chile city of Coronel. “Hundreds of dead crabs were also washed ashore in Coronel city, about 530km (330 miles) from the capital, Santiago. Fishermen suggested the deaths may have been caused by local power stations that use seawater as a cooling agent. The power firms have not commented. Experts are looking into water temperature and oxygen levels and other details to explain the deaths.”

Iditarod dog dies after frigid night outside; charges are urged. “The death of 5-year-old Dorado is the first in four years for the 1,049-mile annual race between Anchorage and Nome, a grueling endurance contest that is run through some of the harshest snow, ice and wind conditions on Earth. The 55-pound dog had been dropped from its team at the town of Unalakleet and was one of about 135 scratched dogs awaiting transport back to Anchorage. Most of the dogs were housed inside a pair of airport buildings, but Dorado was among about 35 dogs left outside Friday night in freezing, blowing snow.”

Top designers and luxury brands win in first PETA vegan fashion awards. “The awards mark the launch of PETA’s new ‘PETA-Approved Vegan’ logo, which designers and retailers can use to identify vegan clothes and accessories that they sell online or in stores.”

Photo credit: zandwacht via Flickr