Despite ‘dumb’ remark, Peterson honored by Organic Trade Association

Despite having said it’s “dumb” to pay a premium price for organic produce, Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, will be honored with the Organic Trade Association’s “2010 Public Servant Award.”

Peterson riled organic farmers and fans when in 2007 he told the Financial Times:

“For whatever reason, people are willing to pay two or three times as much for something that says ‘organic’ or ‘local’. Far be it from me to understand what that’s about, but that’s reality. And if people are dumb enough to pay that much then hallelujah.’”

That earned Peterson — who also said organic producers need little help from the government — “dumb quote of the week” honors from Minnesota’s Organic Consumers Association, which launched a campaign against Peterson over the remark (who later clarified his statement).

Today, the OTA, the 25-year-old organic business group, announced its plan to honor the Seventh District Democrat at an April 14 reception in Washington, D.C.

“We are truly excited at this opportunity to honor Congressman Peterson for his assistance in growing this sector of our nation’s food supply,” said OTA head Christine Bushway. “He has been a strong supporter of organic agriculture, and played a vital role in shaping the 2008 Farm Bill to give organic the largest gains, both in mandatory and discretionary spending, that it has ever gotten.”