By MITCH LIES

Capital Press

Deborah Kane, a former vice president of Ecotrust, has been chosen to head USDA's Farm and School efforts.

As the new national farm-to-school director, Kane will work with USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and its Food and Nutrition Service.

While at Ecotrust, Kane helped turn Oregon's farm-to-school program into a national model and started FoodHub, an interactive online tool that pairs food producers with buyers.

She also was publisher of Edible Portland, a magazine that highlights innovative farmers, ranchers and fishermen.

In 2011, Kane was named a rural "champion of change" after participating in a roundtable discussion on food policy at the White House with President Barack Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

On Kane's departure in December, Amanda Oborne was appointed acting director of FoodHub, Ericka Carlson took over as publisher of Edible Portland.

and Stacey Sobell continues to serve as the program manager for Ecotrust's Farm to School initiatives, according to the press release.