Today, Teresa Heinz-Kerry emailed the JohnKerry.com online community, asking them to support Denise O’Brien, candidate for Secretary of Agriculture in the Hawkeye State. O’Brien is a long-time friend of Teresa Heinz Kerry, and a champion of innovative and sustainable new farming practices which she has put to work as a long-time organic farmer, and as a candidate this year standing up to big corporate special interests.

Heinz Kerry has campaigned with Denise O’Brien in Iowa twice this year.

The text of her email is below.

Dear Friend,

I don’t often get involved in fundraising for a political candidate. I admit, it’s the part of campaigns I like the least.

But in this case, the fundraising is essential to winning the big battle of ideas that I do care about passionately – and it is the way I can best help a friend of mine who is in a heated and contentious race that matters so much to Iowa.

I am very proud to stand with Denise O’Brien, an organic farmer and candidate for Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa in 2006, and to ask all of you who care about sustainable farming practices and who believe in the potential of small organic farmers, to please donate to her campaign.

Contribute to Denise O’Brien today.

Recently, the New York Times said “the race to watch is the one for Secretary of Agriculture.” But I think you already knew that.

I have met many of you over the last years with so many days spent in Iowa helping John in his campaign for president. I love the idealism I found in Iowa, the creativity, the belief in the possibilities of the future – and to me, that is what my friend Denise’s campaign captures in every way.

Contribute to Denise O’Brien today.

It is a race about the possibilities. A win for Denise would be a victory for the idea that environmentally friendly agricultural policies can be good for the economy and good for our communities at the same time. We can send an important message to politicians and advocacy groups nationwide that socially responsible policies can win. You need only look to the explosion of local farmers’ markets across the country to see that consumers will choose the broader benefits of sustainable farming if they’re given an affordable choice.

Big corporations are trying to smear Denise. In fact, today a 527 special interest group has started airing misleading attack ads against her. Denise’s opponent has begun labeling her work as “fringe agriculture.” We can’t let the politics of smear and slime triumph.

Our contributions will tell Denise’s opponent that tired policies are exactly wrong for Iowa if we are going to nurture and develop sustainable local farming movements.

I strongly urge you to contribute to Denise O’Brien’s campaign today. The latest fundraising period shows that this organic farmer is beating her corporate rival with grass roots donations – she out raised her opponent by 13%!

Contribute to Denise O’Brien today.

Denise O’Brien should not lose this race because of donor fatigue. She needs our help. You can make an immediate and visible impact, paying for biodiesel fuel to power the converted school bus in which she travels the state and paying for her media campaign.

We owe it to Denise to help her win this contest of ideas. Please join me today and help elect Denise O’Brien the next Secretary of Agriculture for Iowa.

Sincerely,

Teresa Heinz Kerry