Mary Thompson is Vice President, Communications for Farm Foundation, with responsibility for communication, development and program management.  Farm Foundation works as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster a deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions.  Farm Foundation does not lobby or advocate.  It has a 77-year commitment to objectivity.  Thompson joined the Farm Foundation staff in July 2002.  Prior to that she was on the staff of Farm Journal, where she was business editor for 11 years. She has 28 years of journalism experience with local and regional newspapers and agricultural publications. Thompson earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism at Iowa State University, and has done graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her professional work has received regional and national recognition