Wisconsin agriculture groups say they're concerned about a new UW-Madison program that encourages students to read a book critical of mainstream agriculture and the U.S. food system.

The program, known as "Go Big Read," invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community to read a selected book and participate in campus discussions and community events. New chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin initiated the program.

The university is providing the book free to students and faculty members. A UW-Madison Web site says professors in 48 different courses will be incorporating discussion about the book in their curriculum. The program is targeted at freshmen, but other students also will participate.

The book is Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto." In the book, Pollan examines the modern American food landscape, where he says the deceptively simple question of what to eat has been muddled by the numerous and often conflicting claims of food producers, marketers and nutrition experts.

Pollan says the answer to the question of what people should eat comes down to seven simple words: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean Molly Jahn recently discussed the book with members of the Wisconsin Agriculture Coalition. The coalition is composed of representatives from Wisconsin agricultural groups.

She said some agriculture officials are concerned about the controversial book being featured in the project while others see it is an opportunity to discuss food issues.

"We are pleased that a subject that is so important to our community is coming front and center for the campus community to be the focus of discussion," Jahn said. "We know there are diverse opinions about any aspect of agriculture. There always have been and there always will be. We are meant to be a forum for those opinions. Our job is to make sure there is a complete representation of the diversity of thought."

Jahn said CALS officials are committed to making sure it becomes a "constructive discussion" and helps people better understand the U.S. food system.

"This is an opportunity to showcase what we all do," she said. "It's not only about one person's opinion. It's really about the subject of food and food security and food quality and food safety. These are all subjects that are very important for us at the college."

When Martin announced the new program in February, she said it would be an opportunity to introduce new students to the "intellectual life of the campus."

A campus committee selected the book from almost 400 nominated titles.

The "Go Big Read" Web site says a key component of the program is integrating the book into courses offered in departments across campus. Some courses will use the book as required reading while others will offer themes related to the book as optional topics for papers and presentations.

Pollan will visit UW-Madison Sept. 24-26 for a series of events. He will give a public lecture at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Kohl Center.

Casey Langan, Wisconsin Farm Bureau director of public relations, said while the Farm Bureau "certainly would have picked a different book" for the project, the organization views it as an opportunity to highlight the successes and dispel some of the myths about modern agriculture.

"We currently have a number of Farm Bureau members who are reading 'In Defense of Food,' so that they can participate in the public dialogue that will take place this fall," Langan said. "Since finding out that Mr. Pollan's book was selected for 'Go Big Read,' the Farm Bureau has worked with Jahn to ensure that Wisconsin's farmers and agriculturists will have an opportunity to publicly address the topics this book touches on."

Langan said part of the Farm Bureau's message to UW-Madison freshmen will be that they live in an agriculturally diverse state.

"We will let them know that the scientific agricultural research that has taken place on their campus has benefited eaters worldwide," Langan said.

Jahn said the project will bring food "front and center."

"We feel like this is a great opportunity for our college and our communities to get onto campus and into classrooms and tell our story," she said.

CALS will maintain a Web site to invite food and agriculture groups to post commentary about the project, Jahn said. She said students will be able to view industry comments "as they consider this book and the subject at large."

Martin said in a news release that the book raises issues that are relevant to a wide range of disciplines.

"(The book) offers a wonderful opportunity to involve students, faculty and staff in a shared campus-wide experience," Martin said. "I urge every instructor to consider how 'In Defense of Food' could be used in their classes so we can get as many students, staff and faculty as possible engaged with the program and the lively, thoughtful discussion it will generate."