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[[Image:Folta.jpg|thumb|right|UF Professor Kevin Folta]]'''Kevin Folta ''' is a professor and the former chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida and promoter of GMO agriculture.<ref>University of Florida website, accessed February 2017, http://www.hos.ufl.edu/faculty/kmfolta</ref> After The Independent Florida Alligator reported allegations that Folta abused his wife, he resigned as chair of the department.<ref>Angela DiMichele, The Alligator, http[https://www.alligator.org/news/uf-horticulture-chair-resigns/article_54b90ba0-6489-11e8-a2b8-974b3fb8ad8e.htmlUF horticulture chair resigns] ''Alligator'' May 31, 2018</ref><ref>GM Watch, accessed December 2018, University of Florida [https://wwwhos.gmwatchifas.orgufl.edu/enpeople/news/lateston-campus-newsfaculty/18303kevin-kevinm-folta-s-wife-goes-public-says-abuse-allegations-are-true/ Kevin Folta] educational organization website, accessed January 2019</ref>Folta is has been called a prominent promoter of "pro-GMO agriculture and the pesticide glyphosate and alleges that he is independent of corporate interests. However, the New York Times reported that he has received funding from Monsanto.professor"<refname=slate>Eric Lipton, New York Times, website, accessed Feb 2017, Keith Kloor [https://www.nytimesslate.com/2015technology/092017/0610/us/foodkevin-foltas-libel-case-against-the-new-york-industrytimes-enlistedmakes-academicsthe-ininternets-gmoreaction-lobbyingpart-warof-emailsthe-showpoint.htmlCan You Sue a Newspaper Based on How the Internet Interprets a Story?_r=0] ''Slate'' Oct. 5, 2017</ref>who "often engages with GMO critics and foes."<ref>Eric Lipton, New York Times, website, accessed Feb 2017, httpsKeith Kloor [http://wwwblogs.documentclouddiscovermagazine.orgcom/collideascape/2014/11/documents10/2303691open-kevinletter-bill-nye-foltaplant-uoffloridadocsscientist/#.html#document/p105/a238328XDOwTM9KgWo Open Letter to Bill Nye from a Plant Scientest] ''Discover Magazine'' Nov. 10, 2014</ref> The University Folta is listed as one of Florida then released documents that disclosed Folta consulted for a law firm the experts on behalf of BayerGMOanswers.com,<ref>GM Watch, accessed December 2018, GMO Answers [https://gmwatchgmoanswers.orgcom/enexperts/news/latest-news/18476-new-row-erupts-overkevin-folta-s-failure-to-disclose-lucrative-bayer-consultancyKevin Folta] Organizational bio, accessed January 2019</ref>a website created as a resource "for information on genetically modified organisms and their use in agriculture and food production." According to ''Reuters,'' funding for GMO Answers comes in part from [[Monsanto]], [[DuPont]], Dow AgroSciences (a unit of [[Dow Chemical]]), and "other companies." ''Reuters'' reports that GMOAnswers is "part of a broad campaign by the biotech industry to try to beat back growing calls for GMO food labeling and for tighter regulation of the biotech seed industry in the United States."<ref>Biology Fortified website, accessed December 2018, Carey Gillam [https://www.biofortifiedreuters.orgcom/2018article/08gmo-campaign/kevingmo-companies-launch-website-to-fight-anti-biotech-movement-foltaidUSL1N0FZ0RE20130729 GMO companies launch website to fight anti-coi/biotech movement] ''Reuters'' Jan. 29, 2013</ref>

Brooke Borel also Folta describes himself as a "scientist in a scientifically illiterate nation at a time when we need science the most" on his blog, "Illumination."<ref>Kevin Folta [https://www.blogger.com/profile/10253508434587464552 profile introduction] blogger, accessed January 2019</ref><ref name=blog>Kfolta [http://kfolta.blogspot.com blog] blogspot, accessed January 2019</ref> On the blog, Folta pushes back against accusations of corporate influence on his work and discusses non-GMO labels on food products, among other topics.<ref name=blog/>  In 2015, ''The New York Times'' reported for that Monsanto had "passed out an undisclosed amount in special grants to scientists like Kevin Folta," and that Folta "correspond regularly with executives at Monsanto." In an interview with ''The Times,d'' Folta "concluded that he could unfairly be seen as a tool of industry, and his university now intends to donate the Monsanto grant money to a food pantry." The article states, "there is no evidence that academic work was compromised, but the emails show how academics have shifted from researchers to actors in lobbying and corporate public relations campaigns."<ref name=nyt>Eric Lipton [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/us/food-industry-enlisted-academics-in-gmo-lobbying-war-emails-show.html?_r=0 Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show] ''New York Times'' Sept. 5, 2015</ref> A ''Buzzfeed News'' report asserts that Folta created a "shady podcast" where he posed as "Vern Blazek" and interviewed himself, about himselfon multiple occasions. Folta's "alter ego," Blazek, interviews Folta's colleagues about GMOs and GMO related topics. <ref>Brooke Borel, Buzzfeed, website, accessed Feb 2017, [https://www.buzzfeed.com/brookeborel/when-scientists-email-monsanto?utm_term=.bkNDoRWeoJ#.giyVEyoKE2Seed Money: True Confessions Of A GMO Defender] ''Buzzfeed News'' Oct. 19, 2015</ref>  Folta's also funds<ref>Talking Biotech [http://www.talkingbiotechpodcast.com/ Talking Biotech Podcast] organizational website, accessed January 2019</ref> and co-hosts the "Talking Biotech" Podcast, with plant pathology professor [[Paul Vincelli]]. Episodes of the podcast is are sometimes guest hosted by posted on the [[Kavin SenapathyGenetic Literacy Project]] who also promotes GMOswebsite.<ref>Paul Vincelli and Shawn Dorious [https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2018/07/11/talking-biotech-disturbing-new-details-on-putins-anti-gmo-propaganda-campaign-designed-to-sow-political-discord-in-the-u-s/ Talking Biotech podcast: Disturbing new details on Putin’s anti-GMO propaganda campaign designed to sow political discord in the U.S.] Genetic Literacy Project, July 11, 2018</ref> The Genetic Literacy Project website is owned by ESG MediaMetrics<ref>ICANN, [https://www.sourcewatch.org/images/8/84/GLP_ICANN_WHOIS.pdf GeneticLiteracyProject.org WHOIS], websiteregistration information, accessed September 2017October 19, 2018.</ref> a public relations company with clients including Monsanto, the Vinyl Institute, and Merisant, a Monsanto spin-off that manufactured artificial sweeteners.<ref>Web Archive [https://web.archive.org/web/20120516134259/http://www.talkingbiotechpodcastesgmediametrics.com/447/clients.htm ESG Clients]</ref>

Folta maintains an aggressive posture that he is independent of corporate influence and pushes back against GMO critics, regularly attacking them on industry websites such as Science 2reporters and activists who he thinks misrepresent him. GM Watch reported that [[Michael Halpern]] with the Union of Concerned Scientists has tweeted support for Folta that releasing his emails was harassment.0<ref>About Kevin M. FoltaGM Watch, March 26, 2019 accessed September 2017April 2019, httphttps://wwwgmwatch.science20.comorg/en/news/profilelatest-news/kevin_m_folta18835-why-does-the-union-for-concerned-scientists-keep-vilifying-us-right-to-know</ref>  Journalist Paul Thacker and professor Charles Seife published a post on the PLOS blog. Folta responded to the post, calling it "a breach of journalistic ethics," "false and misleading," a "hit job," and a "vicious blindsiding." Eventually, the post was taken down. Seife responded to that, telling ''Retraction Watch'' "the criticism of our opinion — much of which is inaccurate and inflammatory — is allowed to remain intact, giving an extremely distorted view of what happened. I’m bemused by the [[Genetic Literacy Project]]hypocrisy of a number of actors in this drama who claim to be fighting a “chilling effect” on public debate and academic freedom while cheerfully silencing a viewpoint they don’t like."<ref>Kevin Folta, accessed September 2017, Alison McCook [https://geneticliteracyprojectretractionwatch.orgcom/2015/08/author24/kevinfollowing-criticism-plos-removes-blog-defending-scrutiny-foltaof-2science/Following criticism, PLOS removes blog defending scrutiny of science] ''Retraction Watch'' August 25, 2015</ref> Targets of Folta include journalists Paul Thacker and Charles Seife Rachel Parent, an anti-GMO activist,<ref>Kevin has had public disputes with Folta, . The Genetic Literacy Projectcharacterized their disagreements as "attacks"<ref>Jon Entine, website, accessed Sept 2017, David Warmflash [https://geneticliteracyproject.org/20152017/0801/1606/kevin-foltareal-respondsstory-anti-gmo-foiateen-fiascosensation-plosrachel-bungledparent-postidealist-misrepresentspawn-smokingnatural-gunmarketers/ Real story of anti-email/GMO sensation Rachel Parent: Idealist or pawn of ‘natural’ marketers?] Genetic Literacy Project, January 6, 2017</ref> Canadian teenage activist Rachel Parent,refers to Folta as a "notorious" Monsanto troll.<ref>Allison VuchnichRachel Parent [https://twitter.com/RachelsNews/status/928112389752373248 tweet] Twitter, Global News, websiteNov. 7, accessed Sept 2017, http</ref>{|align=right|{{#widget:Iframe|url=https://globalnewswww.cadocumentcloud.org/newsdocuments/2414720/documents5753650-2019-02-reveal27-canadianSummary-teenagerJudgment-theFolta-targetv-ofNYT-gmoand-lobbyLipton.html}}|}Following the publication of the 2015 ''New York Times'' article which said that academics like Folta have "shifted from researchers to actors in lobbying and corporate public relations campaigns."<ref name=nyt/> Folta took legal action. In 2017, the professor sued the author of the article, Eric Lipton, a two-time Pulitzer prize winner,<ref name=slate/> and the ''New York Times'' for defamation.<refname=suit> Politico [https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000015e-52e2-df04-a5df-d6e70aa10001 Folta v. Lipton and The New York Times reporter Eric Lipton] court filing Nov.1, 2017</ref>Folta's claim was "dismissed" and closed by a federal district judge who ruled that: :"In today’s world of “fake news” and near-constant attacks on the :traditional media, this Court is especially sensitive to upholding the :legal protections that enable the press to act effectively in its essential :task of policing the government. In summary, Statements 2–16, 18–30, and 32 :are privileged under Florida’s fair report privilege. Statement 1 is not :capable of a defamatory meaning, and Statements 17 and 31 are privileged as :pure opinion."  The United States Distrcit Court Final Judgement Summary can be viewed to the right. Folta has also written that Paul Thacker, HuffPohis ex-wife, websiteand his former podcast co-host [[Kavin Senapathy]]<ref>Kavin Senapathy [https://www.facebook.com/notes/kavin-senapathy/kevin-folta-and-apologies/10155116134915736/ Kevin Folta and Apologies] Facebook post, accessed Sept 2017Feb 9, 2018</ref> are spreading "exaggerated" and "fictitious" stories to "punish him."<ref>Kevin Folta [http://wwwkfolta.huffingtonpostblogspot.com/entry2018/keith06/your-kloorsancient-endearingpast-loveweaponized.html?q=Paul+thacker Your Ancient Past, Weaponized] blog, accessed Januray 2019</ref> Folta responded to his SourceWatch profile. Before allowing time to review, he accused the page's author of "a gross distortion of freedom of speech, using words maliciously with intent to harm."<ref>Kevin Folta [http://kfolta.blogspot.com/2019/01/mangling-affairreality-withand-gmos_us_596fc0c8e4b062ea5f8eea33targeting.html Mangling Reality and Targeting] Jan 3. 2019</ref>

Folta maintains he is independent of any corporate interest. However, A 2015 report in 2015, ''The New York Times reported on emails that showed ,'' however, states Folta was "part of an inner circle of industry consultants, lobbyists and executives who devised a strategy on how to block state efforts to mandate G.M.O. labeling and, most recently, on how to get Congress to pass legislation that would pre-empt any state from taking such a step."<ref>Eric Lipton, New York Times, website, accessed Feb 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/us/food-industry-enlisted-academics-in-gmo-lobbying-war-emails-show.html?_rname=0<nyt/ref> Along with the story, the New York Times released dozens of Folta's emails for readers. <ref>Eric Lipton, New York Times, website, accessed Feb 2017, [https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2303691-kevin-folta-uoffloridadocs.html#document/p105/a238328emails] Document Cloud, accessed Jan. 2019</ref> In May 2018, GM Watch , an anti-GMO site, reported that a colleague of Folta alleged he had a lucrative $600/hr consulting arrangement with Bayer.<ref>GM Watch, "Kevin Folta: Omission impossible?" accessed December 2018, Jonathan Matthews [https://gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18273GM Watch Kevin Folta: Omission impossible?"] GMWatch May 14, 2018</ref>Folta's ex-wife also posted checks from Monsanto , after "a rather nasty divorce,"<ref>Kevin Folta [https://kfolta.blogspot.com/2018/03/wheres-folta.html Where's Folta] blog post, March 21, 2018</ref> wrote that came "he is trying to their home, hide funds" and she wrote alleged that Folta had a lucrative "has done consulting work in 2017 for Bayer at $400/hr consulting arrangement with Bayer."<ref>Skeptical Nurse, Archived version dated April 12, 2018 Roxanne Porozinski ["Oh! What A Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice To Deceive" accessed December 2018, https://web.archive.org/web/20180413220836/http://www.skepticalnurse.com/2018/04/oh-what-tangled-web-we-weave-when-first.html</ref>Folta denied consulting for Bayer, but [[Biology Fortified, Inc.]] then requested documents from the University of Florida.<ref>GM WatchApril 12, "Kevin Folta: Omission impossible?" accessed December 2018, https://gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18273</ref>The documents released by the University of Florida showed that Folta consulted for a law firm working for Bayer.<ref>Biology Fortified website, accessed December 2018, https://www.biofortified.org/2018/08/kevin-folta-coi/</ref>

Kevin Folta maintains strong relations with [[Jon Entine]] who runs 's work is frequently seen published on the [[Genetic Literacy Project]], which claims to be an independent nonprofit but is actually a website owned by the public relations company: ESG MediaMetrics.<ref>GM Watch, October 15, 2018 https://www.gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18507-the-three-stooges-of-science-denial-the-genetic-literacy-project-sense-about-science-and-stats</ref>The website for ESG Mediametrics has been removed, but archived version of the firm show that its clients include Monsanto, the Vinyl Institute, and Merisant, a Monsanto spin-off that manufactured artificial sweeteners.<ref>GM Watch, October 15, 2018 https://www.gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18507-the-three-stooges-of-science-denial-the-genetic-literacy-project-sense-about-science-and-stats</ref> ''HuffPo '' released emails between [[Jon Entine]] and Folta where they discussed funding from Monsanto and ways to discredit GMO critics.<refname=huffpo>Paul D. Thacker, HuffPo, accessed August 2017, http[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/keith-kloors-endearing-love-affair-with-gmos_us_596fc0c8e4b062ea5f8eea33Keith Kloor’s Endearing Love Affair With GMOs] ''HuffPo'' 7/19/2017</ref> When Folta became concerned that his emails would show he was being funded by Monsanto, he contacted [[Keith Kloor]] to preemptively release the emails "but selectively." After Kloor wrote the story for ''Nature'', he then warned [[Jon Entine]] of the [[Genetic Literacy Project]]. "You and I should also talk,” [[Keith Kloor]] wrote to [[Jon Entine]], “You are in the emails.”<ref name=huffpo/> Kevin Folta served as a panelist at the 2014 and 2015 conferences hosted by [[Academics Review]] and the [[Genetic Literacy Project]], which were later found to have been funded entirely by industry. When proposing the budget for the 2014 conference, [[Jon Entine]] emailed Folta that he would be paid for participating. Folta emailed back, "I'm glad you put in something here for me, $7500 is a great chunk of change. If it is offered that way I'll earn every penny." Other faculty included Jay Byrne, a former public relations officer at Monsanto who now runs a PR firm that promotes GMOs; Nina Fedoroff, a professor at Penn State, and advisor to a law firm that represents the biotech industry; and [[Hank Campbell]] who later became the president of the [[American Council on Science and Health]].<ref>Paul D. Thacker, HuffPo, accessed August 2017, [http://wwwprogressive.huffingtonpost.comorg/entrymagazine/keithhow-kloorsthe-endearingbiotech-loveindustry-affaircultivates-withpositive-gmos_us_596fc0c8e4b062ea5f8eea33/media lacking for GMOs: How the Biotech Industry Cultivates Positive Media—and Discourages Criticism] ''The Progressive'' June 21, 2017</ref>

Kevin Folta served In late 2017 documents were released as part of a panelist at the 2014 and 2015 conferences hosted by lawsuit against [[Academics ReviewMonsanto]] and regarding the possible carcinogenicity of the [[Genetic Literacy Project]], which were later found to have been funded entirely by industrypesticide glyphosate.<ref>Paul D. Thacker, The Progressive, accessed August 2017, httpCarey Gillam [https://progressivewww.huffingtonpost.orgcom/magazineentry/how-themonsanto-biotechmanufactured-industryoutrage-cultivatesat-positivechemical-media/cancer_us_59c17c88e4b0f96732cbc9f3 How Monsanto Manufactured Outrage At Chemical Cancer Classification It Expected] ''Huffington Post'' September 19, 2017</ref>When proposing One document detailed Monsanto's battle plan against the budget for the 2014 conferenceWorld Health Organization, [[Jon Entine]] emailed Folta that he would be paid for participating. Folta emailed back, "I'm glad you put in something here for me, $7500 is which classified glyphosate as a great chunk of change. If it is offered that way I'll earn every pennypossible carcinogen.<ref>Emails released by The Progressive between Jon Entine and Kevin Folta, dated 31 October 2013 International Agency for Research on Cancer [https://www-prod.documentcloudiarc.orgfr/wp-content/uploads/2018/documents07/3872363MonographVolume112-Entine-Folta-BLP-Hotspots1.htmlpdf IARC Monographs Volume 112: evaluation offive organophosphate insecticides and herbicides] World Health Organization, March 20, 2015</ref> Other faculty included Jay ByrneOn page five, a former public relations officer at Monsanto who now runs a PR firm that promotes GMOs; Nina Fedoroff, a professor at Penn State's plan listed strategies and tactics for discrediting the World Health Organization before it released its ruling, and advisor to a law firm named several "industry partners" they would work with that represents the biotech industry; and included Biofortified AKA [[Hank CampbellBiology Fortified, Inc.]] who later became the president of the , [[American Council on Sense About Science ]], Genetic Literacy Project, and Health[[Academics Review]]./<ref>Paul D. ThackerBaum, The ProgressiveHedlund, accessed August 2017Aristei & Goldman Law Firm [Monsanto: Glyphosate IARC, http:Draft baumhedlundlaw.com/pdf/progressive.orgmonsanto-documents/magazine/how72-Document-theDetails-biotechMonsantos-industryGoals-cultivatesAfter-positiveIARC-media/Report.pdf] document Feb 23, 2015</ref>

In late 2017 documents were released as part ==Defense of Jordan Peterson==After [[Kavin Senapathy]] published a 2018 article detailing how Monsanto’s director of millennial engagement, [[Vance Crowe]] was planning a lawsuit against "fireside chat with University of Toronto psychology professor [[MonsantoJordan Peterson]] " regarding “The Danger of Allowing Ideologies to Grow Unopposed,”<ref>Kavin Senapathy [https://slate.com/technology/2018/01/why-is-monsanto-inviting-alt-right-hero-jordan-peterson-to-a-fireside-chat-on-farming.html Why Is Monsanto Inviting This Alt-Right Hero to a Fireside Chat on Farming?] ''Slate'' Jan 4, 2018</ref> Folta tweeted his opinions on the possible carcinogenicity matter. Senapathy had quoted Mclean Magazine calling Peterson a “belle of the pesticide glyphosatealt-right."<ref>Carey Gillam, "How Monsanto Manufactured Outrage At Chemical Cancer Classification It Expected"Tabatha Southey , Huffington Post, September 19, 2017. [https://www.huffingtonpostmacleans.comca/entryopinion/howis-jordan-monsantopeterson-manufacturedthe-outragestupid-atmans-chemicalsmart-cancer_us_59c17c88e4b0f96732cbc9f3person/ Is Jordan Peterson the stupid man’s smart person?] ''Mclean Magazine'' Nov. 17, 2017</ref> One document detailed Monsanto<ref>Nathan Robinson [https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/03/the-intellectual-we-deserve THE INTELLECTUAL WE DESERVE] ''Current Affairs''s battle plan against March 14, 2018</ref>Prompting Folta to tweet, "I feel so bad for Vance. Yes, he underestimated the World Health Organization, which was planning optics of this. He forgot what evil people will do. Kavin did to him what Brooke Borel did to classify glyphosate as me. From a possible carcinogen. On page fivehyperbolic, Monsanto's plan listed strategies and tactics for discrediting bogus title to misrepresentation of the World Health Organization before it released it's rulingevent, and named several my heart hurts for him. It is very sad."industry partners" they would work with that included Biofortified AKA <ref>Kevin Folta [[Biology Fortified, Inchttps://twitter.com/kevinfolta/status/950479849990344704 tweet]]social media, [[Sense About Science]]Jan 8, Genetic Literacy Project, and [[Academics Review]]2018</<ref>Monsanto: Glyphosate IARCIn a follow up Facebook post, Draft dated February 23Senapathy wrote "I understand that Kevin’s heart truly did/does hurt for Vance. As Kevin explained to me, 2015he has beers with Monsanto’s Director of Millennial Engagement a few times a year. http"<ref>Kavin Senapathy [https://baumhedlundlawwww.facebook.com/pdfnotes/monsantokavin-documentssenapathy/72kevin-Documentfolta-Detailsand-Monsantos-Goals-After-IARC-Report.pdfapologies/10155116134915736 Kevin Folta and Apologies] social media post, Feb 9, 2018</ref>

US Right to Know Profile of Kevin Folta<ref>US Right to Know, Page * [https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/people/on -campus-faculty/kevin-m-folta/ Kevin Folta, Accessed December 2018 's University of Florida Profile]* [https://usrtk.org/our-investigations/kevin-folta/</ref> Jon Entine and Genetic Literacy Project Spin Chemical Industry PR<ref>US Right to Know, Page on Jon Entine, Accessed March 2018 Profile of Kevin Folta] * [https://usrtk.org/hall-of-shame/jon-entine-the-chemical-industrys-master-messenger/</ref> The Three Stooges of Science DenialUS Right to Know: The Jon Entine and Genetic Literacy Project, Sense About Science, and STATS<ref>GM Watch, October 15, 2018 Spin Chemical Industry PR]* [https://www.gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18507-the-three-stooges-of-science-denial-the-genetic-literacy-project-sense-about-science-and-stats</ref>stat GM Watch The Three Stooges of Science Denial: The Genetic Literacy Project, Sense About Science, and STATS]