Tom Vilsack
Tom Vilsack
Thomas James "Tom" Vilsackis an American politician who has served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture since 2009. A member of the Iowa Democratic Party, Vilsack served as the 40th Governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth13 December 1950
CityPittsburgh, PA
CountryUnited States of America
leader want needs
Americans ... want leaders who share their values, understand their needs, and respect their intelligence.
small-business economy
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy.
dance prayer rain
There are a lot of farmers and ranchers who are struggling. I get on my knees every day. If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.
determination thinking numbers
I can't give you a specific number today, in large part because the analysis upon which we would make that determination has not been completed. . . . I think it is fair to say there may be additional costs associated with a farming operation, but it is very difficult to quantify.
commitment garden land
President Obama has expressed his commitment to responsible stewardship of our land, water, and other natural resources. And one way of restoring the land to its natural condition is what we are doing here today - breaking pavement for the People's Garden.
scales young farmers
Many young and beginning farmers start out in local markets. Some stay there, and some scale up.
vegetables people focus
If we can get people to focus on fruits and vegetables and more healthy foods, we'll be better in terms of our healthcare situation.
iowa ideas issues
Let us tackle the big issues with bold ideas that transform Iowa to accomplish our shared mission to grow Iowa, and realize our shared vision of Iowa as the best place to live, work and raise a family.
believe lack opportunity population rural sixteen taking
Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don't believe that's because of a lack of opportunity in rural America. I believe that's because if you grow up in rural America, you know you can't just keep taking from the land. You've got to give something back.
addition centers corner critical develop diverse ensure five necessary produced profitable range regional science
It is critical to develop a biofuel industry powered by feedstocks produced in every corner of the country, in addition to the Midwest. That is why USDA has established five regional research centers working on science necessary to ensure profitable biofuels can be produced from a diverse range of feedstocks.
energy food fully people work
If you think of what food is, it's the energy we use to do our daily work. I want people to know about the USDA. This is a very important department. It's not fully appreciated as such.
benefits consuming fruits health meals move opportunity preparing sort
We know that there are significant health benefits from consuming more fruits and vegetables, and that's an opportunity for us to sort of move away from some of the meals that we've been preparing in the past.
addiction build climate companies economy eliminate energy food foreign investment lead leadership moral rural security
Let us build a 21st-century rural economy of cutting-edge companies and technologies that lead us to energy and food security. Such an investment will revitalize rural America, re-establish our moral leadership on climate security and eliminate our addiction to foreign oil.
across class committed farmers jobs keeping markets middle movements needs pace profitable supporting
USDA is committed to keeping pace with the needs and progress of American agriculture by supporting new markets and movements that will keep farmers profitable and help create middle class jobs across the country.