In 2011, agricultural exports hit a record high and producers saw their best incomes in nearly 40 years. Tom Vilsack agriculturalexporthigh Change image and share on social
You know, rural Americans are a special people. Their labor puts food on our table and fuel in our gas tanks. Their service in our military sets a powerful example of leadership, honor and sacrifice. Their spirit of community inspires us all. Tom Vilsack americancommunityfood share on social
In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only nine percent of family farm income comes from farming, and more and more of our farmers are looking elsewhere for their primary source of income. Tom Vilsack agingfamilyfarm share on social
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. Tom Vilsack benefitconsumefruit share on social
Today, President Obama is making smart investments in clean energy - wind, solar, biofuels - as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy that supports thousands of jobs, not in the Middle East, but in the Midwest. Tom Vilsack biofuelcleaneast share on social
And sometimes people don't realize that 90 percent of the persistent poverty counties are located in rural America. Tom Vilsack americacountylocate Change image and share on social
If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it. Tom Vilsack danceprayerrain Change image and share on social
There is more potential for economic growth in rural America than at any time in decades. Tom Vilsack americadecadeeconomic Change image and share on social
I don't know of a Democrat - whether they're a conservative, a centrist or a liberal Democrat - that doesn't think that it's important to have quality jobs that pay decent wages so that families can support themselves, so that they can have the dignity of being able to afford health care, put money aside for pension, buy a home. Tom Vilsack affordbuycare share on social
Local and regional food systems are about opportunity. Tom Vilsack foodlocalopportunity Change image and share on social