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
More than half of America's rural counties are losing population and with it, political representation. Tom Vilsack americacountyhalf Change image and share on social
Rural Americans want leaders who help middle-class communities to plan and prosper over the long-term - not opportunists who reap the rewards for themselves, leaving nothing for the people who do the sowing. Tom Vilsack americanclasscommunity share on social
The food pyramid is very complicated. It doesn't give you as much info in a quick glance as the plate does. Tom Vilsack complicatefoodgive Change image and share on social
One out of every 12 jobs in the economy is connected in some way, shape or form to what happens on the farm. Tom Vilsack connecteconomyfarm Change image and share on social
Technology has allowed us to have more drought-resistant crops. The spotty nature of drought, the spotty nature of rains can sometimes result in better yields than anticipated. Tom Vilsack allowanticipatecrop Change image and share on social
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. Tom Vilsack appreciatedailydepartment Change image and share on social
When you've paid your debt to society, you need to be reconnected and re-engaged in society. Tom Vilsack debtengagehave Change image and share on social
People don't understand rural America. 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. Tom Vilsack americabackgive share on social
In his first year in office, President Obama pulled us back from the brink of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression and worked to lay a new foundation for economic growth. The president identified three key strategies to build that lasting prosperity: innovation, investment, and education. Tom Vilsack backbrinkbuild share on social