Many young and beginning farmers start out in local markets. Some stay there, and some scale up. Tom Vilsack beginfarmerlocal 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
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. Tom Vilsack 21staddictionamerica share on social
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. Tom Vilsack dancedayfarmer Change image and share on social
To keep farmers on the farm we must maintain a strong farm safety net, but we will also have to build a thriving companion economy to compliment production agriculture in rural America. Tom Vilsack agricultureamericabuild 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
I don't know if there is a Democrat who necessarily doesn't believe health care is a right instead of privilege. There is a significant between us and the Republican Party on that issue. Tom Vilsack caredemocrathealth Change image and share on social
I don't care what anybody says: Nothing is better than a tomato you grow. There's something about it that's different than a tomato you can buy. It's a great thing. Tom Vilsack buycaregreat Change image and share on social
We're going to move from a commodity economy where you basically grow the same kind of crops - where a kernel of corn is a kernel of corn is a kernel of corn - to an ingredient economy where there will be a kernel of corn that will be designed for fuel, there will be a kernel of corn designed for livestock. Tom Vilsack basicallycommoditycorn share on social
Every dollar of SNAP benefits generates $1.84 in the economy in terms of economic activity. If people are able to buy a little more in the grocery store, someone has to stock it, package it, shelve it, process it, ship it. All of those are jobs. It's the most direct stimulus you can get in the economy during these tough times. Tom Vilsack activitybenefitbuy share on social