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NFU: If confirmed, Vilsack will be an effective voice for agriculture
Many agricultural groups have supported the nomination and are urging the swift confirmation of Tom Vilsack as US Ag Secretary.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the former ag secretary will be ready to “hit the ground running.”
“Somebody who has that experience doesn’t have to worry about how the programs work and how USDA is structured,” he says.
He tells Brownfield Vilsack will also be an effective voice for agriculture.
“Not only with the president, which will be important to make sure the president fully understands the impact of his ideas on farmers, but also with the EPA or to the trade representative or to any of the other cabinet members,” he says.
Vilsack has outlined top priorities.
“Vilsack has made it clear he’s been given direction from the White House on climate change, on getting beyond the pandemic, and growing jobs in rural America,” he says. “But also issues like racial equality—and that’s across the country but certainly Vilsack understands that is an issue that also needs to be dealt with in agriculture and rural communities.”
Vilsack served as head of the USDA for eight years under the Obama administration. In 2017, he became president and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council.
Audio: Rob Larew
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