Thomas Vilsack

“There are two things that are more important than life itself for most people. The first is their children and the second is their health.”

“Every single person in this country... has the right to live in a country that is safe, to have a roof over their head, to have a good job, and to be able to send their kids to a good school.”

“Agriculture is not just a job, it's a way of life. It's a passion.”

“Food security is national security.”

“We have an opportunity to create a food system that is more resilient, more sustainable, and more equitable.”

“Rural America is the backbone of this country. We need to invest in our rural communities.”

“The future of agriculture is not just about growing more, it's about growing better.”

“We need to do a better job of connecting the dots between our food, our health and our environment.”

“There is no more important mission for the USDA than to provide a safety net for our farmers and ranchers.”

“I'm a firm believer in the power of science and innovation to solve our challenges.”

“I believe in the power of partnerships. Government can't solve all the problems alone.”

“We need to re-imagine the farm and food system of the 21st century.”

“Trade is a two-way street, and we need to make sure that our farmers and ranchers have access to foreign markets.”