Thomas Vilsack

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

“Food security is national security.”

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

“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.”

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

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

“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.”

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

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

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

“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.”