Ag groups support Secretary of Ag confirmation

A coalition of nearly 130 leading U.S. food and agriculture associations called for a swift confirmation of Thomas Vilsack to serve as Secretary of Agriculture. In a letter sent to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on Jan. 20, the groups stated that, “Secretary Vilsack understands and embraces as USDA’s mission the advancement of U.S. food and agriculture for the benefit of all in the U.S. and countless consumers beyond our shores. We endorse the nomination of Secretary Vilsack not just because of his previous outstanding eight-year tenure in the post during the Obama Administration, but more importantly because of his vision for meeting the substantial current challenges of food and agriculture.”

Together, the group of associations represent the vast majority of the food and agriculture sector that is responsible for roughly one-fifth of the country’s economic activity, directly supporting over 23 million jobs – constituting nearly 15% of total U.S. employment. Included in the associations supporting the letter are the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Potato Council, Western Growers and numerous others.