Former Secretary Vilsack Returns to Senate Ag Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – In a unique and somewhat unprecedented approach, the Senate Agriculture Committee met on Tuesday morning to consider the nomination of Tom Vilsack to become the next Secretary of Agriculture. Since the Senate is currently operating without a leadership agreement in place, and with the retirement of former Chairman Pat Roberts (KS-R), the two ranking members on the committee agreed to hold the hearing, without a Chairman to expedite the nomination of Vilsack to once again head the Department of Agriculture. If confirmed, Vilsack, a two-term Iowa governor, will become the first to return to the position and the second longest serving Agriculture Secretary in history after serving more than 7 years in the Obama Administration.

Vilsack outlined four “Why Not” moments that awaits agriculture right now. Climate change will offer farmers and ranchers a tremendous opportunity to benefit from many of the practices already in place. He also spoke about food security issues, nutrition insecurity and the need for transparency and openess in markets.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)