U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says through the end of September, there will be a 15% increase in federal food assistance. "It will provide additional help and assistance for struggling families," Vilsack says. "To give you a sense of this, a family of four is going to receive under this … [Read more...]
On 92-7 vote, U.S. Senate confirms Vilsack for return to USDA
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack has been confirmed to serve again as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack, who is 70, was Ag Secretary during all eight years of the Obama Administration. On Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Senate voted 92-7 to confirm Vilsack's return to head the USDA. Governor … [Read more...]
Vilsack nomination for Ag Secretary passes Senate Ag Committee
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack's nomination to be U.S. Ag Secretary is moving to the full Senate after an Ag Committee hearing today on his second stint in the job. "It's not lost on me ironically that this is Ground Hog Day and I realize that I am back again," Vilsack says,"but I also realize … [Read more...]
Grassley discusses Vilsack Ag Secretary nomination
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley introduced former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to members of the Senate Agriculture Committee in a hearing today on Vilsack's nomination as U.S. Ag Secretary. Grassley says he's "heard nothing negative" from fellow Republicans about Democrat Vilsack, who served as the … [Read more...]
Bill Northey, heading back to Iowa, reflects on U.S.D.A. tenure
An Iowan who served nearly three years in the Trump Administration is heading home. Bill Northey resigned as Iowa Ag Secretary in March of 2018 to become Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "It'll be different waking up now every day not … [Read more...]
Biden touts Vilsack’s ‘deep experience’ at U.S.D.A.
President-elect Joe Biden says he had to do a bit of persuading to convince former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to agree to serve again as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Biden introduced Vilsack and four other members of his domestic policy team today, three of whom served in the Obama … [Read more...]
Vilsack appears to be Biden’s pick to return as ag secretary
It appears Tom Vilsack may serve longer as the nation's ag secretary than he did as Iowa's governor. Several national media outlets are reporting Vilsack is Joe Biden's choice to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vilsack served as ag secretary during all eight years of the Obama … [Read more...]
Vilsack says Perdue needs to hear of Iowa biofuel woes
Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has some advice for current Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, who is scheduled to visit Iowa tomorrow. "First and foremost Secretary Perdue obviously needs to visit a farm. He needs to talk to farmers and he also needs to hear the concerns that have been … [Read more...]
Wind turbines on private property a flash point for Iowa lawmakers
Three GOP members of a key committee say they plan to block state regulators from expanding their authority to turn over private property for wind energy developments. Some Iowa counties have passed local zoning ordinances restricting where wind turbines may be placed. Critics say those … [Read more...]
Iowa lawmakers, ag leaders cite hits to rural economy
Iowa's congressional delegation and the leaders of ag and commodity groups are warning the coronavirus pandemic is significantly damaging the rural economy. Some dairy farmers have dumped milk due to the dramatic drop in demand. Tom Vilsack, the former Iowa governor who served eight years as U.S. … [Read more...]