U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says while a looming policy in Mexico may stop genetically modified corn from being planted in Mexico, the country's policy does not bar genetically modified corn grown in the United States from being sold to Mexico. Vilsack toured farms and research sites … [Read more...]
Current and former Iowa governors weigh in on Deere strike
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has visited the picket line outside the John Deere plant in Ankeny. Vilsack told the UAW members he's there for them because they were there for him 23 years ago. The union endorsed Vilsack's successful 1998 campaign for governor when he was trailing in the … [Read more...]
Biden Administration officials accuse meatpackers of ‘pandemic profiteering’
Biden Administration officials say the nation's four major meatpackers are engaging in "pandemic profiteering" and generating record or near-record profits this year. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it's time to hold meatpackers responsible for unfair practices. "Farmers are losing … [Read more...]
USDA to address anti-competitive practices in ag industry
The USDA will spend half a billion dollars to help establish smaller-scale meat processing plants to compete with the four major corporations that dominate the industry. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement in Council Bluffs. "It's first and foremost going to create an … [Read more...]
U.S.D.A. announces SNAP benefits to go up through September
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...]