Tom Vilsack set to be nominated as USDA secretary

President-Elect Joe Biden announced Dec. 8 that he would nominate Tom Vilsack to be his Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack previously served as USDA Secretary under the Obama administration.

“United Fresh is pleased to see Secretary Vilsack return to USDA,’ said United Fresh Produce Association CEO Tom Stenzel. “Under his steady leadership we worked together to further the gains of the industry and broaden access to fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly for children. There is no shortage of issues to work on over the next four years – from trade to climate change. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we have experienced leaders who can hit the ground running to ensure that there is a seamless transition from the Trump administration to the Biden administration, including making sure that the supply chain is utilized to address the immense and immediate food insecurity needs being faced around the country – and there is no one more familiar with how to make USDA work for the American people than Tom Vilsack.”

Vilsack served for eight years under President Obama at USDA and was previously the governor of Iowa. During his tenure at USDA he worked with United Fresh on a number of issues including the prioritization of good nutrition, aid to produce farmers and the supply chain and ensuring that USDA worked with other federal agencies to harmonize their efforts to address issues relating to trade, food safety and immigration. Vilsack most recently spoke to United Fresh members at the 2020 Washington Conference in September.

California Farm Bureau welcomes Vilsack appointment

Noting the considerable challenges facing farmers and ranchers, the California Farm Bureau welcomed the appointment of Tom Vilsack as the next U.S. secretary of agriculture. President-elect Joe Biden nominated Vilsack to return to the office he occupied from 2009-17.

“Given all the stresses placed on the food and agricultural system by the pandemic in particular, it will be good to have an experienced person resume administration of the Agriculture Department,” California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson said in a news release. “Tom Vilsack will be able immediately to guide USDA for the benefit of farmers, ranchers, rural residents and all the people who depend on our nation’s agricultural production.

“During his previous service, we worked frequently with Secretary Vilsack, so we know he recognizes the special importance of California farms and ranches to American agriculture, and to customers both in the U.S. and around the world,” Johansson said. “In his current role with the U.S. Dairy Export Council, he has concentrated on access for American farm goods in international markets, and we look forward to continuing that emphasis with him when he returns to USDA.”

Johansson said Farm Bureau would also work with the incoming agriculture secretary on climate policy.

“Farmers and ranchers should be viewed as assets in climate policy,” he said. “We will stress the need for incentive-based programs that allow farmers and ranchers the flexibility to maintain active stewardship of their land while producing food and farm products efficiently.”

The California Farm Bureau represents nearly 34,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.