Tom Vilsack

The problem is, we won't be able to go quite a bit further.

I am not talking about stewardship cuts because those do create local jobs and you can keep some of that money, quite frankly, in the forests for other projects but I am talking about the green timber sales.

We are clearly focused on this, and we understand the unique nature of farm work.

the reality is that there are micro problems and macro problems with the sequester.

It also has a ramification not just on the environment but also on our ability to produce outdoor recreational opportunities.

We estimate 2,600 farmers will not... get the help they need to even put a plan together

There is somewhere in the neighborhood of 11,000, 12,000 producers that will probably not get the financial support

I believe that the state of the agricultural economy is strong--and that the strength of American agriculture is driving further economic opportunity across rural America.

Our number one goal, Congressman, is to make sure that product that leaves those plants is safe.

I deeply hope that Congressional leaders will reach an agreement to achieve deficit reduction while averting an across-the-board cut.

We prevent wildfires. We promote healthy forests by timbering, and we promote robust rural economies.

I am proud to be here today as Secretary of Agriculture, and while I appreciate the fact that you all think I can be here for 4 years, I serve at the pleasure of the President.

Like you, I am very concerned about the impact of the March 1 sequester on the American economy.

I deeply hope that Congressional leaders will reach an agreement to achieve deficit reduction while averting an across-the-board cut.

Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the benefits to U.S. agriculture of ending the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment and authorizing permanent normal trade relations for Russia.

if we can compete on an even field, we will win that competition every time, but right now it is not necessarily even.

there's no better calling to be able to improve the environment of this country, to make sure we continue to have the soil that allows us to have this rich diversity of agricultural production, to be able to clean up the waters of our…

This is the way the system is supposed to work. We're supposed to identify these circumstances and make sure that they don't get in the food supply.

The research that we see is the best way to use scarce resources, is to do it in a competitive way.

Let me reiterate, without any equivocation, something that we have said hundreds of times, this product is safe, and there's no question about it.

I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you to discuss the administration's priorities for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provide you an overview of the President's 2013 budget.

I'm happy to personally get that rectified.

Yes. And that's why we had 15,000 store reviews.

As long as I'm Secretary, the last thing I want to do is furlough a worker or lay one off.

Let me state unequivocally that crop insurance is the linchpin of the safety net.