Tom Vilsack

I think we have the right vision. I think the vision that climate change creates opportunity, creates new profit centers for farmers can be embraced.

You can have broadband, but if the downloads and upload speeds are not significant or are not sufficient, you can check the box, but you actually haven't improved the quality.

We want to focus on the 380-some counties where poverty has been persistent for over 30 years, persistent and consistent with Representative Clyburn's ideas.

Every single child in this country, in a childcare facility, in a school, wherever they might find themselves to be, every single child, I think, has to have the opportunity to have access to nutritious, good, healthy food.

As I discussed with Representative Fortenberry, you know, this is about making sure that this broadband is actually usable.

I think we do need to learn from the recent experience in COVID as to how we might be able to make the SNAP program and availability of benefits modernized and more convenient.

I am aware of the issues, Representative. I think it is important to point out that, the way these can be structured, there are very, very few--at the end of the day, very, very few farms that can be impacted and affected by this.

The ability to have FaceTime and Skype and the ability to see our children and our grandchildren, incredibly important.

I think one of the things that we could do and should do it is for the Secretary of Agriculture to reach out to the Attorney General.

I exercised the power to enhance the diversity in many of those county committees.

I think the President has got the right vision of zero emission agriculture.

We are from the Government. We want to affiliate ourselves with a community-building organization that you do trust.

I, if I am confirmed as Secretary, and the Under Secretary and the people who are responsible for administering these programs are held accountable.

We need an alternative fuel source in addition to, add to, complement our efforts on the electric.

The reality is we are going to need biofuels and the biofuel industry for the foreseeable future.

To the extent that that vehicle is available without compromising the ability to fund the farm bill programs, it is a great tool for us to create the kind of structure that will inform future farm bills about what will encourage carbon…

I certainly would make that commitment, Senator, and I share the President's vision of a net zero emission opportunity for U.S. agriculture.

Some people look at things as they are and say, why? Others dream of things that never were and say, why not?

Senator, we are going to look for ways in which we can encourage and incent and continue to support the biofuel industry.

I think there are ways in which we could also expand significantly processing opportunities in this country.

I would anticipate and expect that we would put together, for lack of a better term, an equity commission or a task force.

It is my intention to be a supporter of the organic industry, and I understand that is a rule that needs to be looked at.

I think it is fair to say there is a recognition that animal health and human health are connected...

What we need is to make sure that we have people on those appeal boards at the county level and at the State level that also represent that diversity.

This industry has made great strides in becoming much more environmentally friendly than it was at the beginning.