The following statement may be attributed to Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill:

“This challenging year has proven agriculture is essential to our daily lives, providing the food, fuel and fiber we all depend on. Agriculture is the engine that drives Iowa’s economy, and it’s important to have a Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that understands the industry and the challenges family farmers face today. Within the last year, Iowa farmers have faced a drought, derecho, and depressed markets. Iowan Tom Vilsack is a friend of the farmer and has remained engaged in U.S. agriculture and has a deep understanding of the current issues. We are pleased he received bipartisan support and confirmation to again lead the USDA. We look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack, as we did for eight years during the Obama Administration, to help find solutions to the many challenges facing our nations farmers, and we stand ready to assist him in any way possible.”