Smooth Confirmation Expected for Agriculture Secretary Nominee

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009, Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on his confirmation. Vilsack was nominated to become the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

A smooth confirmation by the full Senate is anticipated for Vilsack, who did not receive any opposition during the hearing and mentioned several items he would focus on, should he be confirmed. As cited on Farm Policy.com, Andrew Martin of the New York Times wrote, “Former Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa said that if he is confirmed as President-elect Barack Obama’s agriculture secretary, he would aggressively pursue new fuel sources to produce ethanol, promote locally grown fruits and vegetables and look for other ways to increase farmers’ incomes, in areas like wind power and organic farming.” FarmPolicy.com offers an excellent summary of the hearing.

In a statement issued last month by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, he commended the selection of Vilsack as the nominee, citing the former governor's experience in agricultural issues and expressed confidence in his ability to effectively continue the department’s success in expanding America's agricultural economy:

"USDA plays an integral role in supporting our agricultural economy and working on behalf of America's farmers and ranchers. I am confident that Tom Vilsack's background and experience will help him continue the progress we have made here.”

Schafer mentioned the great strides USDA has made in recent years – strengthening the agricultural economy, expanding conservation, leading biofuels development, securing the food supply, improving nutrition, and increasing markets for American agriculture worldwide.